Harrisburg, PA Demographics

A map of Harrisburg's Population by Race

Race	2024 Pop	2020 Pop	2024 %	2020 %
Black	20,570	21,263	40.9%	42.4%
Hispanic	13,281	12,904	26.4%	25.8%
White	12,687	11,405	25.2%	22.8%
Multiracial	2,358	2,230	4.7%	4.5%
Asian	1,110	1,768	2.2%	3.5%
Native American/Other	281	529	0.6%	1.1%

Harrisburg, Pennsylvania has an estimated population of 50,287, a less than 1% change from the 50,099 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 40.9% Black, 26.4% Hispanic, 25.2% White, 4.7% Multiracial, 2.2% Asian, and 0.6% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of Harrisburg, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Harrisburg is about as racially diverse as it was in the 2020 Census. It is considerably more diverse than Pennsylvania overall. Demographers use a diversity index to measure the probability that two randomly selected individuals belong to different racial or ethnic groups. In Harrisburg, that probability was 69.8% in 2020 and 69.7% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Harrisburg is ranked the 10th most populous place in Pennsylvania, out of 2,002 places. This ranking is based on the Census definition of a place, which includes incorporated places like cities, towns, and villages, as well as unincorporated census-designated places (CDPs). Harrisburg was ranked the 10th most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Harrisburg's White Population

12,687 residents of Harrisburg, or 25.2% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Harrisburg is significantly lower than in Pennsylvania overall, where 73% of the population is White. Harrisburg ranks 1878th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 2,002 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Harrisburg's White population has grown by an estimated 11.2%. White residents' share of Harrisburg's population has increased from 22.8% to 25.2%.

Harrisburg is less White than neighboring Wormleysburg (57.8% White), Lemoyne (91.8% White), West Fairview (88.7% White), Penbrook (39.2% White), and New Cumberland (78.4% White).

Harrisburg's Black Population

20,570 residents of Harrisburg, or 40.9% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Harrisburg is significantly higher than in Pennsylvania overall, where 10.3% of the population is Black. Harrisburg ranks 21st statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 2,002 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Harrisburg's Black population has declined by an estimated 3.3%. Black residents' share of Harrisburg's population has decreased from 42.4% to 40.9%.

Harrisburg is more Black than neighboring Wormleysburg (18.7% Black), Lemoyne (4.3% Black), West Fairview (1.6% Black), Penbrook (24.4% Black), and New Cumberland (3.8% Black).

Harrisburg's Asian Population

1,110 residents of Harrisburg, or 2.2% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Harrisburg is comparable to the share in Pennsylvania overall, where 3.8% of the population is Asian. Harrisburg ranks 172nd statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 2,002 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Harrisburg's Asian population has declined by an estimated 37.2%. Asian residents' share of Harrisburg's population has decreased from 3.5% to 2.2%.

Harrisburg is more Asian than neighboring Lemoyne (0.8% Asian), and Penbrook (0% Asian). Harrisburg is less Asian than neighboring Wormleysburg (11.2% Asian), West Fairview (2.6% Asian), and New Cumberland (2.9% Asian).

Harrisburg's Hispanic Population

13,281 residents of Harrisburg, or 26.4% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Harrisburg is significantly higher than in Pennsylvania overall, where 8.7% of the population is Hispanic. Harrisburg ranks 34th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 2,002 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Harrisburg's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 2.9%. Hispanic residents' share of Harrisburg's population has increased from 25.8% to 26.4%.

Harrisburg is more Hispanic than neighboring Wormleysburg (4.5% Hispanic), Lemoyne (0% Hispanic), West Fairview (3.5% Hispanic), Penbrook (26.2% Hispanic), and New Cumberland (8.8% Hispanic).

Harrisburg's Native American/Other Population

281 residents of Harrisburg, or 0.6% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Harrisburg is comparable to the share in Pennsylvania overall, where 0.6% of the population is Native American/Other. Harrisburg ranks 145th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 2,002 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Harrisburg's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 46.9%. Native American/Other residents' share of Harrisburg's population has decreased from 1.1% to 0.6%.

Harrisburg is more Native American/Other than neighboring Lemoyne (0% Native American/Other), West Fairview (0% Native American/Other), and New Cumberland (0% Native American/Other). Harrisburg is less Native American/Other than neighboring Penbrook (1.9% Native American/Other).

Harrisburg's Multiracial Population

2,358 residents of Harrisburg, or 4.7% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Harrisburg is comparable to the share in Pennsylvania overall, where 3.6% of the population is Multiracial. Harrisburg ranks 449th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 2,002 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Harrisburg's Multiracial population has grown by an estimated 5.7%. Multiracial residents' share of Harrisburg's population has remained roughly unchanged at 4.7%.

Harrisburg is more Multiracial than neighboring Lemoyne (3% Multiracial), and West Fairview (3.7% Multiracial). Harrisburg is less Multiracial than neighboring Wormleysburg (7.2% Multiracial), Penbrook (8.4% Multiracial), and New Cumberland (6.1% Multiracial).

Sources: Most recent population estimates are from the 2020-2024 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. 2020 population counts and map data are from 2020 Census State Redistricting Data. Geographic data are from Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles.