Harrisonburg, VA

Census Place

Add Comparison

2024 Population

51,392

US Senator

Mark Warner

Democratic Party

US Senator

Tim Kaine

Democratic Party

2024 Median Age

1.57% 1-year decrease

2024 Poverty Rate

25.7%

0.454% 1-year increase

2024 Median Household Income

$62,254

4.19% 1-year growth

2024 Median Property Value

$299,100

7.51% 1-year growth

2024 Employed Population

24,986

0.77% 1-year growth

About

None of the households in Harrisonburg, VA reported speaking a non-English language at home as their primary shared language. This does not consider the potential multi-lingual nature of households, but only the primary self-reported language spoken by all members of the household.

89% of the residents in Harrisonburg, VA are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Harrisonburg, VA are James Madison University (5,616 degrees awarded in 2024) and Eastern Mennonite University (414 degrees).

In 2024, the median property value in Harrisonburg, VA was $299,100, and the homeownership rate was 39.5%.

Most people in Harrisonburg, VA drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 17.1 minutes. The average car ownership in Harrisonburg, VA was 2 cars per household.

United States Virginia Harrisonburg city, VA Harrisonburg, VA Central Shenandoah Planning District Commission (Northeast) PUMA, VA

Population & Diversity

Harrisonburg, VA is home to a population of 51.4k people, from which 89% are citizens. As of 2024, 17.8% of Harrisonburg, VA residents were born outside of the country (9.15k people).

In 2024, there were 5.73 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (31.2k people) in Harrisonburg, VA than any other race or ethnicity. There were 5.45k Two Races Including Other (Hispanic) and 3.79k Other (Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

89%

2024 Citizenship

89.2%

2023 Citizenship

As of 2024, 89% of Harrisonburg, VA residents were US citizens, which is lower than the national average of 93.2%. In 2023, the percentage of US citizens in Harrisonburg, VA was 89.2%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been decreasing.

The following chart shows US citizenship percentages in Harrisonburg, VA compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Harrisonburg, VA

White (Non-Hispanic)
31.2k ± 215
Two Races Including Other (Hispanic)
5.45k ± 810
Other (Hispanic)
3.79k ± 909

23.6%

Hispanic Population

12.1k people

23.6% of the people in Harrisonburg, VA are hispanic (12.1k people).

The following chart shows the 8 races represented in Harrisonburg, VA as a share of the total population.

Global Diversity

The PUMS dataset is not available at the Place level, so we are showing data for Virginia.

Most Common Origin

El Salvador
108,778 ± 8,047 people
India
98,440 ± 7,659 people
Mexico
58,677 ± 5,927 people

In 2024, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Virginia was El Salvador, the natal country of 108,778 Virginia residents, followed by India with 98,440 and Mexico with 58,677.

Foreign-Born Population

17.8%

2024 Foreign-Born Population

9.15k people

17.3%

2023 Foreign-Born Population

8.92k people

As of 2024, 17.8% of Harrisonburg, VA residents (9.15k people) were born outside of the United States, which is approximately the same as the national average of 14%. In 2023, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Harrisonburg, VA was 17.3%, meaning that the rate has been increasing.

The following chart shows the percentage of foreign-born residents in Harrisonburg, VA compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Gulf War (2001-)
550 ± 209
Vietnam
301 ± 144
Gulf War (1990s)
274 ± 88

Harrisonburg, VA has a large population of military personnel who served in Gulf War (2001-), 1.83 times greater than any other conflict.

The chart shows the distribution of veterans by conflict in Harrisonburg, VA.

Health

89.5% of the population of Harrisonburg, VA has health coverage, with 49.3% on employee plans, 16.8% on Medicaid, 7.77% on Medicare, 13% on non-group plans, and 2.75% on military or VA plans.

Primary care physicians in Virginia see 1,341 patients per year on average, which represents a 0% change from the previous year (1,341 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1329 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 379 patients per year.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 48.5% were men and 51.5% were women.

Coverage

Health Care Diversity

In 2024, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 24.4% under 18 years, 37.6% between 18 and 34 years, 27.9% between 35 and 64 years, and 10% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 48.5% were men and 51.5% were women.

The following chart shows the number of people with health coverage by gender.

Uninsured People

10.5%

Uninsured

49.3%

Employer Coverage

16.8%

Medicaid

7.77%

Medicare

13%

Non-Group

2.75%

Military or VA

Between 2023 and 2024, the percent of uninsured citizens in Harrisonburg, VA grew by 2.76% from 10.2% to 10.5%.

The following chart shows how the percent of uninsured individuals in Harrisonburg, VA changed over time compared with the percent of individuals enrolled in various types of health insurance.

Economy

The economy of Harrisonburg, VA employs 25k people. In 2024, the largest industries in Harrisonburg, VA were Educational Services (3,845 people), Manufacturing (3,207 people), and Accommodation & Food Services (3,044 people), and the highest paying industries were Information ($65,577), Utilities ($61,500), and Public Administration ($61,188).

Employment

Occupations

25k

2024 Value

± 1,340

0.77%

1 Year growth

± 7.4%

From 2023 to 2024, employment in Harrisonburg, VA grew at a rate of 0.77%, from 24.8k employees to 25k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Harrisonburg, VA, are Food Preparation & Serving Related Occupations (2,362 people), Office & Administrative Support Occupations (2,089 people), and Education Instruction, & Library Occupations (2,054 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Harrisonburg, VA.

Unemployment Insurance Claims

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Virginia.

This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in Virginia (not-seasonally adjusted) compared with the four states with the most similar impact.

The most recent data point uses Advance State Claims data, which can be revised in subsequent weeks.

Industries

Employment by Industries

25k

2024 Value

± 1,340

0.77%

1 Year growth

± 7.4%

From 2023 to 2024, employment in Harrisonburg, VA grew at a rate of 0.77%, from 24.8k employees to 25k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Harrisonburg, VA, are Educational Services (3,845 people), Manufacturing (3,207 people), and Accommodation & Food Services (3,044 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Harrisonburg, VA, though some of these residents may live in Harrisonburg, VA and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Median Earnings by Industry

$42,346

Median earning men ± $3,530

$24,602

Median earning women ± $2,217

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2024 are Public Administration ($68,409), Professional, Scientific, & Management, & Administrative & Waste Management Services ($67,254), and Information ($66,074).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2024 are Public Administration ($46,739), Educational Services, & Health Care & Social Assistance ($37,486), and Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($36,964).

Employment by Industry Sector

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Virginia.

Y-Axis

2.48%

Year-over-year growth

Employment change between February 2022 and February 2023

As of February 2023, there are 4.1M people employed in Virginia. This represents a 2.48% increase in employment when compared to February 2022.

Right after the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, during April 2020, a general dip can be seen across industry sectors, resulting in an overall decline in employment by 10.8%.

The following chart shows monthly employment numbers for each industry sector in Virginia.

Civics

In the 2024 presidential election, the popular vote in Virginia went to Kamala Harris with 51.8% of the vote. The runner-up was Donald J. Trump (46.1%), followed by Other (0.905%).

Mark Warner and Tim Kaine are the senators currently representing the state of Virginia. In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

Virginia is currently represented by 11 members in the U.S. house, and members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms.

Presidential Elections

Presidential Popular Vote Over Time

Voting results are not available for Harrisonburg, VA. Showing the available data for Virginia.

2024 Election Results

Kamala Harris (51.8%)
Democratic Party
Donald J. Trump (46.1%)
Republican Party
Other (0.905%)
Other Party

In the 2024 presidential election, the popular vote in Virginia went to Kamala Harris with 51.8% of the vote. The runner-up was Donald J. Trump (46.1%), followed by Other (0.905%).

The following chart shows the popular vote results in Virginia for each registered party from 1976 to 2024.

Senator Elections

US Senators from Virginia

Senatorial voting results are only available at the state level. Showing data for Virginia.

Mark Warner

Senator from Virginia

Assumed office on January 3, 2009

Tim Kaine

Senator from Virginia

Assumed office on January 3, 2013

Mark Warner and Tim Kaine are the senators currently representing Virginia.

In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

The following chart shows elected senators in Virginia over time, excluding special elections, colored by their political party.

Education

In 2024, universities in Harrisonburg, VA awarded 6,030 degrees. The student population of Harrisonburg, VA in 2024 is skewed towards women, with 10,116 male students and 13,778 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Harrisonburg, VA are White (4,528 and 76.4%), Hispanic or Latino (454 and 7.66%), Asian (279 and 4.7%), and Black or African American (260 and 4.38%).

The largest universities in Harrisonburg, VA by number of degrees awarded are James Madison University (5,616 and 93.1%) and Eastern Mennonite University (414 and 6.87%).

The most popular majors in Harrisonburg, VA are Speech Communication & Rhetoric (455 and 7.55%), Community Health Services (451 and 7.48%), and Registered Nursing (343 and 5.69%).

The median tuition costs are $43,070 for private four year colleges, and $8,150 and $25,496 respectively, for public four year colleges for in-state students and out-of-state students.

Admissions & Enrollments

Applicants, Admissions & Enrolled

University

Measure

In 2024 in Harrisonburg, VA, the percentage of applicants admitted was 72.6%, while the percentage of admitted who enrolled was 17.9%. The number of students enrolled in 2024 was 23,894 (42.3% men and 57.7% women).

The line chart shows the evolution of the percentage of applicants admitted, admitted who enrolled or the number of students enrolled according to the option selected in the upper button.

Enrollments by Gender and Races

Universities

In 2024 there were 23,894 students enrolled in Harrisonburg, VA, 42.3% men and 57.7% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in White with 16,991 records, of which 57.7% were women and 42.3% men.

Completions

Concentrations

Most Common

Community Health Services
451 degrees awarded
Speech Communication & Rhetoric
439 degrees awarded
Registered Nursing
330 degrees awarded

In 2024, the most common concentation for Bachelors Degree recipients in Harrisonburg, VA was Community Health Services with 451 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a Bachelors Degree from schools in Harrisonburg, VA according to their major.

Universities

Gender

Race

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

James Madison University
5,616 degrees awarded
Eastern Mennonite University
414 degrees awarded

In 2024, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was James Madison University with 5,616 degrees awarded.

Student Diversity

University

In 2024, 2,223 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Harrisonburg, VA, which is 0.584 times less than the 3,807 female students who received degrees in the same year.

In 2024, the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was White students. These 4,528 degrees mean that there were 9.97 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Hispanic or Latino, with 454 degrees awarded.

Awarded Degrees over Time

The graph shows the evolution of awarded degrees by degrees. Under the paragraphs, the average number of awarded degrees by university in each degree is shown.

Tuition

Average Net Price by Sector

Universities

Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above ($43,070) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2024.

Public, 4-year or above ($5,816) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2024.

Public, 4-year or above ($1,254) is the sector with the highest average net price of books and supplies.

The graph shows the average net price by sector and year.

Housing & Living

The median property value in Harrisonburg, VA was $299,100 in 2024, which is 0.899 times smaller than the national average of $332,700. Between 2023 and 2024 the median property value increased from $278,200 to $299,100, a 7.51% increase. The homeownership rate in Harrisonburg, VA is 39.5%, which is lower than the national average of 65.2%.

People in Harrisonburg, VA have an average commute time of 17.1 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Harrisonburg, VA is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Housing

Property

$299,100

Median Property Value 2024

±$12,261

$6,855

Median Property Taxes

±$639

The following chart display owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Harrisonburg, VA the largest share of households pay taxes in the $2k - $3k range.

The chart underneath the paragraph shows the property taxes in Harrisonburg, VA compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies.

Rent vs Own

39.5%

Homeownership

2024

67.5%

Homeowners with Mortgage

2024

In 2024, 39.5% of the housing units in Harrisonburg, VA were occupied by their owner. This percentage declined from the previous year's rate of 39.9%.

This chart shows the percentage of owner in Harrisonburg, VA compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

Equity

Household Income

Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.

$62,254

Median Household Income

± $4,131

17.4k

Number of Households

± 1,017

In 2024, the median household income of the 17.4k households in Harrisonburg, VA grew to $62,254 from the previous year's value of $59,752.

The following chart displays the households in Harrisonburg, VA distributed between a series of income buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households have an income in the $75k - $100k range.

Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for Harrisonburg, VA is from Virginia.

0.47

2024 Wage GINI in Virginia

0.472

2023 Wage GINI in Virginia

In 2024, the income inequality in Virginia was 0.47 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.376% decline from 2023 to 2024, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for Virginia was lower than than the national average of 0.474. In other words, wages are distributed more evenly in Virginia in comparison to the national average.

This chart shows the number of workers in Virginia across various wage buckets compared to the national average.

Transportation

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2024

Drove Alone (67.9%)
Carpooled (13.6%)
Worked At Home (9.13%)

In 2024, 67.9% of workers in Harrisonburg, VA drove alone to work, followed by those who carpooled to work (13.6%) and those who worked at home (9.13%).

The following chart shows the number of households using each mode of transportation over time, using a logarithmic scale on the y-axis to help better show variations in the smaller means of commuting.

Commute Time

17.1 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Harrisonburg, VA have a shorter commute time (17.1 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.4 minutes). Additionally, 0.793% of the workforce in Harrisonburg, VA have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

The chart below shows how the median household income in Harrisonburg, VA compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Car Ownership

2 cars

Average Number

The following chart displays the households in Harrisonburg, VA distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in Harrisonburg, VA have 2 cars.

Poverty

Poverty & Diversity

25.7% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Harrisonburg, VA (11.4k out of 44.3k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 12.5%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 18 - 24, followed by Males 18 - 24 and then Females 25 - 34.

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Harrisonburg, VA is White, followed by Hispanic and Two Or More.

The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold than that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.