Highland City, Florida is a census-designated place in Polk County, Florida, United States. Its population is approximately 11,918. The city's main road is U.S. Highway 98, and its boundaries include County Road 540A to the south and Clubhouse Road to the north. Its southeast boundary is 1st Street SE. The population of Highland City has grown by 1.7% since the 2010 census.
The city was formed in 1899. It is part of the Mayfield City School District and operated under a mayor-council form of government. The township provided 40 acres of parkland for recreation. In 1974, the township hosted the FRONT ROW THEATER. Growth in the township was slow, but steady throughout the twentieth century. In the 1950s, the city's population quadrupled, from 762 to 2,929, and doubled to 5,926 in 1970. In 1980, residential development slowed down again, and the city posted a slight decline in population. Since then, however, the city has pursued a balance between commercial, industrial, and residential development.
The county's historical earthquake activity is above the national average by a significant margin, but is considerably less than the U.S. average. As for natural disasters in the area, Highlands City has experienced three major events - a tornado, hurricane, and a tropical storm. The most recent tornado hit Highlands City, which left a strew of dead and injured residents in its wake.