Town · North Carolina
Harrisburg, North Carolina
Harrisburg, town, in Cabarrus County, North Carolina. Harrisburg had 20,742 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 9.1% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 18,967 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 19,633 (±31). GEOID 3729800.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
20,742
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 18,967 · ACS 2020-2024: 19,633 ±31
Median household income
$148,254
±$9,305 (90% margin)
North Carolina: $72,388
Median home value
$478,000
±$20,417 (90% margin)
North Carolina: $288,900
Median gross rent
$2,640
±$310 (90% margin)
North Carolina: $1,228
Where is Harrisburg and what county is it in?
Harrisburg is a town in Cabarrus County, North Carolina. It covers 12.6 square miles of land, 1,509 residents per square mile in 2020.
Harrisburg is in the Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC metropolitan statistical area, which takes in 11 counties (Census Bureau delineation, July 2023).
Source: 2024 Gazetteer and 2020 place-by-county files, U.S. Census Bureau · Census reference files
How many people live in Harrisburg, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 20,742 people lived in Harrisburg on July 1, 2025, up 9.1% since 2020, faster than North Carolina (+7.2%). The 2020 Census counted 18,967 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 19,633 (±31).
| Measure | Harrisburg | Cabarrus County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 19,633 ±31 | 236,133 | +3,827 |
| Households | 6,176 ±376 | 84,246 | +1,311 |
| Average household size | 3.18 ±0.19 | 2.78 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 6,571 ±395 | 93,691 | +1,646 |
Harrisburg's population since 2000
From 4,493 in 2000 to 20,742 in 2025: up 361.7%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Harrisburg as it was drawn that year: a place that annexed land, or a community that has since incorporated, covered a different area then. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); Census PEP Vintage 2025 (SUB-EST2025, CO-EST2025); 2020 Census P.L. 94-171 · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Harrisburg?
The median resident of Harrisburg is 40.1 years old; 27.1% are under 18 and 10.7% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 50.7%, then non-Hispanic Black residents at 15.9%. 16.5% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Harrisburg | Cabarrus County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 40.1 ±2.4 | 37.7 | +3.4 |
| Under 18 years | 27.1% ±2.8 pts | 25.2% | – |
| 65 years and over | 10.7% ±1.5 pts | 13.6% | – |
| Male | 45.9% ±2.6 pts | 49.1% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 9.5% ±5.0 pts | 12.7% | +5.6 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 50.7% ±5.3 pts | 57.3% | −10.8 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 15.9% ±4.0 pts | 18.7% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 14.7% ±3.9 pts | 6.2% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.2 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.2 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 8.4% ±3.5 pts | 4.4% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.7% ±0.7 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 16.5% ±3.0 pts | 10.8% | +4.8 pts |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 21.6% ±4.5 pts | 16.6% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 6.8% ±1.7 pts | 6.6% | – |
| With a disability | 6.1% ±1.5 pts | 11.2% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 7.3% ±2.7 pts | 7.9% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 95.1% ±2.0 pts | 92.1% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 56.5% ±4.1 pts | 37.9% | +8.2 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 21.0% ±2.9 pts | 13.9% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 92.2% ±3.0 pts | 89.2% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 2.2% ±1.6 pts | 2.8% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Harrisburg earn?
Half of Harrisburg's 6,176 households earn less than $148,254 a year (±$9,305), against $89,005 in Cabarrus County and $72,388 in North Carolina. In 2015-2019 it was $134,074 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 3.7% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Harrisburg | Cabarrus County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $148,254 ±$9,305 | $89,005 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $165,544 ±$11,200 | $115,945 | – |
| Per capita income | $54,237 ±$4,249 | $42,636 | +$6,692 |
| People below the poverty line | 3.7% ±1.7 pts | 9.3% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 3.0% ±1.9 pts | 13.0% | – |
| Households receiving SNAP | 3.1% ±2.4 pts | 10.3% | – |
| Households with a computer | 98.9% ±0.9 pts | 96.4% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 97.1% ±1.6 pts | 93.0% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Harrisburg?
Owners occupy 91.5% of Harrisburg's occupied homes and renters 8.5%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $478,000 by its owner (±$20,417). The median renter pays $2,640 a month including utilities.
| Measure | Harrisburg | Cabarrus County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $478,000 ±$20,417 | $354,800 | +$122,453 |
| Median gross rent | $2,640 ±$310 | $1,414 | +$629 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 23.4% ±17.6 pts | 40.8% | – |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $2,216 ±$116 | $1,806 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 91.5% ±2.6 pts | 71.2% | +5.4 pts |
| Renter-occupied homes | 8.5% ±2.6 pts | 28.8% | – |
| Housing units | 6,571 ±395 | 93,691 | +1,646 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.6% ±1.2 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 0.0% ±6.2 pts | 7.8% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 88.5% ±2.9 pts | 76.3% | – |
| Mobile homes | 0.1% ±0.2 pts | 5.8% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 4.4% ±2.2 pts | 4.0% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 30.3% ±4.6 pts | 19.8% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 0.7% ±0.7 pts | 6.0% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 0.2% ±0.4 pts | 4.0% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How do people in Harrisburg work and get to work?
64.1% of Harrisburg's workers drive alone and 26.3% work from home. The average trip to work takes 29.6 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 3.0%.
| Measure | Harrisburg | Cabarrus County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 69.4% ±2.9 pts | 68.4% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 3.0% ±1.0 pts | 4.6% | −2.4 pts |
| Drove alone to work | 64.1% ±4.4 pts | 72.3% | – |
| Carpooled | 5.1% ±1.8 pts | 7.8% | – |
| Public transportation | 2.9% ±1.6 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Walked | 0.6% ±0.6 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Worked from home | 26.3% ±4.4 pts | 17.2% | +18.6 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 29.6 min ±2.5 | 27.3 min | no clear change |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What census tracts are in Harrisburg?
3 census tracts lie mostly in Harrisburg, and 5 more reach into it (2020 census blocks). Their median household incomes run from $102,180 (Tract 426.04) to $156,675 (Tract 415.05).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 415.05Cabarrus County | 8,280 | $156,675 |
| Tract 426.04Cabarrus County | 4,862 | $102,180 |
| Tract 415.06Cabarrus County | 5,951 | $126,250 |
| Tract 415.04Cabarrus County | 3,934 | $141,576 |
| Tract 415.07Cabarrus County | 4,814 | $143,495 |
| Tract 426.03Cabarrus County | 9,255 | $99,114 |
| Tract 415.03Cabarrus County | 6,366 | $106,569 |
| Tract 426.02Cabarrus County | 4,268 | $83,203 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 block assignment files (tract share = share of the tract's census blocks in Harrisburg) · Census block assignment files
How does Harrisburg compare with other places in North Carolina?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Harrisburg is the 1,878th-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 50th-most populous of 549 in North Carolina.
Harrisburg ranks 13th of 434 places in North Carolina with 1,000 or more residents and a reliable estimate, by median household income.
| Measure | Rank | Of |
|---|---|---|
| Population, July 2025 estimate | 50th | 549 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 88th | 331 |
| Residents per square mile | 77th | 443 |
| Median household income | 13th | 434 |
| Per capita income | 55th | 443 |
| Median home value | 40th | 438 |
| Median gross rent | 5th | 395 |
| Poverty rate | 330th | 341 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 45th | 421 |
| Median age | 238th | 442 |
| Owner-occupied share | 32nd | 443 |
| Work from home | 39th | 279 |
| Travel time to work | 78th | 439 |
Harrisburg's figures with every place in North Carolina (CSV)
Every place in North Carolina, sortable · Compare Harrisburg with other places
Source: PlainCities ranks computed from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How reliable are the figures for Harrisburg?
12 of the 57 figures for Harrisburg on this page carry a coefficient of variation over 40% and are marked with a ring: they come from a small sample, so read them as rough.
The American Community Survey samples about one household in eight over five years, so every figure is an estimate with a 90% margin of error (shown under each value). A ring marks an estimate whose coefficient of variation is over 40%. A change is called only when the gap between the two periods is larger than their combined 90% margin (the square root of the sum of the two squared margins), the Census Bureau's test. How to read a margin of error.
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026): margins of error as published · ACS technical documentation
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Harrisburg are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' public schools in Harrisburg.