Harlan, Kentucky Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Harlan, Kentucky had a total population of 2,160, the 159th largest city in Kentucky, with a median household income of $32,408, which is 49% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 33.1%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 49% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (33.1%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Unemployment rate of 12.0% is notably above the national average.
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 | 2,304 | 2,160 | -6.3% |
| Median household income | $30,365 | $32,408 | +6.7% |
| Median home value | $112,500 | $89,200 | -20.7% |
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: 33 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Harlan Rankings in Kentucky
Explore Kentucky Rankings
Other Cities in Harlan County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cumberland | 2,037 | $35,410 | 52.8% | $66,500 |
| South Wallins | 765 | $26,336 | 35.2% | $55,300 |
| Benham | 725 | $44,946 | 15.7% | $53,000 |
| Lynch | 709 | $30,114 | 36.7% | $58,600 |
| Evarts | 648 | $34,007 | 35.4% | $71,400 |
| Cawood | 596 | N/A | 6.4% | $69,800 |
| Pathfork | 542 | $49,571 | 21.1% | N/A |
| Loyall | 388 | $52,734 | 24.2% | $75,900 |
| Ages | 385 | $34,063 | 50.6% | $64,400 |
| Wallins Creek | 383 | N/A | 2.6% | $177,500 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hickman | 2,115 | $34,653 | $70,800 | 15.8% | 31.6% |
| Jackson | 2,015 | $32,683 | $77,500 | 13.7% | 27.1% |
| Cumberland | 2,037 | $35,410 | $66,500 | 12.3% | 52.8% |
| Dawson Springs | 1,951 | $32,838 | $70,000 | 6.3% | 30.5% |
| Greensburg | 2,106 | $39,419 | $140,400 | 14.1% | 21.4% |
Population Overview
Harlan is a small community located in Kentucky, within Harlan County. The total population is 2,160. It ranks as the 159th most populous out of 552 Census-designated places in Kentucky.
Age Demographics
The median age in Harlan is 40.8 years. This is 4% higher than the state median of 39.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Harlan is $32,408. This is 49% lower than the state median of $63,726. It is also 60% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 33.1%. This is 106% higher than the state poverty rate of 16.1%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 12.0%. This is 146% higher than the state rate of 4.9%. The median home value is $89,200. Housing costs are 57% lower than the state median of $205,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.8x, Harlan is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 41.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 40% lower than the state average of 68.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
Harlan has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 92.9% of all residents. Black or African American residents account for 2.7%. The Black or African American population (2.7%) is well below the state average of 7.5%. The Hispanic or Latino population (0.4%) is well below the state average of 5.0%.
Education
26.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 5% lower than the state rate of 27.6%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 78.8%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Harlan, Kentucky 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 Kentucky state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 552 Census-designated places in Kentucky. 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, Kentucky?
Harlan, Kentucky has a population of 2,160 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Harlan, KY?
The median household income in Harlan is $32,408, which is 60% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Harlan, KY?
The poverty rate in Harlan is 33.1%. This means approximately 715 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Harlan, Kentucky?
Harlan's population is 92.9% White, 2.7% Black, 0.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.5% Asian.
What is the median home value in Harlan, KY?
The median home value in Harlan is $89,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.8x.
How educated is Harlan, Kentucky?
26.3% of adults (25+) in Harlan hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 14.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.