History of Highlands

The town of Highlands was founded in 1875 by two developers living in Kansas who, according to legend, took a map and drew a line from New York to New Orleans. Then drew another line from Chicago to Savannah. These lines, they predicted, would become major trade routes in the future, and where they crossed would some day be a great population center.

Highlands later became a resort town at more than 4,000 feet on the highest crest of the Western North Carolina plateau in the Southern Appalachian mountains and the highest incorporated town east of the Rockies. By 1883, nearly 300 immigrants from the eastern states lived in Highlands. In the early 1880’s the town contained eight country stores specializing in groceries, hardware, and general merchandise, a post office, a hotel and boarding house for summer guests, a public library, four churches, and a school.

In the late 1920’s, the Cullasaja River was dammed, forming Lake Sequoyah, to provide hydroelectric power. A scenic road to Franklin was carved into the rock walls of the Cullasaja Gorge. In 1931, the town’s population had increased to 500 with 2,500 to 3,000 summer guests.  In the 1970's, land use plans and zoning laws were established. The town’s population stands at slightly over 1,100 year round residents with 3,200 on the plateau.

To learn more about Highlands History visit Highlands Historical Society website at www.highlandshistory.com

Taxes & Incentives
A North Carolina sales tax of 6.75% is charged on all purchases.
Accommodations charge 6.75% plus 3% Occupancy Tax

STATE INCOME TAX
North Carolina does have a state income tax. There is a graduated income tax from 6% - 8.25%

COUNTY TAX
Macon County Personal Property Tax is 0.37 per hundred. The rate in the Town of Highlands is 0.18 per hundred of evaluation.  For Highlands information, contact the Town Hall, P.O. Box 460, Highlands, N.C. 28741 or phone (828) 526-2118. There is no state property tax.

 Quick Facts

• Highest incorporated town east of the Mississippi River at 4,118 feet
• One of the few temperate rain forests in North America
• Year Round population on Highlands Plateau 3,200 that grows to over 18,000 in the summer
• Salamander capital of the world
• Median home price in 2005 was $662,000
• Average age of home is 17.4 years
• Population has grown 32% since 1990
• Median age is 47.4
• Average people per household is 2.17
• 31.8% of population have a four year degree or higher
• Median income $41,940**
• Forbes magazines 499th most expensive zip code
• Profile of new home buyer is mid 40’s professional within a 6 hour drive radius of Highlands who tends to come 12-18 weekends a year.

** Data collected from US Census which does not calculate the effect of the second home owners in population, median income, education, etc.

Healthcare- Highlands Cashiers Hospital

Educations- Highlands School, K-12; Summit Charter School; Southwestern Community College; Western Carolina University