Harlan County, KY

County

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2020 Population

26,307

1.47% 1-year decline

US Senator

Mitch McConnell

Republican Party

US Senator

Rand Paul

Republican Party

2020 Median Age

41.3

0% 1-year change

2020 Poverty Rate

34.2%

4.84% 1-year decrease

2020 Median Household Income

$28,261

6.73% 1-year growth

2020 Median Property Value

$64,100

6.3% 1-year growth

2020 Employed Population

6,804

5.16% 1-year decline

About

In 2020, Harlan County, KY had a population of 26.3k people with a median age of 41.3 and a median household income of $28,261. Between 2019 and 2020 the population of Harlan County, KY declined from 26,699 to 26,307, a −1.47% decrease and its median household income grew from $26,478 to $28,261, a 6.73% increase.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in Harlan County, KY are White (Non-Hispanic) (94.9%), Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) (1.96%), Two+ (Non-Hispanic) (1.71%), White (Hispanic) (0.551%), and Asian (Non-Hispanic) (0.327%).

None of the households in Harlan County, KY reported speaking a non-English language at home as their primary shared language. This does not consider the potential multi-lingual nature of households, but only the primary self-reported language spoken by all members of the household.

99.7% of the residents in Harlan County, KY are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Harlan County, KY are Southeast Kentucky Community and Technical College (1,005 degrees awarded in 2020).

In 2020, the median property value in Harlan County, KY was $64,100, and the homeownership rate was 69.4%. Most people in Harlan County, KY drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 23 minutes. The average car ownership in Harlan County, KY was 2 cars per household.

Harlan County, KY borders Bell County, KY, Leslie County, KY, Letcher County, KY, Perry County, KY, Lee County, VA, and Wise County, VA.

United States Kentucky

Diversity

Harlan County, KY is home to a population of 26.3k people, from which 99.7% are citizens. As of 2020, 0.601% of Harlan County, KY residents were born outside of the country (158 people).

In 2020, there were 48.5 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (25k people) in Harlan County, KY than any other race or ethnicity. There were 515 Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) and 449 Two+ (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Harlan County, KY

White (Non-Hispanic)
25k ± 58
Black or African American (Non-Hispanic)
515 ± 85
Two+ (Non-Hispanic)
449 ± 103

1.01%

Hispanic Population

267 people

1.01% of the people in Harlan County, KY are hispanic (267 people).

The following chart shows the 7 races represented in Harlan County, KY as a share of the total population.

Heritage

Foreign-Born Population

0.601%

2020 Foreign-Born Population

158 people

0.562%

2019 Foreign-Born Population

150 people

As of 2020, 0.601% of Harlan County, KY residents (158 people) were born outside of the United States, which is lower than the national average of 13.5%. In 2019, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Harlan County, KY was 0.562%, meaning that the rate has been increasing.

The following chart shows the percentage of foreign-born residents in Harlan County, KY compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Age by Nativity

Median Native-Born Age

± 0.8

Median Foreign-Born Age

± 17.1

In 2020, the median age of all people in Harlan County, KY was 41.3. Native-born citizens, with a median age of 41, were generally younger than foreign-born citizens, with a median age of 42. But people in Harlan County, KY are getting staying the same age. In 2019, the average age of all Harlan County, KY residents was 41.

Global Diversity

The PUMS dataset is not available at the County level, so we are showing data for Kentucky.

Most Common Origin

Mexico
29,760 ± 4,221 people
India
12,679 ± 2,761 people
Cuba
12,635 ± 2,756 people

In 2020, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Kentucky was Mexico, the natal country of 29,760 Kentucky residents, followed by India with 12,679 and Cuba with 12,635.

Citizenship

99.7%

2020 Citizenship

99.7%

2019 Citizenship

As of 2020, 99.7% of Harlan County, KY residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.4%. In 2019, the percentage of US citizens in Harlan County, KY was 99.7%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been decreasing.

The following chart shows US citizenship percentages in Harlan County, KY compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Vietnam
481 ± 107
Gulf War (2001-)
186 ± 90
Gulf War (1990s)
185 ± 88

Harlan County, KY has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 2.59 times greater than any other conflict.

COVID-19

Daily New Cases by Date

Showing data at the state level for Kentucky. Hospitalization data for some states may be delayed or not reported.

Y-Axis

This chart shows the number of COVID-19 daily new cases by date in Kentucky, as a 7-day rolling average, compared with the four states with the most similar number of confirmed cases.

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Unemployment Insurance Claims

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Kentucky.

This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in Kentucky (not-seasonally adjusted) compared with the four states with the most similar impact.

The most recent data point uses Advance State Claims data, which can be revised in subsequent weeks.

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Employment by Industry Sector

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Kentucky.

Y-Axis

8.45%

Year-over-year growth

Employment change between May 2020 and May 2021

As of May 2021, there are 145M people employed in Kentucky. This represents a 8.45% increase in employment when compared to May 2020.

The following chart shows monthly employment numbers for each industry sector in Kentucky.

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Community Mobility

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Kentucky.

This chart presents movement trends over time in the state of Kentucky across different categories of places such as retail and recreation, groceries and pharmacies, parks, transit stations, workplaces, and residential.

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Economy

Median household income in Harlan County, KY is $28,261. In 2020, the tract with the highest Median Household Income in Harlan County, KY was Census Tract 9701 with a value of $40,433, followed by Census Tract 9706 and Census Tract 9707, with respective values of $36,250 and $33,512.

Males in Kentucky have an average income that is 1.34 times higher than the average income of females, which is $45,693. The income inequality in Kentucky (measured using the Gini index) is 0.454, which is lower than than the national average.

The economy of Harlan County, KY employs 6.8k people. The largest industries in Harlan County, KY are Health Care & Social Assistance (1,215 people), Retail Trade (889 people), and Educational Services (889 people), and the highest paying industries are Finance & Insurance ($78,026), Information ($66,313), and Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction ($50,833).

Wages

Median Household Income

$28,261

2020 value

± $2,426

6.73%

1 Year Growth

± 11%

Households in Harlan County, KY have a median annual income of $28,261, which is less than the median annual income of $64,994 across the entire United States. This is in comparison to a median income of $26,478 in 2019, which represents a 6.73% annual growth.

The following chart shows how the median household income in Harlan County, KY compares to that of its neighboring and parent geographies.

Wage by Sex in Common Jobs

The PUMS dataset is not available at the County level, so we are showing data for Kentucky.

$61,066

Average Male Salary in Kentucky

± $1,652

$45,693

Average Female Salary in Kentucky

± $1,209

In 2020, full-time male employees in Kentucky made 1.34 times more than female employees.

This chart shows the sex-based wage disparity in the 5 most common occupations in Kentucky by number of full-time employees.

Wage by Race and Ethnicity in Common Jobs

The PUMS dataset is not available at the County level, so we are showing data for Kentucky.

Highest Average Salaries by Race & Ethnicity in Kentucky

Asian
$60,506 ± $10,478
White
$47,864 ± $1,011
Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander
$39,200 ± $24,626

In 2020 the highest paid race/ethnicity of Kentucky workers was Asian. These workers were paid 1.26 times more than White workers, who made the second highest salary of any race/ethnicity in Kentucky.

This chart shows the race- and ethnicity-based wage disparities in the 5 most common occupations in Kentucky by number of full-time employees.

Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for Harlan County, KY is from Kentucky.

0.454

2020 Wage GINI in Kentucky

0.456

2019 Wage GINI in Kentucky

In 2020, the income inequality in Kentucky was 0.454 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.305% decline from 2019 to 2020, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for Kentucky was lower than than the national average of 0.478. In other words, wages are distributed more evenly in Kentucky in comparison to the national average.

This chart shows the number of workers in Kentucky across various wage buckets compared to the national average.

Income by Location

Use the dropdown to filter by race/ethnicity.

Race/Ethnicity

Highest Median Household Income (Total)

Census Tract 9701
Census Tract 9706
Census Tract 9707

In 2020, the tract with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Harlan County, KY was Census Tract 9701 with a value of $40,433, followed by Census Tract 9706 and Census Tract 9707, with respective values of $36,250 and $33,512.

The following map shows all of the tracts in Harlan County, KY colored by their Median Household Income (Total).

Poverty by Age and Sex

Females 25 - 34

Largest Demographic Living in Poverty

34.2% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Harlan County, KY (8.76k out of 25.6k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 12.8%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 25 - 34, followed by Males 45 - 54 and then Females 35 - 44.

The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold than that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.

Poverty by Race and Ethnicity

Largest Race or Ethnicity Living in Poverty

White
8,319 ± 532
Black
238 ± 101
Two Or More
183 ± 91

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Harlan County, KY is White, followed by Black and Two Or More.

Occupations

Employment by Occupations

6.8k

2020 Value

± 494

−5.16%

1 Year decline

± 10.4%

From 2019 to 2020, employment in Harlan County, KY declined at a rate of −5.16%, from 7.17k employees to 6.8k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Harlan County, KY, are Office & Administrative Support Occupations (907 people), Construction & Extraction Occupations (826 people), and Sales & Related Occupations (582 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Harlan County, KY.

Most Common

The most common jobs held by residents of Harlan County, KY, by number of employees, are Office & Administrative Support Occupations (907 people), Construction & Extraction Occupations (826 people), and Sales & Related Occupations (582 people).

Most Specialized

Compared to other counties, Harlan County, KY has an unusually high number of residents working as Construction & Extraction Occupations (2.41 times higher than expected), Health Technologists & Technicians (2.29 times), and Law Enforcement Workers Including Supervisors (1.51 times).

Highest Paid

The highest paid jobs held by residents of Harlan County, KY, by median earnings, are Legal Occupations ($71,250), Health Diagnosing & Treating Practitioners & Other Technical Occupations ($61,838), and Management Occupations ($51,250).

Industries

Employment by Industries

6.8k

2020 Value

± 494

−5.16%

1 Year decline

± 10.4%

From 2019 to 2020, employment in Harlan County, KY declined at a rate of −5.16%, from 7.17k employees to 6.8k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Harlan County, KY, are Health Care & Social Assistance (1,215 people), Retail Trade (889 people), and Educational Services (889 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Harlan County, KY, though some of these residents may live in Harlan County, KY and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Most Common

The most common industries in Harlan County, KY, by number of employees, are Health Care & Social Assistance (1,215 people), Retail Trade (889 people), and Educational Services (889 people).

Most Specialized

Compared to other counties, Harlan County, KY has an unusually high number of Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction (18.2 times higher than expected), Management of Companies & Enterprises (4.65 times), and Utilities (2.03 times) industries.

Highest Paying

The highest paying industries in Harlan County, KY, by median earnings, are Finance & Insurance ($78,026), Information ($66,313), and Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction ($50,833).

Domestic Trade

Domestic Production & Consumption

Domestic production and consumption consists of products and services shipped from Kentucky to other states, or from other states to Kentucky.

Top Domestic Production in Dollars

In 2020, the top outbound Kentucky product (by dollars) was Motorized vehicles with $57B, followed by Electronics ($34.7B) and Machinery ($31.1B).

The following chart shows the share of these products in relation to all outbound Kentucky products.

Domestic Trade Growth

Showing data for Kentucky.

$326B

2020 Value in Kentucky

$644B

Projected 2050 Value in Kentucky

97.4% growth

In 2020, total outbound Kentucky trade was $326B. This is expected to increase 97.4% to $644B by 2050.

The following chart shows how the domestic outbound Kentucky trade is projected to change in comparison to its neighboring states.

Interstate Trade

Interstate trade consists of products and services shipped from Kentucky to other states, or from other states to Kentucky.

Most Common Trade Partners

Tennessee
$24.4B
Ohio
$18.8B
California
$17.9B

In 2020, the top outbound Kentucky domestic partner for goods and services (by dollars) was Tennessee with $24.4B, followed by Ohio with $18.8B and California and $17.9B.

The following map shows the amount of trade that Kentucky shares with each state (excluding itself).

Civics

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in Harlan County, KY went to Donald J. Trump with 85.4% of the vote. The runner-up was Joseph R Biden Jr. (13.6%), followed by Jo Jorgensen (0.738%). The most partisan county was Leslie County, KY with 89.8% of the vote going to Donald J. Trump running for the Republican Party.

Mitch McConnell and Rand Paul are the senators currently representing the state of Kentucky. In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

Kentucky is currently represented by 6 members in the U.S. house, and members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms.

Presidential Popular Vote Over Time

2020 Election Results

Donald J. Trump (85.4%)
Republican Party
Joseph R Biden Jr. (13.6%)
Democratic Party
Jo Jorgensen (0.738%)
Libertarian Party

The following chart shows the popular vote results in Harlan County, KY for each registered party from 1976 to 2020.

Presidential Popular Vote by County

Presidential voting results are only available at the county level. Showing data for the counties inside of Kentucky.

Donald J. Trump

Popular Vote for Harlan County, KY

85.4% for the Republican Party

Most Partisan Counties in Kentucky

Leslie County, KY
89.8% for Donald J. Trump (Republican Party)
Jackson County, KY
89.2% for Donald J. Trump (Republican Party)
Martin County, KY
89% for Donald J. Trump (Republican Party)

In the 2020 presidential election, the most partisan county in Kentucky was Leslie County, KY with 89.8% of the vote going to Donald J. Trump running for the Republican Party.

The following map shows the counties in Kentucky colored by their party leaning.

US Senators from Kentucky

Senatorial voting results are only available at the state level. Showing data for Kentucky.

Mitch McConnell

Senator from Kentucky

Assumed office on January 3, 1985

Rand Paul

Senator from Kentucky

Assumed office on January 3, 2011

Mitch McConnell and Rand Paul are the senators currently representing Kentucky.

In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

The following chart shows elected senators in Kentucky over time, excluding special elections, colored by their political party.

US Representatives from Kentucky

Kentucky is currently represented by 6 members in the U.S. house.

Members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms, and the following chart shows the how the members for Kentucky have changed over time starting in 2008.

Education

In 2020, universities in Harlan County, KY awarded 1,005 degrees. The student population of Harlan County, KY is skewed towards women, with 1,161 male students and 1,344 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Harlan County, KY are White (932 and 92.7%), followed by Unknown (30 and 2.99%), Black or African American (16 and 1.59%), and Two or More Races (12 and 1.19%).

The largest universities in Harlan County, KY by number of degrees awarded are Southeast Kentucky Community and Technical College (1,005 and 100%).

The most popular majors in Harlan County, KY are Liberal Arts & Sciences (249 and 24.8%), Licensed Practical & Vocational Nurse Training (149 and 14.8%), and Medical Assistant (90 and 8.96%).

Concentrations

Most Common

Respiratory Care Therapist
17 degree-majorss awarded
Liberal Arts & Sciences
249 degree-majorss awarded
Registered Nursing
48 degree-majorss awarded

In 2020, the most common concentation for Associates Degree recipients in Harlan County, KY was Respiratory Care Therapist with 17 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a Associates Degree from schools in Harlan County, KY according to their major.

Universities

Southeast Kentucky Community and Technical College

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

1,005 degrees awarded

In 2020, the Harlan County, KY institution with the largest number of graduating students was Southeast Kentucky Community and Technical College with 1,005 degrees awarded.

Student Sex for Common Institutions

471

Degrees Awarded to Men

534

Degrees Awarded to Women

In 2020, 471 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Harlan County, KY, which is 0.882 times less than the 534 female students who received degrees in the same year.

This chart displays the sex disparity between the institutions in Harlan County, KY by degrees awarded.

Student Race and Ethnicity

Most Common Student Race or Ethnicity

White
932 degrees awarded
Unknown
30 degrees awarded
Black or African American
16 degrees awarded

In 2020 the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions in Harlan County, KY was White students. These 932 degrees mean that there were 31.1 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Unknown, with 30 degrees awarded.

Housing & Living

The median property value in Harlan County, KY was $64,100 in 2020, which is 0.279 times smaller than the national average of $229,800. Between 2019 and 2020 the median property value increased from $60,300 to $64,100, a 6.3% increase. The homeownership rate in Harlan County, KY is 69.4%, which is higher than the national average of 64.4%. People in Harlan County, KY have an average commute time of 23 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Harlan County, KY is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Housing

Property Value

$64,100

2020 Median

± $4,148

$60,300

2019 Median

± $3,570

In 2020, the median property value in Harlan County, KY grew to to $64,100 from the previous year's value of $60,300.

The following charts display, first, the property values in Harlan County, KY compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies and, second, owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property value buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Harlan County, KY the largest share of households have a property value in the $50k - $60k range.

Household Income

Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.

$28,261

Median Household Income

± $2,426

10.7k

Number of Households

± 588

In 2020, the median household income of the 10.7k households in Harlan County, KY grew to $28,261 from the previous year's value of $26,478.

The following chart displays the households in Harlan County, KY distributed between a series of income buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households have an income in the < $10k range.

Property Taxes

< $800

Average Range

This chart shows the households in Harlan County, KY distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Harlan County, KY the largest share of households pay taxes in the < $800 range.

Rent vs Own

69.4%

2020 Homeownership

68.8%

2019 Homeownership

In 2020, 69.4% of the housing units in Harlan County, KY were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 68.8%.

This percentage of owner-occupation is higher than the national average of 64.4%. This chart shows the ownership percentage in Harlan County, KY compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

Commute Time

23 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Harlan County, KY have a shorter commute time (23 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.9 minutes). Additionally, 3% of the workforce in Harlan County, KY have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

The chart below shows how the median household income in Harlan County, KY compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2020

Drove Alone (79.2%)
Carpooled (14.8%)
Worked At Home (3.51%)

In 2020, 79.2% of workers in Harlan County, KY drove alone to work, followed by those who carpooled to work (14.8%) and those who worked at home (3.51%).

The following chart shows the number of households using each mode of transportation over time, using a logarithmic scale on the y-axis to help better show variations in the smaller means of commuting.

Transportation

Car Ownership

2 cars

Average Number

The following chart displays the households in Harlan County, KY distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in Harlan County, KY have 2 cars, followed by false.

Health

95% of the population of Harlan County, KY has health coverage, with 26% on employee plans, 42.5% on Medicaid, 16.6% on Medicare, 7.66% on non-group plans, and 2.28% on military or VA plans.

Per capita personal health care spending in Kentucky was $8,004 in 2014. This is a 6.11% increase from the previous year ($7,543).

Primary care physicians in Harlan County, KY see 3773 patients per year on average, which represents a 13% increase from the previous year (3339 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 3251 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 2601 patients per year.

Comparing across all counties in the state, Knott County has the highest prevalence of diabetes (21%). Additionally, Owsley County has the highest prevalence of adult obesity (46.7%)

Patient to Clinician Ratios

3,773 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Harlan County, KY

Primary care physicians in Harlan County, KY see an average of 3,773 patients per year. This represents a 13% increase from the previous year (3,339 patients).

The following chart shows how the number of patients seen by primary care physicians has been changing over time in Harlan County, KY in comparison to its neighboring geographies.

Behavioral Health Conditions

Data only available at the state level.

State with the Highest Prevalence

West Virginia
8.26% of the population affected
Arkansas
8.13% of the population affected
New Hampshire
7.98% of the population affected

In 2016, West Virginia had the highest prevalence of adults with major depressive episode, with 8.26% of the population affected. The second highest is Arkansas (8.13%), followed by New Hampshire (7.98%).

The following map shows the percent of individuals with major depressive episode by state over multiple years.

Social Needs

Data only available at the state level.

Most prevalent states

California
35,798 individuals
New York
5,087 individuals
Florida
4,915 individuals

In 2017, California had the highest estimated number of chronically homeless individuals in the nation, at 35,798. New York has the second highest (5,087), followed by Florida (4,915).

The following map shows the estimated number of chronically homeless individuals by state over multiple years.

Access and Quality

Data only available at state level.

Most prevalent states

Mississippi
19.2% of adults
Texas
17.9% of adults
Louisiana
17.6% of adults

In 2016, Mississippi had the highest prevalence of adults who haven't seen a doctor in the past 12 months due to cost, at 19.2%. It is followed by Texas (17.9%) and Louisiana (17.6%).

The following map shows the prevalence of adults who haven't seen a doctor in the past 12 months due to cost by state over multiple years.

Health Care Spending

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Kentucky.

$8,004

Total Per Capita Spending on Personal Health Care in Kentucky

$4,551

Per Enrollee Private Health Insurance Spending on Personal Health Care

$7,016

Per Enrollee Medicaid Spending on Personal Health Care

$10,368

Per Enrollee Medicare Spending on Personal Health Care

Between 2013 and 2014, all personal health care spending per capita in Kentucky (including private, Medicare, and Medicaid) grew 6.11%, from $7,543 to $8,004.

The following chart shows how this spending changed over time in comparison to Medicaid, Medicare, and private insurance spending, per enrollee.

Health Care Coverage

5.01%

Uninsured

26%

Employer Coverage

42.5%

Medicaid

16.6%

Medicare

7.66%

Non-Group

2.28%

Military or VA

Between 2019 and 2020, the percent of uninsured citizens in Harlan County, KY declined by 14% from 5.82% to 5.01%.

The following chart shows how the percent of uninsured individuals in Harlan County, KY changed over time compared with the percent of individuals enrolled in various types of health insurance.