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CITY

Harrisburg

Pennsylvania · 50,522 residents (2025 est.) · 8.119 sq mi
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The short version

Harrisburg has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $48,099. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $124,200. At a median age of 33.4, residents skew younger than the country as a whole. The poverty rate of 30.5% is well above the national figure. Households here earn about 38% less than the Pennsylvania median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Younger
median age 33.4
US median: 38.9
Less educated
26% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
50,287
+3%since 2000
from 48,950 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
6,194 / sq mi
+3%since 2000
from 6,029 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
33.4
+1%since 2000
from 33.0 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:50,522 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
47K48K50K51K53K1990201020202024Harrisburg
202450K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$48,099
−2%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $26,920 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$27,330
+73%since 2000
from $15,787 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
29.2%
+13.8 ptssince 2009
from 15.4% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
30.5%
+5.9 ptssince 2000
from 24.6% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.483
+5%since 2010
from 0.459 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Information10.3%
US avg: 10.8%
Finance & insurance8.5%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical8.4%
US avg: 5.1%
Retail trade6.6%
US avg: 9.9%
Other services6.4%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration4.9%
US avg: 4.8%
Transportation & warehousing4.2%
US avg: 2.2%
Wholesale trade4.1%
US avg: 6.9%
Arts, entertainment, food1.3%
US avg: 1.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.2%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction0.2%
US avg: 1.2%
Education & health services0.2%
US avg: 0.9%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$124,200
+20%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $56,900 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,062
+22%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $479 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
36.6%
−5.8 ptssince 2000
from 42.3% in 2000
63.4% rent
Vacancy rate
8.3%
−11.2 ptssince 2009
from 19.5% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
21.0%
−8.0 ptssince 2009
from 29.1% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
46.5%
−2.6 ptssince 2009
from 49.1% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
2.6
+22%since 2000
from 2.1 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
56
RELATED:See current rent listings in Harrisburg on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic28.6%(13,988)
Black53.7%(26,292)
Hispanic / Latino11.7%(5,724)
Asian2.8%(1,370)
Other0%
Diversity Score73.7%(36,062)
2024
White, non-Hispanic25.2%(12,687)
Black40.9%(20,570)
Hispanic / Latino26.4%(13,281)
Asian2.2%(1,110)
Other5.2%(2,639)
Diversity Score87%(43,752)
Diversity Score
87
+18%since 2000
from 74 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
25.9%
+11.6 ptssince 2000
from 14.3% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
85.2%
+12.9 ptssince 2000
from 72.4% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
10.0%
+4.3 ptssince 2000
from 5.7% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
20.1 min
+67%since 2000
from 12.1 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
57.5%
−6.9 ptssince 2009
from 64.4% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
10.6%
−1.4 ptssince 2009
from 11.9% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
5.2%
−2.6 ptssince 2009
from 7.7% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
15.8%
+14.4 ptssince 2009
from 1.5% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
7.5%
−2.5 ptssince 2009
from 10.1% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.3%
−0.3 ptssince 2009
from 0.5% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
24.3%
−4.0 ptssince 2009
from 28.3% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
11.4%
−1.5 ptssince 2011
from 12.9% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
64.6%
−0.1 ptssince 2011
from 64.7% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
14.1%
−4.3 ptssince 2009
from 18.4% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
35.7%
−27.4 ptssince 2009
from 63.2% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
47.4%
+1.0 ptssince 2009
from 46.3% in 2009
Female
52.6%
−1.0 ptssince 2009
from 53.7% in 2009
Foreign born
9.5%
+2.1 ptssince 2009
from 7.4% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
4.8%
−40.3 ptssince 2009
from 45.1% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
18.2%
+2.2 ptssince 2012
from 16.0% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
9.4%
−73.5 ptssince 2013
from 82.9% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
85.6%
+19.0 ptssince 2017
from 66.6% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
78.7%
−1.0 ptssince 2016
from 79.7% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
17.2%
+4.8 ptssince 2016
from 12.4% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
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Compare Harrisburg to nearby cities

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HARRISBURG VS
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HARRISBURG VS
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Home value$241,200+94%
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania?

Harrisburg, Pennsylvania has about 50,287 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania?

The typical household in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania earns about $48,099 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Harrisburg, Pennsylvania expensive?

In Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, the median home is worth about $124,200, and the typical rent is about $1,062 a month.

How educated are people in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania?

About 25.9% of adults age 25 and over in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania?

About 30.5% of people in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania live below the federal poverty line.

Has Harrisburg, Pennsylvania grown since 1990?

Yes, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 2,089 residents, a change of about -4 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

How we source and harmonize this data →