City

Harlan, IA

2 ZIP codes  ·  Shelby County  ·  Iowa

👥6,480Population
💰$62,353Median HH Income▼ 18% below avg
🎂44.2Median Age
🏠$161,800Median Home Value▼ 42% below avg
🎓40.7%College Grads≈ Avg
📊4.6%Unemployment≈ Avg
People & Population (ACS 2023 — weighted avg)
♂ Male 50.0% Female 50.0% ♀

Race & Ethnicity

White: 91.2%Hispanic: 2.9%Black: 0.7%Other: 4.8%Race
White91.2%
Hispanic2.9%
Black0.7%
Other4.8%

Age Breakdown

Under 5
7%
5–17
16%
18–24
7%
25–44
21%
45–64
26%
65+
8%

Key Indicators

Median Age44.2 yrs
Avg HH Size2.39
Below Poverty8.5% ▼ 15% below avg
College Grads40.7% ≈ Avg
Unemployment4.6% ≈ Avg
No HS Diploma52 (1.2%)
HS Graduate1,373 (32%)
Some College513 (11.9%)
Associates610 (14.2%)
Bachelors716 (16.7%)
Graduate Degree1,029 (24%)

Education

No HS: 1.2%HS Grad: 32%Some College: 11.9%Associates: 14.2%Bachelors: 16.7%Graduate: 24%Edu
No HS1.2%
HS Grad32.0%
Some College11.9%
Associates14.2%
Bachelors16.7%
Graduate24.0%
Housing & Income

Housing Tenure

Owner: 73.4%Renter: 26.7%Tenure
Owner73.4%
Renter26.7%

Home Value Distribution

Under $50k
11%
$50k–$100k
15%
$100k–$150k
19%
$150k–$200k
20%
$200k–$300k
19%
$300k–$500k
13%
Over $500k
3%

Financials

Median HH Income$62,353 ▼ 18% below avg
Median Home Value$161,800 ▼ 42% below avg
Home/Income Ratio2.6x (nat avg ~3.5x)
Median Rent$854/mo
Total Housing Units2,893
Vacant Units229

Income Distribution

Under $25k
20%
$25k–$50k
16%
$50k–$75k
15%
$75k–$100k
14%
$100k–$150k
17%
$150k–$200k
10%
Over $200k
8%
Employment & Commute

How People Get to Work

Drove Alone
88%
Public Transit
0%
Walked
2%
Work From Home
9%

Commute Time

Under 15 min
66%
15–30 min
19%
30–45 min
5%
Over 45 min
10%
Housing Stock

Year Built

Before 1940
2%
1940s–1950s
14%
1960s–1970s
13%
1980s–1990s
7%
2000+
64%
About Harlan, IA

Harlan is a city in Iowa, located in Shelby County. The city spans 2 ZIP codes and is home to approximately 6,480 residents. It is a middle-aged city, with a median age of 44.2 years.

Economically, Harlan is a solidly middle-class community. The median household income of $62,353 is below the national average. Approximately 8.5% of residents live below the poverty line. The unemployment rate is 4.6%, near the national average.

The real estate market in Harlan is an affordable housing market. Median home values stand at $161,800, which is below the national average. Renters typically pay around $854 per month. Homeownership is high at 73.4%, typical of suburban and family-oriented communities.

The population of Harlan is well-educated. 40.7% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — near the national average. The community is primarily White (91.2%).

Harlan, IA offers residents a cost-conscious lifestyle within Iowa. Spread across 2 ZIP codes, the city's neighborhoods vary in character, density, and demographics — explore each ZIP code below for a detailed breakdown.

ZIP Codes in Harlan
ZIPPopulationMedian IncomeMedian HomeMedian RentUnemp.CollegeOwner Occ.
51537 6,480 $62,353 $161,800 $854 4.6% 40.7% 73.4%