The long stretch of Eastern Avenue that runs through the neighborhood is notable as the Highlandtown's main commercial thoroughfare.

Before, during, and after World War II many Appalachian migrants settled in Baltimore, including in Highlandtown.

The German, Polish, Czech, Italian, Irish, Greek, and Ukrainian population are being augmented with a growing Latino community.

The easternmost eight blocks are occupied by parallel-running north–south streets that start with consecutive letters of the alphabet, from B to H: Baylis, Conkling, Dean, Eaton, Fagley, Grundy and Haven.

Most of the Hispanic population consist of Mexicans, Puerto Ricans, Salvadorans, Dominicans, Hondurans, Nicaraguans, Cubans, and Colombians, among others.