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CITY

Harlan

Iowa · 4,859 residents (2025 est.) · 4.42 sq mi
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The short version

Harlan has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $57,488. Population has declined 7% since 2000. 22% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 36%. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $152,500. With a median age of 44.6, the population is older than the US median of 38.9.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 44.6
US median: 38.9
Less educated
22% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
4,891
−7%since 2000
from 5,282 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,107 / sq mi
−7%since 2000
from 1,195 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
44.6
+8%since 2000
from 41.3 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:4,859 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
5K5K5K5K5K1990201020202024Harlan
20245K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$57,488
−12%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $35,899 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$37,556
+114%since 2000
from $17,514 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
42.6%
+25.7 ptssince 2009
from 16.9% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
9.1%
+2.1 ptssince 2000
from 7.0% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.457
+8%since 2010
from 0.423 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Information17.1%
US avg: 10.8%
Retail trade11.9%
US avg: 9.9%
Other services8.2%
US avg: 6.7%
Finance & insurance6.9%
US avg: 5.9%
Public administration6.8%
US avg: 4.8%
Professional, scientific, technical5.5%
US avg: 5.1%
Wholesale trade4.9%
US avg: 6.9%
Transportation & warehousing3.5%
US avg: 2.2%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing3.1%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction3.1%
US avg: 1.2%
Arts, entertainment, food2%
US avg: 1.9%
Education & health services1.5%
US avg: 0.9%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$152,500
+11%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $75,100 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$783
+5%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $409 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
72.3%
−2.3 ptssince 2000
from 74.6% in 2000
27.7% rent
Vacancy rate
9.5%
−3.5 ptssince 2009
from 13.0% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
17.8%
−0.7 ptssince 2009
from 18.6% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
44.5%
+1.8 ptssince 2009
from 42.7% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
2.7
+27%since 2000
from 2.1 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
42
RELATED:See current rent listings in Harlan on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic97.9%(5,169)
Black0.1%(4)
Hispanic / Latino0.6%(33)
Asian0.5%(25)
Other0%
Diversity Score2.9%(155)
2024
White, non-Hispanic90.5%(4,424)
Black0.7%(32)
Hispanic / Latino4.8%(234)
Asian0%(0)
Other4.1%(201)
Diversity Score22.2%(1,087)
Diversity Score
22
+657%since 2000
from 3 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
22.1%
+3.8 ptssince 2000
from 18.4% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
93.0%
+7.6 ptssince 2000
from 85.4% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
8.6%
+2.9 ptssince 2000
from 5.8% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
13.7 min
−3%since 2000
from 14.1 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
78.8%
−2.0 ptssince 2009
from 80.8% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
5.2%
−6.3 ptssince 2009
from 11.5% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.5%
+0.1 ptssince 2009
from 0.4% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
10.2%
+6.8 ptssince 2009
from 3.4% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
4.3%
+1.1 ptssince 2009
from 3.2% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
4.5%
−6.3 ptssince 2009
from 10.8% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
4.8%
+0.7 ptssince 2011
from 4.1% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
56.8%
−8.2 ptssince 2011
from 65.0% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
16.5%
+0.5 ptssince 2009
from 16.0% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
34.4%
−29.1 ptssince 2009
from 63.5% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
47.7%
+1.7 ptssince 2009
from 46.0% in 2009
Female
52.3%
−1.7 ptssince 2009
from 54.0% in 2009
Foreign born
2.4%
+1.5 ptssince 2009
from 0.9% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
10.0%
−34.7 ptssince 2009
from 44.7% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
8.9%
−8.9 ptssince 2012
from 17.8% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
1.7%
−89.0 ptssince 2013
from 90.7% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
83.1%
+7.0 ptssince 2017
from 76.1% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
95.9%
+1.3 ptssince 2016
from 94.5% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
3.9%
+0.1 ptssince 2016
from 3.9% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Harlan, Iowa?

Harlan, Iowa has about 4,891 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Harlan, Iowa?

The typical household in Harlan, Iowa earns about $57,488 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Harlan, Iowa expensive?

In Harlan, Iowa, the median home is worth about $152,500, and the typical rent is about $783 a month.

How educated are people in Harlan, Iowa?

About 22.1% of adults age 25 and over in Harlan, Iowa hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Harlan, Iowa?

About 9.1% of people in Harlan, Iowa live below the federal poverty line.

Has Harlan, Iowa grown since 1990?

Yes, Harlan, Iowa has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 257 residents, a change of about -5 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

How we source and harmonize this data →