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COUNTY · 2020 ACS

Harlan County

Nebraska · 3,073 residents · 553.466 sq mi
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The short version

Harlan County has lower-than-average household income, with a median household income of $51,534. Population has fallen 19% since 2000, a loss of 713 residents. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $113,900. With a median age of 50.9, the population is older than the US median of 38.8.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Older
median age 50.9
US median: 38.8
Less educated
24% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Less affordable
home values up 57%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
3,073
−19%since 2000
from 3,786 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
6 / sq mi
−19%since 2000
from 7 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
50.9
+14%since 2000
from 44.5 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
3K3K3K4K4K1990201020202024Harlan County
20243K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$51,534
+12%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $30,679 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$31,978
+105%since 2000
from $15,618 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
37.3%
+22.0 ptssince 2009
from 15.3% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
10.2%
+0.1 ptssince 2000
from 10.1% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Agriculture, forestry, fishing15.2%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction14.1%
US avg: 1.2%
Transportation & warehousing9.2%
US avg: 2.5%
Wholesale trade7.7%
US avg: 6.7%
Retail trade7.1%
US avg: 10%
Information6.4%
US avg: 11.1%
Other services5.1%
US avg: 6.6%
Public administration4.8%
US avg: 4.7%
Finance & insurance2.4%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical1.8%
US avg: 4.7%
Manufacturing1.1%
US avg: 0.5%
Arts, entertainment, food1%
US avg: 2%
Education & health services0.6%
US avg: 0.8%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$113,900
+57%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $48,300 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$677
+22%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $370 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
81.8%
+1.6 ptssince 2000
from 80.3% in 2000
18.2% rent
Afford Score
2.2
+40%since 2000
from 1.6 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Harlan County on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic98.5%(3,729)
Black0.1%(5)
Hispanic / Latino0.8%(29)
Asian0.1%(3)
Other0%
Diversity Score2.4%(92)
2020
White, non-Hispanic94.6%(2,907)
Black0%(1)
Hispanic / Latino2.9%(90)
Asian0.4%(11)
Other0.4%(14)
Diversity Score9.3%(285)
Diversity Score
9
+280%since 2000
from 2 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
23.8%
+8.5 ptssince 2000
from 15.3% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
93.4%
+7.6 ptssince 2000
from 85.8% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
4.8%
+1.4 ptssince 2000
from 3.4% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
19.5 min
+41%since 2000
from 13.9 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
77.7%
−0.2 ptssince 2009
from 77.9% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
1.5%
−2.5 ptssince 2009
from 4.0% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
1.2%
−0.6 ptssince 2011
from 1.9% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
63.2%
+0.3 ptssince 2011
from 62.9% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
35.4%
−34.1 ptssince 2009
from 69.5% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
49.9%
+1.1 ptssince 2009
from 48.8% in 2009
Female
50.1%
−1.1 ptssince 2009
from 51.2% in 2009
Foreign born
2.9%
+2.6 ptssince 2009
from 0.2% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
6.4%
−83.8 ptssince 2013
from 90.2% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Harlan County

Hamilton County
Pop 2,500
Ness County
Pop 2,617
Adams County
Pop 3,617
Sierra County
Pop 3,098
Places similar to Harlan County
Head to head

Compare Harlan County to nearby counties

HARLAN COUNTY VS
Franklin County
Income$60,195+17%
Home value$95,600−16%
Population2,795−7%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
HARLAN COUNTY VS
Phelps County
Income$68,919+34%
Home value$194,900+71%
Population8,994+200%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
HARLAN COUNTY VS
Furnas County
Income$61,048+18%
Home value$98,400−14%
Population4,524+51%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
HARLAN COUNTY VS
Phillips County
Income$62,123+21%
Home value$96,500−15%
Population4,728+58%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Harlan County, Nebraska?

Harlan County, Nebraska has about 3,073 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Harlan County, Nebraska earns about $51,534 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Harlan County, Nebraska expensive?

In Harlan County, Nebraska, the median home is worth about $113,900, and the typical rent is about $677 a month.

How educated are people in Harlan County, Nebraska?

About 23.8% of adults age 25 and over in Harlan County, Nebraska hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Harlan County, Nebraska?

About 10.2% of people in Harlan County, Nebraska live below the federal poverty line.

Has Harlan County, Nebraska grown since 1990?

Yes, Harlan County, Nebraska has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 737 residents, a change of about -19 percent over that period.

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Explore from here

1 census tract
Census Tract 9642
4 ZIP codes
ZIP 68920ZIP 68966ZIP 68971ZIP 68977
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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

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