Harrisburg, Pennsylvania Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania had a total population of 50,287, the 10th largest city in Pennsylvania, with a median household income of $48,099, which is 38% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 30.5%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 38% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (30.5%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- One of the most racially diverse communities in Pennsylvania (diversity index: 70/100).
- Unemployment rate of 11.4% 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 | 50,092 | 50,287 | +0.4% |
| Median household income | $47,783 | $48,099 | +0.7% |
| Median home value | $121,000 | $124,200 | +2.6% |
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
This community is exceptionally diverse, with no single racial or ethnic group dominating the population.
State average: 45 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Harrisburg Rankings in Pennsylvania
Explore Pennsylvania Rankings
Other Cities in Dauphin County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colonial Park | 18,032 | $73,105 | 9.9% | $231,100 |
| Hershey | 14,242 | $78,587 | 17.6% | $379,200 |
| Progress | 11,017 | $73,030 | 10.4% | $202,500 |
| Middletown | 9,632 | $55,765 | 12.4% | $161,600 |
| Linglestown | 6,957 | $92,558 | 4.2% | $259,400 |
| Rutherford | 6,890 | $83,636 | 8.3% | $214,200 |
| Steelton | 6,296 | $58,194 | 19.6% | $134,800 |
| Lawnton | 4,765 | $84,861 | 2.5% | $222,600 |
| Skyline View | 4,704 | $97,982 | 2.6% | $299,600 |
| Hummelstown | 4,527 | $63,175 | 11.8% | $245,100 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| York | 44,938 | $48,420 | $119,700 | 17.5% | 21.1% |
| Wilkes-Barre | 44,423 | $48,515 | $117,200 | 20.5% | 23.1% |
| Altoona | 43,196 | $51,250 | $119,900 | 20.5% | 16.6% |
| State College | 41,050 | $45,424 | $437,800 | 68.4% | 38.1% |
| Lancaster | 57,719 | $63,690 | $219,500 | 29.4% | 20.3% |
Population Overview
Harrisburg is a mid-sized community located in Pennsylvania, within Dauphin County. The total population is 50,287. It ranks as the 10th most populous out of 1,991 Census-designated places in Pennsylvania.
Age Demographics
The median age in Harrisburg is 33.4 years. This is 18% lower than the state median of 40.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Harrisburg is $48,099. This is 38% lower than the state median of $77,971. It is also 40% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 30.5%. This is 160% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.7%. 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 11.4%. This is 117% higher than the state rate of 5.3%. The median home value is $124,200. Housing costs are 51% lower than the state median of $254,500. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.6x, Harrisburg is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 36.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 47% lower than the state average of 69.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
Harrisburg is a highly diverse community where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 26.4%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (25.2%) is well below the state average of 73.0%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (40.9% vs 10.3%). The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (26.4% vs 8.7%).
Education
25.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 26% lower than the state rate of 35.2%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 85.2%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,991 Census-designated places in Pennsylvania. 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, Pennsylvania?
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania has a population of 50,287 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Harrisburg, PA?
The median household income in Harrisburg is $48,099, which is 40% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Harrisburg, PA?
The poverty rate in Harrisburg is 30.5%. This means approximately 15,114 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania?
Harrisburg's population is 25.2% White, 40.9% Black, 26.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.2% Asian.
What is the median home value in Harrisburg, PA?
The median home value in Harrisburg is $124,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.6x.
How educated is Harrisburg, Pennsylvania?
25.9% of adults (25+) in Harrisburg hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 10.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.