Is Highland Springs Safe, Pros and cons of living in Highland Springs

Is it Safe to Live in Highland Springs?

Highland Springs presents a mixed picture regarding safety. The overall crime rate is reported to be 40.99 per 1,000 residents annually, which is 10% higher than the national average (AreaVibes). However, violent crimes in Highland Springs are 21% lower than the national average (AreaVibes). Residents often consider the northeast part of the CDP to be the safest, with a significantly lower incidence of crime compared to other areas (AreaVibes).

Your likelihood of being a victim of crime in Highland Springs varies by neighborhood. While the chance of being a victim of any crime is about 1 in 44, this can range from 1 in 18 in the southwest to 1 in 55 in the northeast (AreaVibes). The cost of crime per resident is approximately $612 annually, which is higher than both the national and Virginia state averages (AreaVibes, CrimeGrade.org). Despite these figures, the CDP has seen a 6% decrease in crime year-over-year (AreaVibes).

Cost of Living and Housing

The cost of living in Highland Springs is generally considered affordable, with an index that is 9% to 10% lower than the national average (On The Fly Moving Guys, PayScale). Housing expenses are notably lower, being 32% to 34% below the national average (On The Fly Moving Guys, PayScale). Utilities, however, are slightly more expensive, by about 4% (On The Fly Moving Guys).

For those looking to buy a home, the median home price in Highland Springs is around $253,500 (On The Fly Moving Guys), though other sources place it closer to $267,959 or $256,655 (NeighborhoodScout, Zillow). The median rent is approximately $1,199 per month (On The Fly Moving Guys), with other reports indicating an average rent of $1,600 or $2,068 (Zillow, NeighborhoodScout). The housing market is competitive, with homes typically selling quickly (On The Fly Moving Guys).

Job Market and Economy

Highland Springs offers a competitive earning potential, with an average hourly rate of $25.96 and an average annual salary of approximately $54,000 (On The Fly Moving Guys). This median household income is slightly below the national average (On The Fly Moving Guys). The main employment sectors for residents are retail trade, health care and social assistance, and accommodation and food services (Data USA).

Major employers in the broader Henrico County area include Thermo Fisher Scientific, Anthem, and Bank of America (On The Fly Moving Guys). The unemployment rate for Virginia was 3.7% as of February 2026 (USAFacts). Highland Springs itself has seen a decline in employment, with a decrease of 4.8% from the previous year (Data USA).

Demographics and Community

Highland Springs has a population of approximately 16,604 residents (Wikipedia, Data USA). The community is diverse, with the Black or African American population being the largest group, making up about 69.3% to 73.9% of residents, followed by White residents at around 20.9% to 24.3% (On The Fly Moving Guys, Data USA, Wikipedia, Livability.com). The median age in Highland Springs is around 37 to 38.5 years old (On The Fly Moving Guys, Wikipedia, Livability.com, Highland Springs Demographics).

Educational attainment shows that 90.8% of residents have a high school diploma or higher, and 17.8% have a bachelor’s degree or higher (On The Fly Moving Guys). The veteran population constitutes about 8.3% of residents (On The Fly Moving Guys). Most residents own their homes, with an owner-to-renter ratio of 63% to 37% (On The Fly Moving Guys).

Climate and Weather

Highland Springs experiences a humid subtropical climate, characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters (Wikipedia). The temperature typically ranges from 30°F to 89°F throughout the year, rarely dropping below 17°F or exceeding 96°F (myPerfectWeather). Summers can be uncomfortably humid, particularly from July to August (myPerfectWeather).

The hottest month is July, with average highs around 88°F and lows of 70°F (myPerfectWeather). Winters are colder, with January seeing average highs of 48°F and lows of 31°F (myPerfectWeather). Annual precipitation averages about 47 inches, with approximately 9 inches of snowfall (myPerfectWeather).

Education in Highland Springs

Highland Springs is part of the Henrico County Public Schools district, which serves a large student population across numerous schools (On The Fly Moving Guys). The district has a student-to-teacher ratio of 18:1 and a graduation rate of 90.6% (On The Fly Moving Guys). Within Highland Springs, there are elementary and high schools, though middle school students typically attend schools in surrounding areas (On The Fly Moving Guys).

Highland Springs High School has received mixed reviews, with some students highlighting opportunities and supportive teachers, while others point to safety concerns due to student behavior (Niche, SchoolDigger). Elementary schools in the area, such as Highland Springs Elementary and Fair Oaks Elementary, face socioeconomic challenges and struggle to meet district and state averages in academic performance (SchoolDigger).