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COUNTY · 2010 ACS

Harlan County

Kentucky · 29,278 residents · 465.83 sq mi
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The short version

Harlan County has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $26,582. Population has declined 12% since 2000. 11% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 28%. Median home value is $52,500. The poverty rate of 30.7% is well above the national figure. Households here earn about 36% less than the Kentucky median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $52,703
Older
median age 40.5
US median: 37.2
Less educated
11% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 28%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $225,659
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
29,278
−12%since 2000
from 33,202 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
63 / sq mi
−12%since 2000
from 71 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 261
Median age
40.5
+7%since 2000
from 37.8 in 2000
US average: 37.2
Population, 1990 – 2024
25K28K31K34K38K1990201020202024Harlan County
202426K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$26,582
+12%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $18,665 in 2000
US average: $52,703
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$15,224
+31%since 2000
from $11,585 in 2000
US average: $27,286
Households earning $100K+
13.6%
+1.4 ptssince 2009
from 12.2% in 2009
US average: 33.3%
Poverty rate
30.7%
−1.8 ptssince 2000
from 32.5% in 2000
US average: 13.8%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.476
US average: 0.461
Workforce by industry, 2010
Information13.8%
US avg: 11.5%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing13.2%
US avg: 1.9%
Manufacturing13%
US avg: 0.5%
Retail trade6.6%
US avg: 10.9%
Wholesale trade5.4%
US avg: 7.2%
Finance & insurance3.9%
US avg: 5.1%
Other services3.3%
US avg: 7%
Professional, scientific, technical3.3%
US avg: 4.2%
Transportation & warehousing2.2%
US avg: 3.1%
Public administration2%
US avg: 4.9%
Arts, entertainment, food1.3%
US avg: 2.4%
Education & health services0.6%
US avg: 0.9%
Construction0.1%
US avg: 1.4%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$52,500
+10%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $37,600 in 2000
US average: $225,659
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$444
+15%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $306 in 2000
US average: $853
Owner-occupied
26.5%
−46.9 ptssince 2000
from 73.5% in 2000
28.6% rent
Vacancy rate
22.8%
+2.2 ptssince 2009
from 20.6% in 2009
US average: 12.1%
Owner cost-burdened
14.9%
−0.1 ptssince 2009
from 15.0% in 2009
US average: 30.9%
Renter cost-burdened
29.6%
−0.3 ptssince 2009
from 29.9% in 2009
US average: 46.8%
Afford Score
2.0
−2%since 2000
from 2.0 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Harlan County on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic95.1%(31,566)
Black2.6%(865)
Hispanic / Latino0.7%(216)
Asian0.3%(95)
Other0%
Diversity Score8.7%(2,897)
2010
White, non-Hispanic95.7%(28,030)
Black2.2%(639)
Hispanic / Latino0.7%(210)
Asian0.3%(100)
Other1.3%(388)
Diversity Score11%(3,230)
Diversity Score
11
+26%since 2000
from 9 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
11.1%
+2.3 ptssince 2000
from 8.9% in 2000
US average: 27.9%
High school or higher
68.4%
+9.6 ptssince 2000
from 58.7% in 2000
US average: 84.9%
Graduate degree
5.4%
+0.8 ptssince 2000
from 4.5% in 2000
US average: 10.2%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
23.6 min
+23%since 2000
from 19.2 min in 2000
US average: 25.2
Drive alone to work
80.5%
+0.3 ptssince 2009
from 80.2% in 2009
US average: 76.2%
Carpooled to work
13.0%
−1.3 ptssince 2009
from 14.3% in 2009
US average: 10.4%
Public transit
0.5%
+0.3 ptssince 2009
from 0.3% in 2009
US average: 4.7%
Worked from home
1.1%
−0.1 ptssince 2009
from 1.3% in 2009
US average: 4.1%
Walked to work
2.2%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 2.2% in 2009
US average: 2.8%
Biked to work
0.2%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.2% in 2009
US average: 0.5%
No vehicle available
10.8%
+1.1 ptssince 2009
from 9.7% in 2009
US average: 8.7%
Section 07

Work & employment

Self-employed
13.9%
−1.7 ptssince 2009
from 15.6% in 2009
US average: 12.9%
Management & professional
30.2%
−23.5 ptssince 2009
from 53.8% in 2009
US average: 35.2%
Section 08

People & community

Male
48.6%
+0.8 ptssince 2009
from 47.8% in 2009
Female
51.4%
−0.8 ptssince 2009
from 52.2% in 2009
Foreign born
0.2%
−0.1 ptssince 2009
from 0.3% in 2009
US average: 12.8%
Veterans
10.3%
−37.0 ptssince 2009
from 47.2% in 2009
US average: 9.9%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Harlan County

St. Francis County
Pop 21,800
Sumter County
Pop 28,801
Barbour County
Pop 24,607
Johnson County
Pop 26,225
Places similar to Harlan County
Head to head

Compare Harlan County to nearby counties

HARLAN COUNTY VS
Lee County
Income$41,827+57%
Home value$98,900+88%
Population21,642−12%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
HARLAN COUNTY VS
Leslie County
Income$35,934+35%
Home value$69,000+31%
Population9,627−61%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
HARLAN COUNTY VS
Hancock County
Income$34,960+32%
Home value$134,500+156%
Population7,075−71%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
HARLAN COUNTY VS
Perry County
Income$42,181+59%
Home value$91,800+75%
Population26,555+7%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Harlan County, Kentucky?

Harlan County, Kentucky has about 29,278 residents according to the 2010 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Harlan County, Kentucky?

The typical household in Harlan County, Kentucky earns about $26,582 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Harlan County, Kentucky expensive?

In Harlan County, Kentucky, the median home is worth about $52,500, and the typical rent is about $444 a month.

How educated are people in Harlan County, Kentucky?

About 11.1% of adults age 25 and over in Harlan County, Kentucky hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Harlan County, Kentucky?

About 30.7% of people in Harlan County, Kentucky live below the federal poverty line.

Has Harlan County, Kentucky grown since 1990?

Yes, Harlan County, Kentucky has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 7,296 residents, a change of about -20 percent over that period.

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11 census tracts
Census Tract 9710Census Tract 9709Census Tract 9702Census Tract 9707Census Tract 9706Census Tract 9713Census Tract 9701Census Tract 9705Census Tract 9704Census Tract 9708Census Tract 9703
25 ZIP codes
ZIP 40831ZIP 40828ZIP 40823ZIP 40873ZIP 40806ZIP 40810ZIP 40824ZIP 40815ZIP 40819ZIP 40855ZIP 40863ZIP 40854ZIP 40807ZIP 40927ZIP 40870ZIP 40865ZIP 40830ZIP 40818ZIP 40820ZIP 40964ZIP 40829ZIP 40843ZIP 40847ZIP 40849ZIP 40801
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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

How we source and harmonize this data →

Harlan County, Kentucky (2010): demographics, income & housing data · CensusEasy