Harrisburg, Illinois Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Harrisburg, Illinois had a total population of 8,372, the 257th largest city in Illinois, with a median household income of $43,415, which is 48% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 29.0%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 48% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (29.0%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.9x.
- Unemployment rate of 9.5% is notably above the national average.
Harrisburg Quick Facts
How Harrisburg Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 8,608 | 8,372 | -2.7% |
| Median household income | $48,488 | $43,415 | -10.5% |
| Median home value | $84,800 | $84,100 | -0.8% |
How Harrisburg Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 61 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Harrisburg Rankings in Illinois
Explore Illinois Rankings
Other Cities in Saline County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eldorado | 3,771 | $37,154 | 22.4% | $66,200 |
| Carrier Mills | 1,634 | $50,729 | 25.4% | $60,100 |
| Galatia | 913 | $48,258 | 7.3% | $70,200 |
| Raleigh | 235 | $49,167 | 17.4% | $80,000 |
| Muddy | 67 | N/A | 29.0% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Harrisburg
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rock Falls | 8,587 | $49,600 | $83,900 | 13.4% | 25.6% |
| Paris | 8,276 | $53,927 | $75,700 | 16.8% | 12.5% |
| Round Lake Park | 7,919 | $55,813 | $164,900 | 16.5% | 8.7% |
| Olney | 8,577 | $59,980 | $99,800 | 21.2% | 14.2% |
| Monmouth | 8,581 | $61,138 | $86,800 | 18.3% | 17.7% |
Population Overview
Harrisburg is a small city located in Illinois, within Saline County. The total population is 8,372. It ranks as the 257th most populous out of 1,445 Census-designated places in Illinois.
Age Demographics
The median age in Harrisburg is 39.0 years. This is about the same as the state median of 39.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Harrisburg is $43,415. This is 48% lower than the state median of $83,390. It is also 46% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 29.0%. This is 146% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.8%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 9.5%. This is 62% higher than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $84,100. Housing costs are 68% lower than the state median of $263,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.9x, Harrisburg is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 61.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 8% lower than the state average of 67.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
Harrisburg has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 92.4% of all residents. Black or African American residents account for 3.4%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (92.4% vs 58.1%). The Black or African American population (3.4%) is well below the state average of 13.3%. The Hispanic or Latino population (1.2%) is well below the state average of 18.8%. The Asian population (0.1%) is well below the state average of 5.9%.
Education
15.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 58% lower than the state rate of 37.9%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 84.7%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Harrisburg, Illinois is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against Illinois state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,445 Census-designated places in Illinois. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Harrisburg, Illinois?
Harrisburg, Illinois has a population of 8,372 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Harrisburg, IL?
The median household income in Harrisburg is $43,415, which is 46% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Harrisburg, IL?
The poverty rate in Harrisburg is 29.0%. This means approximately 2,291 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Harrisburg, Illinois?
Harrisburg's population is 92.4% White, 3.4% Black, 1.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.1% Asian.
What is the median home value in Harrisburg, IL?
The median home value in Harrisburg is $84,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.9x.
How educated is Harrisburg, Illinois?
15.8% of adults (25+) in Harrisburg hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 3.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.