Harlan County Demographics

A map of Harlan County's Population by Race

Harlan County, Kentucky has an estimated population of 25,772, a decrease from the 26,831 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 93.9% White, 3.6% Multiracial, 1.3% Black, 0.5% Hispanic, 0.4% Native American/Other, and 0.2% Asian. This demographic dot map shows the population of Harlan County, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Harlan has become less racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is considerably less diverse than Kentucky overall. Demographers use a diversity index to measure the probability that two randomly selected individuals belong to different racial or ethnic groups. In Harlan County, that probability was 13.0% in 2020 and 11.6% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Harlan County is ranked the 44th most populous county in Kentucky, out of 120 counties. Harlan County was ranked the 41st most populous county in the 2020 Census.

Harlan County's White Population

24,205 residents of Harlan County, or 93.9% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Harlan County is considerably higher than in Kentucky overall, where 81.5% of the population is White. Harlan County ranks 40th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 120 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Harlan County's White population has declined by an estimated 3.2%. White residents' share of Harlan County's population has increased from 93.2% to 93.9%.

Harlan County is more White than neighboring Lee County (91.6% White), and Perry County (93.7% White). Harlan County is less White than neighboring Leslie County (96.5% White), Hancock County (95.3% White), and Letcher County (96.5% White).

Harlan County's Black Population

328 residents of Harlan County, or 1.3% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Harlan County is lower than in Kentucky overall, where 7.6% of the population is Black. Harlan County ranks 61st statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 120 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Harlan County's Black population has declined by an estimated 39.4%. Black residents' share of Harlan County's population has decreased from 2.0% to 1.3%.

Harlan County is more Black than neighboring Leslie County (0.2% Black), Hancock County (0.6% Black), and Letcher County (0.6% Black). Harlan County is less Black than neighboring Lee County (4.2% Black), and Perry County (1.7% Black).

Harlan County's Asian Population

58 residents of Harlan County, or 0.2% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Harlan County is comparable to the share in Kentucky overall, where 1.6% of the population is Asian. Harlan County ranks 60th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 120 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Harlan County's Asian population has declined by an estimated 31.8%. Asian residents' share of Harlan County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.2%.

Harlan County is more Asian than neighboring Leslie County (0.1% Asian). Harlan County is less Asian than neighboring Hancock County (0.3% Asian), and Perry County (0.6% Asian).

Harlan County's Hispanic Population

135 residents of Harlan County, or 0.5% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Harlan County is slightly lower than in Kentucky overall, where 5% of the population is Hispanic. Harlan County ranks 102nd statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 120 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Harlan County's Hispanic population has declined by an estimated 49.1%. Hispanic residents' share of Harlan County's population has decreased from 1.0% to 0.5%.

Harlan County is more Hispanic than neighboring Leslie County (0.1% Hispanic), and Perry County (0.2% Hispanic). Harlan County is less Hispanic than neighboring Lee County (2.4% Hispanic), Hancock County (1.5% Hispanic), and Letcher County (0.8% Hispanic).

Harlan County's Native American/Other Population

114 residents of Harlan County, or 0.4% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Harlan County is comparable to the share in Kentucky overall, where 0.4% of the population is Native American/Other. Harlan County ranks 78th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 120 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Harlan County's Native American/Other population has grown by an estimated 11.8%. Native American/Other residents' share of Harlan County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.4%.

Harlan County is more Native American/Other than neighboring Leslie County (0% Native American/Other), and Hancock County (0% Native American/Other).

Harlan County's Multiracial Population

932 residents of Harlan County, or 3.6% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Harlan County is comparable to the share in Kentucky overall, where 3.9% of the population is Multiracial. Harlan County ranks 70th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 120 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Harlan County's Multiracial population has grown by an estimated 11.4%. Multiracial residents' share of Harlan County's population has increased from 3.1% to 3.6%.

Harlan County is more Multiracial than neighboring Lee County (1.3% Multiracial), Leslie County (3.1% Multiracial), Hancock County (2.3% Multiracial), Perry County (3.3% Multiracial), and Letcher County (1.5% Multiracial).

Sources: Most recent population estimates are from the 2020-2024 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. 2020 population counts and map data are from 2020 Census State Redistricting Data. Geographic data are from Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles.