Highland is a city in Madison County, Illinois, United States. The population was 9,991 at the 2020 census. It was first named Helvetia (pronounced "hellveesha") in accordance with the heritage of the town's Swiss-German founding members. The town voted to change its name to the English version, "Highland", in the early 20th century, as well as stopping production of its German language newspaper, in part to avoid negativity toward those of Germanic heritage at the advent of the First World War. Around the same time, a small town in northern Illinois also started calling itself Highland. Eventually, the town in northern Illinois became Highland Park.

Highland has a rich history including extended visits by such notables as Abraham Lincoln. On November 21, 1915, the Liberty Bell passed through Highland on its nationwide tour returning to Pennsylvania from the Panama–Pacific International Exposition in San Francisco.

Geography

Highland is in southeastern Madison County, east of St. Louis. U.S. Route 40 passes through the city north of downtown, leading west to Troy and on to St. Louis, and to the northeast to Greenville. Illinois Route 160 passes through the center of Highland, leading north to Grantfork and south to Trenton, while Illinois Route 143 leads northwest to Marine and northeast to Pierron. Interstate 70 passes through the northern part of the city limits, with access from Exit 24 (IL 143) to the west and Exit 30 (US 40) to the east.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Highland has a total area of , of which are land and , or 13.13%, are water.

Economy

Highland has been home to businesses that include Pet Milk and the Wicks Organ Company. For the past 60 years, Highland Supply Corporation has been producing and selling floral grass, a traditional decorative product used to line Easter baskets. Highland is also home to The Korte Company (builder of many large and well-known buildings including Universal Studios in Florida).

Government

Highland is in the process of implementing citywide availability of a municipal broadband network using Fiber to the home technology.

Education

The Highland Community Unit School District serves Highland area students including those from Alhambra, Illinois, Grantfork, Illinois, and New Douglas, Illinois. Kindergarten through sixth grade schools are located in each of the districts municipalities while the district's middle and high schools are located in Highland. Starting in August 2014 6th grade is located at the Highland Middle School. In September 2014, the district's teachers staged a strike for the first time in the district's history.

thumb|St. Paul's Church on a postcard

Additionally, Highland has a local parochial school named St. Paul Catholic School offering Kindergarten through eighth grade education.

The Louis Latzer Memorial Public Library has a collection of more than 48,000 print volumes, a substantial media collection, and public computer access along with access to subscription databases and a genealogy collection. It is also a member of the Illinois Heartland Library System.

Demographics

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, Highland had a population of 9,991. The median age was 40.0 years. 22.2% of residents were under the age of 18 and 20.5% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 91.3 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 88.3 males age 18 and over.

95.6% of residents lived in urban areas, while 4.4% lived in rural areas.

There were 4,257 households in Highland, of which 29.8% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 46.6% were married-couple households, 16.8% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 29.4% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 32.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. of 2010, there were 9,919 people, 4,013 households, and 2,633 families residing in the city. The population density was . There were 3,610 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the city was 97.00% White, 0.2% African American, 0.2% Native American, 0.9% Asian, 0.4% from other races, and 1.3% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.4% of the population.

There were 4,013 households and 2,633 families. 50.3% of the families have children 18 years old or younger. There are 2,017 husband-wife families. 29.5% of all the households were made up of one individual and 16.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.42 and the average family size was 2.99.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 24.8% under the age of 18, 8.6% from 18 to 24, 27.5% from 25 to 44, 23% from 45 to 64, and 16.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36.8 years. Of the total population 4,714 are males and 5,205 are females.

The median income for a household in the city was $39,524, and the median income for a family was $52,240. Males had a median income of $36,536 versus $25,620 for females. The per capita income for the city was $21,101. About 3.6% of families and 6.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.9% of those under age 18 and 8.3% of those age 65 or over.

Highland is the setting for the first song on the Illinois<!-- DO NOT CHANGE THE NAME OF THE ALBUM: the album is "Illinois", one track is "Come on Feel the Illinoise": see the Talk:Sufjan_Stevens page--> album by Sufjan Stevens, titled 'Concerning the UFO sighting near Highland, Illinois', in which Stevens mentions a 21st-century UFO sighting by the owner of the local mini-golf course.

Highland was also mentioned on The Daily Show on February 9, 2006. A report mentioned local pharmacist and state legislator Ron Stephens, who protested an executive order by Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich requiring a pharmacist to fill emergency contraception prescriptions.

Notable people

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  • Geoff Hartlieb, pitcher for the Miami Marlins; attended Highland High School
  • James Head, mixed martial artist in the Ultimate Fighting Championship
  • Steve Hug, member of the 1972 Olympic team in gymnastics
  • Arlo U. Landolt, astronomer
  • Sam LaPorta, football player for the Detroit Lions
  • Ken Oberkfell, third baseman with six teams; World Series champion (1982); born in Highland
  • Jake Odorizzi, Major League Baseball pitcher; previously played for Highland High School
  • Harry Parker, pitcher for various teams; born in Highland
  • Aaron Rakers, relief pitcher for two teams; born in Highland

See also

  • Journey to New Switzerland

References

  • Swiss Settlers in SW Illinois—includes searchable English translations of 19th-century works by Swiss settlers in Highland.