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CITY · 2020 ACS

Harrisburg

Pennsylvania · 50,099 residents · 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 $41,831. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. Median home value has risen by half since 2000, reaching $85,500. At a median age of 33.5, residents skew younger than the country as a whole. The poverty rate of 26.5% is well above the national figure. Households here earn about 34% less than the Pennsylvania median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Younger
median age 33.5
US median: 38.8
Less educated
23% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
50,099
+2%since 2000
from 48,950 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
6,171 / sq mi
+2%since 2000
from 6,029 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
33.5
+2%since 2000
from 33.0 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
47K48K50K51K53K1990201020202024Harrisburg
202450K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$41,831
+3%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $26,920 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$23,191
+47%since 2000
from $15,787 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
22.2%
+6.8 ptssince 2009
from 15.4% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
26.5%
+1.9 ptssince 2000
from 24.6% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Information10.6%
US avg: 11.1%
Other services8.5%
US avg: 6.6%
Finance & insurance7.6%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical7.3%
US avg: 4.7%
Retail trade7%
US avg: 10%
Public administration6.7%
US avg: 4.7%
Transportation & warehousing2.4%
US avg: 2.5%
Arts, entertainment, food2%
US avg: 2%
Wholesale trade1.8%
US avg: 6.7%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.6%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction0.5%
US avg: 1.2%
Education & health services0.3%
US avg: 0.8%
Manufacturing0.1%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$85,500
Unchangedinflation adjusted, since 2000
from $56,900 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$846
+18%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $479 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
32.2%
−10.1 ptssince 2000
from 42.3% in 2000
67.8% rent
Afford Score
2.0
−3%since 2000
from 2.1 in 2000
1990 – 2024
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)
2020
White, non-Hispanic22.8%(11,405)
Black42.4%(21,263)
Hispanic / Latino25.8%(12,904)
Asian3.5%(1,768)
Other2.8%(1,404)
Diversity Score85.3%(42,756)
Diversity Score
85
+16%since 2000
from 74 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
22.6%
+8.3 ptssince 2000
from 14.3% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
81.5%
+9.1 ptssince 2000
from 72.4% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
8.3%
+2.6 ptssince 2000
from 5.7% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
19.2 min
+59%since 2000
from 12.1 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
60.4%
−4.0 ptssince 2009
from 64.4% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
24.3%
−4.0 ptssince 2009
from 28.3% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
8.5%
−4.5 ptssince 2011
from 12.9% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
67.3%
+2.6 ptssince 2011
from 64.7% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
31.9%
−31.3 ptssince 2009
from 63.2% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
48.2%
+1.8 ptssince 2009
from 46.3% in 2009
Female
51.8%
−1.8 ptssince 2009
from 53.7% in 2009
Foreign born
9.0%
+1.7 ptssince 2009
from 7.4% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
9.2%
−73.7 ptssince 2013
from 82.9% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

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Head to head

Compare Harrisburg to nearby cities

HARRISBURG VS
Progress
Income$73,030+75%
Home value$202,500+137%
Population11,017−78%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
HARRISBURG VS
Camp Hill
Income$115,761+177%
Home value$316,300+270%
Population8,199−84%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
HARRISBURG VS
Colonial Park
Income$73,105+75%
Home value$231,100+170%
Population18,032−64%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
HARRISBURG VS
Mechanicsburg
Income$84,421+102%
Home value$241,200+182%
Population10,037−80%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania?

Harrisburg, Pennsylvania has about 50,099 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania?

The typical household in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania earns about $41,831 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 $85,500, and the typical rent is about $846 a month.

How educated are people in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania?

About 22.6% 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 26.5% 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 2,277 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 →