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COUNTY · 2020 ACS

Harlan County

Kentucky · 26,831 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 $28,261. Population has fallen 19% since 2000, a loss of 6,371 residents. 10% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 33%. Median home value has risen by half since 2000, reaching $64,100. The poverty rate of 34.2% is well above the national figure. Households here earn about 46% less than the Kentucky median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Older
median age 42.3
US median: 38.8
Less educated
10% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
26,831
−19%since 2000
from 33,202 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
58 / sq mi
−19%since 2000
from 71 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
42.3
+12%since 2000
from 37.8 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
25K28K31K34K38K1990201020202024Harlan County
202426K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$28,261
+1%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $18,665 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$17,385
+50%since 2000
from $11,585 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
15.0%
+2.8 ptssince 2009
from 12.2% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
34.2%
+1.7 ptssince 2000
from 32.5% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Information13.1%
US avg: 11.1%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing9.9%
US avg: 1.7%
Manufacturing8.7%
US avg: 0.5%
Wholesale trade7.5%
US avg: 6.7%
Retail trade6%
US avg: 10%
Finance & insurance5.4%
US avg: 5.5%
Other services3.8%
US avg: 6.6%
Professional, scientific, technical3.7%
US avg: 4.7%
Public administration2.4%
US avg: 4.7%
Education & health services1.7%
US avg: 0.8%
Arts, entertainment, food1.6%
US avg: 2%
Construction1.2%
US avg: 1.2%
Transportation & warehousing0.9%
US avg: 2.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$64,100
+13%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $37,600 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$541
+18%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $306 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
67.4%
−6.0 ptssince 2000
from 73.5% in 2000
32.6% rent
Afford Score
2.3
+13%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)
Segregation Score0%
2020
White, non-Hispanic93.2%(25,001)
Black2%(541)
Hispanic / Latino1%(265)
Asian0.3%(85)
Other1.8%(479)
Diversity Score12.5%(3,366)
Segregation Score19.9%(5,347)
Diversity Score
13
+44%since 2000
from 9 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Segregation Score
20
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
10.4%
+1.6 ptssince 2000
from 8.9% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
73.2%
+14.5 ptssince 2000
from 58.7% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
5.6%
+1.0 ptssince 2000
from 4.5% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
23.0 min
+20%since 2000
from 19.2 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
79.2%
−1.0 ptssince 2009
from 80.2% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
11.4%
+1.6 ptssince 2009
from 9.7% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
12.5%
+2.9 ptssince 2011
from 9.6% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
37.2%
−1.8 ptssince 2011
from 39.0% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
27.9%
−25.9 ptssince 2009
from 53.8% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
48.1%
+0.3 ptssince 2009
from 47.8% in 2009
Female
51.9%
−0.3 ptssince 2009
from 52.2% in 2009
Foreign born
0.6%
+0.3 ptssince 2009
from 0.3% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
5.0%
−75.0 ptssince 2013
from 80.0% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
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+48%
Home value$98,900+54%
Population21,642−12%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
HARLAN COUNTY VS
Leslie County
Income$35,934+27%
Home value$69,000+8%
Population9,627−61%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
HARLAN COUNTY VS
Hancock County
Income$34,960+24%
Home value$134,500+110%
Population7,075−71%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
HARLAN COUNTY VS
Perry County
Income$42,181+49%
Home value$91,800+43%
Population26,555+7%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Harlan County, Kentucky?

Harlan County, Kentucky has about 26,831 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Harlan County, Kentucky earns about $28,261 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 $64,100, and the typical rent is about $541 a month.

How educated are people in Harlan County, Kentucky?

About 10.4% 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 34.2% 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 9,743 residents, a change of about -27 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

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