Harrisburg 76 Excellent
Harrisburg Livability #22 ranked city in South Dakota#3,284 ranked city in the USARanks better than 88% of areas

Pros and Cons of Living in Harrisburg

PROS
  • Cost Of Living

    The cost of living in this region is notably lower than the national average, encompassing everyday goods, housing, utilities, transportation and health care expenses.

  • Employment

    This area excels in the employment category with a score well above average, primarily due to the higher median home income, per capita income and low unemployment rates.

  • Housing

    High scores in the housing category are attributed to this area, possibly pointing to a favorable home affordability ratio, robust appreciation rates or elevated home values.

  • Schools

    The schools category boasts a high score thanks to factors like excellent test scores, impressive graduation rates and the convenient placement of elementary and high schools in this area.

  • Ratings

    Locals express favorable opinions about the proximity of everyday local amenities, parks, public transit, neighborly atmosphere, strong sense of community and the general safety of the area.

CONS
  • Amenities

    A large portion of amenities are not ideally situated within walking distance, potentially requiring residents to utilize a vehicle or public transportation.

  • Commute

    Access to public transportation in this particular area may be limited, which can result in longer-than-average commute times to reach workplaces.

  • Health & Safety

    A low health and safety score may be attributed to factors such as subpar air quality and the unavailability of certain health-related facilities like hospitals, clinics, doctors and pharmacies.

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What's it like Living in Harrisburg?

Harrisburg is a small-sized city located in the state of South Dakota. The city has a population of 6,420 people. At 96%, the majority of the Harrisburg population is White; this is followed by 0% Black and 0% Asian. With an average age of 29 years old, Harrisburg could be a great place to live for young adults as this age is well below the national average. If you prefer shorter commutes, living in Harrisburg will be a delight. With an average one-way commute time of just 19 minutes, traveling to and from work is notably more convenient than the national average, which stands at 26 minutes.

Whether you’re relocating to a new area to be closer to family, friends or for a new job, living in Harrisburg could be a positive experience compared to other cities in South Dakota if you know where to look. Don't forget to determine what matters most to you in a neighborhood. Consider factors such as safety, proximity to work or school, access to amenities (like parks, fitness facilities, grocery stores, restaurants), public transportation options, community atmosphere and the overall vibe you're looking for. To help you find the best places to live in and around Harrisburg, AreaVibes has created a livability score using key metrics like crime, cost of living, education, employment and more.

Harrisburg, SD receives 74/100 for its livability score; this results in a ranking of #28 in South Dakota and #3,811 in the USA. For each of the livability categories, we can establish that Harrisburg ranks very well for cost of living (A+), education (A-), employment (A+) and housing (A+). On a less positive note, Harrisburg does not have favorable scores for the following: amenities (F). If we take a look at the data, we can find out why.

The Harrisburg unemployment rate of 1.79% has continued to decrease over the years and is now well below the national average. The result could lead to reduced poverty and inequality in the area, higher wages and increased economic growth. This is a positive sign in the overall health of the local economy.

A robust real estate market serves as a crucial economic indicator, reflecting the local area's strength, stability and the confidence of its residents. Harrisburg excels in the housing sector, scoring high marks based on factors such as median home and rental prices, appreciation rates and home affordability. These calculations suggest that the apartment rental and real estate market in the region is exceptionally healthy, highlighting the area's economic vitality and attractiveness to potential homebuyers and renters.

There are many factors that go into deciding if an area is the right fit for your lifestyle. Certain “must haves” like low crime, great schools and nearby amenities are all at the top of most people's lists. But before even considering if those options are attainable, we'll need to know if the real estate in Harrisburg is actually affordable. The median home price for Harrisburg homes is $210,200, which is 43.3% higher than the South Dakota average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Harrisburg, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 2.7, which is 3.6% lower than the South Dakota average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Harrisburg

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How Do You Rate The Livability In Harrisburg?

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Compare Harrisburg, SD Livability

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      Harrisburg transportation information

      Statistic Harrisburg South Dakota National
      Average one way commute19min17min26min
      Workers who drive to work88.6%79.6%76.4%
      Workers who carpool4.0%9.1%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit0.0%0.5%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.0%0.5%0.6%
      Workers who walk0.7%3.8%2.8%
      Working from home6.7%5.5%4.6%
      Source: The Harrisburg, SD data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).