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CITY · 2020 ACS

Harlan

Kentucky · 1,776 residents · 1.36 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 $26,118. Population has declined 15% since 2000. 19% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 33%. Median home value is $88,700. The poverty rate of 42.5% is well above the national figure. Households here earn about 50% less than the Kentucky median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Mid-age
median age 39.7
US median: 38.8
Less educated
19% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
More affordable
home values down 15%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
1,776
−15%since 2000
from 2,081 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,306 / sq mi
−15%since 2000
from 1,530 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
39.7
−5%since 2000
from 41.8 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
1K2K2K3K3K1990201020202024Harlan
20242K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$26,118
+1%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $17,270 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$20,322
+31%since 2000
from $15,572 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
16.0%
−6.6 ptssince 2009
from 22.6% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
42.5%
+10.1 ptssince 2000
from 32.4% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Information10%
US avg: 11.1%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing7.1%
US avg: 1.7%
Manufacturing6.6%
US avg: 0.5%
Wholesale trade5.5%
US avg: 6.7%
Finance & insurance4.3%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical4.3%
US avg: 4.7%
Other services4.1%
US avg: 6.6%
Public administration3%
US avg: 4.7%
Retail trade2.5%
US avg: 10%
Transportation & warehousing2.5%
US avg: 2.5%
Arts, entertainment, food0.7%
US avg: 2%
Construction0.5%
US avg: 1.2%
Education & health services0%
US avg: 0.8%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$88,700
−15%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $69,400 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$433
+11%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $259 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
46.7%
−2.7 ptssince 2000
from 49.4% in 2000
53.3% rent
Afford Score
3.4
−15%since 2000
from 4.0 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Harlan on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic90.4%(1,881)
Black7%(146)
Hispanic / Latino0.6%(13)
Asian0.9%(18)
Other0%
Diversity Score19.9%(415)
2020
White, non-Hispanic87.4%(1,553)
Black4.5%(80)
Hispanic / Latino1.5%(27)
Asian1.4%(24)
Other1.9%(34)
Diversity Score22.5%(399)
Diversity Score
22
+13%since 2000
from 20 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
19.5%
+0.6 ptssince 2000
from 18.9% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
78.6%
+17.0 ptssince 2000
from 61.7% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
9.3%
+0.2 ptssince 2000
from 9.1% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
11.4 min
−10%since 2000
from 12.6 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
76.3%
−2.6 ptssince 2009
from 78.9% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
24.8%
+3.7 ptssince 2009
from 21.1% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
13.4%
+5.6 ptssince 2011
from 7.8% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
42.8%
−5.9 ptssince 2011
from 48.6% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
34.2%
−30.4 ptssince 2009
from 64.6% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
48.1%
+3.2 ptssince 2009
from 44.9% in 2009
Female
51.9%
−3.2 ptssince 2009
from 55.1% in 2009
Foreign born
2.3%
+0.4 ptssince 2009
from 1.8% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
6.0%
−78.5 ptssince 2013
from 84.5% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

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Compare Harlan to nearby cities

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Income$31,106+19%
Home value$99,900+13%
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HARLAN VS
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Home value$181,100+104%
Population33,517+1740%
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HARLAN VS
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Home value$234,100+164%
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HARLAN VS
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Income$52,317+100%
Home value$165,500+87%
Population9,292+410%
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Harlan, Kentucky?

Harlan, Kentucky has about 1,776 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Harlan, Kentucky?

The typical household in Harlan, Kentucky earns about $26,118 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Harlan, Kentucky expensive?

In Harlan, Kentucky, the median home is worth about $88,700, and the typical rent is about $433 a month.

How educated are people in Harlan, Kentucky?

About 19.5% of adults age 25 and over in Harlan, Kentucky hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Harlan, Kentucky?

About 42.5% of people in Harlan, Kentucky live below the federal poverty line.

Has Harlan, Kentucky grown since 1990?

Yes, Harlan, Kentucky has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 1,009 residents, a change of about -36 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 →