Your life in Harlan County, Kentucky

What stands out

Three things set Harlan County apart from the other 3,142 counties: violent crime is among the highest in America (6.1 per 1,000), the median home price is among the cheapest in America ($78K), and the overdose death rate is among the highest in America (75 per 100,000). Within Kentucky it ranks 2nd of 120 counties for violent crime.

Where you are

You live in Harlan County, Kentucky. 26,589 people live here with you. The population shrank 1.3% last year, and more Americans moved out than in (net -100).

Kentucky moved to a flat income tax, 3.5% for 2026, and exempts the first $31,110 of pension and retirement income per person. It has an inheritance tax, but spouses, children, parents and siblings are exempt. Home prices are among the lowest in the country outside Louisville and Lexington, and the state has some of the cheapest electricity, much of it still coal-fired.

Money

The typical household here brings in $35,128 a year, lower than 96% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $44,461. Unemployment runs 6.3%, higher than 97% of American counties. 6% of workers work from home; for the rest the average commute is 22 minutes each way.

Kentucky takes 3.5% of that median income in state income tax, about $1,229 a year.

Home

The median home costs $78K, cheaper than almost every county in America, about 1.6 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $621 a month. Property tax is 0.97% of home value, roughly $692 a year on that median home, higher than 58% of American counties. 69% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 6.1 per 1,000 residents, higher than almost every county in America. Drug overdoses killed 75 people per 100,000 in 2024, one of the harder-hit counties in the country.

A child born here can expect to live 67.0 years, shorter than almost every county in America. There are 29 active physicians in the county, about 10.9 per 10,000 people. Medicare rates the local hospitals 2.0 of 5 stars. 8.6% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 3.14 where 3.0 is national grade level, higher than 50% of American counties. 77% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 72 points, among the most lopsided counties in the country. 54% of eligible voters turned out. Under Kentucky law you can carry a concealed handgun without a permit, abortion is banned with narrow exceptions, and marijuana is medical only.

Weather and risk

The year averages 55°F, highs near 66 and lows near 44, colder than 53% of American counties. About 60 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 44 out of 100, safer than 56% of American counties; the county has had 33 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 174 Mbps down, slower than 61% of American counties. There is 1 airport in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.2 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people.

Where these numbers come from

• BLS QCEW 2024
• CDC 2024
• CMS 2024
• Census 2023
• Census ACS
• Census ACS 2022
• Census Population Estimates 2023
• Census SAHIE 2024
• County Health Rankings 2024
• Derived from ACS 2022 home value / household income
• FAA Airport Database
• FEMA Disaster Declarations 1953–2026
• FEMA National Risk Index 2023 (0–100, all hazards)
• HRSA Area Health Resources File 2023
• IMLS
• NOAA Climate Normals
• National Park Service
• Ookla Speedtest Intelligence
• Open Brewery DB
• OpenElections 2024
• SEDA via County Health Rankings 2024 (3.0 = at grade level; not a Z-score)
• Tax Foundation 2023
• USDA Food Environment Atlas
• Zillow ZHVI 2024
• Kentucky tax and law data: state revenue department, Tax Foundation, Giffords, Guttmacher (2026)

Percentiles compare this county with every other county that reports the same figure. Missing figures are left out rather than guessed. Share this page: the address is permanent.