Harlan County Demographics

A map of Harlan County's Population by Race

Harlan County, Kentucky had a population of 26,831 in 2020. It was 93.2% White, 2.0% Black, 0.3% Asian, 1.0% Hispanic, 0.4% Native American/Other, and 3.1% Multiracial. This map presents the population of Harlan County, with one dot drawn for each person counted in the 2020 Census, color-coded by race.

Harlan County is the 41st most populous county of the 120 counties in Kentucky.

Harlan County's White Population

25,001 residents of Harlan County identify as White, or 93.2%. This makes the White share of the population of Harlan County slightly larger than the White share of the population of Kentucky (81.3% White). Of the 120 counties in Kentucky, Harlan County is ranked #40 in terms of White residents as a share of the population.

Harlan County is more White than neighboring Lee County (91.1% White). Harlan County is less White than neighboring Leslie County (96.7% White), Hancock County (95.9% White), Perry County (93.9% White), and Letcher County (96.4% White).

Harlan County's Black Population

541 residents of Harlan County identify as Black, or 2.0%. This makes the Black share of the population of Harlan County slightly less than the Black share of the population of Kentucky (7.9% Black). Of the 120 counties in Kentucky, Harlan County is ranked #61 in terms of Black residents as a share of the population.

Harlan County is more Black than neighboring Leslie County (0.4% Black), Hancock County (0.5% Black), Perry County (1.3% Black), and Letcher County (0.4% Black). Harlan County is less Black than neighboring Lee County (3.9% Black).

Harlan County's Asian Population

85 residents of Harlan County identify as Asian, or 0.3%. This makes the Asian share of the population of Harlan County roughly similar to the Asian share of the population of Kentucky (1.6% Asian). Of the 120 counties in Kentucky, Harlan County is ranked #60 in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population.

Harlan County is more Asian than neighboring Lee County (0.2% Asian), Leslie County (0.1% Asian), and Hancock County (0% Asian). Harlan County is less Asian than neighboring Perry County (0.9% Asian).

Harlan County's Hispanic Population

265 residents of Harlan County identify as Hispanic, or 1.0%. This makes the Hispanic share of the population of Harlan County roughly similar to the Hispanic share of the population of Kentucky (4.6% Hispanic). Of the 120 counties in Kentucky, Harlan County is ranked #102 in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population.

Harlan County is more Hispanic than neighboring Leslie County (0.7% Hispanic), Hancock County (0.6% Hispanic), Perry County (0.8% Hispanic), and Letcher County (0.6% Hispanic). Harlan County is less Hispanic than neighboring Lee County (2.1% Hispanic).

Harlan County's Native American/Other Population

102 residents of Harlan County identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other, or 0.4%. This makes the Native American/Other share of the population of Harlan County roughly similar to the Native American/Other share of the population of Kentucky (0.6% Native American/Other). Of the 120 counties in Kentucky, Harlan County is ranked #78 in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population.

Harlan County is more Native American/Other than neighboring Leslie County (0.2% Native American/Other), Perry County (0.3% Native American/Other), and Letcher County (0.3% Native American/Other). Harlan County is less Native American/Other than neighboring Lee County (0.5% Native American/Other), and Hancock County (0.5% Native American/Other).

Harlan County's Multiracial Population

837 residents of Harlan County identify as Multiracial, or 3.1%. This makes the Multiracial share of the population of Harlan County roughly similar to the Multiracial share of the population of Kentucky (3.9% Multiracial). Of the 120 counties in Kentucky, Harlan County is ranked #70 in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population.

Harlan County is more Multiracial than neighboring Lee County (2.2% Multiracial), Leslie County (1.9% Multiracial), Hancock County (2.4% Multiracial), Perry County (2.8% Multiracial), and Letcher County (2% Multiracial).

Source: 2020 Census State Redistricting Data and Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles.