Highland Beach is an affluent, incorporated town in Palm Beach County, Florida, situated between Delray Beach and Boca Raton. Incorporated in 1949, it is named for its relatively elevated land compared to surrounding areas and is part of the Miami metropolitan area, located approximately 50 miles north of Miami and 28 miles south of West Palm Beach.
Demographics and Housing
Population: The 2020 census recorded 4,295 residents, with estimates reaching ~4,342 in 2026. The population is predominantly retirees (approx. 80%), swelling to ~8,500 during the winter season.
Affluence: It is a wealthy community with a median household income of $154,480 and a median property value of $909,200 (2024).
Housing: The town is almost entirely residential, featuring high-rise condominiums and mansions. Homeownership is high at 92.9%, with oceanfront homes often valued between $15 million and $30 million.
Geography and Lifestyle
Layout: The town covers 1.29 square miles, of which 0.75 square miles is water (Intracoastal Waterway and Atlantic Ocean). It stretches along nearly 3 miles of pristine beachfront.
Atmosphere: Highland Beach is known for its quiet, exclusive nature, featuring no traffic lights along the main A1A corridor.
Amenities: Commercial activity is minimal, with only two main businesses: The Delray Sands Resort (the only hotel/restaurant) and John P O'Grady Realty. Residents typically access shopping, dining, and nightlife in neighboring Delray Beach or Boca Raton.
Beach Access: There is no public beach access within the town, reserving the coastline primarily for residents of the many oceanfront condo complexes.
Highland Beach, Florida's luxury home market shows notable activity with significant price points and recent market trends. In the markets spanning between Hypoluxo Island and Highland Beach, which includes Manalapan, the average sale price for single-family homes rose 9% to $8.3 million, while the average sale price for condos rose 8% to $1.2 million.
The broader Highland Beach housing market has experienced some softening recently. In December 2025, home prices were down 2.2% compared to the previous year, selling for a median price of $795K. Zillow reports the average home value in Highland Beach at $873,509, down 6.9% over the past year. By April 2026, the median listing price had decreased to $1.05M, representing an 11% decrease from March 2025 and a 10% decrease from April 2025.
The luxury market in Highland Beach is characterized by refined living with impeccable craftsmanship and state-of-the-art amenities. The area's pristine beaches serve as vibrant extensions of its lifestyle offerings, with residents enjoying direct access to private stretches of sand.
Highland Beach is positioned within South Florida's luxury real estate landscape, which has shown continued strength in the luxury sector despite some overall market softening. The region maintains appeal to high-net-worth individuals, with Palm Beach County recording significant cash transactions at 44.8% of sales.
Days on market in Highland Beach have increased, with homes selling after an average of 117 days on the market in December 2025 compared to 81 days in the previous year, suggesting a more buyer-friendly environment for luxury properties.
