Harlan, Indiana Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Harlan, Indiana had a total population of 1,254, the 307th largest community in Indiana, with a median household income of $75,313, which is 5% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 5.6%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Only 9.7% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.4x.
Harlan Quick Facts
How Harlan Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,333 | 1,254 | -5.9% |
| Median household income | $73,214 | $75,313 | +2.9% |
| Median home value | $166,800 | $179,200 | +7.4% |
How Harlan Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 41 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Harlan Rankings in Indiana
Explore Indiana Rankings
Other Cities in Allen County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fort Wayne | 268,589 | $61,422 | 16.0% | $188,900 |
| New Haven | 15,698 | $70,970 | 9.7% | $166,900 |
| Huntertown | 11,379 | $109,432 | 3.2% | $298,200 |
| Leo-Cedarville | 3,695 | $116,375 | 0.0% | $370,100 |
| Woodburn | 1,263 | $65,938 | 8.7% | $137,000 |
| Monroeville | 1,122 | $56,302 | 4.5% | $128,000 |
| Grabill | 1,108 | $66,563 | 5.6% | $150,200 |
| Hoagland | 845 | $61,563 | 13.9% | $183,600 |
| Zanesville | 488 | $67,212 | 10.3% | $162,500 |
Cities Similar to Harlan
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Taylorsville | 1,248 | N/A | $169,100 | 17.9% | 33.9% |
| Sunman | 1,247 | $73,413 | $194,500 | 16.8% | 8.6% |
| Thorntown | 1,212 | $73,750 | $193,800 | 17.5% | 8.5% |
| Warren | 1,274 | $67,885 | $110,900 | 20.5% | 12.4% |
| Woodburn | 1,263 | $65,938 | $137,000 | 16.5% | 8.7% |
Population Overview
Harlan is a small community located in Indiana, within Allen County. The total population is 1,254. It ranks as the 307th most populous out of 967 Census-designated places in Indiana.
Age Demographics
The median age in Harlan is 57.3 years. This is 50% higher than the state median of 38.1 years. Only 10.8% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children. 10.9% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Harlan is $75,313. This is 5% higher than the state median of $71,957. It is also 7% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 5.6%. This is 55% lower than the state poverty rate of 12.3%. The unemployment rate is 5.9%. This is 38% higher than the state rate of 4.3%. The median home value is $179,200. Housing costs are 18% lower than the state median of $218,200. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.4x, Harlan is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 79.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 12% higher than the state average of 70.5%.
Race & Ethnicity
Harlan has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 98.4% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 0.6%. The Hispanic or Latino population (0.6%) is well below the state average of 8.6%.
Education
9.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 67% lower than the state rate of 29.5%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 90.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Harlan, Indiana is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against Indiana state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 967 Census-designated places in Indiana. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Harlan, Indiana?
Harlan, Indiana has a population of 1,254 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Harlan, IN?
The median household income in Harlan is $75,313, which is 7% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Harlan, IN?
The poverty rate in Harlan is 5.6%. This means approximately 70 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Harlan, Indiana?
Harlan's population is 98.4% White, 0.0% Black, 0.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Harlan, IN?
The median home value in Harlan is $179,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.4x.
How educated is Harlan, Indiana?
9.7% of adults (25+) in Harlan hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 0.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.