A diverse, outdoorsy college town in the Shenandoah Valley
Harrisonburg, located in the Shenandoah Valley, is known as the peaceful, outdoorsy home of James Madison University. The small city, which currently has about 50,000 residents, has expanded outward from the historic downtown area and JMU's campus, but Rockingham County's vast fields and farmland still surround the city, offering plenty of room for growth. While the college may be what initially comes to mind when people think of Harrisonburg, the diverse city appeals to a wide range of people. “It’s a college town, but it’s not super student-focused. Young professionals, families, and even people looking to retire all want to live near the entertainment and events downtown,” says Emily Winter, Director of Marketing for Harrisonburg Downtown Renaissance. The mix of people and spirited energy of the town makes Harrisonburg an engaged, well-connected community. “People call Harrisonburg ‘The Friendly City’ for good reason,” says Joel Graham. He and his wife, Becca Graham, own the Friendly City Inn on East Market Street. “When we opened our bed and breakfast in 2019, our neighbors and other local businesses were kind and welcoming and invited us into their community. Harrisonburg definitely lives up to its nickname."
For those looking to escape the city, Harmony Heights might be a perfect new home.
JMU’s Quad is a popular green space for Central Avenue residents to walk in the summer time.
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Historic houses and new builds in Harrisonburg
Harrisonburg’s housing market is fast-paced, with houses selling after 27 days on the market on average (two weeks faster than the national average of 41 days). The median home sale price is $366,000, which has increased by 15% since 2022. There were 343 homes sold in Harrisonburg throughout 2023, and there are currently just under 50 houses on the market. “Our inn is a quick walk from downtown and JMU, but despite being in the thick of things, our property feels secluded and quiet,” says Graham. “The houses here have plenty of green space, so we hear crickets and birds instead of traffic noises.”
The most expensive houses, priced above $550,000, tend to be located on the outskirts of Harrisonburg in new developments, including some in a nearby town called Massanetta Springs. More affordable housing can be found on the north side of Harrisonburg, with cottages and bungalows in the mid-$200,000s.
New Traditional properties with tan stone facades and gabled roofs are found in Lakewood.
Cape Cod homes in Old Town typically have dormer windows.
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Public schools and universities in Harrisonburg
Harrisonburg City Public Schools serves students from kindergarten through high school. Between nearly 7,000 students, over 55 different languages are spoken and over a third of students in the district speak English as their second language. Harrisonburg City Public Schools received a B from Niche. James Madison University is a public college with over 21,000 students that offers about 70 undergraduate majors and 42 graduate programs. The university is a cornerstone of the small city; purple and gold signage and memorabilia decorate storefronts, and residents often cheer on the Dukes during football games at Bridgeforth Stadium or watch productions at the Forbes Center for the Performing Arts. Harrisonburg is also home to Eastern Mennonite University, a small religious college of about 900 undergraduate students.
Rocktown High School is a brand new high school in the Harrisonburg area.
James Madison University brings in over 20,000 students to Old Town annually.
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Hiking, biking and skiing around the Valley
Harrisonburg has a lively population of outdoorsy people who enjoy the town’s several parks and access to extensive hiking trails. Close to residential areas, Hillandale Park, with 74 acres of forested trails, picnic areas and sports fields, is a local favorite. Harrisonburg was named one of America’s Top 10 Mountain Bike Towns by the National Geographic Society in 2017, and Rocktown Biking Trail is a popular place to enjoy the area’s hilly terrain. The bike trail starts at Hillandale Park and includes three difficulty designations. Nearby, Heritage Oaks Golf Course offers members another option for outdoor entertainment. There’s also the Edith J. Carrier Arboretum and Botanical Gardens at JMU, with trails that wind past colorful trees, plants and art exhibits, perfect for an afternoon stroll. For avid hikers, the Massanutten Peak and Ridge Trails are just 13 miles east of Harrisonburg. In the warmer months, this nearly 6-mile trail is a popular spot for biking, hiking and picnicking, and in the winter, Massanutten’s ski slopes draw visitors from all over the East Coast.
Young photographers take some photos at the Overlook in Massanutten on a foggy day.
Soccer is one of the more popular activities for kids at Ralph Sampson Park.
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Locally owned eateries and shops downtown
Nearly half of Harrisonburg’s 200 restaurants are locally owned, running the gamut from fast casual to fine dining. Several downtown restaurants include rooftop and patio dining so guests can enjoy views of the surrounding Shenandoah Valley during the warm months of the year. The city also has five craft breweries within walking distance of each other. These breweries are known for their varied and award-winning brews and dog-friendly gathering spaces. The Shenandoah Beerwerks Trail stretches from Lexington through Staunton to Harrisonburg, giving beer lovers a map to check out all the local drinks their city offers.
Historic downtown Harrisonburg is a hotbed of shopping and dining options, including over 50 stores and regularly scheduled community events throughout the year. “People here root for each other,” says Brianna McKinney, a barista and baker at Black Sheep Coffee on Market Street. “We have regulars who know the staff by name, and we know all the owners and workers at our neighboring shops. The community really makes this place special.” Downtown is also where residents support local farmers and artisans at the farmers market, which happens on Tuesdays and Saturdays. Chain stores are a couple of miles away from downtown. East Market Street is the city's commercial corridor, where shoppers can find major retailers like Kohl's and Home Depot. Also along the street are the many stores within the Valley Mall, as well as big box options like Target and Walmart, and supermarkets like Kroger and Aldi.
Jack Brown’s is a go-to for burgers and beer in Downtown Harrisonburg.
Pale Fire Brewery in Downtown Harrisonburg has an outdoor patio ideal for the summer months.
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Local resources are expanding the city
Harrisonburg’s Economic Development Department has partnered with CO.STARTERS to create Launch Harrisonburg, a 10-week program designed to help aspiring entrepreneurs and business owners accomplish their goals and build a network of professional relationships in the city. There is also a selection of special business incentive zones in the city, including the Harrisonburg Technology Zone, which provides incentives for technology-focused companies, and the Economic and Retail Revitalization Zones, which offer incentives for new construction in their designated areas. There’s also the Shenandoah Valley Workforce Development Board, which assists businesses in recruiting and training employees locally. These programs, among others put on by the city government, ensure that Harrisonburg is a great place to start or expand a small business.
This area of the Shenandoah Valley is home to several environmental groups, including the Valley Conservation Council, the Shenandoah Valley Bicycle Coalition and the Climate Action Alliance of the Valley. These groups and others put on regular events in downtown Harrisonburg, like the Earth Day Guided Bird Walk and the Rocktown Beer & Music Festival, to fundraise for environmental projects and educate the public on their local ecosystem. Virginia Green, the state’s partnership program to encourage green tourism practices, has recognized over 1,800 tourist operations as Virginia Green Travel Partners, meeting the group's environmental standards. Harrisonburg has over 30 Virginia Green Travel Partners recognized as of 2024.
Interstate and bus access
Harrisonburg is split by Interstate 81, making it easy for drivers to begin traveling north toward Washington, D.C., or south toward Roanoke. The city also maintains a $1 bus fare along the Harrisonburg bus line, which covers downtown Harrisonburg, JMU’s campus and several surrounding residential neighborhoods. Virginia Breeze offers intercity bus service for longer trips between Blacksburg, Harrisonburg and Washington, D.C. The closest small airport is about 60 miles away in Charlottesville, but the Washington Dulles International Airport in northern Virginia, about 85 miles away, is the nearest major international airport.
Weather and crime trends in Harrisonburg
According to FBI statistics, violent crime rates in Harrisonburg tend to be on par with state and national averages, while property crimes are slightly higher than state and national averages. Harrisonburg experiences all four seasons, including humid summers and cold winters. "Fall is probably our most popular season; the foliage and mountains are so beautiful. We get a lot of visitors then," Winter says.
My name is Benjamin Reeves, and I am the CEO of The Titan Team with Keller Williams Advantage, serving the region of State College, Pennsylvania and Keller Williams Alliance serving the region Charlottesville, Virginia.
I was raised in Charlottesville Virginia, and have deep roots in that community. I have served as a member of the Board of Directors for the Charlottesville Area Association of Realtors (CAAR) and was a founding member of the Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Council for CAAR. Today I serve as the Chair of the DEI council for CAAR.
Prior to joining Keller Williams as a Realtor, I served 13 years with the Albemarle County Police Department as a First Sergeant. As a police officer, I valued community above all else. Taking that passion into real estate, I bring an abundance of information about the communities you want to call home. I keep up to date with the city, county, and regional plans for community development and commercial growth while also keeping my finger on the pulse of trends in the housing market.
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In my spare time I can be found taking care of my four legged kid, a Great Danes Stella and Loki. My husband and I also enjoy the rich cultures, restaurants and events our areas have to offer and can often be found out and about in the evenings and weekends in either State College, PA or Charlottesville, VA. Our team is more than just a name – it's inspired by the spirit of Titan, our CEO's beloved Great Dane. Titan, despite being timid, embraced life and love. In his memory, The Titan Team is dedicated to extending that warmth to everyone, ensuring all individuals find the home of their dreams. We go beyond real estate, making it our mission to increase homeownership in minority communities. For us, it's an everyday commitment to create inclusive opportunities. Homeownership is not just about a house; it's about fostering a sense of belonging and security. What sets us apart is our focus on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). We believe in actively supporting and strengthening our communities. From sponsoring State College Pride to contributing a portion of our profits to animal rescue in Titan's memory, we are dedicated to making a positive impact. Our team belongs to several national multicultural organizations in an effort to prioritize diversity education for our team members. In addition, our CEO is a founding member of the DEI Council for our regional real estate association in Charlottesville, and continues to serve in various capacities on the council. Choosing a real estate team that prioritizes DEI, like The Titan Team, ensures you're not just getting a house; you're getting a partner committed to creating a home for everyone. Let's connect and discuss how we can make your homeownership dreams a reality.
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