County · Kentucky
Harlan County, Kentucky
Harlan County, Kentucky. Harlan County had 24,725 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 7.8% since 2020, while Kentucky grew 2.2%. It holds 14 places (6 cities, villages and boroughs and 8 census-designated) and 11 census tracts. GEOID 21095.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
24,725
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 26,831 · ACS 2020-2024: 25,772
Median household income
$41,693
±$4,836 (90% margin)
Kentucky: $63,726
Median home value
$73,700
±$5,865 (90% margin)
Kentucky: $205,600
Median gross rent
$678
±$31 (90% margin)
Kentucky: $967
How many people live in Harlan County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 26,831 residents in Harlan County. The Census Bureau estimates 24,725 for July 1, 2025, down 7.8% since 2020, while Kentucky grew 2.2%. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 25,772 over 466 square miles of land.
| Measure | Harlan County | Kentucky | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 25,772 | 4,534,824 | −927 |
| Households | 10,731±247 | 1,814,469 | −403 |
| Average household size | 2.35±0.05 | 2.43 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 13,036±30 | 2,023,116 | −553 |
Harlan County's population since 2000
From 33,202 in 2000 to 24,725 in 2025: down 25.5%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); PEP Vintage 2025 (CO-EST2025); 2020 Census · Check it at data.census.gov
What cities and towns are in Harlan County?
Harlan County holds 14 places: 6 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 8 census-designated places. The largest is Cumberland with 1,761 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Cumberland | 1,947 | $35,410 |
|---|---|---|
| Harlan | 1,776 | $32,408 |
| Evarts | 859 | $34,007 |
| South WallinsGEOID 2172255 | 838 | $26,336 |
| Lynch | 658 | $30,114 |
| Loyall | 638 | $52,734 |
| CawoodGEOID 2113582 | 630 | not published |
| Benham | 512 | $44,946 |
| AgesGEOID 2100514 | 345 | $34,063 |
| PathforkGEOID 2159466 | 326 | $49,571 |
| ColdironGEOID 2116354 | 222 | $58,690 |
| Wallins CreekGEOID 2180310 | 212 | not published |
| KenvirGEOID 2142112 | 204 | not published |
| CoxtonGEOID 2117938 | 176 | $21,553 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 place-by-county parts · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Harlan County?
The median resident of Harlan County is 40.9 years old; 23.7% are under 18 and 19.5% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 93.9%, then non-Hispanic residents of two or more races at 3.6%. 0.4% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Harlan County | Kentucky | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 40.9±0.6 | 39.1 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 23.7% | 22.6% | – |
| 65 years and over | 19.5%±0.2 pts | 17.3% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 0.5%±0.4 pts | 5.0% | – |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 93.9%±0.6 pts | 81.5% | −1.1 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 1.3%±0.3 pts | 7.6% | −0.9 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.2%±0.2 pts | 1.6% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.2%±0.2 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 3.6%±0.7 pts | 3.9% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.2%±0.2 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 0.4%±0.2 pts | 4.7% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 1.0%±0.4 pts | 6.8% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 5.7%±1.1 pts | 6.5% | – |
| With a disability | 27.2%±1.9 pts | 17.9% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 4.9%±1.3 pts | 6.0% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 81.7%±2.3 pts | 88.9% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 13.0%±1.7 pts | 27.6% | +2.2 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 6.7%±1.2 pts | 11.3% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 1.8%±1.1 pts | 2.4% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Harlan County earn?
Half of Harlan County's 10,731 households earn less than $41,693 a year (±$4,836), against $63,726 in Kentucky. In 2015-2019 the median was $32,586 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $9,107 after inflation. 27.4% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Harlan County | Kentucky | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $41,693±$4,836 | $63,726 | +$9,107 |
| Mean household income | $55,003±$3,898 | $87,807 | – |
| Per capita income | $22,319±$1,482 | $35,821 | +$2,052 |
| People below the poverty line | 27.4%±3.2 pts | 16.1% | −8.6 pts |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 35.0%±7.6 pts | 20.3% | −12.4 pts |
| Households receiving SNAP | 26.5%±2.6 pts | 13.2% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 84.2%±2.6 pts | 88.6% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Harlan County?
Owners occupy 71.6% of Harlan County's occupied homes and renters 28.4%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $73,700 by its owner (±$5,865). The median renter pays $678 a month including utilities, and 41.1% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Harlan County | Kentucky | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $73,700±$5,865 | $205,600 | no clear change |
| Median gross rent | $678±$31 | $967 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 41.1%±8.8 pts | 36.6% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $979±$57 | $1,433 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 71.6%±3.2 pts | 68.3% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 13,036±30 | 2,023,116 | −553 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 2.1%±1.2 pts | 0.9% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 0.0%±1.2 pts | 4.6% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 67.4%±3.3 pts | 67.5% | – |
| Mobile homes | 19.3%±3.1 pts | 10.7% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.1%±0.2 pts | 1.8% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 16.0%±2.0 pts | 9.0% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Harlan County building?
Builders took permits for 0 new housing units across Harlan County in 2025 (0 single-family), 0.0 per 1,000 residents.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual county files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Harlan County get to work?
76.8% of Harlan County's workers drive alone and 5.8% work from home. The average trip to work takes 23.8 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 9.5%.
| Measure | Harlan County | Kentucky | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 41.7%±2.4 pts | 59.7% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 9.5%±3.2 pts | 4.9% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 76.8%±4.5 pts | 76.6% | – |
| Carpooled | 14.9%±3.6 pts | 9.3% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.7%±0.5 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Walked | 1.2%±0.6 pts | 2.0% | – |
| Worked from home | 5.8%±2.3 pts | 10.2% | +2.8 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 23.8 min±2.3 | 24.0 min | no clear change |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What are Harlan County's census tracts?
Harlan County is divided into 11 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $33,381 (Tract 9706) to $59,196 (Tract 9707).
| Tract 970121095970100 | 1,596±264 | $41,310 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 970221095970200 | 3,456±640 | $35,532 |
| Tract 970321095970300 | 1,090±247 | $29,853 |
| Tract 970421095970400 | 1,095±275 | $56,268 |
| Tract 970521095970500 | 1,296±234 | $40,066 |
| Tract 970621095970600 | 2,777±494 | $33,381 |
| Tract 970721095970700 | 3,183±505 | $59,196 |
| Tract 970821095970800 | 1,090±198 | $45,417 |
| Tract 970921095970900 | 3,636±431 | $35,425 |
| Tract 971021095971000 | 4,389±448 | $39,931 |
| Tract 971321095971300 | 2,164±497 | $48,634 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Harlan County compare with Kentucky's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 44th of 120 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 118th of 120 |
| Residents per square mile | 61st of 120 |
| Median household income | 104th of 120 |
| Median home value | 117th of 120 |
| Median gross rent | 94th of 120 |
| Poverty rate | 13th of 120 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 100th of 120 |
| Median age | 67th of 120 |
Source: PlainCities ranks from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Harlan County are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' school search.