City in Shelby County, Iowa · 4.4 sq mi · 1,099 people per sq mi
4,860 people live in Harlan. The typical household earns $57,488, and the median resident is 44.6 years old.
2026 projection
From 4,893 in 2020
Poverty rate 9.05%
Men 41.9 · Women 46.4
1860–2026
4,860
2026 projection
0.7% since 2020 (decrease)
Source: U.S. Census Bureau decennial counts and annual estimates, including 2010–2020 intercensal estimates. 2026 is a projection. Values between recorded years are interpolated.
Use the left and right arrow keys to inspect population observations.
1860–2026
4,860
2026 projection
0.7% since 2020 (decrease)
Source: U.S. Census Bureau decennial counts and annual estimates, including 2010–2020 intercensal estimates. 2026 is a projection. Values between recorded years are interpolated.
Use the left and right arrow keys to inspect population observations.
| 2026 | 4,860 | +1 | 0.02% |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 4,859 | -38 | 0.78% |
| 2024 | 4,897 | +4 | 0.08% |
| 2023 | 4,893 | +25 | 0.51% |
| 2022 | 4,868 | -32 | 0.65% |
| 2021 | 4,900 | +7 | 0.14% |
| 2020 | 4,893 | +28 | 0.58% |
| 2019 | 4,865 | -42 | 0.86% |
| 2018 | 4,907 | -1 | 0.02% |
| 2017 | 4,908 | -29 | 0.59% |
Showing 10 of 32 years.
The 2020 row compares the April 1 Census count with the July 1, 2019 estimate (about nine months). Its Growth and Annual change therefore do not represent a full year.
Harlan has a population change lower than Shelby County, Iowa, and the U.S.
Change from July 1, 2020 to July 1, 2025 population estimates—not annualized growth or site projections.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau. U.S. totals are summed from the 50 states and D.C.; unavailable comparisons are omitted.
U.S. Census Bureau, 2024 ACS 5-year estimates · Table S0101
Each square is about 1% of residents (roughly 49 people).
Hispanic or Latino residents can be of any race. All other groups exclude Hispanic residents.
U.S. Census Bureau, 2024 ACS 5-year estimates · Table B03002
Half of households earn more, half earn less
Typical yearly pay for a worker 25 or older.
About 1 in 11 residents
53% of residents age 15 and older are married.
| Status | Overall | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|---|
| Married | 53% | 58% | 49% |
| Never married | 26% | 27% | 24% |
| Divorced | 9% | 7% | 11% |
| Widowed | 12% | 8% | 17% |
| Separated | <1% | <1% | 0% |
U.S. Census Bureau, 2024 ACS 5-year estimates · Table S1201
14 sources