Harlan, KY Demographics

A map of Harlan's Population by Race

Race	2024 Pop	2020 Pop	2024 %	2020 %
White	2,006	1,553	92.9%	87.4%
Black	58	80	2.7%	4.5%
Multiracial	56	78	2.6%	4.4%
Asian	32	24	1.5%	1.4%
Hispanic	8	27	0.4%	1.5%
Native American/Other	0	14	0.0%	0.8%

Harlan, Kentucky has an estimated population of 2,160, a large increase from the 1,776 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 92.9% White, 2.7% Black, 2.6% Multiracial, 1.5% Asian, 0.4% Hispanic, and 0.0% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of Harlan, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Harlan has become considerably 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, that probability was 23.1% in 2020 and 13.6% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Harlan is ranked the 159th most populous place in Kentucky, out of 554 places. This ranking is based on the Census definition of a place, which includes incorporated places like cities, towns, and villages, as well as unincorporated census-designated places (CDPs). Harlan was ranked the 174th most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Harlan's White Population

2,006 residents of Harlan, or 92.9% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Harlan is considerably higher than in Kentucky overall, where 81.5% of the population is White. Harlan ranks 358th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 554 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Harlan's White population has grown by an estimated 29.2%. White residents' share of Harlan's population has increased from 87.4% to 92.9%.

Harlan is more White than neighboring Loyall (90.2% White), and Coxton (92.7% White). Harlan is less White than neighboring Ages (100% White), South Wallins (100% White), and Wallins Creek (100% White).

Harlan's Black Population

58 residents of Harlan, or 2.7% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Harlan is slightly lower than in Kentucky overall, where 7.6% of the population is Black. Harlan ranks 148th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 554 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Harlan's Black population has declined by an estimated 27.5%. Black residents' share of Harlan's population has decreased from 4.5% to 2.7%.

Harlan is more Black than neighboring Loyall (0% Black), Coxton (0% Black), Ages (0% Black), South Wallins (0% Black), and Wallins Creek (0% Black).

Harlan's Asian Population

32 residents of Harlan, or 1.5% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Harlan is comparable to the share in Kentucky overall, where 1.6% of the population is Asian. Harlan ranks 102nd statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 554 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Harlan's Asian population has grown by an estimated 33.3%. Asian residents' share of Harlan's population has remained roughly unchanged at 1.5%.

Harlan is more Asian than neighboring Loyall (0% Asian), Coxton (0% Asian), Ages (0% Asian), South Wallins (0% Asian), and Wallins Creek (0% Asian).

Harlan's Hispanic Population

8 residents of Harlan, or 0.4% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Harlan is slightly lower than in Kentucky overall, where 5% of the population is Hispanic. Harlan ranks 376th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 554 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Harlan's Hispanic population has declined by an estimated 70.4%. Hispanic residents' share of Harlan's population has decreased from 1.5% to 0.4%.

Harlan is more Hispanic than neighboring Loyall (0% Hispanic), Coxton (0% Hispanic), Ages (0% Hispanic), South Wallins (0% Hispanic), and Wallins Creek (0% Hispanic).

Harlan's Native American/Other Population

0 residents of Harlan, 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 is comparable to the share in Kentucky overall, where 0.4% of the population is Native American/Other. Harlan ranks 118th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 554 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Harlan's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 100.0%. Native American/Other residents' share of Harlan's population has decreased from 0.8% to 0.0%.

Harlan is less Native American/Other than neighboring Loyall (1.5% Native American/Other), and Coxton (7.3% Native American/Other).

Harlan's Multiracial Population

56 residents of Harlan, or 2.6% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Harlan is comparable to the share in Kentucky overall, where 3.9% of the population is Multiracial. Harlan ranks 198th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 554 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Harlan's Multiracial population has declined by an estimated 28.2%. Multiracial residents' share of Harlan's population has decreased from 4.4% to 2.6%.

Harlan is more Multiracial than neighboring Coxton (0% Multiracial), Ages (0% Multiracial), South Wallins (0% Multiracial), and Wallins Creek (0% Multiracial). Harlan is less Multiracial than neighboring Loyall (8.2% 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.