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Harrisburg, PA

Frequently asked questions

Harrisburg, PA

Harrisburg is the capital city of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, United States, and the seat of Dauphin County. With a population of 50,135 as of 2021, Harrisburg is the ninth-most populous city in Pennsylvania.

Harrisburg is situated on the east bank of the Susquehanna River. It is the larger principal city of the Harrisburg–Carlisle metropolitan statistical area, also known as the Susquehanna Valley, which had a population of 591,712 as of 2020, making it the fourth-most populous metropolitan area in Pennsylvania after the Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and Lehigh Valley metropolitan areas.

Harrisburg played a role in American history during the Westward Migration, the American Civil War, and the Industrial Revolution. During part of the 19th century, the building of the Pennsylvania Canal and later the Pennsylvania Railroad allowed Harrisburg to develop into one of the most industrialized cities in the Northeastern United States. In the mid-to-late 20th century, the city's economic fortunes fluctuated with its major industries consisting of government, heavy manufacturing, agriculture, and food services. These economic fluctuations contributed to Harrisburg experiencing a decline of nearly half its population between 1950 and 2000.

The Pennsylvania Farm Show, the largest indoor agriculture exposition in the U.S., was first held in Harrisburg in 1917 and has been held there every early to mid-January since. The city also hosts the annual Great American Outdoor Show, the largest of its kind in the world, among many other events. Harrisburg experienced the Three Mile Island accident on March 28, 1979, in nearby Middletown.

In 2010, Forbes rated Harrisburg as the second-best place in the U.S. to raise a family. Despite the city's past financial troubles, in 2010 The Daily Beast website ranked 20 metropolitan areas across the country as being recession-proof, and the Harrisburg region was ranked seventh. The financial stability of the region is in part due to the high concentration of state and federal government agencies.

Harrisburg is located 83 miles (134 km) miles southwest of Allentown, the state's third-largest city, and 107 miles (172 km) northwest of Philadelphia, its largest city.

Harrisburg is located at 40°16′11″N 76°52′32″W (40.269789, -76.875613) in South Central Pennsylvania, within a two-hour drive of the metro areas of Baltimore, Washington, Philadelphia, and a three-hour drive of New York and Pittsburgh. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 11.4 square miles (30 km²), of which 8.1 square miles (21 km²) is land and 3.3 square miles (8.5 km²) (29.11%) is water. Bodies of water include Paxton Creek, which empties into the Susquehanna River at Harrisburg, as well as Wildwood Lake and Italian Lake parks. In land area, Harrisburg (proper) is also the third smallest of the United States capital cities.

Directly to the north of Harrisburg is the Blue Mountain ridge of the Appalachian Mountains. The Cumberland Valley lies directly to the west of Harrisburg and the Susquehanna River, stretching into northern Maryland. The fertile Lebanon Valley lies to the east. Harrisburg is the northern fringe of the historic Pennsylvania Dutch Country.

The city is the county seat of Dauphin County. The adjacent counties are Northumberland County to the north; Schuylkill County to the northeast; Lebanon County to the east; Lancaster County to the south; York County to the southwest; Cumberland County to the west; and Perry County to the northwest.

In terms of health and wellness, Harrisburg offers a range of resources and facilities to support residents' well-being. UPMC Harrisburg and Penn State Health Holy Spirit Medical Center offer comprehensive health services, including wellness check-ups and preventive care programs. Additionally, there are also health and wellness facilities such as the H2L Studio which offers a variety of fitness classes including yoga, barre, and Pilates. Harrisburg Area YMCA offers a variety of fitness programs, swimming pools, and community events. Anytime Fitness Harrisburg and Crunch Fitness - Harrisburg offers comprehensive fitness programs including cardio, strength training, and group exercise classes. Planet Fitness offers a judgment-free zone with cardio and strength training equipment. OrangeTheory Fitness focuses on high-intensity interval training (HIIT) workouts.

Top sites in Harrisburg, PA are Wildwood Park, The National Civil War Museum, and The State Museum of Pennsylvania

Population: 50,292 (2023). ZIP codes: 17101-17113, 17120-17130, 17140, 17177. Area codes: 717, 223. Elevation: 320 feet (98 meters). Area: 11.86 sq mi (30.73 km²).

FAQs

Why is Harrisburg, PA famous?

On the banks of the Susquehanna River, you'll find Harrisburg, the state capital of Pennsylvania. This city is known both for its beauty and rich history, having played a major role in the Westward expansion, the Civil War, and the Industrial Revolution. Now one of the largest metropolitan areas in the state, Harrisburg attracts many visitors throughout the year. It offers the sights and attractions of a big city with the convenience and charm of a small town.

Is Harrisburg, PA a nice place to live?

Harrisburg is a terrific place to live for many reasons, not the least of which is to take in the beautiful riverfront scenery. Several parks and other public places in the city provide breathtaking views of the Susquehanna River, which flows through the center of town. After a long day, take a stroll to the river, and you’re sure to feel a sense of calm and peace.

Is Harrisburg, PA a walkable city?

With a walk score of 68, Harrisburg is the sixth most walkable city in Pennsylvania. The region boasts several pedestrian-friendly neighborhoods like Midtown and Uptown. These areas contain a variety of shops, restaurants, and attractions easily accessible on foot.

Sources

City of Harrisburg

Wikipedia

Redfin

Select Registry

Home and Money

Wildwood Park

The National Civil War Museum

The State Museum of Pennsylvania

UPMC Harrisburg

Penn State Health Holy Spirit Medical Center

H2L Studio

Harrisburg Area YMCA

Anytime Fitness Harrisburg 

Crunch Fitness - Harrisburg

Planet Fitness

OrangeTheory Fitness

The content herein is provided for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Medical information changes constantly, and therefore the content on this website should not be assumed to be current, complete or exhaustive. Always seek the advice of your doctor before starting or changing treatment. If you think you may have a medical emergency, please call your doctor or 9-1-1 (in the United States) immediately.