In between these two long mountain ridges lie the three spurs of Black Mountain, one of which is the highest point in the state. Population Harlan County has a population of approximately 33,000 residents. The county seat, Harlan, has a population of approximately 2,700. Since the early 1920s, Harlan County has been a major coal-producing region in the state and nation. In fact, several towns in the county, such as Benham and Lynch, began as coal mining camps.
Black Mountain is a key source of coal in the region.
The Harlan Independent School System is widely recognized as a public institution with a strong academic tradition. The Harlan County School System has a long history of providing quality primary and secondary educational programs in the many schools it operates. There are four private schools located in Harlan County, three of which offer opportunities for children in the primary and middle grades, and one that offers programs for K-12. The Kentucky Tech system has a campus at Harlan which provides vocational and technical training. The Harlan County community of Cumberland is headquarters for Southeast Community College .