Harlan

County:: Shelby County
County Seat:: Yes
Area (mi²):: 4.42
State:: Iowa

Harlan is a city located in Shelby County, Iowa. Harlan has a 2025 population of 4,886. It is also the county seat of Shelby County. Harlan is currently declining at a rate of -0.04% annually and its population has decreased by -0.24% since the most recent census, which recorded a population of 4,898 in 2020.

The average household income in Harlan is $79,709 with a poverty rate of 10.94%. The median age in Harlan is 48.2 years: 44.9 years for males, and 48.7 years for females.

Demographics

The racial composition of Harlan includes 91.83% White, and smaller percentages for other race, Black or African American, Native American, Asian, Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander and multiracial populations.

Population by Race

White

Two or more races

Other race

Black or African American

Native American

Asian

Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander

Race	Population	Percentage (of total)
White	4,496	91.83%
Two or more races	213	4.35%
Other race	103	2.1%
Black or African American	46	0.94%
Native American	38	0.78%
Asian	0	0%
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander	0	0%

Harlan Marital Status

Married

Widowed

Divorced

Separated

Never Married

Economics and Income Statistics

Harlan's average per capita income is $42,790. Household income levels show a median of $54,923. The poverty rate stands at 10.94%.

Families: A family includes the owner or renter of the home along with everyone related to them - whether through birth, marriage, or adoption. This includes relatives like spouses, children, parents, siblings, grandparents, and any other family members.

Households: A household includes all the people who occupy a housing unit (such as a house or apartment) as their usual place of residence.

Non Families: A nonfamily household is either someone living alone or when the owner/renter lives with people they aren't related to, like roommates.

Name	Median	Mean
Married Families	$88,611	-
Families	$82,109	$102,446
Households	$54,923	$79,709
Non Families	$33,692	$48,021

$42,790

Average Income

$54,923

Median Household Income

10.94%

Poverty Rate