23,900+Population
Lake CountyCounty
1910Incorporated
46322Zip Code
25 miTo Downtown Chicago

The Story

About Highland

Highland's first settlers, Michael and Judith Johnston, arrived from Ohio in 1847. The town grew slowly until the early 1880s, when the Chicago & Atlantic railroad drew agriculture and manufacturing to the area, followed soon after by Dutch settlers arriving from neighboring Munster. Highland officially incorporated as a town in 1910 with just 304 residents.

Today Highland is bordered by Hammond to the north, Munster to the west, Schererville to the south, and Griffith to the east. Its downtown along 2nd Street and Highway Avenue is known for buildings in the Mid-Century Modern style, and the town has long been recognized as a close-knit, family-oriented community in the heart of Lake County.

Real Estate

The Highland Housing Market

Highland's housing stock is largely established single-family homes built through the mid-20th century, spread across neighborhoods including Arbor Hill, Golfmoor, Homestead, and Lakeside. Buyers are typically drawn by the town's close-knit character, walkable mid-century downtown, and quick access to Chicago via I-80/94.

Home values shift block by block. The team builds every comparative market analysis using a verified methodology — a 1-mile radius, comparable square footage within 20%, matching bed and bath count, and similar age, garage, and basement — so Highland buyers and sellers get a number they can trust, not a computer-generated estimate. Call or text 630-912-9129 for current, verified Highland market data.

Market Data

Current Highland Market Data

Education

Schools in Highland

Highland is served by the School Town of Highland, enrolling roughly 3,000 students across 6 schools.

  • Highland High School (Trojans) is the district's only high school, feeding from Highland Middle School and four elementary schools: Judith Morton Johnston, Mildred Merkley, Southridge, and Allen J. Warren.

Outdoors

Parks & Recreation

Highland's parks system is anchored by one of the largest green spaces in the Region.

  • Wicker Memorial Park — an 18-hole golf course, walking and biking trails connecting to the Little Calumet River Trail and Erie Lackawanna Trail, a splash pad, playgrounds, and event pavilions. In October 2008, the park drew a crowd of 40,000 for a campaign rally, the largest gathering there since President Coolidge dedicated the park in 1927.
  • Additional neighborhood parks include Pettit Park, Meadows Park, Homestead Park, Main Square Park, Sheppard Park, and Little Turtle Park.

Around Town

Things to Do, Dining & Shopping

Downtown Highland's Mid-Century Modern storefronts host a handful of signature community events each year.

  • The Festival of the Trail — artist booths, a farmer's market, and live music.
  • The annual Downtown Car Cruise, featuring dozens of vintage cars.
  • The Lincoln Community Center hosts many of the town's public events and gatherings.

Getting Around

Location & Commute

Highland sits near the interchange of I-80/94 and U.S. 41 (Indianapolis Boulevard), minutes from I-294, I-90, I-394, and I-65. The drive to downtown Chicago runs about 40 minutes, and the South Shore Line is accessible via the Hammond station just to the north.

Local Expertise

Buying or Selling in Highland?

Steve Roake & Kimberly Genovese work with buyers and sellers throughout Highland and greater Lake County, applying the team's verified comp methodology to one of the Region's most established, close-knit communities.

  • 615+Transactions Closed
  • $113M+Sales Volume
  • 103.7%*List-to-Sale Ratio
  • 2003Licensed Since

*Based on 22 sellers who listed at the team's recommended starting price, averaging 103.7% of list price at 13 days to contract — compared to MRED's 98.4% and NIRA's 95.8% 12-month market averages (as of Aug 2026).

Call or Text the Team: 630-912-9129

FAQ

Highland Real Estate: Frequently Asked Questions

Is Highland, IN a good place to buy a home?
Highland is a close-knit, family-oriented Region town with established housing stock, top-rated schools through the School Town of Highland, and easy access to Chicago.
What school district serves Highland, IN?
The School Town of Highland serves the town across 6 schools and roughly 3,000 students, including Highland High School, Highland Middle School, and four elementary schools.
How far is Highland from downtown Chicago?
Highland is approximately 25 miles from downtown Chicago, about a 40-minute drive via I-80/94 and U.S. 41.
What is Highland, IN known for?
Highland is known for Wicker Memorial Park, its mid-century modern downtown, and hosting a 40,000-person Obama campaign rally at Wicker Park in October 2008, the largest crowd there since President Coolidge dedicated the park in 1927.
Who should I contact to buy or sell a home in Highland, IN?
Steve Roake & Kimberly Genovese of Constellation Home Sales | Freedom Group Global serve Lake County and all of Northwest Indiana. Call or text 630-912-9129 for a verified market analysis.

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