2 census tracts · pop 9,449 · pop-weighted Eviction Risk Score 5.3/10
· range 5.2–5.4
Preston Heights is a white-hispanic neighborhood in Harrisonburg with 2 census tracts and a population of 9,449 residents. The neighborhood's pop-weighted eviction-risk score of 5.3/10 (Moderate tier) blends state law, county-level filing rates, parent-city politics, and tract-specific rent-to-income ratios + poverty. 35% of renters here pay at least 30% of household income on rent, and 20% are severely cost-burdened (≥50% of income). Average gross rent of $1,161/month sits 2% lower than the Harrisonburg citywide average ($1,184).
Risk score
5.3
Moderate
2 tracts · population-weighted
Preston Heights vs HarrisonburgHow this neighborhood stacks against the citywide average
Single-parent HH, disability, language barriers, age 17- / 65+
Racial/ethnic minority69%ile
Hispanic + non-white share of population
Housing & transport86%ile
Multi-unit structures, mobile homes, crowding, no vehicle
CDC PLACES 2023 · pop-weighted
Eviction-adjacent indicators in Preston Heights
Average across all constituent tracts, population-weighted. Source: CDC PLACES (cwsq-ngmh) crude prevalence.
16.6%Housing insecurity
10.6%Utility shutoff threat
21.4%Food insecurity
18.4%SNAP enrollment
15.5%No health insurance
34.8%Any disability
Frequently asked
About Preston Heights
Q1
What is the eviction-risk score for Preston Heights?
Preston Heights scores 5.3/10 (Moderate tier) across 2 census tracts. The pop-weighted Eviction Risk Score blends state law, county filing rates, parent-city politics, and tract-specific rent-to-income and poverty signals.
Q2
How does Preston Heights compare to Harrisonburg overall?
Preston Heights scores 1.0 points higher than Harrisonburg overall (4.3/10). Renters spend 35% of income on rent vs 29% citywide. Average rent: $1,161 vs $1,184.
Q3
What is the average rent in Preston Heights?
Average gross rent in Preston Heights is $1,161/month (pop-weighted across 2 census tracts, ACS 5-year 2023). 35% of renter households are cost-burdened.
Q4
What percentage of Preston Heights residents are renters?
57% of Preston Heights households are renter-occupied (vs 61% in Harrisonburg). The neighborhood has 9,449 residents.
Q5
Is Preston Heights a high social-vulnerability area?
Preston Heights sits in the 81st percentile nationally on the CDC Social Vulnerability Index (highly vulnerable). The index combines poverty, unemployment, household composition, racial/ethnic minority share, and housing/transportation factors across all US census tracts.
Q6
Which tracts in Preston Heights have the highest eviction risk?
The highest-risk constituent tract in Preston Heights is census tract 51660000204 (score 5.4/10). Across the 2 tracts in this neighborhood the score ranges from 5.2 to 5.4, a spread of 0.2 points.
Q7
How safe is Preston Heights for landlords?
Preston Heights carries a moderate-tier eviction-risk profile for landlords (5.3/10). Pop-weighted across 2 constituent tracts, the score blends parent-city rent-control posture, county eviction-process timelines, and tract-specific rent-to-income / poverty signals. Compared to Harrisonburg as a whole (4.3/10), this neighborhood is higher-risk.
Q8
What is the demographic breakdown of Preston Heights?
Preston Heights has 9,325 residents (White-Hispanic Neighborhood). Top groups: White (non-Hispanic) (45%), Hispanic / Latino (36.6%), Black (non-Hispanic) (8.8%). Source: ACS 5-year 2023, table B03002.
