Is High Springs Safe, Pros and cons of living in High Springs
High Springs, Florida, offers a unique blend of small-town charm and convenient access to natural beauty, making it an appealing destination for those seeking a relaxed lifestyle. Nestled in Alachua County, this city provides a tranquil environment with a strong sense of community, underscored by its numerous parks and family-friendly atmosphere. Its proximity to larger urban centers like Gainesville also ensures residents have access to a wider range of amenities and opportunities.
The city’s history is rooted in the mid-19th century, evolving from a small settlement to a developing town with the arrival of railroads in the 1880s. Today, High Springs continues to grow, attracting new residents while maintaining its distinctive character. This guide delves into the various aspects of living in High Springs, covering safety, cost of living, housing, employment, climate, education, and demographics, to provide a comprehensive overview for potential movers.
Is it Safe to Live in High Springs?
High Springs maintains an overall crime rate that is near the average for communities of similar size across America (as reported by NeighborhoodScout). The chance of becoming a victim of any crime in High Springs is approximately 1 in 110 (as reported by NeighborhoodScout). This suggests a generally stable environment for residents.
However, it is important to note that violent crime in High Springs occurs at a rate higher than in most communities of all population sizes in America (as reported by NeighborhoodScout). The chance of becoming a victim of violent crime, such as armed robbery or aggravated assault, is about 1 in 454 (as reported by NeighborhoodScout). Property crime rates, including burglary and theft, are about average for all cities and towns in America of all population sizes (as reported by NeighborhoodScout).
Housing Costs
The High Springs housing market is considered somewhat competitive (as reported by Redfin). As of last month, the average home price in High Springs was $256,000, a decrease of 21.1% since the previous year (as reported by Redfin). In March 2026, home prices in High Springs were up 27.0% compared to the previous year, with a median price of $346,000 (as reported by Redfin).
The median home value in High Springs is $320,700 (as reported by Niche). The median rent in High Springs is approximately $1,800 per month (as reported by Zillow). This price range for rentals spans from $1,000 to $3,000 (as reported by Zillow).
Real Estate Trends
The median sale price of a home in the 32643 zip code, which includes High Springs, was $347,000 last month, reflecting a 3.6% increase from the previous year (as reported by Redfin). The median sale price per square foot in this area is $214, an increase of 3.9% from last year (as reported by Redfin).
In March 2026, homes in the 32643 zip code sold for a median price of $347,000, showing a 3.6% increase from the prior year (as reported by Redfin). The market is currently considered a buyer’s market, with the supply of homes exceeding demand (as reported by realtor.com®).
Job Market and Economy
The median household income in High Springs was $94,421 in 2024 (as reported by CUBIT). This indicates a strong income level for residents, with 6.5% of families living below the poverty line (as reported by CUBIT). The average salary in High Springs is estimated to be around $37.1K per year, with the 75th percentile earning up to $49.4K (as reported by ZipRecruiter).
Florida’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 4.7% in March 2026 (as reported by FloridaJobs.org). This represents an increase of 0.1 percentage points from the previous month and 1.1 percentage points from the previous year (as reported by FloridaJobs.org). The state had 523,000 jobless individuals out of a labor force of 11,146,000 (as reported by FloridaJobs.org).
Major Employers
While specific major employers for High Springs are not detailed in the provided search results, the city is part of the Gainesville, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area. This broader region benefits from a growing biotech and medtech industry, supported by the University of Florida (as reported by Livability.com).
The professional and business services sector in Florida has seen job growth, indicating opportunities in these fields within the wider region (as reported by Bureau of Labor Statistics). High Springs also benefits from its proximity to Gainesville, which has a more diverse employment landscape and is known for its entrepreneurial environment (as reported by Livability.com).
Climate and Weather
High Springs experiences a humid subtropical climate, characterized by long, hot, and oppressive summers, and short, cool, partly cloudy winters. The temperature typically varies between 43°F and 90°F throughout the year, rarely falling below 28°F or exceeding 95°F (as reported by WeatherSpark). The hot season extends from May to September, with July being the hottest month, averaging a high of 90°F and a low of 72°F (as reported by WeatherSpark).
The cool season lasts from December to February, with January being the coldest month, averaging a low of 44°F and a high of 66°F (as reported by WeatherSpark). High Springs receives a significant amount of rainfall year-round, with the wettest months being July and August, averaging approximately 2.09 inches of rainfall each (as reported by WeatherSpark).
Average Temperatures and Rainfall
The average high temperature in High Springs hovers around 81.8°F annually, while the average low temperature is approximately 56.6°F (as reported by Western Regional Climate Center). The city receives an average of 52.24 inches of precipitation annually (as reported by Western Regional Climate Center). Rainfall is distributed throughout the year, with higher amounts typically occurring in the summer months.
The climate is generally considered pleasant for outdoor activities from late March to late May and again from late September to mid-November, with a peak score in the last week of April (as reported by WeatherSpark). Residents can expect warm summers and mild winters, typical of Florida’s climate.
Education
The public schools in High Springs are considered above average (as reported by Niche). High Springs Community School, a public PK-8 institution, has an overall Niche grade of B+ (as reported by Niche). It serves 937 students with a student-teacher ratio of 17 to 1 (as reported by Niche).
According to state test scores, 73% of students at High Springs Community School are proficient in math, and 60% are proficient in reading (as reported by Niche). In Alachua County, High Springs Community School ranks as the 6th best public middle school out of 15 (as reported by Niche).
School Ratings and Performance
High Springs Community School is ranked #119 out of 367 for Best Public K-8 Schools in Florida (as reported by Niche). It also ranks #176 out of 384 for Most Diverse Public K-8 Schools in Florida (as reported by Niche). The school’s teachers and overall academics also receive strong ratings (as reported by Niche).
Other public schools serving High Springs, such as Alachua Learning Academy Elementary School, also receive positive ratings, with Alachua Learning Academy Elementary School holding a 4.5 out of 5 rating (as reported by Niche). Overall, the educational environment in High Springs is viewed favorably by residents.
Demographics
High Springs has a population of approximately 6,544 residents as of the most current US Census data (as reported by CUBIT). The population is projected to reach 6,787 by 2026 (as reported by CUBIT). The median age of residents is 38.0 years (as reported by CUBIT).
The racial makeup of High Springs is predominantly White, accounting for 68.9% of the population (as reported by CUBIT). Black or African American residents make up 14.2% of the population, followed by Hispanic residents at 11.7% (as reported by CUBIT). The city has become more racially diverse since the 2020 Census (as reported by Census Dots).
Population and Diversity
The population density in High Springs is about 270 people per square mile (as reported by Livability.com). The gender ratio is slightly skewed, with 51% of residents being female (as reported by Livability.com). Approximately 97.4% of High Springs residents are U.S. citizens (as reported by Data Commons).
While the population is primarily White, there is a significant and growing Hispanic community, as well as a notable African-American population (as reported by Livability.com, Census Dots). Compared to Florida overall, High Springs is less diverse, with a higher percentage of White residents (as reported by Census Dots).
Cost of Living
The cost of living in High Springs is approximately 1% higher than the U.S. national average and 56% lower than Florida’s state average (as reported by Salary.com). This reflects a 2% increase from the previous year (as reported by Salary.com).
Housing costs in High Springs are 20% higher than the national average (as reported by Payscale). Utility prices are 4% lower than the national average, and grocery prices are 1% lower than the national average (as reported by Payscale). Transportation expenses are 6% higher than the national average (as reported by Payscale).
Housing Expenses and Rent
The median home value in High Springs is $320,700 (as reported by Niche). In contrast, the median home price in High Springs is $266,268, which is less expensive than the U.S. median of $393,134 (as reported by BestNeighborhood.org). The median rent in High Springs is around $1,800 per month (as reported by Zillow).
Rentals in High Springs are also considered reasonably priced, with an average rent of approximately $998 (as reported by Livability.com). However, other sources indicate a higher average rent of $1,800 (as reported by Zillow) or $2,200 in the 32669 zip code (as reported by Zillow).