Highland: Close to Downtown Midland, Built Around Everyday Convenience

About Highland

Highland feels like one of those central Midland pockets where errands, school drop-offs, and a quick coffee run are all part of the same short loop. Within minutes you’re at places locals actually use, like Central YMCA for an early workout, Midland Police Department and Midland Fire Department Station 3 nearby, and Midland County Public Libraries (Midland County Public Library) when you need a quiet reset. The neighborhood sits in the 79701 ZIP, which keeps you close to the civic core, including the Midland County Courthouse and the offices that make adulting easier when paperwork pops up.

What gives Highland its real personality is how “lived-in” it feels. This area serves a sizable slice of Midland with a ZIP-area population of 27,131, and you can see that day-to-day diversity in the storefront mix and the school options nearby. Families weave in and out of Midland ISD campuses, and it’s normal to see a morning line at Leyenda Coffee & Tequila or Far West Coffee before work, then an afternoon stop at Pal Antojo or Fiesta Foods for dinner ingredients. The neighborhood’s rhythm is practical and local, not destination-driven.

Housing here tends to attract buyers who want to be central without stretching the budget. With an average home value of $214,700 in the area, Highland often lands on the shortlist for first-time buyers, long-time Midland residents looking to stay close-in, and investors who like being near schools and employment hubs. The homeownership rate runs about 67.0%, which shows this isn’t just a pass-through area; plenty of people put down roots and stick around.

School choice is a big part of Highland’s identity. Within a short drive you’ve got A-rated options like Carver Center, Sam Houston Collegiate Preparatory EL, Young Women’s Leadership Academy, and Early College H S at Midland College. That mix of traditional campuses and specialized programs makes the neighborhood feel connected to Midland’s larger education ecosystem, not tucked away from it.

Highland tends to pull in residents who value being near the center of town and want their daily routes to stay simple: a gym that’s close, a library that’s easy, a grocery run that doesn’t require a cross-city trip, and schools that are truly nearby.

Living in Highland: A Central Midland Routine With Options Close By

Living in Highland means your “usual spots” are close enough that they become habits. A lot of mornings start with coffee within a couple of miles, whether that’s Leyenda Coffee & Tequila about 0.7 miles away, Far West Coffee nearby, or River Coffee Co. when you want a change of pace. On the way home, quick grocery stops are easy to work into the day, with places like Pal Antojo around 0.4 miles away and Fiesta Foods and Lowe's Mercado roughly a mile out. It’s the kind of neighborhood where convenience isn’t a marketing line; it shows up in how often you can leave the car parked once you’re in the area.

The housing picture in the 79701 ZIP leans owner-occupied, with about 60.7% of units lived in by owners and a broader homeownership rate around 67.0%. That balance helps explain the feel on the street: enough long-term residents to create familiarity, plus renters that keep turnover and housing choices in the mix. The median home value sits at $214,700, which, paired with a median household income of $57,346, shapes a market where buyers often focus on value, manageable payments, and proximity to work rather than chasing the newest build.

For fitness and day-to-day wellness, you don’t have to travel far. Central YMCA is about 0.4 miles away for a straightforward routine, while Iron Will Strength Gym and an MMA Gym nearby add more specialized options. If you’re the type who likes structured community programming, being near Parks & Recreation in the same general radius makes it easier to plug into local classes and activities without making it an all-day commitment.

Schools are a major anchor in daily life here, with Midland ISD serving the neighborhood. James Bowie Fine Arts Academy is close, and families also consider nearby A-rated campuses like Carver Center and Sam Houston Collegiate Preparatory EL. Older students have options too, including Young Women’s Leadership Academy for grades 06-12 and Early College H S at Midland College, which makes the “what’s next?” conversation feel more immediate and local. Midland High School is also close by, which matters for families who want shorter campus commutes.

Commute patterns in this part of Midland reflect how people actually get around. In the area, about 77.0% of commuters drive alone and about 6.1% work from home, so mornings and late afternoons are built around predictable drive windows. With Midland Memorial Hospital-ER less than two miles away and civic offices like Midland Isd and the courthouse nearby, Highland often appeals to residents who want to keep both workdays and errands centered in the same part of town.

Coffee, Groceries, and Nightlife Within Minutes of Highland

Highland’s best amenities are the ones you’ll actually use on a regular week. Coffee choices stack up fast, from Leyenda Coffee & Tequila around 0.7 miles away to Far West Coffee, Cpl. Ray's Midland, and River Coffee Co. all nearby. When you want something quick and familiar, Dutch Bros Coffee and 7 Brew Coffee are easy options, and Cafe At The Gardens is a nice change of pace when you have time to slow down.

Food and grocery errands feel equally close-in. Pal Antojo sits roughly 0.4 miles away, and staples are easy to grab at Fiesta Foods, Lowe's Mercado, and United Supermarkets without turning it into a cross-town drive. If you like cooking, Midland Meat Company, Tall City Meat Market, and La Esperanza Meat Market give you more specialized options than a typical big-box-only routine.

For evenings, the social scene is close enough to be spontaneous. Hot Shots, Lone Star Bar, and The Bar are all about a mile away, and places like The Patio Drafthouse and Club Oasis make it easy to meet friends without planning around a long ride home.

Neighborhoods Near Highland: Central Midland Pockets Side by Side

One of the advantages of Highland is how quickly it blends into other established central Midland areas. Step just outside the neighborhood and you’re immediately near W C Barber and Best, both about 0.1 miles away, which helps explain why the day-to-day routes here feel interconnected rather than isolated.

Progress Park and Weyman sit close as well, and you’ll also hear locals reference nearby pockets like Ridglea, Cowden, and Crestlawn when they’re describing where they’re headed for a visit or a showing. Richardson's Abilene Street, SW Estes, Moran, Carol Magee, and W. W. Harris round out a tight cluster of neighborhoods that share the same “close to everything” advantage.

If you’re comparing options, being able to look in Highland and then expand your search block-by-block into these adjacent neighborhoods can be a real benefit, especially when you’re balancing school preferences, commute habits, and the kind of street feel you want.

Local Resources Near Highland: Schools, Safety, and Public Services

Highland is close to the civic backbone of Midland, which makes routine tasks simpler when you need them. Midland County Courthouse is under a couple of miles away, and the Midland County Tax Assessor is nearby as well. For property questions, Midland Central Appraisal District is about four miles from the neighborhood, which is helpful when you’re reviewing valuations or preparing for a protest.

Public safety and emergency services are also close at hand, with Midland Police Department and Midland Fire Department Station 3 both about 0.5 miles away. For medical needs, Midland Memorial Hospital-ER sits roughly 1.7 miles from the neighborhood, the kind of proximity that matters even if you hope you never need it.

For families and anyone tied to public education, Midland ISD is the school district, and the Midland Isd offices are about a mile away. Library access is convenient too, with Midland County Public Libraries (Midland County Public Library) about a mile away and additional Midland County Public Library locations within a few miles, making it easy to keep a steady routine of homework time, study space, and community programs.

Frequently Asked Questions About Highland

Is Highland a good place to live?

Highland can be a strong fit if you want a central Midland routine with lots of practical stops close by. In the 79701 area, the median home value is $214,700 and the median household income is $57,346, which tends to attract buyers looking for attainable ownership rather than luxury pricing. The neighborhood also benefits from being near everyday anchors like Central YMCA, Midland County Public Libraries (Midland County Public Library), and Midland Memorial Hospital-ER. With a population of 27,131 in the ZIP area and a median age of 32.9, the area feels active and working-family oriented, with plenty of school and after-school activity nearby.

Is Highland safe?

Safety can vary block by block in any central neighborhood, so it’s smart to do a street-level check and talk to locals, but Highland does have a notable advantage in proximity to core services. Midland Police Department is about 0.5 miles away, and Midland Fire Department Station 3 is also roughly 0.5 miles away, which means faster access to help compared to more far-flung parts of town. Many residents lean into practical safety habits you’ll see in established Midland areas, like knowing neighbors and keeping an eye on activity around schools and busy corridors. For the most current context, ask about call patterns on the specific streets you’re considering.

How are the schools in Highland?

Highland is served by Midland ISD, and school options are a major draw because there are several highly rated campuses close by. Carver Center and Sam Houston Collegiate Preparatory EL are both rated A and sit about 1.4 miles away, and Young Women’s Leadership Academy is an A-rated option for grades 06-12 around 1.5 miles away. Early College H S at Midland College is also rated A and roughly 2.3 miles away, which appeals to families thinking ahead to college pathways. There are additional nearby choices like James Bowie Fine Arts Academy (rated B) and Midland High School (rated C) within about a mile, so families can compare programs and campus culture without long drives.

What is the cost of living in Highland?

Highland’s cost picture is shaped by two big factors: a lower-than-average local price environment and Texas’s tax structure. The overall cost of living index is 91.9 where 100 equals the U.S. average, so day-to-day costs trend lower than national norms. Housing is the standout, with a housing index of 66.7, which is significantly below the U.S. baseline and lines up with a median home value of $214,700. Goods come in at 93.7 and utilities at 95.2, both still below 100, meaning many households pay a bit less than the national average for those categories. Property taxes are a meaningful part of ownership costs. In this part of Midland, the city property tax rate is $0.3480 per $100 valuation, the county rate is $0.1214 per $100 valuation, and Midland ISD’s school district rate is $0.8415 per $100 valuation. Put together, the combined estimated property tax rate is $1.3109 per $100 valuation. While property taxes can feel high compared to some states, Texas has no state income tax, which is an important offset many households factor into their overall budget.

Is Highland good for families?

Highland can work well for families who want schools and daily necessities close to home. The area has a strong set of nearby Midland ISD options, including A-rated Carver Center and Sam Houston Collegiate Preparatory EL, plus Young Women’s Leadership Academy for grades 06-12. For activities, Central YMCA is about 0.4 miles away, which makes after-school workouts, classes, and weekend routines easier to keep consistent. The neighborhood is also served by nearby public resources like Midland County Public Libraries (Midland County Public Library), which is helpful for homework time and community programming. With about 20.4% of the local population under 18, there’s a clear family presence in the broader area.

What is Highland known for?

Highland is known for being part of central Midland’s everyday grid, where schools, civic services, and local businesses sit close enough to become part of a weekly routine. It’s closely tied to Midland ISD life, with nearby campuses ranging from James Bowie Fine Arts Academy to A-rated options like Carver Center and Early College H S at Midland College. The neighborhood also stands out for access to core community institutions, including Midland County Public Libraries (Midland County Public Library), the Midland County Courthouse, and Central YMCA. The local business mix nearby, from Pal Antojo to Leyenda Coffee & Tequila and neighborhood bars like Hot Shots, reinforces the area’s practical, lived-in character.

What are things to do near Highland?

Near Highland, most “things to do” look like the Midland version of a good routine: coffee, a workout, and a meet-up spot that’s close to home. You can start with Leyenda Coffee & Tequila, Far West Coffee, or River Coffee Co., then get a session in at Central YMCA or Iron Will Strength Gym. For casual evenings, Hot Shots, Lone Star Bar, and The Bar are all about a mile away, with The Patio Drafthouse a little farther out when you want a longer hangout. If your idea of a good Saturday is cooking for friends, quick stops at Midland Meat Company or Tall City Meat Market make it easy to keep plans local.

What ZIP code is Highland in?

Highland is in ZIP code 79701. If you’re comparing listings, confirming 79701 can also help you line up the correct Midland ISD campuses and tax rates.

Thinking About Buying or Selling in Highland?

If you’re considering Highland, a local agent can help you compare streets, school options in Midland ISD, and what recent pricing looks like around the $214,700 average home value. Reach out anytime for a tailored shortlist and a realistic plan for touring in 79701.