Harlan County is in the southeastern corner of Kentucky, deep in the Appalachian coal country. The county seat is Harlan. Population was 26,831 in 2020 across 468 square miles. Black Mountain, Kentucky's highest point at 4,145 feet, is on the county's southern border with Virginia. Coal mining defined the area for over a century. The 1931 Harlan County War, a violent standoff between miners and mine operators, drew national attention and the nickname "Bloody Harlan." Kingdom Come State Park sits on top of Pine Mountain with views across the Cumberland Valley. Blanton Forest State Nature Preserve, also in the county, is the largest old-growth forest left in Kentucky. The Kentucky Black Bear Festival is held each year in Harlan.
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Harlan County administration contact details
| Address | 210 East Central Street, Suite 205, Harlan, KY 40831 |
|---|---|
| County seat | Harlan |
| Phone number | (606) 573-2600 |
| Official website | https://harlancountyky.org |
| County clerk | Donna Hoskins |
| County auditor | Brenda Henson |
| County fiscal officer | David Kennedy |
| County commissioner | James A. Howard |
Harlan County Sheriff's Office and Jail Information
| Number of prisons | 1 |
|---|---|
| Jail names | Harlan County Detention Center |
| Sheriff office address | 210 E Central St, Harlan, KY 40831 |
| Sheriff office phone number | 606-573-1313 |
| Inmate search information | To locate an inmate in Harlan County, visit the county's official website or contact the Harlan County Detention Center directly at 606-573-1314. |
| Clerk of Court name | Wanda Clem |
| Clerk of Court address | 210 E Central St, Suite 205, Harlan, KY 40831 |
Harlan County Statistics
| Number of cities/towns/villages | 3 |
|---|---|
| Population | 26,000 |
| Area | 468 sq mi |
| Density | 56 /sq mi |
| Altitude | 1,240 ft |
| Median Household Income | $30,000 |
| Poverty rate | 27% |
| Unemployment rate | 10% |
| Educational Attainment | 12% |
| Crime rate | 500 |
Environmental risk in Harlan County, KY
| Overall risk | Very Low |
|---|---|
| Expected Annual Loss | Very Low |
| Social Vulnerability | Very High |
| Community Resilience | Very Low |
| Avalanche Risk | Not Applicable |
| Coastal Flooding Risk | Not Applicable |
| Cold Wave Risk | Relatively Low |
| Drought Risk | No Rating |
| Earthquake Risk | Very Low |
List of cities and towns in Kentucky County by population size
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