Harrisburg, IL

Illinois

Harrisburg is a small city in Illinois with a population of 8,608. Residents earn $48,488 per year, which is 35% below the national average.

2.9 /5.0
C+ Fair
8,608 Population 1,302/sq mi density
$48,488 Median Income $26,786 per capita
$84,800 Home Value $94,722 Zillow
$717 Median Rent
57°F Avg Temperature
532 Violent Crime/100K 1,783 property/100K
C+
Overall
2.9 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C+
Economy
2.8 / 5.0
$48,488 median income, 4.2% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$84,800 home value, $717/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
532 violent crimes/100K (40% above avg)
C+
Education
2.6 / 5.0
20.1% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $48,488
35% lower than US avg
Home Value $84,800
70% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 532/100K
40% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 20.1%
40% lower than US avg
Median Rent $717
38% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 41.2%
28% higher than US avg
Unemployment 4.2%
17% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 22.2%
79% higher than US avg

How Harrisburg Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population8,608
Median Age37.5 yrs
Density1,302/mi²
Male / Female49% / 51%
Largest GroupWhite 92%

Economy

C+
Median Income$48,488
Per Capita$26,786
Unemployment4.2%
Poverty22.2%
County GDP$1,123M
Commute16 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$84,800
Rent$717
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$94,722

Crime

F
Violent532/100K
Property1,783/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault410/100K
Burglary1,096/100K

Health

Obesity41.2%
UninsuredN/A
Depression25.2%
Heart Disease6.4%

Climate

Avg Temp57°F
AQI43 (Good)
Rain47.6 in/yr
Elevation385 ft

Education

C+
Bachelor's+20.1%
High School+84.8%
School Score5.34

Community

2024 VoteR 74% / D 25%
Commute16 min
Libraries4

Is Harrisburg a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Harrisburg receives an overall livability score of 2.9 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C+. Key strengths include affordable housing, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include elevated crime rates, an elevated poverty rate, below-average incomes. Harrisburg has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Harrisburg is $48,488, 35% below the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 4.2%, indicating a healthy job market. The poverty rate of 22.2% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 16 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Harrisburg is $84,800, 70% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $717 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 1.7x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

The violent crime rate of 532 per 100,000 is above the national average of 380 — something for prospective residents to consider. Property crime occurs at a rate of 1,783 per 100,000, near the national average.

Education

20.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 84.8% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.3/10.

Climate & Weather

Harrisburg enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 57°F. Winters average 33°F in January while summers reach 79°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 47.6 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Harrisburg has a population of 8,608 with a density of 1,302 people per square mile. The median age is 37.5 years, 4% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (91.8%), with 1.2% Hispanic, 3.4% Black.

Population

8,608
Total Population
1,302
People / sq mi
37.5yrs
Median Age
4% below US avg
6.6mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 48.7%
Female 51.3%

Race & Ethnicity

Harrisburg vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only98.7%
26% above US avg
Spanish1.3%
90% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Harrisburg vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Harrisburg is $48,488, which is 35% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 4.2% (above the 3.6% US average). 22.2% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 16 minutes.

Income: Harrisburg vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$48,488
35% below US avg
Per Capita Income$26,786
Avg Weekly Wage$896
IRS Avg AGI$59,801

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment4.2%
17% above US avg
Poverty Rate22.2%
79% above US avg
Establishments (County)503
County GDP$1,123M

Business (County)

Restaurants46
Healthcare73
Retail103
Manufacturing20

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$4,839
38% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate5.71%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time16.3 min
Work from Home3.7%

Walkability

The median home value in Harrisburg is $84,800, 70% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $717 (38% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $94,722.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$84,800
70% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$94,722

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$717
38% below US avg

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$774
1 Bedroom$854
2 Bedrooms$1,063
3 Bedrooms$1,370
4 Bedrooms$1,561

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied62.4%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$4,839
38% above US avg
Effective Rate5.71%
In Harrisburg, 41.2% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 25.2% report depression. 26.1% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Harrisburg vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity41.2%
28% above US avg
Diabetes11.3%
Heart Disease6.4%
High Blood Pressure34.0%
Asthma11.4%
COPD8.6%
Stroke3.5%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking19.5%
Physical Inactivity26.1%
Depression25.2%
Mental Distress20.4%
Physical Distress14.9%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate97.5%
Checkup Rate75.5%
Premature Death11,841/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.1/10
Exercise Access73.1%
Healthcare Facilities73
Harrisburg has a violent crime rate of 532 per 100,000 residents, 40% above the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 1,783 per 100,000 (9% below US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

Crime Rates: Harrisburg vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Total Violent531.5/100K
40% above US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape33.2/100K
Robbery88.6/100K
Assault409.7/100K

Property Crime

Total Property1,782.8/100K
9% below US avg
Burglary1,096.2/100K
Theft653.3/100K
Vehicle Theft33.2/100K
Arson11.1/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)3

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Harrisburg has an average annual temperature of 57°F (14°C). Winters average 33°F in January while summers reach 79°F in July. Annual precipitation is 47.6 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

33°F Jan (1°C) 79°F Jul (26°C)
Annual Average57.3°F
6% above US avg
January Average33°F (1°C)
July Average79°F (26°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall47.6 inches
25% above US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation385 ft (117 m)
Area6.6 sq mi (17.1 km²)
Population Density1,302/sq mi
Coordinates37.7377°N, 88.5458°W
County FIPS17165
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K. 20.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (40% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 49-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 73.9%
D 24.8%

Winner: Republican by 49 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+20.1%
40% below US avg
High School+84.8%
School Test Score5.34
C+ Education Grade (2.6/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 7Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K
Population Density1,302/sq mi
Total Area6.6 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Alt Fuel Stations1
Public Libraries4
Healthcare Facilities73
Restaurants46
Retail Stores103

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)3
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute16.3 min
Work from Home3.7%

Nearby Cities

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