Harlan, KY Crime Rate & Safety
Lower crime than 83% of major U.S. cities
Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated April 2026
Is Harlan Safe?
Yes — Harlan is safe overall
A safe city with below-average crime, though safety varies by neighborhood.
Harlan has a crime rate that is 45% below the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 467.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 467
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
44% lower than national average
Property Crime
1 in 84
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
35% lower than national average
Want to know the crime risk at your exact address?
Harlan Crime Breakdown
Estimated crime rates based on FBI UCR data, calibrated to city-level crime score.
| Crime Type | Index | vs National | Risk Level | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | ||||
|
Murder
|
54 | -46% | Low | |
|
Assault
|
61 | -39% | Low | |
|
Robbery
|
36 | -64% | Low | |
|
Rape
|
66 | -34% | Low | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
42 | -58% | Low | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
62 | -38% | Low | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
66 | -34% | Low | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
Harlan Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
See the crime score for a specific address
Harlan Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific Harlan zip codes.
Harlan Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Harlan, KY?
Harlan, KY has a crime safety grade of A- as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 45% below the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 467 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 84 chance for property crime. Harlan has lower crime than 83% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is Harlan, KY safe to live in?
Harlan is generally considered a safe place to live, earning a crime grade of A-. However, safety varies significantly by neighborhood. Researching specific neighborhoods before moving to or visiting Harlan is strongly recommended.
What is the violent crime rate in Harlan?
The estimated violent crime rate in Harlan is 214.3 per 100,000 residents, which is 44% lower than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 467 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 2.7 per 100K (46% below average); aggravated assault at 162.8 per 100K (39% below average); robbery at 26.7 per 100K (64% below average).
What is the property crime rate in Harlan?
The estimated property crime rate in Harlan is 1,191.8 per 100,000 residents, which is 35% lower than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 84 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 113.4 per 100K (58% below average); larceny/theft at 868.7 per 100K (38% below average); vehicle theft at 209.7 per 100K (34% below average).
How does Harlan crime compare to the national average?
Harlan's overall crime rate is 45% below the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is rape (34% below average), while robbery is 64% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Harlan has lower crime than 83% of them.
Is Harlan safe to visit?
Harlan is generally safe for visitors and tourists. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 35% below average, which is typically the main concern for tourists. Avoid leaving valuables in vehicles, stay aware of your surroundings in unfamiliar areas, and stick to well-traveled neighborhoods.
How does Harlan crime compare to the rest of Kentucky?
Kentucky as a whole has crime that is 18% above the national average. Harlan's crime rate is 45% below the national average, making it safer the typical Kentucky city.
What type of crime is most common in Harlan?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Harlan, with an estimated rate of 868.7 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 38% below the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (1,192 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (214 per 100K) in Harlan, which is consistent with national trends.