The Town FilesHarlan County, Kentucky
25,772 people. The median home is worth $73,700 (typical Kentucky town: $161,450) and the median household earns $41,693.
Towns in Harlan County
| Town | People | Median home | Income | Median age |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cumberland | 1,947 | $66,500 | $35,410 | 32.0 |
| Harlan | 1,776 | $89,200 | $32,408 | 40.8 |
| Evarts | 859 | $71,400 | $34,007 | 40.4 |
| South Wallins | 838 | $55,300 | $26,336 | 37.8 |
| Lynch | 658 | $58,600 | $30,114 | 43.8 |
| Loyall | 638 | $75,900 | $52,734 | 39.4 |
| Cawood | 630 | $69,800 | — | 34.9 |
| Benham | 512 | $53,000 | $44,946 | 43.6 |
People and housing
| Harlan County | Typical Kentucky town | |
|---|---|---|
| Median home value | $73,700 | $161,450 |
| Median rent | $678 | $837 |
| Median household income | $41,693 | $54,969 |
| Median age | 40.9 | 39.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 13.0% | 19.8% |
| Below the poverty line | 27.4% | 18.0% |
Jobs and pay
6,280 jobs in 2024, average pay $44,461 a year.
Storms since 1996
NOAA recorded 490 storm events in Harlan County from 1996 to 2026, with 2 deaths.
Federal disaster declarations
Harlan County has been included in 33 FEMA declarations since 1953.
| Declared | Incident | Declaration |
|---|---|---|
| January 24, 2026 | Winter Storm | EM-3633: Severe Winter Storm |
| April 3, 2025 | Severe Storm | EM-3626: Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, And Flooding |
| February 24, 2025 | Severe Storm | DR-4860: Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, And Mudslides |
| February 16, 2025 | Severe Storm | EM-3624: Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, And Landslides |
| November 26, 2024 | Tropical Storm | DR-4848: Remnants Of Hurricane Helene |
| July 23, 2024 | Severe Storm | DR-4804: Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, Landslides, And Mudslides |
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024; BLS QCEW and LAUS; NOAA Storm Events; FEMA OpenFEMA (not endorsed by FEMA).