Highlands Community, Madison,WI

If you’re considering a move to the Madison area, the Highlands Community in the north west part of the city offers a wonderful blend of suburban charm and urban convenience. This neighborhood is known for its lush green spaces and family-friendly atmosphere, making it especially appealing to those looking to settle down in a welcoming environment. The area boasts well-maintained parks like the Highlands Park, where residents often enjoy picnics, jogging, or weekend gatherings. With its quiet streets and a strong sense of community, Highlands is perfect for anyone who appreciates a peaceful setting without sacrificing access to city amenities.

One of the biggest attractions of the Highlands Community is its easy access to nearby shopping centers, local eateries, and recreational facilities. Residents love visiting the nearby Highland Village Shopping Center, which offers a variety of stores and restaurants, providing everything from daily necessities to unique dining experiences. For those who enjoy outdoor activities, the community is close to the popular Cherokee Marsh, a great spot for hiking, bird watching, and kayaking during the warmer months. Additionally, families often appreciate the excellent schools in and around the neighborhood, contributing to its appeal as a great place to raise children.

Despite its peaceful suburban feel, the Highlands Community is conveniently located just about a 15 to 20-minute drive from Downtown Madison. This makes it easy for residents to enjoy the vibrant cultural scene, including theaters, museums, and a lively nightlife, without having to live in the hustle and bustle of the city center. The neighborhood's proximity to major roads and public transportation options also means commuting to work or school is hassle-free. Overall, Highlands offers a balanced lifestyle with the best of both worlds—quiet residential living coupled with quick access to everything Madison has to offer.

In Highlands Community, 6% of residents aged 16 and older are married, which is notably higher than the national average. This could point to a more settled, community-driven neighborhood where long-term residents and homeowners are common. It’s the kind of place where stability, and a close-knit atmosphere make it especially appealing to families and couples looking to put down roots.

With only 6% of people over 16 having children, you can expect an easygoing environment that tends to attract residents seeking a quieter lifestyle. The atmosphere here leans more toward adult-oriented living. Without the constant rhythm of school schedules or kid-centered events, the community maintains a slower, more relaxed pace. This makes it especially appealing to singles, couples, and empty nesters who appreciate tranquil streets, and recreation on their own terms.

Highlands Community demographics offer valuable insights into the character and lifestyle of the neighborhood, helping you understand who lives there and what daily life might feel like. Home to only about 630 residents, Highlands Community is notably smaller than many other Madison neighborhoods, creating a more peaceful and community-oriented atmosphere. Its lower population can translate to quieter streets, a more relaxed pace of life, and easier access to local amenities — all without sacrificing the vibrant urban lifestyle the city is known for.

Highlands Community has a population density of 2,751, which strikes a balanced feel when compared to other Madison neighborhoods. The area offers just the right mix of activity and breathing room, creating a community that’s lively yet comfortable, with easy access to amenities and everyday conveniences.

Home to a population with a higher-than-average age of 63, this area offers a calm and refined atmosphere shaped by experience and tradition. The neighborhood’s more mature demographic fosters a strong sense of community, a relaxed pace of life, and an environment that’s both welcoming and well-established — making it an especially appealing choice for retirees seeking comfort, stability, and connection.

The Highlands Community crime map uses detailed block group boundaries from address-based crime data to visualize crime patterns across the neighborhood, highlighting both low-crime zones and areas with higher levels of reported crime. This crime heat map helps paint a clearer picture of local safety trends, showing how crime can vary from one part of the community to another. Keep in mind that areas with higher activity on the map don’t always equate to dangerous conditions — locations near entertainment districts, major roads, or tourist destinations often see more reports simply due to the larger number of people passing through.

Housing prices can reveal a lot about the balance and overall appeal of a neighborhood. In Highlands Community, the median home price is about $395,400, which is on par with many comparable areas. This average pricing reflects a stable, affordable housing market and makes the neighborhood an appealing choice for a wide range of buyers seeking both value and long-term potential. Examining how home prices and appreciation rates in Highlands Community have shifted over time can reveal important clues about the neighborhood’s future value. These trends help potential buyers and investors understand market momentum and determine whether the area is likely to deliver strong returns over the long term.

The median rent is around $1,254, which is on par with many comparable neighborhoods. This balanced pricing offers a mix of affordability and value, making it a practical choice for a wide range of renters.

School ratings in Highlands Community combine factors like student performance, graduation rates, and standardized test scores to provide a clear picture of overall educational quality. The use of NAEP (National Assessment of Educational Progress) scores adds valuable context by offering a consistent national benchmark to see how local schools compare on a broader scale. Additionally, understanding the overall education level achieved by residents in Highlands Community can give insight into the community’s priorities and opportunities, helping families make more informed decisions about where to live and how well local schools may support long-term student success.