RANK #85 / 1001 NAT · #1 / 37 VA · POP 51,392
1YR FORECAST: +2.5%
5YR OUTLOOK: +24%
Harrisonburg, Virginia, often called "The Friendly City," is distinguished by its designation as the first culinary district in Virginia. Located in the heart of the Shenandoah Valley, it sits between the Blue Ridge and Allegheny Mountains, offering access to outdoor recreation. The city is a short drive from Shenandoah National Park and George Washington National Forest, providing opportunities for hiking, biking, fishing, kayaking, and golf. Commutes within Harrisonburg are shorter than the national average, at around 15.7 minutes. Public transportation includes local bus routes and a shuttle service for James Madison University.
Life in Harrisonburg offers a balance of affordability and amenities, attracting families and individuals seeking a high quality of life. The city's economy is supported by its diverse manufacturing base, with a notable food processing sector, and the presence of James Madison University and Eastern Mennonite University. Recent economic developments include investments in manufacturing and expansions in food processing. The Harrisonburg City Public Schools system includes two high schools, two middle schools, and six elementary schools.
Harrisonburg city's data profile doesn't fit any single market profile cleanly — its housing, labor, and demographic signals pull in different directions (home prices +3.6% YoY, population -0.2%, wages +5.9%). About 414 U.S. counties show this kind of mixed-signal pattern.
See all 414 Idiosyncratic Markets counties →Overvalued relative to economy
Moderate climate & terrain
Above national median (15x)
Housing looks overvalued at 9.2x — home prices are high relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Bars show trailing 12-month growth. The dashed Forecast bars are the model's next-12-month projection; the whisker marks the ±1% range (cooling–accelerating).
Source: Homicide rates from CDC/NCHS vital-statistics mortality data — a multi-year average that stabilizes counts in smaller counties — compiled in the County Health Rankings 2025 release. Rates per 100,000 population; U.S. average ≈ 6.5. Grade reflects homicide rate relative to the national average. Learn more →
See where Harrisonburg city stands nationally: safest large counties in America · highest homicide-rate counties.
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Harrisonburg-Rockingham Metropolitan Planning Organization (HRMPO) Long Range Transportation Plan Projects
Harrisonburg-Rockingham Metropolitan Planning Organization (HRMPO)
|
$315M | Planned |
|
The Link Mixed-Use Development
Timberwolf Capital Partners
|
$100M | Approved |
|
Bluestone Town Center Development
Harrisonburg Redevelopment and Housing Authority & EquityPlus
|
$90M | Planned |
|
City of Harrisonburg Capital Investments (FY2025-2026)
City of Harrisonburg
|
$39M | Proposed |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 1001 counties.
Harrisonburg city ranks #85 out of 1001 U.S. counties on the Boom Town Index with a score of 92/100, putting it in the top tier nationally. Job growth of +0.6% and a median household income of $62,254 point to a county with active economic momentum.
Harrisonburg city leans toward the expensive side. A median home value of $299,100 against an income-to-home-value ratio of 0.21 means housing eats a bigger share of local earnings than the national norm. Renters face $1,184/month on average.
Population and employment in Harrisonburg city are both close to flat — population -0.2% YoY and jobs +0.6%. Home values shifted +3.6% over the past 12 months. A steady-state county, neither expanding quickly nor shrinking.
In significant numbers — 12.01% of Harrisonburg city's current population relocated from another state, well above the national norm. That level of in-migration usually signals a county where jobs, affordability, or quality of life are pulling people in from elsewhere.