Harlan, KY

Kentucky

Harlan is a small town in Kentucky with a population of 2,304. Residents earn $30,365 per year, which is 60% below the national average.

2.6 /5.0
C+ Fair
2,304 Population 1,694/sq mi density
$30,365 Median Income $22,100 per capita
$112,500 Home Value $100,100 Zillow
$516 Median Rent
56°F Avg Temperature
238 Violent Crime/100K 5,354 property/100K
C+
Overall
2.6 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
D
Economy
1.8 / 5.0
$30,365 median income, 6.2% unemployment
A+
Affordability
4.6 / 5.0
$112,500 home value, $516/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
238 violent crimes/100K (37% below avg)
B
Education
3.1 / 5.0
26.5% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $30,365
60% lower than US avg
Home Value $112,500
60% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 238/100K
37% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 26.5%
21% lower than US avg
Median Rent $516
56% lower than US avg
Unemployment 6.2%
72% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 33.3%
169% higher than US avg

How Harlan Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population2,304
Median Age39.5 yrs
Density1,694/mi²
Male / Female41% / 59%
Largest GroupWhite 91%

Economy

D
Median Income$30,365
Per Capita$22,100
Unemployment6.2%
Poverty33.3%
County GDP$760M
Commute23 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$112,500
Rent$516
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$100,100

Crime

F
Violent238/100K
Property5,354/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault59/100K
Burglary595/100K

Health

ObesityN/A
UninsuredN/A

Climate

Avg Temp56°F
AQI41 (Good)
Rain52.2 in/yr
Elevation1,310 ft

Education

B
Bachelor's+26.5%
High School+81.7%
School Score5.42

Community

2024 VoteR 88% / D 12%
Commute23 min
EV Stations1
Libraries4

Is Harlan a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Harlan receives an overall livability score of 2.6 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C+. Key strengths include low crime rates, affordable housing, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include above-average unemployment, an elevated poverty rate, below-average incomes. Harlan has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Harlan is $30,365, 60% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate of 6.2% is somewhat elevated compared to the national rate of 3.6%. The poverty rate of 33.3% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 23 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Harlan is $112,500, 60% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $516 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. A price-to-income ratio of 3.7x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Safety & Crime

Violent crime in Harlan is below the national average at 238 per 100,000 residents (U.S. avg: 380). Property crime occurs at a rate of 5,354 per 100,000, 173% above the national average.

Education

26.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 81.7% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.4/10.

Climate & Weather

Harlan enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 56°F. Winters average 36°F in January while summers reach 75°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 52.2 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41.

Harlan has a population of 2,304 with a density of 1,694 people per square mile. The median age is 39.5 years, 2% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (91.1%), with 4.9% Black.

Population

2,304
Total Population
1,694
People / sq mi
39.5yrs
Median Age
2% above US avg
1.4mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 41.1%
Female 58.9%

Race & Ethnicity

Harlan vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only98.2%
25% above US avg
Spanish1.8%
87% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Harlan vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Harlan is $30,365, which is 60% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 6.2% (above the 3.6% US average). 33.3% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 23 minutes.

Income: Harlan vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$30,365
60% below US avg
Per Capita Income$22,100
Avg Weekly Wage$855
IRS Avg AGI$43,821

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment6.2%
72% above US avg
Poverty Rate33.3%
169% above US avg
Establishments (County)525
County GDP$760M

Business (County)

Restaurants37
Healthcare45
Retail86
Manufacturing5

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$2,525
28% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate2.24%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time22.9 min
Work from Home3.8%

Walkability

The median home value in Harlan is $112,500, 60% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $516 (56% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $100,100.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$112,500
60% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$100,100

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$516
56% below US avg

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$694
1 Bedroom$699
2 Bedrooms$866
3 Bedrooms$1,142
4 Bedrooms$1,147

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied42.6%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$2,525
28% below US avg
Effective Rate2.24%

Health Metrics: Harlan vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Behaviors & Mental Health

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate94.0%
Premature Death20,677/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment5.9/10
Exercise Access59.7%
Healthcare Facilities45
Harlan has a violent crime rate of 238 per 100,000 residents, 37% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 5,354 per 100,000 (173% above US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

Crime Rates: Harlan vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Total Violent238.0/100K
37% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape59.5/100K
Robbery119.0/100K
Assault59.5/100K

Property Crime

Total Property5,354.0/100K
173% above US avg
Burglary594.9/100K
Theft4,699.6/100K
Vehicle Theft59.5/100K
Arson59.5/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)5
FEMA Disasters91

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Harlan has an average annual temperature of 56°F (13°C). Winters average 36°F in January while summers reach 75°F in July. Annual precipitation is 52.2 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41.

Temperature

36°F Jan (2°C) 75°F Jul (24°C)
Annual Average55.9°F
4% above US avg
January Average36°F (2°C)
July Average75°F (24°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall52.2 inches
37% above US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median41.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,310 ft (399 m)
Area1.4 sq mi (3.5 km²)
Population Density1,694/sq mi
Coordinates36.8413°N, 83.3195°W
County FIPS21095
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K. 26.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (21% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 76.2-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 87.7%
D 11.6%

Winner: Republican by 76.2 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+26.5%
21% below US avg
High School+81.7%
School Test Score5.42
B Education Grade (3.1/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 7Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K
Population Density1,694/sq mi
Total Area1.4 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations1
Alt Fuel Stations2
Public Libraries4
Healthcare Facilities45
Restaurants37
Retail Stores86

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)5
FEMA Disaster Declarations91
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute22.9 min
Work from Home3.8%

Nearby Cities

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