Harrisonburg city: Demographics & People
Census counts 51,392 people in Harrisonburg city, in 17,360 households. Median age 25.0 years. (12.8y younger than Virginia). Population is 24% Hispanic or Latino and 8% Black. County is losing 2,151 residents per year (2022-2023). County health: 38% adult obesity, 18% smoke.
- 3.0 people per household (vs Virginia avg 2.6).
- 39 dependents per 100 working-age (youth + seniors / 18-64) (vs Virginia 62).
Population & Trend
Current population 51,392; figures track the most recent Census ACS 5-year estimates.
| Population | 51,392 people (vs Virginia 42,214) |
|---|---|
| Total Town Population | 51,814 people |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2024 — county-level query · Refreshed 2026-04-29
Age Distribution
Median age 25.0y is 13.9 years younger than the U.S. median (38.9y).
| Age Summary · Total Pop | 51,392 |
|---|---|
| Age Summary · Under 18 | 8,889 |
| Age Summary · 18 To 34 | 22,778.0× |
| Age Summary · 35 To 64 | 14,314.0× |
| Age Summary · 65 Plus | 5,411 |
| Age Summary · Pct Under 18 | 17.3% |
| Age Summary · Pct 18 To 34 | 44.3% |
| Age Summary · Pct 35 To 64 | 27.9% |
| Median age | 25.0 years (vs Virginia 37.8y) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2024 — county-level query · Refreshed 2026-04-29
Race, Ethnicity & Diversity
Of 51,392 residents, race / ethnicity breaks down by Census ACS counts (a person can identify with one or more groups).
| Census Demographics · Total Population | 51,392 people |
|---|---|
| White residents | 33,036 |
| Black residents | 3,938 |
| Asian residents | 1,837 |
| Census Demographics · Aian | 271 |
| Census Demographics · Nhpi | 24 |
| Census Demographics · Other Race | 4,146 |
| Census Demographics · Two Or More Races | 8,140 |
| Diversity Index | 54.8% |
| Asian population | 3.6% (vs Virginia 5.6%) |
| Black population | 7.7% (vs Virginia 18.2%) |
| Hispanic or Latino population | 23.6% (vs Virginia 10.1%) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2024 — county-level query · Refreshed 2026-04-29
Citizenship & Origin
Where residents were born and their citizenship status (Census ACS). 10.6% are foreign-born — below the U.S. average of 13.9%.
| Census Citizenship · Total | 51,392 |
|---|---|
| Census Citizenship · Native | 42,247 |
| Residents born in this state | 24,608 |
| Residents born in another state | 15,482 |
| Census Citizenship · Foreign Born | 5,466 |
| Census Citizenship · Naturalized | 1,891 |
| Census Citizenship · Non Citizen | 2,157 |
| Foreign-born residents | 10.6% |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2024 — county-level query · Refreshed 2026-04-29
Households & Family Composition
17,360 households.
| Family households | 8,719 households (vs Virginia 9,367) |
|---|---|
| Total households | 17,360 households (vs Virginia 14,324) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2024 — county-level query · Refreshed 2026-04-29
Residential Stability & Migration
How long residents have lived here and where they came from. The surrounding county is losing 2,151 residents per year on net (IRS migration data).
| Migration · People moving in (annual) | 36,368 |
|---|---|
| Migration · People moving out (annual) | 38,519 |
| Migration · Net migration (in − out) | -2,151 |
| Migration · Year | 2022-2023 |
Sources: IRS SOI Migration 2022-2023
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.
| Census Disability · Total Pop | 50,750 |
|---|---|
| With Disability | 5,285 |
| Pct With Disability | 10.4% |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2024 — county-level query · Refreshed 2026-04-29
Group Quarters
Group quarters are non-household living arrangements counted by the Census — college dormitories, nursing homes, military barracks, group homes, correctional facilities, and similar institutional or shared housing. 0 residents live in group quarters.
| Census Group Quarters · Total | 7,226 |
|---|
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2024 — county-level query · Refreshed 2026-04-29
Other
| Census Mobility · Total | 51,121 |
|---|---|
| Census Mobility · Same House | 38,316 |
| Census Mobility · Same County | 3,993 |
| Census Mobility · Diff County Same State | 6,171 |
| Census Mobility · Diff State | 1,949 |
| Census Mobility · From Abroad | 692 |
| Census Mobility · Moved Total | 12,805 |
| Census Mobility · Pct Moved In Year | 25.1% |
| Pct White | 64.3% |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2024 — county-level query · Refreshed 2026-04-29