Population (2025 estimate)107,976 — April 1, 2025 estimate
Lakeside Days With A Racing Spirit
Highlands County, FloridaHighlands County brings together inland lakes, Sebring motorsport and Lake Placid murals. Sebring, Avon Park and Lake Placid each bring their own downtown setting. Lakes are a recurring feature of the landscape, while motorsport is closely associated with Sebring. Lake Placid murals and Highlands Hammock add art and nature to the choices. Use this guide to connect a day out with the practical resources that make local plans easier.
Highlands County at a Glance
Population (2025 estimate)107,976 — April 1, 2025 estimate
County SeatSebring
Largest MunicipalitySebring — largest municipality, 2025 estimate
Established1921
ZIP CodeLook up by address
Total Area1,106.7 square miles, land and water (2025 Census geography)
Selected Major RoutesUS 27, US 98, SR 70
Common Area Codes863
Shop - Dine - Discover
Meet Local Businesses
Support the businesses that help make our communities thrive. From family-owned shops and restaurants to trusted local services, discover businesses worth visiting throughout the county.
Discover Highlands County
Highlands County
Established in 1921, Highlands County has its county seat in Sebring. Sebring, Avon Park and Lake Placid each bring their own downtown setting. Lakes are a recurring feature of the landscape, while motorsport is closely associated with Sebring. Lake Placid murals and Highlands Hammock add art and nature to the choices. These places give the county more than one center of activity. Exploring the communities separately makes room for local character, instead of treating every destination as part of a single visitor district.
Everyday life in Highlands County spans Sebring, Avon Park, Lake Placid. Planning around the community you are actually visiting helps with travel, shopping and appointments. This guide connects local discoveries with county government, school information, library services and public resources. Use the linked agencies for current service arrangements, and check individual venues before setting out. County boundaries, municipal services and business service areas are not interchangeable.
What Shapes Us
Lakeside Living
Begin with inland lakes, Sebring motorsport and Lake Placid murals. Choose one part of the county to explore, then follow the official visitor resources for access and practical details.
Downtown Character
Get to know Sebring and the surrounding communities through their public spaces, local destinations and everyday services. Let the place itself shape your next stop.
Nature and Motorsport
Pair a local outing with the practical information you need. Agency links, visitor resources and direct business contacts help turn an idea into a workable plan.
Find your own pace among these local places.
A Sense of Place
Highlands County in View
Community scenes, landscapes and local details.
WUSF — Florida and Tampa Bay
Rays celebrate sweeping Yankees, advancing to AL Championship Series
Victor Mesa Jr. hit a tiebreaking, two-run homer in the sixth inning as the Rays beat the Yankees…
Read the Story Oct 8, 2026 • 2 min read
Around Highlands County
Stories from every corner of Highlands County.
Rays celebrate sweeping Yankees, advancing to AL Championship Series
Victor Mesa Jr. hit a tiebreaking, two-run homer in the sixth inning as the Rays beat the Yankees…
Oct 8, 2026 • 2 min read
The highwayman: Doug Gray of the Marshall Tucker Band
The band, which includes its founding lead singer, plays the BayCare Sound Sunday at 6 p.m.
Oct 7, 2026 • 2 min read
Florida's ex-surgeon general warns of 'great harm to children' if vaccine rules change
The state department of health is holding a hearing on the rule change Thursday, Oct. 8 in Orlando.…
Oct 7, 2026 • 2 min read
'Alternative' Largo city budget anticipates cuts if Amendment 3 passes next month
Backers of Amendment 3 say it would force local governments to cut bloated budgets and eliminate unneeded positions.
Oct 7, 2026 • 2 min read
Five pieces of music for Halloween that might just curdle your guts
Whether the composers meant for this music to be scary is debatable. But, it still is.
Oct 7, 2026 • 2 min read
Shop - Dine - Discover
Meet Local Businesses
Support the businesses that help make our communities thrive. From family-owned shops and restaurants to trusted local services, discover businesses worth visiting throughout the county.
Everyday Connections
Find the right local resource
Use these direct agency links to plan visits, locate services and confirm current requirements.
Government
Highlands County Property Appraiser
Property assessment records, exemptions and the local appraiser’s contacts.
Highlands County Tax Collector
Local tax-collector services and office contacts.
Highlands County Clerk of Court
County public records and clerk services.
County Supervisor of Elections Contact Lookup
Select Highlands for the local election office’s official contact information; state directory updated September 24, 2026.
Highlands County Government
County departments, public notices and public services.
Schools
Florida School District Contacts
Select this county for the district website and enrollment contacts.
Florida Department of Education
State education programs and school information.
Florida School Accountability Reports
Compare published school and district information.
Florida Virtual School
Explore statewide online public-school options.
Federal Student Aid
College financial aid information and applications.
Hospitals and Health Care
Florida Department of Health in Highlands County
Local public-health services and clinic contacts; confirm which services are offered at each location.
County Health Department Locator
Select this county for public-health service locations; this is not a hospital directory.
Florida Health Finder
State healthcare facility information; search by county.
Medicare Care Compare
Find and compare hospitals and other care providers.
HRSA Find a Health Center
Locate federally supported health centers by address.
Public Safety
Highlands County — Public Safety
Local agency contacts and non-emergency information; call 911 in an emergency.
Highlands County — Fire Rescue
Local agency contacts and non-emergency information; call 911 in an emergency.
Highlands County — Emergency Management
Local public-safety preparedness and official incident information; use 911 for emergencies.
Florida Highway Patrol
State highway law enforcement information.
Florida 511
Check road incidents and travel conditions.
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
Wildlife concerns and agency contacts.
Emergency Services
Highlands County — Emergency Management
Local preparedness, warnings and emergency information.
Highlands County — Emergency Management
County-specific emergency-management contact, linked by Florida’s emergency agency; check active local notices.
Florida Division of Emergency Management
State preparedness and disaster updates.
National Hurricane Center
Official tropical weather forecasts and advisories.
National Weather Service
Local forecasts, watches and warnings.
Disaster Assistance
Check federal assistance options after a declared disaster.
State Parks
Highlands Hammock State Park
Consult the official tourism listing for access, activities and the operator’s current details.
Lake June-in-Winter Scrub Preserve State Park
Remote scrub preserve near Lake Placid with sandy routes and a short nature trail; amenities are limited and admission applies.
Florida State Parks
Find state parks and review official park notices.
State Park Reservations
Check campsite and cabin availability.
Trails
Highlands County — Parks & Recreation
Find local parks, trail information and access notices.
Highlands County — Parks & Facilities
Local park and trail locations, maps and access notices.
Lake June-in-Winter Scrub Preserve State Park — Trails and Access
Remote scrub preserve near Lake Placid with sandy routes and a short nature trail; amenities are limited and admission applies.
Florida Greenways and Trails
State trails planning and recreation resources.
Florida Trail Association
Trail information and hiking resources.
Utilities
Find Your Utility Service Territory
Select Highlands in the state map to identify potential electric, gas, water and wastewater providers; confirm address-level coverage.
Local Home Energy Assistance Provider
Find the agency serving Highlands and ask about eligibility and available home-energy bill assistance.
Drinking Water Consumer Confidence Reports
Learn how to obtain and understand the annual quality report from your own drinking-water supplier.
Florida Public Service Commission
Information about regulated utility service and assistance.
Florida 811
Arrange underground utility marking before digging.
Libraries
Highlands County — Libraries
Locations, catalog information and library services.
Highlands County Public Library
County library system, catalog and branch information; verify local branch hours.
Florida Memory — State Library and Archives
Search historical photographs, documents and oral histories for local research; digital statewide collection.
Florida Electronic Library
Statewide digital research resources.
Ask a Librarian
Online reference assistance through Florida libraries.
Florida Braille and Talking Book Library
Accessible library services and eligibility information.
Courts
Highlands County Clerk of Court
Local court records, filing information and clerk office contacts.
Florida Courts
State court information and court locator.
Florida Courts Help
Self-help information and court resources.
Florida Courts E-Filing Portal
Electronic filing portal; review applicable requirements.
Florida Legal Services
Civil legal assistance information.
DMV
Highlands County — Motor Vehicle Office Directory
County-specific office addresses, transactions and appointment links maintained by FLHSMV.
Driver Licenses and ID Cards
Official Florida licensing and identification requirements.
Motor Vehicles, Tags and Titles
Registration and vehicle-title information.
MyDMV Portal
Online services offered by the state motor vehicle agency.
Motor Vehicle Service Locations
Find the appropriate office and check services before traveling.
Transportation
Highlands County — Community Transportation Coordinator
Find Highlands in FDOT’s county directory for the local provider, ride-booking number and eligibility contact.
Florida 511
Statewide traffic conditions and incidents.
Florida Department of Transportation
State road projects and transportation information.
SunPass
Toll account information and service.
Florida Commission for the Transportation Disadvantaged
Transportation coordination and eligibility resources.
Postal Services
USPS Location Finder
Find local post offices and available services by ZIP Code.
USPS Tracking
Track a mailed item.
USPS ZIP Code Lookup
Confirm an address ZIP Code; county boundaries are not postal boundaries.
USPS Hold Mail
Arrange eligible temporary mail holds.
USPS Change of Address
Official change-of-address service.
Veterans
Highlands County — Veteran Services
Local veterans assistance and benefit navigation.
Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs
State veterans programs and benefits information.
VA Facility Locator
Find the appropriate VA facility near your address.
VA Health Care
Eligibility, enrollment and care information.
VA Benefits
Federal veterans benefits and account services.
Veterans Crisis Line
Confidential crisis support: dial 988, then press 1.
Employment
Highlands County — Human Resources
County jobs and application requirements.
CareerSource Florida
Find regional workforce services and career centers.
Employ Florida
State job search and employment tools.
Florida State Jobs
State government employment opportunities.
USAJOBS
Federal employment opportunities.
Florida Reemployment Assistance
Official information about reemployment assistance.
Make Your Next Step Easier
Useful answers for exploring and everyday life.
Highlands County Questions
Know Before You Go
Start with these county facts and direct links, then confirm the details that matter to your plans.
Highlands County is associated with inland lakes, Sebring motorsport and Lake Placid murals. Start with the official local visitor resource to choose a community and check the details for your visit.
Sebring is the county seat. Highlands County Government provides department information; check the specific office address before making a trip.
Sebring is the largest municipality in the April 1, 2025 state population estimates. This comparison uses incorporated municipalities, not census-designated places or metropolitan areas.
The April 1, 2025 estimate is 107,976 residents. The figure comes from Florida’s Office of Economic and Demographic Research, and is an estimate for that date rather than a live population count.
Highlands County was established in 1921. The county history source provides the historical reference; the establishment year does not describe the age of the communities or cultures that preceded it.
Use the Florida Department of Education district directory and select Highlands. Contact the district about enrollment and address-specific school assignments; a mailing city alone does not establish attendance eligibility.
Start with Highlands County Government and its emergency information, then consult the National Weather Service for weather alerts. Review the current notice for your location rather than relying on an older event post.
Use the Florida county health department locator and select Highlands for public-health services. For hospital and facility research, use Florida Health Finder. These resources help locate services; they do not confirm appointment availability.
Check the Florida motor vehicle office locator for the office serving your area. Review the offered services, required documents and appointment process before traveling; not every office handles every transaction.
Start with Highlands Hammock State Park or Circle Park. Consult the official tourism listing for access, activities and the operator’s current details. Consult the official tourism listing for access, activities and the operator’s current details.
Use the direct business links: Vicki S. Anderson — Anderson Realty Co.. Confirm the specific service and location directly. An advertisement in this county guide does not establish countywide service coverage.
Shop - Dine - Discover
Meet Local Businesses
Support the businesses that help make our communities thrive. From family-owned shops and restaurants to trusted local services, discover businesses worth visiting throughout the county.
My Local Guide
Explore Local Places
Make room for a different kind of dayFollow the linked venues for visiting details and current availability.
Kids’ Fun
- Children’s Museum of the Highlands — Use the official website for current hours, reservations and visiting details.
- Florida Gator Gardens — Use the official website for current hours, reservations and visiting details.
- The Creative Collective Art Cafe — Use the official website for current hours, reservations and visiting details.
Restaurants
- Havana Restaurant on the Circle — Use the official website for current hours, reservations and visiting details.
- Chicanes Restaurant & Bar — Use the official website for current hours, reservations and visiting details.
- The Corner International Latin Grill — Use the official website for current hours, reservations and visiting details.
Shopping & Retail
- The Blueberry Patch — Use the official website for current hours, reservations and visiting details.
- Grove House Collective — Use the official website for current hours, reservations and visiting details.
- Mamma Mia Produce & Italian Market — Use the official website for current hours, reservations and visiting details.
Clothing & Boutiques
- Tassel & Thread — Use the official website for current hours, reservations and visiting details.
- UKW Boutique — Use the official website for current hours, reservations and visiting details.
- The Stylish Stork — Baby clothing and maternity items at 215 North Ridgewood Drive, Sebring.
Outdoor Fun
- Highlands Hammock State Park — Consult the official tourism listing for access, activities and the operator’s current details.
- Circle Park — Consult the official tourism listing for access, activities and the operator’s current details.
- Devane Park — Consult the official tourism listing for access, activities and the operator’s current details.
Free Things To Do
- Lake Placid mural walk — Explore the town’s outdoor murals from public streets; printed tour books cost extra.
- H.L. Bishop Park — Lake Placid public park with a playground and picnic areas.
- Sebring Soda & Ice Cream Works — Browse the unusual soda collection without an admission charge; food and drinks cost extra.
Keep exploring Highlands CountyFind Your Next Local Stop