Harrisburg School District to vote soon on infrastructure upgrades

January 14, 2026 | by Alexandra Jones

The Harrisburg School District met on Tuesday.

Upgrades for school buildings and a new soccer field may soon be in the works for the Harrisburg School District.

At a meeting Tuesday night, the school board pushed forward a laundry list of facility improvements that will be up for a vote on Jan. 27.

On the roll of 2026 to-dos are roof upgrades for Sci-Tech, Lincoln Elementary, Camp Curtin and Foose Elementary ($2 million) and renovations at Camp Curtin Middle School to create six new classrooms and an expanded cafeteria ($1.7 million).

Officials would also like to create a new soccer field for the varsity girls’ soccer team, currently practicing in the outfield of the school’s boys’ baseball field. The new soccer field would be installed on a portion of the 27-acre campus attached to William Penn, a vacant 100-year-old building that once served as a vocational school ($896,000).

Other upgrades include electronic locks for doors at Camp Curtin Middle School ($393,000) and Marshall Math Science Academy ($261,000); LED lighting for hallways at John Harris High School ($150,000); new carpet for Sci-Tech Campus ($120,000); and a new electronic sign for Melrose Elementary ($37,000).

The list comes out of an aggressive, existing long-term roadmap, dubbed the “Capital Improvement Plan,” that catalogs the district’s needed facility upgrades, as well as the funds required.

“It lists what’s planned and how we hope to possibly be able to pay for it,” school board member Doug Thompson Leader said at the meeting.

Thompson Leader praised the plan Tuesday for “doing an excellent job bringing our buildings up to snuff with such a limited budget.”

“I really appreciate how that document was laid out,” he said.

The 2025-2030 plan helps the district manage its substantial backlog of needs, including infrastructure updates for its aging portfolio buildings—many of which date back to the early 1900s. Prior to 2021, the plan notes that the district had failed to maintain its building portfolio for more than 10 years.

Because the district’s debt management policy strictly limits its borrowing capacity, all money for projects comes from the district’s capital reserve and general fund accounts. The plan also makes use of grants, where available, for projects.

Over the past few years, the district has already made several high-price-tag repairs to its aging infrastructure, including the full renovation of Steele Elementary School and a major gymnasium renovation at John Harris, complete with new maple floors and scoreboards.

The district entered a five-year state monitoring period to ensure that it stays on the path to financial stability after its exit from state receivership in June 2025.

While the soccer field’s on William Penn’s campus are budgeted for, the district has yet to decide what to do with the school building after weighing its options at a November meeting.

For more information on the Harrisburg School District, visit www.hbgsd.us.

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Home sales, prices mostly stable in December in Harrisburg area, says report

January 12, 2026 | by Lawrance Binda

A building for sale in Harrisburg

The Harrisburg-area housing market was largely unchanged in December, according to the most recent report on previously owned houses.

For the three-county region, 572 homes sold compared to 560 in December 2024, as the median sales price dipped to $270,000 from $280,000, according to the Greater Harrisburg Association of Realtors (GHAR).

In Dauphin County, 270 houses sold versus 257 in the year-ago period, while the median sales price slipped to $240,000 from 254,900, GHAR stated.

Cumberland County had 269 home sales, an increase of six from last December, as the median price rose to $329,900 from $310,000, said GHAR.

In Perry County, sales fell to 34 homes from 43 the prior December, as median sales price dropped to $237,500 from $255,000, according to GHAR.

The pace of home sales slowed, as “average days on the market” increased to 35 days in December versus 29 days in December 2024, GHAR said.

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MLK Day of Service to return next week, group highlights volunteer opportunities

January 12, 2026 | by Alexandra Jones

Shelly Lipscomb-Echeverria, MLK Day chairperson with MLK365, calls for volunteers.

Want to volunteer on on Martin Luther King Jr. Day?

MLK365 put out a call Monday for hundreds of helpers for a variety of service projects happening next Monday, Jan. 19. The group’s annual Central Pennsylvania MLK Day of Service volunteer campaign asks Harrisburg residents to serve their communities on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

“It’s really important to give back to our friends and neighbors, particularly where we live and work,” Marisa Tokarsky, MLK365 community organizer, explained. “Even the smallest effort can put a smile on someone’s face.”

MLK365 has more than 15 service projects listed on its website with active signup lists for volunteers, and Tokarsky said volunteers can look forward to feeling good about their work.

“The amount of self-pride and smiles that you’re going to get from giving back and helping others? There’s nothing like it,” she said.

For example, Wildheart Ministries is asking for help with spring cleaning. The First Baptist Church of Steelton needs volunteers for painting and drywall installation. The West Shore Theater is calling for hands for an alley cleanup. Other volunteer requests include those from Beahive Affordable Housing Outreach, “FLOW” For the Love of Women and Caitlin’s Smiles.

Volunteers will be able to give blood as part of the day of service this year. On Monday, the Central Penn Blood Bank will be taking blood donations at the Alexander Grass Campus for Jewish Life, and the Red Cross will be taking donations at Goodwin Memorial Baptist Church.

MLK365’s theme for service day this year is “Illuminating Voices of Courage and Hope.” Shelly Lipscomb-Echeverria, MLK Day chairperson, explained the group hopes to shed light on the power of donating to those in need.

“I tell my kids that I might not be able to have much influence on what’s going on in the world or the nation, but what I can do is ask people for donations and use that money to help buy hats for people who are cold, help buy food for people who are hungry,” Lipscomb-Echeverria said, “and do projects like we’re going to do on the 19th to help bring hope to members of our community.”

This is MLK365’s 17th year championing volunteer efforts on MLK Day to help those in need.

For more information or to volunteer, visit MLK365’s website. To host a service project, fill out this form. Projects are added to the MLK365’s site as they are submitted by organizers.

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The Week that Was: News and features around Harrisburg

January 9, 2026 | by TheBurg Staff

Department of Agriculture secretary Russell Redding with a Benjamin Franklin reenactor at the 2026 PA Farm Show.

From the 2026 PA Farm Show’s launch to a $750,000 grant for the Capital Area Greenbelt to a lawsuit Harrisburg Mayor Wanda Williams filed against City Council, a lot happened in Harrisburg this week. Check out our coverage of it all below:

Dauphin County commissioners ratified Park Harrisburg’s 2026 budget Wednesday as creditors, our online story reported.

Harrisburg City Council members were sworn in Monday. Council voted for Danielle Hill to serve as council president for another two years and elected Lamont Jones as vice president. Full story here.

Harrisburg police officers were sworn in by Mayor Wanda Williams at a city hall ceremony. Read the story here.

Harrisburg won a $750,000 grant to support the relocation of the Capital Area Greenbelt in south Harrisburg, our online story reported.

Howard University’s gospel choir will perform in downtown Harrisburg next month, our online story reported.

Mayor Wanda Williams was sworn in for a second term on Monday, our online story reported.

Mayor Wanda Williams sued City Council for defunding top city positions on Thursday. Our story has the details.

PA Farm Show’s 2026 butter sculpture features a scene from 1776 Philadelphia. Learn more here.

Our music columnist has suggestions for live performances to catch this month in her January magazine article.

Sara Bozich compiled all the best events happening around town in her Weekend Roundup.

Realtor.com announced that the Harrisburg region ranked second in the country for first-time homebuyers in 2026, our online story reported.

Wildwood Park’s amateur photography competition needs votes from the public to determine its “People’s Choice Award” winners. Learn more in our online story.

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Harrisburg mayor sues City Council, seeks to restore funding for city positions

January 8, 2026 | by Maddie Gittens

(From left) City Communications Director Mischelle Moyer, Mayor Wanda Williams and Interim Business Administrator Sam Sulkosky during a press conference at city hall last month.

Harrisburg Mayor Wanda Williams has sued City Council.

The suit, which alleges that council acted outside of its authority by defunding several top city positions, was filed in the Dauphin County Court of Common Pleas on Thursday.

The lawsuit comes after a tense back and forth between council and the mayor about the city’s 2026 general fund budget. In December, council passed the budget, after making amendments to remove salaries for Harrisburg’s business administrator, project director for business administration/LERTA and the police bureau’s director of community engagement and relations. Council also zeroed out the city’s portion of funding for the interim director of building and housing development.

Williams then vetoed the changes, but council overrode her veto. Directors of each role, besides the building and housing director who still receives a federal salary, have been terminated. Williams said that she believes the move was a personal attack by council against her.

Williams, in her lawsuit filed by attorney Renardo Hicks, said that council’s action “invades powers assigned to the Mayor/Executive.” Hiring, firing and personnel matters are the mayor’s authority, which council is not legally allowed to execute.

“They need to stop trying to do my job as the administration,” Williams told TheBurg Thursday morning.

However, council President Danielle Hill has maintained that council did not fire the staff, just defunded their positions.

“It was not to move anyone out of those positions,” Hill told TheBurg Monday. “We defunded the roles. That does not mean the people had to be fired. The mayor fired them. They could’ve easily been, maybe moved to a temporary position. There are other positions that are vacant.”

Hill said that council was concerned about the length of time that the interim business administrator and building and housing director were in their roles without council approval. Council also expressed dissatisfaction with the work of the project director for business administration/LERTA and said that the police bureau’s director of community engagement and relations position was redundant and unnecessary.

Williams’ lawsuit notes that the business administrator is a statutory position required by law under the Third Class City Charter Law. In her filing, Williams said that council’s action renders the city unable to fill that position, among the other defunded roles.

“Council did not simply remove real people from necessary work on behalf of the city and its citizens, they directly interfered with the mayor’s ability to fulfill her legal obligations under the Strong Mayor Council Plan A form of government authorized in the Optional Third Class City Charter Law,” the court documents said.

Williams’ filing said that the work that typically falls under these directors is hard to shift to other employees. She has previously stated that their work will now fall to her. The suit also noted a potential negative effect on ongoing collective bargaining negotiations with police and AFSCME employees and possible safety concerns in housing and construction work.

Williams asked the court to issue a declaratory judgment that would deem council’s actions illegal and an injunction that would re-fund the roles. While the court weighs the case, Williams also requested an emergency injunction that would immediately restore salaries to the roles.

Hill said that council has selected legal representation to defend itself.

“Harrisburg City Council feels strongly that mediation should have been held instead of filing a lawsuit,” Hill said in a text to TheBurg Thursday night.

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Harrisburg awarded significant state grant for Greenbelt relocation

January 8, 2026 | by Maddie Gittens

Greenbelt detour at S. Front and Sycamore streets.

Harrisburg has received a boost to reconnect the Greenbelt trail.

The city on Thursday announced that it won a $750,000 state grant to support the relocation of the Capital Area Greenbelt in south Harrisburg, which was interrupted by several housing developments for veterans in the area.

“This investment reflects who we are as a city,” said Mayor Wanda Williams, in a statement. “We believe in honoring our veterans and first responders, and we also believe in protecting the spaces that bring our neighborhoods together. Reconnecting the Greenbelt in South Harrisburg is about access, equity, and quality of life. It is about making sure every part of our city remains connected, walkable and welcoming.”

The city will receive the grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development and work with the Capital Area Greenbelt Association (CAGA) to implement the project.

In total, the section of trail in south Harrisburg will be rerouted to go to Sycamore Street from S. Front Street, just before the PennDOT building. The trail would then follow Sycamore over the railroad tracks and veer right through one of two privately owned lots, before Cameron Street, and then connect with the current trail near Shanois Street.

Reached by phone, CAGA President Doug Hill said that they hope to begin work on phase one of the relocation this year, which would include creating a crosswalk across S. Front Street near Sycamore and widening the sidewalk on Sycamore, from Front to Pennsy Drive, to 10 feet for pedestrian and cyclist safety.

Phase two, which includes creating a new section of the Greenbelt through private land, is dependent on CAGA reaching agreements with landowners.

The city and CAGA also have additional grant applications pending and are fundraising for the project.

Currently, the Greenbelt is detoured from S. Front Street to Sycamore to Cameron Street.

“CAGA is grateful to have a strong partnership with the city and the city’s legislative delegation, which enables us to continue our work to preserve and improve the Greenbelt on behalf of the city residents and neighborhoods, and our visitors,” Hill said.

For more information about the Capital Area Greenbelt Association, visit their website.

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PA Farm Show butter sculpture takes us back to nation’s founding

January 8, 2026 | by Alexandra Jones

The Declaration of Independence, the Liberty Bell, founding fathers and Betsy Ross are featured in the PA Farm Show’s 2026 butter sculpture.

State officials and dairy industry leaders unveiled the 2026 PA Farm Show’s butter sculpture on Thursday.

The 1,000-pound sculpture shows a scene from 1776 Philadelphia with several founding fathers—including Benjamin Franklin— signing the Declaration of Independence, the Liberty Bell and Betsy Ross holding an American Flag.

The sculpture was created by husband-and-wife team Jim Victor and Marie Pelton of Montgomery County with butter donated by the Land O’Lakes plant in Carlisle. It celebrates the Farm Show’s 2026 theme, “Growing a Nation,” which honors the Keystone State’s influence on the United States.

“Philadelphia was at the very, very center of our national interest in science and agriculture,” Department of Agriculture secretary Russell Redding explained Thursday. “Our farms led the cities and sustained the Continental Army, powered the industry and built the strong rural communities that continue to anchor our economy.”

The Farm Show theme frames Pennsylvania as an agricultural powerhouse, tracing its legacy back to the nation’s founding.

The PA Farm Show, which runs from Jan. 10 to 17, will also serve as the official kickoff event of America250PA, which counts down to the 250th birthday of the United States on July 4, 2026.

In honor of America250PA, the PA Dairymen’s Association will offer red, white and blue milkshake flights in strawberry, vanilla and blue raspberry flavors. The Farm Show food court will be open to the public on Friday, Jan. 9 from noon to 3 p.m., ahead of the weeklong event.

The Farm Show is the nation’s largest indoor agricultural exposition. It spans 1 million square feet, hosts 6,000 animals and boasts more than 12,000 competitive and 250 commercial exhibits.

“It invites every visitor to connect more people with the products and the places that make agriculture thrive,” said Redding.

Department of Agriculture secretary Russell Redding with a Benjamin Franklin reenactor.

To learn more about the PA Farm Show, visit this website

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At city hall ceremony, Harrisburg swears in new officers to police bureau

January 8, 2026 | by Maddie Gittens

Harrisburg will soon have three new officers on patrol.

Mayor Wanda Williams on Thursday swore in three police officers to the Harrisburg Police Bureau and promoted another during a ceremony at city hall.

“You are stepping forward at a time when the responsibilities of law enforcement are more complex than ever,” Williams said. “Our residents expect professionalism, compassion, accountability and a willingness to build trust with every neighborhood in this city. I believe you are ready for that challenge, and I am proud of each of you for choosing a path that places community at the center of your work.”

New officers include Cedric Bowling, a Harrisburg native and former city park ranger, William Fellenbaum, a Lancaster County native, and Melvin Torres, a McCaskey High School graduate who is bilingual.

The officers will enter field training with the police bureau after completing HACC’s police academy.

Harrisburg Mayor Wanda Williams and Police Commissioner Tom Carter swore in newly promoted Capt. Kyle Gautsch.

Additionally, officer Kyle Gautsch was promoted from lieutenant to captain. Gautsch has worked in the bureau for over 20 years and oversees the Criminal Investigations Division.

Bureau officials also recognized the retirement of Capt. Terry Wealand, who served from 1998 until Jan. 2. Sgt. Tyron Meik, who began in Harrisburg in 1999, Cpl. Derek Fenton, who began in 2002, Forensic Investigator Karen Lyda, who began in 2001, and officer John Doll, who began in 2002, will also retire this month.

At the ceremony, Police Commissioner Tom Carter welcomed the new officers to the bureau.

“Harrisburg police is a family,” he said. “We are a family because I believe, and I know, we have the best officers.”

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Weekend Roundup with Sara Bozich

January 8, 2026 | by Sara Bozich

Plan your weekend with my weekly list of things to do around Harrisburg and central PA!

What you’ll find below:

For something new: NEW taproom collab (soft) opens today! YAH Brew and Cartel Brewing are partnering to open Cahoots Taproom & Arcade at the former Tattered Flag location in Middletown.

Worth noting: C’mon, it’s Farm Show week!! I’ll be there this morning for the media preview (so stay tuned to IG), and my friends at Visit Hershey & Harrisburg assembled this guide so you don’t miss a thing (goat snuggling, mullet conteSt, wine, ALL THE FOOD).

Things on my agenda this weekend: I’m soft launching 2026, so all that’s on my agenda (besides youth sports) is the Farm Show Preview and taking down the xmas decor

Quick Links: Thursday • Friday • Saturday • Sunday

Thursday

Vision Board Workshop at Horizons Creative Studio | $ | Lemoyne
Camp Hill Community Blood Drive at Fredricksen Library | Free | Camp Hill
Social Hours at The Willows at Ashcombe Mansion | Free | Mechanicsburg
Mystery Book Club at Cupboard Maker Books | Free | Enola
Remember Your First Nugget Nectar @ Brewhouse Grille | Free | Camp Hill
New Years Trivia Night at Gruver Farms | Free | New Cumberland
Hormone Health + Optimization with Gary Misiti at Restorativ Health and Beauty! | Free | Mechanicsburg
Harrisburg Beer Runners Sworn Brewing – Windsor Plaza 3mi. | Free | Mechanicsburg
Take Five – A Capella Group at Agape Elixir Bar | Free | Harrisburg
Labyrinth 40th Anniversary at West Shore Theatre | $ | New Cumberland
THE OUTLET: MUSIC & POETRY OPEN MIC plus WRITING WORKSHOP at The Appell Center | $ | York
The Alsedek Theatre School Presents: Beetlejuice Jr. at Open Stage | $ | Harrisburg

Friday

Pennsylvania Farm Show – Food Court Opening | Free | Harrisburg
PA Preferred 2026 Reception at the PA Farm Show Complex | $ | Harrisburg
Re-potting workshops at The Plant Witch | Free | Harrisburg
TGIF: Cycle Express Theme Ride- O-Town vs. 98° at H2L Studio | $ | Mechanicsburg
Sculpt + Spritz: TGIF Workout + Happy Hour Class January at H2L Studio | $ | Mechanicsburg
Slow Flow Yoga to Deftones Playlist at H2L Studio | $ | Mechanicsburg
Kevin Kline at Gruver Winery | Free | New Cumberland
Name That Tune Trivia with Ffej @ Tröegs Independent Brewing | Free | Hershey
open mic at Consciousness Coffee | Free | Lemoyne
Labyrinth 40th Anniversary at West Shore Theatre | $ | New Cumberland
CAPFILM: MOONLIGHT 10th Anniversary at The Appelle Cneter | $ | York
Remember Your First Nugget Nectar @ Tellus360 | Free | Lancaster
2nd Friday Contra Dance at Silver Spring Presbyterian Church | $ | Mechanicsburg
Natalie Ness LIVE at The Blue Sky Tavern | Free | Etters
Matt Jameson at Horn Pub | Free | Lewisberry
Tate Lehman and The Blue Chilis at Mad Moose Tavern | Free | Harrisburg
A Cozy, Musical evening with Liz Fulmer, Andrew Pauls, & Friar Jon at West Art | $ | Lancaster
The Amish Outlaws at H Lounge at Hollywood Casino Grantville | Free | Grantville
Agatha Christie’s Rule of Thumb at Oyster Mill Playhouse | $ | Camp Hill
Latin Fuzion Fridayz at Level 2 | Harrisburg

Saturday

Saturday Morning Yoga at Boneshire Brew Works | $ | Harrisburg
Pennsylvania Farm Show | Free | Harrisburg
January Winter Hike at Ned Smith Center | Free | Millersburg
Saturday Schedule: H2L Studio – Be a Weekend Workout Warrior | $ | Mechanicsburg
Bonefish Grill Community Blood Drive | Free | Camp Hill
Community Craft Swap Open House at New York Wire Works | $ | York
New Years Open House at Katie Bean Boutique | Free | Carlisle
Grand Opening & Ribbon Cutting at Rooted Boutique Events | Free | New Cumberland
New Years Book Signing at Cupboard Maker Books | Free | Enola
Dazzling Dogs Watercolor Workshop at Creative Grounds | $ | Mechanicsburg
Board and Pour Weekend at Gruver Farms | Free | New Cumberland
Labyrinth 40th Anniversary at West Shore Theatre | $ | New Cumberland
Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra Masterworks III: Beethoven and Barber at The Forum | $ | Harrisburg
Capital City Bassmaster’s 7th Annual Fishing Show at Marysville Lions Club | $ | Marysville
Reptiles At The York Expo Center | $ | York
Dueling Pianos at Appalachian Brewing Company | Free | Mechanicsburg
Hexbelt at HMAC- Stage on Herr ~ Capricorn Celebration | $ | Harrisburg
Willy Blaze and The Bad News Crew at Mickey’s Black Box | $ | Lititz
Buckle Bunny Party at Nocturnal | Free | Harrisburg
The Alsedek Theatre School Presents: Beetlejuice Jr. at Open Stage | $ | Harrisburg
Agatha Christie’s Rule of Thumb at Oyster Mill Playhouse | $ | Camp Hill
Ciroc Saturdays at Level 2 | Harrisburg
Brewery Tours: York City Walking Tour | $ | York
Brewery Tours: Cruise York County | $ | York
Brewery Tours: Lancaster City Walking Tour | $ | Lancaster
Brewery Tours: Lancaster City Walk-a-Bout! | $ | Lancaster

Sunday

Sunday Tea at The Willows at Ashcombe | $ | Mechanicsburg
Kundalini Yoga with Keane Living at Consciousness Coffee | $ | Lemoyne
Sundays at Stumpy’s! | $ | Hershey
Sunday Night Trivia at McGrath’s Pub | Free | Harrisburg
Pennsylvania Farm Show | Free | Harrisburg
Labyrinth 40th Anniversary at West Shore Theatre | $ | New Cumberland
Troegs Yoga & Sunday Brunch at Tröegs Independent Brewing | Free | Hershey
Run/Yoga/Brunch with Harrisburg Beer Runners at Ever Grain Brewing | Free | Camp Hill
FREE- Beginner Cycling Workshop at H2L Studio | Free | Mechanicsburg
FREE Beginner Barre Workshop at H2L Studio | Free | Mechanicsburg
FREE: Beginner Bootcamp Class at H2L Studio | Free | Mechanicsburg
Breathwork Class at H2L Studio | $ | Mechanicsburg
Winter Walk at Hershey Gardens | $ | Hershey
Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra Masterworks III: Beethoven and Barber at The Forum | $ | Harrisburg
Capital City Bassmaster’s 7th Annual Fishing Show at Marysville Lions Club | $ | Marysville
HYP Book Club at Pursuit Coworking | Free | Harrisburg
Cocktails & Canvases at The Brownstone Lounge | Free | Harrisburg
Music at Pine Street presents Concert Pianist Talon Smith at Pine Street Presbyterian | Free | Harrisburg
Sunday Funday – 10 Year Anniversary Edition! at Midstate Distillery | Free | Mechanicsburg
Board and Pour Weekend at Gruver Farms | Free | New Cumberland
Major Vibes – Syntherapy Sound Bath at West Art | $ | Lancaster
The Alsedek Theatre School Presents: Beetlejuice Jr. at Open Stage | $ | Harrisburg

Extras

New sushi restaurant opens near York (PennLive gift link)
The ultimate Pennsylvania Farm Show Guide (via Visit Hershey & Harrisburg)
Want to share an ‘extra’? Email Sara with interest!

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Harrisburg area ranked #2 in nation for first-time homebuyers, says report

January 7, 2026 | by Maddie Gittens

A house for sale in Harrisburg

Harrisburg has made the list of top markets for new homebuyers.

Realtor.com announced that the Harrisburg region ranked second in the country for first-time homebuyers in 2026, the Greater Harrisburg Association of Realtors (GHAR) shared on Wednesday.

“This ranking highlights the strength of the Harrisburg region as Pennsylvania’s capital— a place where opportunity, affordability, and community come together,” said Tracee Carter, president of GHAR.

The report identified areas based on affordability, abundant for-sale inventory, local amenities and positive metro-level housing forecasts and economic outlooks.

The full list is as follows:

1. Rochester, NY
2. Harrisburg, PA
3. Granite City, IL
4. Birmingham, AL
5. North Little Rock, AR
6. Syracuse, NY
7. Baltimore, MD
8. St. Louis Park, MN
9. Pittsburgh, PA
10. Garfield Heights, OH

According to Realtor.com, in Harrisburg, and the other listed regions, a typical 25- to 34-year-old could buy a median-priced home and spend less than 30% of their income on the monthly mortgage, which the release said is the standard benchmark for affordability.

The company forecasts that, for 2026 in Harrisburg, 25- to 34-year-old homeowners will make up 19.90% of households, and that the average commute to work will take 23 minutes.

For the 12-month period ending in November 2025, the inventory was 37.9 per 1,000 households and the median listing price was $151,999.

For 2025, Harrisburg’s first-time homebuyer location score was 9.3 out of 10.

Wendell Hoover, an agent with Iron Valley Real Estate of Central PA, was pleased to hear of the ranking, but noted that Harrisburg has been a great place for first-time buyers for a while.

“I think it has just slowly increased over the years,” he said. “We are one of the few cities that are very affordable, especially compared to bigger cities.”

Not only does he see people moving into the region to purchase homes, but he also believes that people are buying homes here sooner in life. In other cities, they may have had to rent for much longer to save up money.

Hoover said he believes the positive trend will only continue.

“We should celebrate that,” he said.

For more information, visit Realtor.com.

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Plan your weekend with my weekly list of things to do around Harrisburg and central PA!

What you’ll find below:

Quick Links: Thursday • Friday • Saturday • Sunday

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

Sunday

Extras

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