Harrisburg, PA

Harrisburg, Pennsylvania

Introduction to Harrisburg

Harrisburg, Pennsylvania has something for everybody. History is everywhere in Harrisburg, due to its crucial roles in United States history during the Westward Migration, the American Civil War, and the Industrial Revolution. The Pennsylvania Canal and the Pennsylvania Railroad helped turn Harrisburg into one of the most industrialized cities in the country. Today, Harrisburg and the Capital Region, which includes Hershey and Carlisle, offer residents and visitors many benefits. The area boasts the world’s tallest splashdown amusement park ride. It has lots of fishing, biking, and hiking to enjoy. And its zoos, caves, theater, and sporting events offer a wide variety of fun activities for the whole family.

Harrisburg Culture

Harrisburg is one of the oldest American state capital cities in the Northeast. This is one of the reasons it enjoys such prominence as a cultural and arts-related destination. The city is relatively close to such urban centers as Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Washington, D.C., and these cities have a heavy influence on Harrisburg. The city government, the corporate sector, and the larger community all have an impact on the culture. The Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts offers education, science, and performing arts to the public. The 1,700-seat Forum concert and lecture hall is located in the capital complex and is home to the Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra. The Pennsylvania Farm Show happens every year and is the largest event of its kind in the country.

Harrisburg Sports and Leisure

For baseball fans, Harrisburg has the Eastern League Harrisburg Senators, who play in Commerce Bank Park. The Harrisburg City Islanders play for the United Soccer League in the Skyline Sports Complex. And for ice hockey fans, there’s the AHL Hershey Bears, who play in the Giant Center. The city’s Bureau of Recreation offers residents many opportunities to participate in self-improvement activities year round. This includes educational, cultural, and sports and fitness programs. Residents have the chance to broaden their minds and improve their bodies through sports and fitness workshops, clinics, and leagues.

Harrisburg Outdoors

There is no shortage of fun outdoor activities in the Harrisburg area. Many fields and forests offer residents the chance to enjoy sunny days of boating, hiking, and biking. Swimming in lakes or playing a round of golf are both popular activities. The Fall is when the colors of the leaves explode and residents can take in the sight with a hike along the Appalachian Trail. The area has almost 20 state and national parks that offer miles and miles of trails that wind through streams, rivers, and lakes. Winter time also offers outdoor adventures like sledding, skiing, snowmobiling, and snow shoeing.

Harrisburg at Night

Dining out in Harrisburg mean great food and a wide selection of restaurants. The city’s Germanic heritage results in such regional specialties as apples and dumplings and sweet Lebanon bologna. The area has lots of agricultural fairs and farmers markets. Family restaurants serve local favorites, and the city restaurants serve a range of international cuisine. There are also many places to enjoy a cold beer, such as the Appalachian Brewing Company. This brewpub serves food that is fresh and inventive, and their ales and lagers are handcrafted.

High Points

Harrisburg strengths, compared to Peers (similar size places nationally) or State (other places in Pennsylvania):

Category	Trophy
Racial Diversity (vs. State)	Top 1%
Public Transportation Use (vs. State)	Top 5%
Walking and Biking to Work (vs. Peers)	Top 11%
Affordability of Rents (vs. Peers)	Top 15%

Comparative Profile of Harrisburg, PA

Comparing Harrisburg to similar size places nationwide (Peers) and to other places in Pennsylvania (State):

Ratings range from (lowest) to (highest).

The People

Characteristic	Compared to Peers	Compared to State
Racial Diversity
Female Share of the Population
Children Under 5 Years Old
Senior Citizens
Well-Paid Single Women
Age of the Population
Well-Paid Single Men
Male Share of the Population

Families

Characteristic	Compared to Peers	Compared to State
Average Household Size
Portion of People Married

Wealth

Characteristic	Compared to Peers	Compared to State
College Educated Adults
People Above Poverty
People in Middle Class or Better
Median Family Income

Commute & Sprawl

Characteristic	Compared to Peers	Compared to State
Public Transportation Use
Walking and Biking to Work
Short Commute Times
Working at Home

Housing

Characteristic	Compared to Peers	Compared to State
People Living Alone
Studio & One-Bedroom Rentals
Affordability of Rents
Seasonal and Vacation Housing
Affordability of Property Taxes
Housing Recently Built

Crime

Characteristic	Compared to Peers	Compared to State
Low Property Crime
Low Violent Crime

Harrisburg Almanac

Harrisburg Climate

Nearest Weather Stations

• Temp ranges are avg daily min and max for the month
• Precipitation is rainfall (and rainfall equiv of snowfall)

Harrisburg Population (2000)

(From 2000 Census, as reported by individuals)

Neighborhood and Nearby Area Names

According to the US Postal Service, Harrisburg, its neighborhoods, and/or surrounding areas are also referred to as:

Note that not all alternate names are acceptable for use in US Post Office addresses.

Nearby Cities and Towns

Harrisburg Public Libraries

More Information for Librarians

Harrisburg Hospitals

PINNACLE HEALTH HOSPITALS
(Voluntary non-profit - Other)
409 SOUTH SECOND STREET
(717) 782-5181
Emergency Service: Yes

Starbucks in Harrisburg

Harrisburg High Schools (2004)

PENN DATA SP ED ENROLLMENTS A
717-778-2644
A Special Education School
Serves 7,896 students.

PENN DATA SP ED ENROLLMENTS B
717-778-2644
A Special Education School
Serves 7,896 students.

CENTRAL DAUPHIN SHS
717-540-4606
Serves 1,826 students.
Student/teacher ratio: 16.4

HARRISBURG HS
717-703-4300
A Title I school.
Serves 1,682 students.
Student/teacher ratio: 13.3

CENTRAL DAUPHIN EAST SHS
717-541-1662
Serves 1,491 students.
Student/teacher ratio: 15.8

SUSQUEHANNA TWP HS
717-657-5117
Title I eligible, not participating.
Serves 1,010 students.
Student/teacher ratio: 16

DAUPHIN COUNTY AVTS
717-652-3170
A Vocational School
Serves 919 students.
Student/teacher ratio: 12.3

WILLIAM PENN ACTS SCH
717-703-0400
Title I eligible, not participating.
Serves 812 students.
Student/teacher ratio: 10.6

Harrisburg Colleges

Click school name for a detailed profile.

Harrisburg Area Community College-Harrisburg

Harrisburg University of Science and Technology

Keystone Technical Institute

Widener University-Harrisburg Campus

(List of All Pennsylvania Colleges)

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