Highland (inc. East Highlands) is a city in San Bernardino County, California, United States located 65 miles east of Downtown Los Angeles and roughly 50 miles west of Palm Springs, California. The city's population, inclusive to its neighboring East Highlands community was 56,999 at the 2020 census.

The Santa Fe Railway was built to cater to the requirements of the successful orange farmers.

As documented within the 2020 local census, Hispanic and Latino were the largest ethnicities reported as residing within Highland, California while the demographics of neighboring East Highlands were notably quite more diverse. Consistent of white-collar executives, professionals and retirees; a striking amount of this suburban enclaves residents continue to traverse eastward in search of solace beyond the exorbitant real estate prices of neighboring Orange and Los Angeles counties.

At the 2010 census Highland had a population of 53,104. The population density was 2,811.3 inhabitants per square mile (1,085.4/km2). The racial makeup of Highland was 27,836 (52.4%) White (30.8% Non-Hispanic White), 5,887 (11.1%) African American, 542 (1.0%) Native American, 3,954 (7.4%) Asian, 168 (0.3%) Pacific Islander, 11,826 (22.3%) from other races, and 2,891 (5.4%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 25,556 persons (48.1%).

The census reported that 52,932 people (99.7% of the population) lived in households, 76 (0.1%) lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 96 (0.2%) were institutionalized.

There were 15,471 households, 7,922 (51.2%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 8,475 (54.8%) were opposite-sex married couples living together, 2,884 (18.6%) had a female householder with no husband present, 1,183 (7.6%) had a male householder with no wife present. There were 1,129 (7.3%) unmarried opposite-sex partnerships, and 109 (0.7%) same-sex married couples or partnerships. 2,254 households (14.6%) were one person and 757 (4.9%) had someone living alone who was 65 or older. The average household size was 3.42. There were 12,542 families (81.1% of households); the average family size was 3.74.

The age distribution was 16,916 people (31.9%) under the age of 18, 5,900 people (11.1%) aged 18 to 24, 13,837 people (26.1%) aged 25 to 44, 12,357 people (23.3%) aged 45 to 64, and 4,094 people (7.7%) who were 65 or older. The median age was 30.6 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.3 males.

There were 16,578 housing units at an average density of 877.6 per square mile, of the occupied units 10,106 (65.3%) were owner-occupied and 5,365 (34.7%) were rented. The homeowner vacancy rate was 2.2%; the rental vacancy rate was 8.7%. 33,361 people (62.8% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 19,571 people (36.9%) lived in rental housing units.

At the 2000 census, there were 44,605 people in 13,478 households, including 10,782 families, in the city. The population density was 3,273.3 inhabitants per square mile (1,263.8/km2). There were 14,858 housing units at an average density of 1,090.3 per square mile (421.0/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 56.3% White, 12.1% African American, 1.3% Native American, 6.1% Asian, 0.3% Pacific Islander, 18.6% from other races, and 5.2% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 36.6% of the population.

Of the 13,478 households 47.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.1% were married couples living together, 19.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 20.0% were non-families. 15.4% of households were one person and 4.8% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 3.3 and the average family size was 3.6.

The age distribution was 35.6% under the age of 18, 9.0% from 18 to 24, 30.0% from 25 to 44, 19.0% from 45 to 64, and 6.5% 65 or older. The median age was 29 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.9 males.

The median household income was $41,230 and the median family income was $43,649. Males had a median income of $38,695 versus $27,308 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,039. About 17.5% of families and 21.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 29.2% of those under age 18 and 10.9% of those age 65 or over.

Highland is served by two public school districts: Redlands Unified and San Bernardino Unified School Districts (the boundaries are generally defined by City Creek; residents east of City Creek are in the Redlands Unified School District while those west of City Creek are served by San Bernardino City Unified School District).

Highland is home to a library and environmental learning center. The Highland Sam J. Racadio Library and Environmental Learning Center is a gold-rated LEED building. It holds thousands of books, CDs, DVDs, and other items. It offers free computer access and Wi-fi. It has a rooftop garden and is home to animals, amphibians, and reptiles from around the globe.

Local colleges and universities include: Loma Linda University, University of Redlands, California State University's San Bernardino campus, and the two-campus San Bernardino Community College District (which includes Crafton Hills College in Yucaipa and San Bernardino Valley College).

Highland was founded as a townsite in 1891 and incorporated as a California general law city in November 1987. It follows a City Manager, City Council form of government with the City Manager appointed by the City Council.

In the California State Senate, Highland is split between the 19th Senate District, represented by Republican Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh, and the 29th Senate District, represented by Democrat Eloise Reyes.

In the California State Assembly, Highland is split between the 45th Assembly District, represented by Democrat James Ramos, and the 47th Assembly District, represented by Republican Greg Wallis.

In the United States House of Representatives, Highland is split between California's 33rd congressional district, represented by Democrat Pete Aguilar, and California's 23rd congressional district, represented by Republican Jay Obernolte.

The San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department provides contracted police services to the city of Highland from their regional station located at 26985 Base Line Road. The new 30,000-square-foot (2,800 m2) police station was built and finally occupied in June 2011.