[3] Highlands County comprises the Sebring, FL Metropolitan Statistical Area.

The SMA was first defined in 2003 as the Sebring, Florida Micropolitan Statistical Area (μSA), consisting of Highlands County.

Highlands County is bounded on the east by the Kissimmee River.

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 101,235 people, 42,721 households, and 27,169 families residing in the county.

[18] As of the census[19] of 2000, there were 87,366 people, 37,471 households, and 25,780 families living in the county.

There were 48,846 housing units at an average density of 47.5 per square mile (18.3/km2).

26.30% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16.70% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

The administrator has executive powers to implement all decisions, ordinances, motions, and policies/procedures set forth by the Board.

Highlands County Sheriffs Office is the primary law enforcement agency for the non incorporated areas of Highlands County, Paul Blackman is the Sheriff.

The City of Sebring and Town of Lake Placid have their own respective police departments.

Avon Park Police Department closed its doors in 2015, the Sheriffs Office is now the primary law enforcement agency for the town.

[20] Like North Florida, but unlike the southwest coast, George Wallace was able to outpoll the Democratic Party here in 1968,[21] and only in 1992 and 1996 has the Republican candidate not won an absolute majority since.