Harrisonburg, Virginia Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Harrisonburg, Virginia had a total population of 51,392, the 16th largest city in Virginia, with a median household income of $62,254, which is 33% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 25.7%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 33% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (25.7%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
Harrisonburg Quick Facts
How Harrisonburg 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 | 51,492 | 51,392 | -0.2% |
| Median household income | $59,752 | $62,254 | +4.2% |
| Median home value | $278,200 | $299,100 | +7.5% |
How Harrisonburg 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: 61 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Harrisonburg Rankings in Virginia
Explore Virginia Rankings
Cities Similar to Harrisonburg
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charlottesville | 45,437 | $74,824 | $486,700 | 62.5% | 19.7% |
| Blacksburg | 45,446 | $50,182 | $446,300 | 69.2% | 42.7% |
| Tuckahoe | 49,183 | $102,264 | $462,800 | 56.6% | 7.4% |
| Danville | 42,214 | $44,423 | $119,100 | 19.6% | 24.6% |
| Woodbridge | 43,945 | $104,741 | $422,400 | 29.4% | 9.0% |
Population Overview
Harrisonburg is a mid-sized community located in Virginia. The total population is 51,392. It ranks as the 16th most populous out of 681 Census-designated places in Virginia.
Age Demographics
The median age in Harrisonburg is 25.0 years. This is 36% lower than the state median of 39.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Harrisonburg is $62,254. This is 33% lower than the state median of $93,170. It is also 23% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 25.7%. This is 160% higher than the state poverty rate of 9.9%. 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 6.9%. This is 61% higher than the state rate of 4.3%. The median home value is $299,100. Housing costs are 22% lower than the state median of $383,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.8x. 39.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 41% lower than the state average of 67.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Harrisonburg is White (non-Hispanic), making up 60.8% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 23.6%. The Black or African American population (7.2%) is well below the state average of 18.3%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (23.6% vs 11.0%).
Education
37.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 11% lower than the state rate of 42.2%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 84.3%. Notably, 18.7% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Harrisonburg, Virginia 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 Virginia state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 681 Census-designated places in Virginia. 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 Harrisonburg, Virginia?
Harrisonburg, Virginia has a population of 51,392 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Harrisonburg, VA?
The median household income in Harrisonburg is $62,254, which is 23% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Harrisonburg, VA?
The poverty rate in Harrisonburg is 25.7%. This means approximately 11,377 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Harrisonburg, Virginia?
Harrisonburg's population is 60.8% White, 7.2% Black, 23.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 3.5% Asian.
What is the median home value in Harrisonburg, VA?
The median home value in Harrisonburg is $299,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.8x.
How educated is Harrisonburg, Virginia?
37.5% of adults (25+) in Harrisonburg hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 18.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.