Harrisburg, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Harrisburg, North Carolina had a total population of 19,633, the 51st largest town in North Carolina, with a median household income of $148,254, which is 105% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 3.8%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 105% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in North Carolina.
- An exceptionally low poverty rate of 3.8% — among the lowest in North Carolina.
- 56.5% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in North Carolina.
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 | 19,203 | 19,633 | +2.2% |
| Median household income | $143,393 | $148,254 | +3.4% |
| Median home value | $431,900 | $478,000 | +10.7% |
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 diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 58 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Harrisburg Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Cabarrus County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Concord | 108,719 | $86,921 | 9.6% | $353,700 |
| Kannapolis | 57,890 | $73,836 | 12.6% | $276,400 |
| Locust | 5,840 | $76,504 | 8.7% | $322,100 |
| Mount Pleasant | 2,230 | $90,795 | 6.6% | $306,500 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Waxhaw | 22,275 | $131,894 | $549,400 | 55.0% | 4.5% |
| Knightdale | 20,214 | $103,220 | $380,100 | 48.9% | 5.3% |
| Pinehurst | 18,256 | $109,802 | $476,600 | 60.9% | 4.3% |
| Stallings | 16,886 | $115,974 | $428,000 | 53.7% | 4.8% |
| Davidson | 15,660 | $166,556 | $687,700 | 75.8% | 7.0% |
Population Overview
Harrisburg is a small city located in North Carolina, within Cabarrus County. The total population is 19,633. It ranks as the 51st most populous out of 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Harrisburg is 40.1 years. This is 3% higher than the state median of 39.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Harrisburg is $148,254. This is 105% higher than the state median of $72,388. It is also 84% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 3.8%. This is 71% lower than the state poverty rate of 13.0%. This exceptionally low poverty rate indicates strong economic prosperity across the community. The unemployment rate is 3.0%. This is 37% lower than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $478,000. Housing costs are 65% higher than the state median of $288,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.2x. 91.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 37% higher than the state average of 66.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Harrisburg is White (non-Hispanic), making up 50.7% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 15.9%. The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (14.7% vs 3.3%).
Education
56.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Harrisburg in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 58% higher than the state rate of 35.6%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 95.1%. Notably, 21.0% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Harrisburg, North Carolina 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 North Carolina state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina. 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, North Carolina?
Harrisburg, North Carolina has a population of 19,633 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Harrisburg, NC?
The median household income in Harrisburg is $148,254, which is 84% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Harrisburg, NC?
The poverty rate in Harrisburg is 3.8%. This means approximately 734 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Harrisburg, North Carolina?
Harrisburg's population is 50.7% White, 15.9% Black, 9.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 14.7% Asian.
What is the median home value in Harrisburg, NC?
The median home value in Harrisburg is $478,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.2x.
How educated is Harrisburg, North Carolina?
56.5% of adults (25+) in Harrisburg hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 21.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.