Harrisburg is the capital of Pennsylvania, one of four states designated a Commonwealth of the United States. As of the 2000 census, the city has a total population of 48,950 (metropolitan area 643,820), making it the fourth largest metropolitan area in Pennsylvania. Harrisburg is the county seat of Dauphin County and lies on the banks of the Susquehanna River, 105 miles (169 km) west by north of Philadelphia.
Harrisburg is one of the oldest and most historically significant state capital cities in the United States. It has played a critical 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 became one of the most industrialized cities in the northeastern United States.
Contrasting its 1981 status as the second most distressed city in the nation, Harrisburg has undergone a dramatic economic resurgence since, with nearly $3 billion in new investment now realized. The US Navy ship USS Harrisburg, which served from 1918-19 at the end of World War I, is named in honor of the city. Harrisburg is also known for the infamous Three Mile Island incident, which occurred in nearby Middletown.
Harrisburg is located at 40°16'11" North, 76°52'32" West (40.269789, -76.875613).
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 29.6 km2 (11.4 mi2). 21.0 km2 (8.1 mi2) of it is land and 8.6 km2 (3.3 mi2) of it is water. The total area is 29.11% water.
Harrisburg is located in the Susquehanna Valley, a rich and fertile agricultural region in south-central Pennsylvania. The region is also situated at the extreme western fringe of the BosWash megalopolis, the name for a group of metropolitan areas in the northeastern United States. Directly to the north of Harrisburg lies the Blue Ridge chain of the Appalachian Mountains.
Harrisburg's western boundary is formed by the Susquehanna River, which also serves as the boundary between Dauphin and Cumberland counties. The city is divided into numerous neighborhoods and districts. There are several communities that exist outside the Harrisburg city limits that, although autonomous, still share the designated name Harrisburg.
As of the census of 2000, there are 48,950 people, 20,561 households, and 10,917 families residing in the city. The population density is 2,330.4/km2 (6,035.6/mi2). There are 24,314 housing units at an average density of 1,157.5/km2 (2,997.9/mi2). The racial makeup of the city is 31.72% White, 54.83% Black or African American, 0.37% Native American, 2.83% Asian, 0.07% Pacific Islander, 6.54% from other races, and 3.64% from two or more races. 11.69% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 20,561 households out of which 28.5% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 23.4% are married couples living together, 24.4% have a female householder with no husband present, and 46.9% are non-families. 39.3% of all households are made up of individuals and 10.4% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.32 and the average family size is 3.15.
In the city the population is spread out with 28.2% under the age of 18, 9.2% from 18 to 24, 31.0% from 25 to 44, 20.8% from 45 to 64, and 10.9% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 33 years. For every 100 females there are 88.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 84.8 males.
The median income for a household in the city is $26,920, and the median income for a family is $29,556. Males have a median income of $27,670 versus $24,405 for females. The per capita income for the city is $15,787. 24.6% of the population and 23.4% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 34.9% of those under the age of 18 and 16.6% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
Since the 1950's, Harrisburg along with other urban centers large and small, has experienced a declining population that is ultimately fueling the growth of it's suburbs. Unlike other states, Pennsylvania maintains a complex system of municipalities and has very little legislation on either the annexation/expansion of cities or the consolidating of municipal entities.
In 1719, John Harris, Sr., an English trader, settled here and 14 years later secured grants of 800 acres (3.2 km2) in this vicinity. In 1753 his son, John Harris, Jr. established a ferry, and the place was long known as Harris's Ferry. In 1785, a town was laid out and named Harrisburg, but in the following year it was renamed Louisburg in honor of Louis XVI. In 1791, it was incorporated as Harrisburg, and was named the Pennsylvania state capital in 1812. In 1860, it was chartered as a city.
The assembling here of the Harrisburg Convention in 1827 led to the passage of the high protective-tariff bill of 1828. In 1839, Harrison and Tyler were nominated at Harrisburg.
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Harrisburg, PA
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