Harlan city, Iowa Demographics & Population 2026

Population Overview

Harlan city is a small community located in Iowa, within Shelby County. The total population is 4,896. It ranks as the 89th most populous out of 1,018 cities and towns in Iowa.

Age Demographics

The median age in Harlan city is 48.2 years. This is 25% higher than the state median of 38.6 years. 13.4% 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 city is $54,923. This is 25% lower than the state median of $73,147. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 30% lower. The poverty rate stands at 10.9%. This is about average than the state poverty rate of 11.0%. The unemployment rate is 6.2%. This is 70% higher than the state rate of 3.6%. The median home value is $137,500. Housing costs are 30% lower than the state median of $195,900. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.5x, Harlan city is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 68.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 4% lower than the state average of 71.5%.

Race & Ethnicity

Harlan city has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 91.1% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 3.1%. The Black or African American population (0.9%) is well below the state average of 3.8%. The Hispanic or Latino population (3.1%) is well below the state average of 7.0%.

Education

21.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 30% lower than the state rate of 30.9%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 93.0%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Harlan city, Iowa is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against Iowa state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,018 Census-designated places in Iowa. For official data, visit data.census.gov.