City of Harrisonburg, Virginia
Quick answer: The City of Harrisonburg is an independent city in Virginia. Its estimated population in 2025 was 50,839, down 1.9% since 2020. It covers about 17 square miles of land.
| Type | independent city |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1779 |
| Population, 2025 estimate | 50,839 |
| Population, 2020 estimate | 51,698 |
| Change 2020–2025 | -1.7% |
| Rank by population in Virginia | 36 of 133 |
Overview
The City of Harrisonburg is one of Virginia's 38 independent cities. In Virginia, an independent city is not part of any county; it runs its own local government, courts and schools.[1] Harrisonburg is also the county seat of Rockingham County, even though the city is legally separate from that county.[2] Its founding date is recorded as 1779.[2]
Population of Harrisonburg
The U.S. Census Bureau estimated the population of the City of Harrisonburg at 50,839 in July 2025, down 1.9% from the April 2020 base of 51,808.[1] That made it 36th of Virginia's 133 counties and independent cities by population. It ranked 113th for growth since 2020.[1]
From 2020 to 2025 the Census Bureau counted about 3,294 births and 1,710 deaths, a natural increase of 1,584.[1] More people moved away to other parts of the United States than moved in. Net domestic migration was -4,830. Moves from abroad added 2,230.[1]
Geography
The City of Harrisonburg covers 17.3 square miles of land and 0.1 square miles of water.[3] By land area it ranks 109th of 133 in Virginia.[3] It had about 2,933 people per square mile in 2025, so it is one of the more densely settled places in the state. Its geographic center lies near 38.44° N, 78.87° W.[3]
The city borders Rockingham County.[4]
The U.S. Geological Survey place-name database lists 1 lake or reservoir in the city.[5]
Frequently asked questions
Is Harrisonburg in a county?
No. Harrisonburg is an independent city, so it is not part of any county.
What is the population of the City of Harrisonburg?
About 50,839 people in 2025, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
How big is the City of Harrisonburg?
About 17 square miles of land, plus 0.1 square miles of water.
References
- [1] U.S. Census Bureau, County Population Totals and Components of Change: 2020-2025 (Vintage 2025) – last checked 11/08/2026
- [2] Wikidata, Harrisonburg city, Virginia (open data, CC0) – last checked 11/08/2026
- [3] U.S. Census Bureau, 2024 Gazetteer Files: Counties – last checked 11/08/2026
- [4] U.S. Census Bureau, County Adjacency File (2024) – last checked 11/08/2026
- [5] U.S. Geological Survey, Geographic Names Information System (GNIS), Domestic Names – last checked 11/08/2026
Official website: www.harrisonburgva.gov
Boundary on the map: Census TIGERweb. See all counties and cities on the map.