Overview

Introduction to Harlan, Iowa

Harlan, Iowa, in Shelby county, is located 38 miles NE of Council Bluffs, Iowa (center to center) and 41 miles NE of Omaha, Nebraska. The city is located in the Omaha metropolitan area. Harlan has a population of 5,282.

Harlan History

Harlan was named after James Harlan, a U.S. Senator and Supreme Court Justice. It was formally incorporated on May 2, 1879. In April, 1859, Harlan became the county seat of Shelby County, which was created on January 15, 1851 and was named in the honor of the first Governor of Kentucky called General Isaac Shelby. The first courthouse of the area was constructed in 1860.

Harlan and nearby Attractions

  • Shelby County Historical Museum
  • Harlan Golf and Country Club
  • Prairie Rose State Park
  • Walnut Creek Historical Museum
  • Danish Windmill

Things To Do In Harlan

At Harlan, one can spend their free hours at the Norman Stamp Aquatic Center. You can also visit the Dr. Joseph Spearing Park, Little George Park, Leinen Park, and Potters Park. The Pioneer Park also includes a walking/ jogging trail and facilities for Frisbee Golf. Apart from the Harlan Golf and Country Club, the city also includes two more 9 - hole golf courses. The Shelby County Historical Museum and the Danish Immigrant Museum are also worth visiting.

Harlan Transportation

Air transportation can be availed from Eppley Airfield.

Harlan Higher Education

Residents can avail higher education from Owa Western Community College, Bellevue University, and Creighton University.

Demographics

People

Total Population4,883
Male Share of the Population46.2%
Female Share of the Population53.8%
Senior Citizens25.2%
Employed Population 16+2,300
Age of the Population47

Families

% of people married52.3%
Average household size2

Education and Earnings

Population % with Bachelor Degree or Higher27.5%
Median Earnings25+$35,420
Median Earnings Without High School Qualification$23,098
Median Earnings With High School Degree$31,958

Wealth

Median Family Income$73,523
% Above Poverty Level90.9%
% Below Poverty Level9.1%

Commute & Sprawl

Average Commute Time17 minutes
% Working from Home3.9%
% Walking and Biking to Work2.6%
% Using Public Transportation0.7%

Housing

People Living Alone35.4%
Median Gross Rent$624
Median House Value$111,200

Ancestry

Danishn14.7%
Irish13.1%
English12.6%
Other(often includes Hispanic and African American)9.7%
French Except Basque3.5%
Polish2.1%
Italian1.6%
Norwegian1.3%
Dutch1.3%
Swedish0.9%
West Indian0.9%
Jamaican0.9%
Russian0.8%
Arab0.6%
Lebanese0.6%
Czech0.5%
German0.4%
Slovak0.2%
Belgian0.1%
Scottish0.1%
Greek0.1%
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Harlan Almanac

CategoryValue
CountyShelby County
Standard Zip Codes51537
P.O. Box Zip Codes51593
Phone Area Codes712
Time ZoneAmerica/Chicago
Approximate Latitude41.65
Approximate Longitude-95.32

Harlan Climate

Nearest Weather Stations

Notes:

  • Temp ranges are avg daily min and max for the month
  • Precipitation is rainfall (and rainfall equiv of snowfall)

StationHARLAN
Distance0.5 miles
Jan Temp8 to 28 F
Apr Temp35 to 61 F
Jul Temp63 to 84 F
Oct Temp38 to 63 F
Annual Precip33.3 inches
StationAUDUBON 1 SSE
Distance21.4 miles
Jan Temp7 to 27 F
Apr Temp35 to 60 F
Jul Temp62 to 84 F
Oct Temp36 to 62 F
Annual Precip33.4 inches
StationATLANTIC 1 NE
Distance23.5 miles
Jan Temp10 to 29 F
Apr Temp38 to 62 F
Jul Temp63 to 86 F
Oct Temp39 to 64 F
Annual Precip34.7 inches

Nearby Cities and Towns

LocationPopulationMedian Family Income
Earling367$62,679
Irwin341$68,750
Panama199$96,250
Portsmouth134$91,250
Shelby621$75,938
Westphalia126$50,833

Harlan Public Libraries

Harlan Community Library
718 COURT
Harlan, Iowa
(712) 755-5934

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More Information for Librarians

Harlan Hospitals

Myrtue Memorial Hospital
(Government - Local)
1213 Garfield Avenue
(712) 755-5161

Harlan Public Schools

Harlan Comm Intermediate School
1401 19th St
ZIP: 51537
(712) 755-2725
Primary
Total Enrollment 311
Harlan Comm. Primary
2105 Durant St
ZIP: 51537
(712) 755-5903
Primary
Total Enrollment 364
Harlan Community High School
2102 Durant
ZIP: 51537
(712) 755-3101
High
Total Enrollment 515
Harlan Community Middle School
2108 Durant Street
ZIP: 51537
(712) 755-3196
Middle
Total Enrollment 359

Harlan Private Schools

Shelby County Catholic School
2005 College Pl
ZIP: 51537
Elementary
Total Enrollment 128
Victory Christian School
1610 Chatburn Ave
ZIP: 51537
Combined Elementary And Secondary
Total Enrollment 18
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