Based on the 2007 Census conducted by the Central Statistical Agency of Ethiopia (CSA), the town had a population of 8,226,[3] with the wider woreda having a total population of 80,244, of whom 43,869 are men and 36,375 women.

[4] This woreda is primarily inhabited by the Habar Awal and the Sacad Muse Reer Samatar.

There is also minor population of the CeliArap sub-clan of the Arap especially but not exclusively on the border of the town Baligubadle.

[5] The 1994 national census reported a total population for this woreda of 66,488, of whom 35,145 were men and 31,343 were women; 6,409 or 9.64% were urban inhabitants.

The largest ethnic group reported in Harshin was the Somali people (99.89%).