Harrisburg, Pennsylvania Income Statistics
Harrisburg Wealth Score
The wealth index reflects the overall economic prosperity and financial well-being of an area's residents based on income levels, employment rates, and income inequality metrics.
-
D
Harrisburg Well below average
Source: Map AI Methodology
Income Statistics Overview
| Metric | Harrisburg | Pennsylvania Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $47,901 | $78,249 | $80,455 |
| Median Personal Income | $45,237 | $62,573 | $60,758 |
| Average Yearly Income Growth | 4.8% | 4.4% | 4.8% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 5.7% | 13.0% | 13.9% |
| $200k+ Households | 3.8% | 11.8% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Harrisburg is about 39% lower than in Pennsylvania. Income has been growing faster in Harrisburg (4.8%/yr) than in Pennsylvania (4.4%/yr).
About 6% of adults in Harrisburg earn six figures ($100,000 or more) a year, lower than the Pennsylvania average of 13%.
Median Household Income 2009–2024 Trend
Median Household Income Over Time
Median household income in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania grew by 52.5% from 2009 to 2024, reaching $47,901 in 2024. That's an average of about 4.8% per year.
Income Inequality and the Gender Pay Gap in Harrisburg
| Metric | Harrisburg | Pennsylvania Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.553 | 0.537 | 0.552 |
| Male Median Income | $51,725 | $71,585 | $69,667 |
| Female Median Income | $48,433 | $57,854 | $56,850 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 6.4% | 19.2% | 18.4% |
The Gini coefficient measures how evenly income is shared between richer and poorer households, from 0 (everyone earns the same) to 1 (one household earns nearly everything). The lower the number, the more equally income is distributed. In Harrisburg, it is 0.553, higher than Pennsylvania's 0.537, so income is less evenly distributed here than there, and about the same as the US's 0.552, so income here is about as evenly distributed as there.
Men's income is about 7% more than women's income in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Over a 35-year career, a 7% wage gap accumulates to roughly $115,220 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania has narrowed from about 7% to 6% in 2024. Over that period the gap was widest at 16% in 2017, and was narrowest at 2% in 2022. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $1,036 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Harrisburg | Pennsylvania Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 11.4% | 5.2% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 15.8% | 15.6% | 15.0% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 17 | 22 | 22 |
Approximately 2,765 people are unemployed in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.
The average commute time in Harrisburg is 17 minutes, shorter than the 22 minutes in Pennsylvania.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania has fallen from 12.9% to 11.4% in 2024. Over that period the rate peaked at 16.7% in 2015 and fell as low as 8.4% in 2020.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania has an overall wealth index grade of D, making it somewhat worse than Pennsylvania, and somewhat worse than the country as a whole.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about income and wealth in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.
How Rich Is Harrisburg, Pennsylvania?
Harrisburg has a wealth index grade of D. The wealth index grades areas from A+ (best) to F- by combining income levels, employment rates, and income inequality; a D grade means residents are somewhat worse off than the U.S. average. The median household income is $47,901, about 39% lower than the Pennsylvania average of $78,249.
How has median household income changed in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania?
Between 2009 and 2024, the median household income in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania rose 52%, from $31,418 to $47,901. Over the same years, income here lagged behind Pennsylvania as a whole: +52% against +57%.
What was the median household income in Harrisburg in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania was $47,907, up 1% from $47,277 in 2022. The Pennsylvania median that year was $76,230.
What was the median household income in Harrisburg in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania was $42,174. By 2024 it had risen 14% to $47,901.
How strong is the job market in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania?
Unemployment in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania is 11.4%, well above the Pennsylvania rate of 5.2%, so job seekers may face more competition than elsewhere.
What is the Gini coefficient in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania?
The Gini coefficient in Harrisburg is 0.553. It measures income inequality on a scale from 0 (everyone earns the same) to 1 (one household earns everything). That is almost the same as the US average of 0.552, so income is distributed about as equally as in the country overall.
How has the income gap between men and women changed in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania has narrowed from about 7% to 6% in 2024. Over that period the gap was widest at 16% in 2017, and was narrowest at 2% in 2022. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $1,036 since 2009.
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