Harlan County Demographics

A map of Harlan County's Population by Race

Harlan County, Nebraska has an estimated population of 2,847, a decrease from the 3,073 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 94.1% White, 2.8% Multiracial, 1.8% Hispanic, 1.2% Asian, 0.1% Black, and 0.0% Native American/Other. 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 slightly more racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is considerably less diverse than Nebraska 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 10.4% in 2020 and 11.3% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Harlan County is ranked the 67th most populous county in Nebraska, out of 93 counties. Harlan County was ranked the 65th most populous county in the 2020 Census.

Harlan County's White Population

2,680 residents of Harlan County, or 94.1% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Harlan County is significantly higher than in Nebraska overall, where 75.3% of the population is White. Harlan County ranks 15th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 93 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Harlan County's White population has declined by an estimated 7.8%. White residents' share of Harlan County's population has decreased from 94.6% to 94.1%.

Harlan County is more White than neighboring Phelps County (89.5% White), Phillips County (91.6% White), Franklin County (92.7% White), Furnas County (91.4% White), and Gosper County (89.8% White).

Harlan County's Black Population

4 residents of Harlan County, or 0.1% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Harlan County is slightly lower than in Nebraska overall, where 4.6% of the population is Black. Harlan County ranks 80th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 93 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Harlan County's Black population has grown by an estimated 300.0%. Black residents' share of Harlan County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.1%.

Harlan County is more Black than neighboring Gosper County (0% Black). Harlan County is less Black than neighboring Phelps County (0.9% Black), Phillips County (0.7% Black), and Furnas County (0.4% Black).

Harlan County's Asian Population

33 residents of Harlan County, or 1.2% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Harlan County is comparable to the share in Nebraska overall, where 2.6% of the population is Asian. Harlan County ranks 41st statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 93 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Harlan County's Asian population has grown by an estimated 200.0%. Asian residents' share of Harlan County's population has increased from 0.4% to 1.2%.

Harlan County is more Asian than neighboring Phelps County (0% Asian), Phillips County (0.4% Asian), Franklin County (0% Asian), Furnas County (0.2% Asian), and Gosper County (0.6% Asian).

Harlan County's Hispanic Population

51 residents of Harlan County, or 1.8% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Harlan County is considerably lower than in Nebraska overall, where 12.7% of the population is Hispanic. Harlan County ranks 65th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 93 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Harlan County's Hispanic population has declined by an estimated 43.3%. Hispanic residents' share of Harlan County's population has decreased from 2.9% to 1.8%.

Harlan County is less Hispanic than neighboring Phelps County (6.9% Hispanic), Phillips County (3.4% Hispanic), Franklin County (3.5% Hispanic), Furnas County (5.1% Hispanic), and Gosper County (7.4% Hispanic).

Harlan County's Native American/Other Population

0 residents of Harlan County, or 0.0% 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 Nebraska overall, where 1% of the population is Native American/Other. Harlan County ranks 85th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 93 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Harlan County's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 100.0%. Native American/Other residents' share of Harlan County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.0%.

Harlan County is less Native American/Other than neighboring Phelps County (0.4% Native American/Other), Phillips County (0.6% Native American/Other), Franklin County (0.6% Native American/Other), Furnas County (1% Native American/Other), and Gosper County (0.3% Native American/Other).

Harlan County's Multiracial Population

79 residents of Harlan County, or 2.8% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Harlan County is comparable to the share in Nebraska overall, where 3.8% of the population is Multiracial. Harlan County ranks 73rd statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 93 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Harlan County's Multiracial population has grown by an estimated 33.9%. Multiracial residents' share of Harlan County's population has increased from 1.9% to 2.8%.

Harlan County is more Multiracial than neighboring Phelps County (2.3% Multiracial), Furnas County (2% Multiracial), and Gosper County (1.9% Multiracial). Harlan County is less Multiracial than neighboring Phillips County (3.2% Multiracial), and Franklin County (3.1% 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.