Harrisonburg, VA

Virginia · Metropolitan Area

Harrisonburg is a mid-size city in Virginia with a population of 51,492. Residents earn $59,752 per year, which is 20% below the national average.

3.1 /5.0
B Good
51,492 Population 2,970/sq mi density
$59,752 Median Income $27,957 per capita
$278,200 Home Value $342,099 Zillow
$1,120 Median Rent
54°F Avg Temperature
198 Violent Crime/100K 2,210 property/100K
B
Overall
3.1 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.5 / 5.0
$59,752 median income, 4.3% unemployment
A
Affordability
4.1 / 5.0
$278,200 home value, $1,120/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
198 violent crimes/100K (48% below avg)
B+
Education
3.9 / 5.0
36.7% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $59,752
20% lower than US avg
Home Value $278,200
1% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 198/100K
48% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 36.7%
9% higher than US avg
Median Rent $1,120
4% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 38.3%
19% higher than US avg
Unemployment 4.3%
19% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 12.5%
1% higher than US avg

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

People

Population51,492
Median Age25.4 yrs
Density2,970/mi²
Male / Female48% / 52%
Largest GroupWhite 67%

Economy

B+
Median Income$59,752
Per Capita$27,957
Unemployment4.3%
Poverty12.5%
Commute17 min

Housing

A
Home Value$278,200
Rent$1,120
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$342,099

Crime

F
Violent198/100K
Property2,210/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault136/100K
Burglary438/100K

Health

Obesity38.3%
UninsuredN/A
Depression25.0%
Heart Disease6.4%

Climate

Avg Temp54°F
AQI35 (Good)
Rain39.0 in/yr
Elevation1,332 ft

Education

B+
Bachelor's+36.7%
High School+83.3%
School Score5.07

Community

2024 VoteR 36% / D 62%
Commute17 min
EV Stations22
Libraries1

Is Harrisonburg a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Harrisonburg receives an overall livability score of 3.1 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include low crime rates. Harrisonburg offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Harrisonburg is $59,752, 20% below the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 4.3%, indicating a healthy job market. 12.5% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 17 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Harrisonburg is $278,200, roughly aligned with the national median of $281,900. Renters pay a median of $1,120 per month. A price-to-income ratio of 4.7x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Safety & Crime

Violent crime in Harrisonburg is below the national average at 198 per 100,000 residents (U.S. avg: 380). Property crime occurs at a rate of 2,210 per 100,000, near the national average.

Education

Educational attainment is solid, with 36.7% holding a bachelor's degree or higher, near the national average. 83.3% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.1/10.

Climate & Weather

Harrisonburg experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 54°F. Winters average 32°F in January while summers reach 75°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 39.0 inches, including 19.4 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 35.

Harrisonburg has a population of 51,492 with a density of 2,970 people per square mile. The median age is 25.4 years, 35% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (66.5%), with 1.6% Hispanic, 7.6% Black.

Population

51,492
Total Population
2,970
People / sq mi
25.4yrs
Median Age
35% below US avg
17.3mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 48.4%
Female 51.6%

Race & Ethnicity

Harrisonburg vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only73.2%
7% below US avg
Spanish26.8%
100% above US avg

Social Characteristics

Harrisonburg vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Harrisonburg is $59,752, which is 20% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 4.3% (above the 3.6% US average). 12.5% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 17 minutes.

Income: Harrisonburg vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$59,752
20% below US avg
Per Capita Income$27,957
Avg Weekly Wage$969
IRS Avg AGI$56,144

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment4.3%
19% above US avg
Poverty Rate12.5%
1% above US avg
Establishments (County)1,754

Business (County)

Restaurants212
Healthcare204
Retail317
Manufacturing44

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$3,439
2% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate1.24%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time17.1 min
Work from Home8.6%

Walkability

The median home value in Harrisonburg is $278,200, 1% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,120 (4% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $342,099.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$278,200
1% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$342,099
Median List Price$266,900

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$266,900
$/Sq Ft$199
Homes Sold27
Sale-to-List Ratio97.8%
Price Drops3.1%
Inventory32

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,120
4% below US avg
Zillow Rent (ZORI)$1,704

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$1,050
1 Bedroom$1,057
2 Bedrooms$1,322
3 Bedrooms$1,801
4 Bedrooms$2,125

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied39.9%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$3,439
2% below US avg
Effective Rate1.24%
In Harrisonburg, 38.3% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 25.0% report depression. 28.8% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity38.3%
19% above US avg
Diabetes13.1%
Heart Disease6.4%
High Blood Pressure34.7%
Asthma10.9%
COPD7.5%
Stroke3.5%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking14.8%
Physical Inactivity28.8%
Depression25.0%
Mental Distress18.8%
Physical Distress15.2%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate89.4%
Checkup Rate76.9%
Premature Death5,914/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.9/10
Exercise Access98.7%
Healthcare Facilities204
Harrisonburg has a violent crime rate of 198 per 100,000 residents, 48% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 2,210 per 100,000 (13% above US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent198.0/100K
48% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape40.4/100K
Robbery21.1/100K
Assault136.5/100K

Property Crime

Total Property2,210.4/100K
13% above US avg
Burglary438.2/100K
Theft1,718.4/100K
Vehicle Theft53.8/100K
Arson5.8/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)6

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Harrisonburg has an average annual temperature of 54°F (12°C). Winters average 32°F in January while summers reach 75°F in July. Annual precipitation is 39.0 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 35.

Temperature

32°F Jan (0°C) 75°F Jul (24°C)
Annual Average53.6°F
1% below US avg
January Average32°F (0°C)
July Average75°F (24°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall39.0 inches
3% above US avg
Snowfall19.4 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median35.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,332 ft (406 m)
Area17.3 sq mi (44.9 km²)
Population Density2,970/sq mi
Coordinates38.4363°N, 78.8733°W
County FIPS51660
It is classified as Metro — under 250K. 36.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (9% above US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Democrat by a 25.4-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 36.3%
D 61.7%

Winner: Democrat by 25.4 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+36.7%
9% above US avg
High School+83.3%
School Test Score5.07
B+ Education Grade (3.9/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 3Metro — under 250K
Population Density2,970/sq mi
Total Area17.3 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations22
Alt Fuel Stations26
Public Libraries1
Healthcare Facilities204
Restaurants212
Retail Stores317

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)6
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute17.1 min
Work from Home8.6%

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