Harlan County

Harlan County is a county in Nebraska, stretching across rolling hills and agricultural land shaped by the Republican River. The landscape features open fields and scattered rural communities connected by quiet roads.

Harlan County was established in 1871 by the Nebraska legislature and named after Thomas Harlan, a settler leader from Wyoming Territory. This act marked the formal beginning of organized settlement in the area.

The county's demographics show a predominantly rural population of 3,073 residents as of 2020, maintaining traditional agricultural practices and community values.

Roads cross the county in a grid pattern that makes navigation straightforward across the rural landscape. Visitors should plan to drive, as public transportation is not widely available in this agricultural area.

Harlan County Reservoir sits along the southeastern edge, created by a dam that controls water flow across the region. The body of water provides irrigation support for farms that depend on steady water supply.

Location: Nebraska

Inception: 1871

Capital city: Alma

Shares border with: Phelps County, Phillips County, Furnas County, Norton County, Kearney County, Franklin County

Website: http://harlancounty.ne.gov

GPS coordinates: 40.17000,-99.40000

Latest update: December 10, 2025 15:46