Harriston: Demographics & People
Harriston's population stands at 1,212 people, in 422 households. Population shrank 3.2% from 1,252 (2022) to 1,212 (2024). Median age 42.9 years. (2.2y younger than Augusta County; 5.1y older than Virginia). Children under 18 are 17% of the population. Population is 71% White (non-Hispanic) and 9% Black. The community is somewhat diverse (Simpson index 0.27). 79% of households are family-led. County is gaining 1,661 residents per year (2022-2023). County health: 38% adult obesity, 17% smoke.
- 2.9 people per household (vs Virginia avg 2.6).
- 21% non-family households (singles, roommates) (vs Virginia 35%).
- 60 dependents per 100 working-age (youth + seniors / 18-64) (vs Virginia 62).
Population & Trend
Population shrank 3.2% from 1,252 (2022) to 1,212 (2024). Estimated 2026 population: ~1,173 (extrapolated at -1.6%/yr trend). Census Bureau Vintage estimate: 1,123.
| Census data vintage | 2024 |
|---|---|
| Population | 77,487 people |
| Annual growth rate · Population change | -3.2% |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2022) | 1,252 |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2024) | 1,212 |
| Annual growth rate · Trend category | declining |
| Population | 1,212 people (vs Virginia 42,214) |
| Population Estimate | 1,123 |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023, Table B01003 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Age Distribution
Median age 42.9y is 4.0 years older than the U.S. median (38.9y). Children under 18 make up 17% — below the U.S. share of ~22%.
| Age Summary · Median age | 42.9 years (vs Virginia 37.8y) |
|---|---|
| Age Summary · Children Pct | 17.1% |
| Age Summary · Character | established |
| Age Summary · Total Pop | 1,212 |
| Age Summary · Under 18 | 207 |
| Age Summary · 18 To 34 | 280.0× |
| Age Summary · 35 To 64 | 478.0× |
| Age Summary · 65 Plus | 247 |
| Population under 18 | 207 |
| Median age | 42.9 years (vs Virginia 37.8y) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2024 — place-level B01001 query · Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-29
Race, Ethnicity & Diversity
Of 1,212 residents, race / ethnicity breaks down by Census ACS counts (a person can identify with one or more groups). The Simpson diversity index is 0.27 (0 = single group, 1 = perfectly even distribution); this is read as somewhat diverse.
| White residents | 895 |
|---|---|
| Black residents | 116 |
| Hispanic or Latino residents | 45 |
| Diversity Index · Diversity index (Simpson) | 26.8% |
| Diversity Index · Diversity label | somewhat diverse |
| Diversity Index · Groups counted | 3 |
| Diversity Index · Largest group share | 84.8% |
| Black population | 8.6% (vs Virginia 18.2%) |
| Hispanic or Latino population | 4.1% (vs Virginia 10.1%) |
| White (non-Hispanic) population | 70.7% (vs Virginia 53.8%) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Ancestry
Self-reported ancestry from Census ACS — what residents report as their ethnic origin, separate from race. Counts can exceed population because people can list multiple ancestries.
Top (8)
Citizenship & Origin
Where residents were born and their citizenship status (Census ACS).
| Residents born in this state | 1,081 |
|---|---|
| Residents born in another state | 131 |
| Share born in this state | 89.2% |
| Share born in another state | 10.8% |
| Native-born U.S. citizens | 10.8% |
| Total foreign-born residents | 1,957 |
Households & Family Composition
422 households. Averaging 2.8 people each — larger than the U.S. average of 2.5. 79% are family households — above the U.S. share of ~65%. Of 372 families, 15% are married couples with children.
| Children under 18 | 244 |
|---|---|
| Total families | 372 |
| Married couples with children | 54 |
| Average household size | 2.79 |
| Women who gave birth (past year) | 9.5% |
| Grandparents living with grandchildren | 39 |
| Grandparents responsible for grandchildren | 26 |
| Family households | 335 households (vs Virginia 9,367) |
| Households that are families | 79.4% (vs Virginia 65.0%) |
| Total households | 422 households (vs Virginia 14,324) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Residential Stability & Migration
How long residents have lived here and where they came from. 8.8% moved within the county in the past year — the U.S. baseline is roughly 8–10%. The surrounding county is gaining 1,661 residents per year on net (IRS migration data).
| Moved within the county (past year) | 8.8% |
|---|---|
| Migration · People moving in (annual) | 74,553 |
| Migration · People moving out (annual) | 72,892 |
| Migration · Net migration (in − out) | 1,661 |
| Migration · Population growing | Yes |
| Migration · Year | 2022-2023 |
Sources: IRS SOI Migration 2021-2022 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Disability
Census ACS measures self-reported functional limitations — vision, hearing, mobility, cognitive, self-care, or independent-living. The U.S. baseline disability rate is about 12–13%; rates trend higher with median age.
| Residents with a disability | 79 |
|---|---|
| Disability rate | 7.6% |
Other
| Congressional District · District | 6 |
|---|---|
| Congressional District · Formatted | VA-06 |
| Congressional District · Congress | 118th |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Fips | 51015 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · State Fips | 51 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · County Fips | 015 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · County | Augusta |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Birth Rate | 12.2% |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Lower Ci | 10.10 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Upper Ci | 14.60 |
| Cdc Mortality · Fips | 51015 |
| Cdc Mortality · County | Augusta County |
| Cdc Mortality · Urban Rural | Small metro |
| Cdc Mortality · Total Deaths 2020 2023 | 3,707 |
| Cdc Vaccination · Fips | 51015 |
| Cdc Vaccination · County | Augusta County |
| Cdc Vaccination · Dose1 Pop Pct | 56.2% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Series Complete Pct | 49.9% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Booster Pct | 32.9% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Population 2019 | 75,558 |
| Cdc Vaccination · Metro Status | Metro |
| Family Score · Score | 8.00 |
| Family Score · Schools | 14 |
| Family Score · Children Pct | 17.1% |
| Family Score · Rating | excellent |
| Town Summary · Key Facts | population 1,212, declining, established, upper-middle, blue collar |
| Town Summary · Population | 1,212 people (vs Virginia 42,214) |
| Town Summary · County | Augusta County |
Sources: Census place-to-CD118 crosswalk (place_fips) · federal dataset cascade