All Countries
Harlan, IA
Full City Profile · Iowa · Shelby County County
3.1
/5.0
B
Good
4,896
Population
1,108/sq mi density
$54,923
Median Income
$36,327 per capita
$137,500
Home Value
$197,350 Zillow
$856
Median Rent
30.1% income on rent
50°F
Avg Temperature
275 sunny days/yr
146
Violent Crime/100K
188 property/100K
B
Overall
3.1 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.5 / 5.0
$54,923 median income, 3.6% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$137,500 home value, $856/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
146 violent crimes/100K
C+
Education
2.7 / 5.0
21.6% bachelor's degree or higher
Harlan experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 50°F (10°C). Winters average 21°F in January while summers reach 75°F in July. The area gets 275 sunny days per year. Annual precipitation totals 34.3 inches. The area receives 30.5 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.
Temperature
21°F Jan (-6°C)
75°F Jul (24°C)
| Annual Average | 49.5°F |
| 8% below US avg | |
| January Average | 21°F (-6°C) |
| July Average | 75°F (24°C) |
| Sunny Days | 275 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,272 ft (388 m) |
| Area | 4.4 sq mi (11.4 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,108/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 41.6495°N, 95.3268°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Shelby County County |
| Nearest Airport | Eppley Airfield (OMA) 38 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 43.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 22.8 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 10.6 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 87.4 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Hurricane | No Rating |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | Relatively Moderate |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Very Low |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Low |
| Drought | Relatively Moderate |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Relatively Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 21°F (-6°C) | 0.7 in | Coldest, Driest |
| February | 26°F (-4°C) | 0.8 in | |
| March | 37°F (3°C) | 2.1 in | |
| April | 50°F (10°C) | 3.2 in | |
| May | 61°F (16°C) | 4.3 in | |
| June | 71°F (22°C) | 4.4 in | Wettest |
| July | 75°F (24°C) | 3.8 in | Warmest |
| August | 72°F (22°C) | 3.7 in | |
| September | 64°F (18°C) | 4.2 in | |
| October | 52°F (11°C) | 2.6 in | |
| November | 37°F (3°C) | 1.5 in | |
| December | 24°F (-5°C) | 1.1 in |
Harlan has a seasonal temperature swing of 54°F / from 21°F in January to 75°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 32.3 inches, with June being the wettest month (4.4") and January the driest (0.7").