Highland — Austin, TX

Meta description: Highland is the evolving East-Central Austin neighborhood around the former Highland Mall/ACC Highland — walkable pockets, campus energy, and growing mixed‑use options.

Overview & Character

Highland sits on Austin’s northeast side, centered on the redeveloped Highland Mall/ACC Highland campus near Airport Boulevard and the I‑35 corridor. Once anchored by the mall, the area has been remade into a mix of education, light commercial uses and pockets of residential infill. Expect a neighborhood in transition: active during school hours and weekday commutes, quieter evenings, and steady construction that has added apartments and small businesses over the last decade.

The vibe is practical and service-oriented rather than boutique—students, longtime residents, and newcomers share the streets. Blocks near the campus feel more walkable; move just a few blocks east or west and you’ll find traditional single-family yards and tree-lined streets.

Demographics & Housing

Highland’s population is a cross-section of students, young professionals, and established households. Because "Highland" is frequently discussed as the area around ACC Highland rather than as a formally bounded census tract, exact demographic figures vary by source; neighborhood-level estimates should be read as approximations.

Housing is mixed:

• Single-family homes and small bungalows on interior streets.
• Newer mid-rise and garden-style apartment complexes clustered near Airport Blvd and the campus.
• A growing number of duplexes and infill condos on redevelopment parcels.

As of 2025, housing trends reflect greater demand and typical Austin pressures: more rental inventory near the campus and rising interest from buyers seeking proximity to central Austin without Downtown prices. (For a deep dive, see local listings or the Austin real‑estate market reports.) If you want help comparing Highland rental options or Highland neighborhood apartments near ACC Highland, check updated listings and landlord reviews before touring.

Local Amenities & Attractions

Highland’s immediate amenities skew toward daily needs and institutional services centered on ACC Highland and nearby thoroughfares.

• Education & community services: ACC Highland campus (community college classes, workforce training).
• Grocery and essentials: corridor stores along Airport Blvd and adjacent arterial roads.
• Nearby parks and green space: small neighborhood parks and access to larger parks a short drive away.

Many residents use nearby Mueller and central Austin parks and amenities for larger recreational outings. Healthcare and larger retail are within a short drive to major medical centers and shopping corridors.

Schools & Family-Friendliness

Highland falls inside Austin ISD boundaries; exact elementary/middle/high school assignments depend on your address. The presence of ACC Highland adds adult education, continuing education and community programs—useful for families seeking vocational training or dual enrollment options.

For families:

• Public-school options vary by block (verify zoning with Austin ISD).
• Childcare and preschool options are available along Airport Blvd and nearby neighborhoods.
• Green space for kids is modest within Highland itself; families often use nearby larger parks for weekend play.

(See “best schools in Austin” for district-level comparisons and boundary lookups.)

Dining & Entertainment

Dining here is pragmatic and local—cafés, quick-service restaurants, and student-oriented spots dominate. For broader evening options, residents head a few minutes south or west into central Austin neighborhoods where independent restaurants, bars, and live‑music venues are denser. Weekends can be quiet in Highland proper, but the nearby corridors see steady brunch and lunch traffic.

If live music or nightlife is a priority, plan for short drives or rideshares to the Rainey, Downtown or East Austin scenes.

Transportation & Walkability

Highland benefits from direct access to I‑35 and Airport Boulevard, which makes driving to Downtown or the airport straightforward in off-peak conditions. Capital Metro buses run major corridors; routes and frequencies change, so check Capital Metro schedules for the latest service near Airport Blvd.

• Driving: fast access to central Austin via I‑35 (congestion common during peak commute times).
• Transit: served by bus lines on Airport Blvd and nearby arterials (service levels vary).
• Bike/scooter: bike lanes and shared micromobility options are commonly used for short trips.
• Walkability: pockets near the campus and retail strips are walkable; other blocks are more car-dependent.

Commute times depend on route and traffic—typical weekday trips downtown can range widely with rush hour congestion.

What Makes Highland Unique

Highland is defined by its transformation—an old mall footprint turned college campus and mixed-use corridor. It’s practical and affordable relative to central Austin, appealing to students, workforce renters, and buyers who want proximity to Downtown without the downtown price tags. Trade-offs include limited nightlife and patchy pedestrian amenities beyond the campus corridor, plus the predictable I‑35 traffic that affects daily life.

Who it fits best: people who want a working‑class, up‑and‑coming neighborhood with easy freeway access and education resources close by—especially those prioritizing convenience and value over boutique retail or a lively nighttime scene.

Suggested internal reads: (neighborhood apartments guide), (best schools in Austin), (cost of living in Austin).

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Sources:

• Austin Community College — ACC Highland campus, accessed 2025-09
• Austin American-Statesman / Austin360 — coverage of Highland Mall redevelopment and ACC purchase, accessed 2025-08
• Capital Metro — route and service information (Airport Blvd area), accessed 2025-09