North Highlands, North Highlands, CA
At a glance
North Highlands is ranked #4 of 5 neighborhoods in North Highlands with an overall score of 2.2/5. It ranks 4th of 5 in North Highlands for schools. The trade-offs are safety (2.0/5) and public spaces (2.5/5).
Neighborhood Reviews & Questions
The neighborhood that carries the community's own name sits in the southwest, the older working core of North Highlands closest to the Watt Avenue commercial spine and the Interstate 80 corridor. This is where the area's origins show plainly: compact 1950s and 1960s tract blocks, a heavier share of apartments and rentals than the outer pockets, and the everyday retail of Watt Avenue along its western reach. The location is the practical strength. You are near the busiest shopping in the community, close to the Watt/I-80 light rail and freeway access, and central to everything the CDP offers. The honest counterweight is that this core carries the wear that comes with age and density. Upkeep is uneven, some stretches show real deferred maintenance, and property crime here runs above the Sacramento norm, so blocks can differ sharply from one to the next. This part of town is not polished and does not pretend to be. What it offers is some of the most affordable, most connected housing in the north county, on streets within easy reach of Watt Avenue, the freeway, and the transit line. Walk the specific block before you commit. That is the real work here.
Top Neighborhoods in North Highlands, CA
Neighborhood Amenities
Near good merchants2.9
Public Spaces2.5
Curb Appeal2.5
Overall Amenities score: 2.6
Neighborhood Weather
Neighborhood Photos
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Schools serving this Neighborhood
| School Name | Type | Grades | Houseberry School Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cambridge Heights Elementary | Primary | K-5 | |
| James R. Cowan Fundamental Elementary | Primary | K-6 | |
| Harry Dewey Fundamental Elementary | Primary | K-6 | |
| Green Oaks Fundamental Elementary | Primary | K-6 | |
| Mission Avenue Open Elementary | Primary | K-6 | |
| Orangevale Open K-8 | Primary | K-8 | |
| Pasadena Avenue Elementary | Primary | K-5 | |
| Arcade Fundamental Middle | Middle | 6-8 | |
| El Camino Fundamental High | High | 9-12 | |
| Mira Loma High | High | 9-12 |
Click links for school listing
info at GreatSchools.org
Houseberry School Score Data
from CA Dept. of Education
Houseberry recommends using these scores as only a starting point, and conducting your own investigation into what schools fit best for your preferences. School boundaries are not guaranteed and may change. It is important to contact the appropriate school district to confirm enrollment eligibility before making any decision to move to a neighborhood.
North Highlands FAQs7 answers
Is North Highlands a good place to live?
North Highlands ranks 4th of 5 neighborhoods in North Highlands with an overall Houseberry score of 2.2 out of 5. The trade-offs are safety (2.0/5) and public spaces (2.5/5).
Is North Highlands safe?
North Highlands scores 2.0 out of 5 on Houseberry's Safety Score, ranking 2nd of 5 neighborhoods in North Highlands.
Which schools serve North Highlands?
Schools serving North Highlands include Cambridge Heights Elementary (3.5/5), James R. Cowan Fundamental Elementary (3.0/5), Harry Dewey Fundamental Elementary (3.1/5), Green Oaks Fundamental Elementary (3.8/5) and Mission Avenue Open Elementary (3.0/5). 5 more schools are listed in the Schools section on this page.
What is the weather like in North Highlands?
North Highlands receives 80% of its possible sunshine, the sunniest of North Highlands's 5 neighborhoods. Summer days run 59° to 91°F and winter days 40° to 57°F, July is the warmest month and rainfall averages about 21 inches a year.
Is North Highlands walkable to shops and restaurants?
North Highlands scores 2.9 out of 5 for nearby merchants and 2.5 out of 5 for public spaces. Its overall amenities score is 2.6 out of 5, 5th of 5 in North Highlands.
How does North Highlands compare to other North Highlands neighborhoods?
North Highlands ranks 4th of 5 neighborhoods in North Highlands. It ranks 4th of 5 in North Highlands for schools (2.6/5) and scores lowest on safety (2.0/5). The next-ranked neighborhoods in North Highlands are McClellan Meadows.
What are the downsides of living in North Highlands?
North Highlands scores lowest on safety (2.0/5) and public spaces (2.5/5).
Neighborhood Photos
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Top Neighborhoods in North Highlands, CA
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