Harrisburg city, Pennsylvania Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Harrisburg city, Pennsylvania has a total population of 50,092, the 10th largest city in Pennsylvania, with a median household income of $47,783, which is 37% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 29.1%.
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 37% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (29.1%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Unemployment rate of 9.4% is notably above the national average.
Harrisburg city Quick Facts
How Harrisburg city Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
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: 43 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Harrisburg city Rankings in Pennsylvania
Explore Pennsylvania Rankings
Other Cities in Dauphin County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Middletown borough | 9,567 | $54,778 | 14.6% | $159,800 |
| Steelton borough | 6,267 | $55,963 | 22.3% | $124,200 |
| Hummelstown borough | 4,526 | $53,148 | 11.6% | $240,200 |
| Penbrook borough | 3,260 | $68,295 | 7.3% | $140,000 |
| Highspire borough | 2,729 | $50,689 | 14.0% | $113,500 |
| Millersburg borough | 2,538 | $65,190 | 11.8% | $123,500 |
| Lykens borough | 1,830 | $69,125 | 22.6% | $101,300 |
| Paxtang borough | 1,617 | $83,571 | 9.2% | $179,900 |
| Elizabethville borough | 1,583 | $75,724 | 6.2% | $168,900 |
| Williamstown borough | 1,289 | $61,875 | 22.2% | $95,200 |
Cities Similar to Harrisburg city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| York city | 44,830 | $47,115 | $103,100 | 17.1% | 22.7% |
| Wilkes-Barre city | 44,217 | $47,970 | $108,000 | 19.4% | 21.1% |
| Altoona city | 43,508 | $50,171 | $113,600 | 19.9% | 18.8% |
| State College borough | 40,669 | $47,132 | $414,400 | 70.7% | 39.1% |
| Lancaster city | 57,683 | $63,421 | $203,700 | 27.2% | 20.7% |
Population Overview
Harrisburg city is a mid-sized community located in Pennsylvania, within Dauphin County. The total population is 50,092. It ranks as the 10th most populous out of 1,993 cities and towns in Pennsylvania.
Age Demographics
The median age in Harrisburg city is 32.8 years. This is 20% lower than the state median of 40.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Harrisburg city is $47,783. This is 37% lower than the state median of $76,081. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 39% lower. The poverty rate stands at 29.1%. This is 147% 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 9.4%. This is 79% higher than the state rate of 5.3%. The median home value is $121,000. Housing costs are 50% lower than the state median of $240,500. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.5x, Harrisburg city is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 36.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 47% lower than the state average of 69.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
Harrisburg city is a highly diverse community where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 25.9%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (25.9%) is well below the state average of 73.8%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (41.5% vs 10.3%). The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (25.0% vs 8.4%).
Education
26.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 24% lower than the state rate of 34.5%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 85.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Harrisburg city, Pennsylvania is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against Pennsylvania state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,993 Census-designated places in Pennsylvania. For official data, visit data.census.gov.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Harrisburg city, Pennsylvania?
Harrisburg city, Pennsylvania has a population of 50,092 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Harrisburg city, PA?
The median household income in Harrisburg city is $47,783, which is 39% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Harrisburg city, PA?
The poverty rate in Harrisburg city is 29.1%. This means approximately 14,317 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Harrisburg city, Pennsylvania?
Harrisburg city's population is 25.9% White, 41.5% Black, 25.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.6% Asian.
What is the median home value in Harrisburg city, PA?
The median home value in Harrisburg city is $121,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.5x.
How educated is Harrisburg city, Pennsylvania?
26.3% of adults (25+) in Harrisburg city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 10.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.