1st Advantage MortgageIn Harrisonburg city, Virginia, the typical household earns $62,254 a year and the typical rent is $1,184. Whatever your own numbers, compare written offers on APR, fees and total cost, and verify the lender is licensed in Virginia before sharing details.
On this page
- Getting oriented in Harrisonburg city
- Paychecks and income spread in Harrisonburg city
- Harrisonburg city housing compared with Virginia
- How Harrisonburg city residents earn a living
- Neighboring counties at a glance
- The communities that make up Harrisonburg city
- People and households in Harrisonburg city
- Local borrowing considerations for Harrisonburg city
- Debt-to-income at Harrisonburg city's medians
- Four steps for Harrisonburg city borrowers
- Virginia rules that apply in Harrisonburg city
- Nearby and statewide guides
- Frequently asked questions
Getting oriented in Harrisonburg city
With an estimated 51,392 residents (ACS 2020 to 2024), Harrisonburg city ranks 36th of 133 in Virginia for population. It covers 17 square miles of land, or about 2,964 people per square mile. It is one of the counties that make up the Harrisonburg, VA metropolitan statistical area (OMB, 2023). Of the 1 Census place inside Harrisonburg city, Harrisonburg leads by population with about 51,392.
Paychecks and income spread in Harrisonburg city
Half of Harrisonburg city households take in less than $62,254 a year and half take in more, 33% below the Virginia median of $93,170. Only 85 Virginia counties post a higher median.
| Household income | Harrisonburg city | vs Virginia |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 28.8% | +11.0 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 42.0% | +6.8 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 22.8% | -6.4 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 6.3% | -11.4 pts |
About 29% of households earn under $35,000, while 29% clear $100,000. 25.7% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 9.9%). If your income is irregular, as it often is with tips, gig work or seasonal jobs, plan around your leaner months rather than the Harrisonburg city median.
Harrisonburg city housing compared with Virginia
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $1,184 in Harrisonburg city versus $1,579 statewide. 46% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 31% spend half or more. Home values center on $299,100, or 4.8 years of median income. The ownership rate is 39%. The median year built is 1987.
| Harrisonburg city | Virginia | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $1,184/mo | $1,579/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $299,100 | $383,700 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 39% | 67% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 46% | 49% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 18% | 25% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 7% | 9% | n/a |
Renters cannot borrow against a house, which narrows the choice to unsecured loans, cards and help from creditors; compare total cost, not just the payment.
How Harrisonburg city residents earn a living
By the Census industry count, 24% of employed Harrisonburg city residents work in education and health care and 15% in arts, lodging and food service. The sharpest difference from the state is in arts, lodging and food service, at 15% locally and 8% for Virginia. ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 6.9% in Harrisonburg city. 7% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 9% work from home. Only 6.5% of homes here go without a vehicle.
| Industry (employed residents 16+) | Harrisonburg city | Gap to Virginia |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 24.4% | +2.1 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 15.2% | +7.3 pts |
| Manufacturing | 12.8% | +5.8 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 12.2% | -4.6 pts |
| Retail trade | 12.0% | +2.2 pts |
| Construction | 5.2% | -1.3 pts |
Industry shapes paperwork. Salaried and public jobs are easy to verify, while hourly, tipped, commission or contract earners in Harrisonburg city should have bank statements and tax returns ready.
Neighboring counties at a glance
Nearest neighbors first, measured between county centers (5 to 26 miles). Income ranges from $57,037 in Page County to $89,808 in Greene County; 4 of these neighbors top Harrisonburg city's median.
| Adjacent area | How far | HH income (median) | Rent (median) | Owner share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harrisonburg city | - | $62,254 | $1,184/mo | 39% |
| Rockingham County, VA | 5 mi | $80,693 | $1,160/mo | 75% |
| Staunton city, VA | 22 mi | $65,581 | $1,024/mo | 61% |
| Augusta County, VA | 23 mi | $82,049 | $1,136/mo | 80% |
| Greene County, VA | 24 mi | $89,808 | $1,309/mo | 83% |
| Page County, VA | 24 mi | $57,037 | $879/mo | 72% |
| Waynesboro city, VA | 26 mi | $59,994 | $1,020/mo | 60% |
The communities that make up Harrisonburg city
Harrisonburg is the only Census place mainly inside Harrisonburg city, with about 51,392 of the county's 51,392 residents. This guide covers each of the 1 places and the rural areas around them.
| Town or CDP | Type | People | Median household income | Median gross rent | Miles from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harrisonburg | city | 51,392 | $62,254 | $1,184 | 0 mi |
People and households in Harrisonburg city
37% of Harrisonburg city adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or more. About 10% go without health insurance.
| Measure | Harrisonburg city | Virginia statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 25.0 | 39.0 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 37.5% | 42.2% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 15.7% | 8.4% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 10.5% | 6.9% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 6.5% | 6.1% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 9.1% | 18.3% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 25.7% | 9.9% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 6.9% | 4.3% | 4.4% |
| Minutes to work | Harrisonburg city workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 51.0% |
| 15 to 29 min | 35.0% |
| 30 to 44 min | 7.3% |
| 45 to 59 min | 1.8% |
| 60+ min | 4.8% |
Local borrowing considerations for Harrisonburg city
Based on the Harrisonburg city data above, these borrowing questions are most likely to matter locally.
- Hospital bills in Harrisonburg city. For the 10% of residents without coverage, the provider's charity-care program comes before any loan (details).
- Assistance before credit. With a 26% poverty rate, check no-cost options before any Harrisonburg city loan.
- Rent squeeze. 46% of renters spend 30%+ of income on rent; borrow only if the loan cuts what you pay overall.
Debt-to-income at Harrisonburg city's medians
Here is the Harrisonburg city median household run through a simple DTI check. Your numbers will differ.
- Monthly gross at the median, Harrisonburg city: $5,188
- 23% goes to median rent ($1,184)
- At 36%, room after rent is $684 a month
Lenders set their own limits and look beyond the ratio. The DTI calculator uses your figures instead of Harrisonburg city's.
Four steps for Harrisonburg city borrowers
Four checks before you sign anything:
- Write down what the expense costs; a smaller loan costs less.
- Prequalify with soft pulls where offered, then compare in writing.
- Look the lender up with the state regulator first.
- Read the final agreement; it must match the offer.
Virginia rules that apply in Harrisonburg city
The Virginia Bureau of Financial Institutions is the place to verify any lender's Virginia license. Federal complaints: consumerfinance.gov. More on Virginia: Virginia personal loans.
Nearby and statewide guides
The Virginia guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
Is Harrisonburg city a high-income county?
Its $62,254 median ranks 86th of 133 Virginia counties and compares with $65,681 for the median U.S. county.
How does Harrisonburg city rent compare with Virginia?
$1,184 locally versus $1,579 for the state, 25% below.
Does this page cover Harrisonburg?
Yes, along with the other 0 Census places in Harrisonburg city.
Does living in Harrisonburg city change what I qualify for?
Not in our fit check, which uses only the amount, credit range, income and payments you enter, the same for a Harrisonburg city resident as anyone. Lenders decide under fair-lending law.
Who do I complain to about a lender in Harrisonburg city?
Start with the Virginia Bureau of Financial Institutions, then the CFPB complaint portal. Keep copies of every message.