The Town FilesHighland, Pennsylvania
Township in Chester County · population 1,259 (2020 Census)
- Median home
- $350,000
- Household income
- $96,667
- Jan low / Jul high
- 22° / 85°
- Snow a year
- 32 in
- Tornadoes ≤10 mi since 1950
- 13
- Median age
- 48.0
Highland is a township of 1,259 people in Chester County, Pennsylvania. The median home is worth $350,000, above the typical Pennsylvania town ($214,250). It ranks better for families than 86% of Pennsylvania towns, quieter than 77% of Pennsylvania towns, more upscale than 76% of Pennsylvania towns.
How Highland ranks
Percentile among Pennsylvania towns with at least 500 people on The Town Files lifestyle rankings. 50 is typical for the state; 90 means better than 90% of Pennsylvania towns.
Homes and cost of living
The median home in Highland is worth $350,000, above the typical Pennsylvania town ($214,250). Homes cost about 3.6 times the median household income of $96,667, which is more affordable than 17% of Pennsylvania towns. Median rent is $1,344 a month. 87.8% of households own their home.
| Housing | Highland | Typical Pennsylvania town |
|---|---|---|
| Median home value | $350,000 | $214,250 |
| Median rent | $1,344 | $996 |
| Median household income | $96,667 | $75,278 |
| Home value ÷ income | 3.6× | 2.8× |
| Homeownership | 87.8% | 81.5% |
| Median year built | 1962 | 1971 |
| Seasonal / vacation homes | 0.0% | — |
Who lives in Highland
| People | Highland | Typical Pennsylvania town |
|---|---|---|
| Median age | 48.0 | 44.2 |
| Age 65 and over | 17.6% | 21.1% |
| Under 18 | 19.4% | — |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.0% | 23.8% |
| Below the poverty line | 8.8% | 8.5% |
| Veterans | 4.7% | — |
| Born outside the U.S. | 4.6% | — |
| Work from home | 12.7% | 10.6% |
| Average commute | 27.6 min | 25.9 min |
| Homes with broadband | 85.1% | 89.0% |
Weather in Highland
July highs average 85.4°F and January lows 21.9°F. About 52.1 inches of rain and melted snow fall a year, with 31.9 inches of snow (typical Pennsylvania town: 31.8 in). Expect about 16 days a year at 90°F or hotter and 120 nights at or below freezing.
Tornadoes, storms and disasters
13 tornadoes have passed within 10 miles of Highland since 1950, compared with 10 for the typical Pennsylvania town. 6 rated (E)F2 or stronger. The strongest, an EF2, struck on September 1, 2021 about 5.2 miles from the town center. Tornadoes within 10 miles have caused 1 deaths and 10 injuries since 1950. The most recent was on June 16, 2023.
Hail of 1 inch or larger has been reported within 10 miles 18 times; the largest was 1.75 inches on June 9, 2009.
Severe weather in Chester County since 1996
Chester County has been included in 26 federal disaster or emergency declarations since 1953, most often for flood, drought, hurricane.
| Declared | Incident | Declaration |
|---|---|---|
| September 10, 2021 | Hurricane | DR-4618: Remnants Of Hurricane Ida |
| March 30, 2020 | Biological | DR-4506: Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 13, 2020 | Biological | EM-3441: Covid-19 |
| March 23, 2016 | Snowstorm | DR-4267: Severe Winter Storm And Snowstorm |
| February 6, 2014 | Severe Ice Storm | EM-3367: Severe Winter Storm |
Jobs and pay in Chester County
Chester County had 251,284 jobs in 2024, paying an average of $87,886 a year. Unemployment was 2.6% in 2023; in Highland itself the ACS puts it at 6%.
Towns near Highland
- Cochranville, PA2.8 mi · 631 people · home $306,700
- Parkesburg, PA2.9 mi · 3,862 people · home $305,900
- Londonderry, PA3.1 mi · 2,476 people · home $424,600
- Pomeroy, PA3.1 mi · 1,085 people · home $254,700
- West Fallowfield, PA3.4 mi · 2,459 people · home $336,700
- Westwood, PA4.1 mi · 1,003 people · home $176,400
- Sadsbury, PA4.1 mi · 4,125 people · home $355,200
- Sadsburyville, PA4.3 mi · 1,001 people · home $301,800
Highland questions
Is Highland, Pennsylvania a good place to retire?
On The Town Files lifestyle rankings, Highland scores better for retirees than 50% of Pennsylvania towns and quieter than 77%. 17.6% of residents are 65 or older (median age 48.0).
How much does a house cost in Highland?
The median owner-occupied home in Highland is valued at $350,000 (Census ACS 2020–2024), against a median household income of $96,667, so homes cost about 3.6 times income. Median rent is $1,344 a month.
What is the weather like in Highland?
July highs average 85.4°F and January lows 21.9°F (NOAA 1991–2020 normals). It gets about 52.1 inches of precipitation a year and 31.9 inches of snow.
Does Highland get tornadoes?
13 tornadoes have passed within 10 miles of Highland since 1950 (NOAA Storm Events); the strongest was an EF2 on September 1, 2021. The typical Pennsylvania town has had 10.
- U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates (2020–2024)
- U.S. Census Bureau, 2020 Census and 2025 Gazetteer (2020 / 2025)
- NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals (1991–2020)
- NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database (1950–2026)
- FEMA OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations (this product uses the FEMA OpenFEMA API but is not endorsed by FEMA) (1953–2026)
- NCES Common Core of Data (2023–24)
- BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages; USDA ERS county unemployment (BLS LAUS) (2000–2024)
- The Town Files lifestyle rankings, built from federal demographic, school, crime and housing data (2025)