City profile · Kansas · Census ACS 2023

Howard, KS

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for Howard - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

553
Residents
$53,125
Median income
$53,400
Median home
$877
Median rent (state)

Howard - the verdict

Measured against every US city with at least 1,000 residents, Howard lands in the 24th percentile for household income. Source: Census ACS.

24th
percentile, household income
1st
percentile, home value
2nd
percentile, median rent
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: Howard, KS

Howard is a small town in Kansas, home to 553 residents per U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. The typical household in Howard brings in $53,125 a year, in the lower quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 11.5%. Home values in Howard run a median of $53,400, and the median resident age is 38.2 years. 16.7% of adults here have a bachelor's degree or higher; 60.7% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

The annual average temperature per NOAA climate normals runs 55.8°F with 38.6 inches of precipitation per year and 6.4 inches of snowfall.

Living costs in Kansas run below the national norm: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 puts Kansas at 90.1 on a 100-equals-national-average scale (Well Below Average). HUD Fair Market Rent for a typical two-bedroom in this state is $877 per month. Monthly utility costs average around $217 across Kansas, per EIA 2023 residential energy estimates. FEMA's National Risk Index rates natural-hazard exposure at 14.6 out of 100 (Very Low).

Population

553 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Kansas

Median Household Income

$53,125 /yr

Poverty 11.5%

Cost of Living Index (state)

90.1 (US=100)

Well Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Kansas average

How does Howard compare to other US cities?

Howard measured against every US city with 1,000+ residents, computed live from the same Census and FBI data shown throughout this page.

Household income 24% higher than other cities
Home value 1% pricier than other cities
Median rent 2% pricier than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

Each percentile compares Howard against every qualifying US city; each in-state rank narrows that to Kansas only. Full formula and direction notes: methodology.

Kansas-relative analysis

Median Gross Rent places Howard near the bottom of Kansas's cities

Among the 552 Kansas cities PlainCities tracks with reported median gross rent data, Howard ranks #264 - the 0th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Howard only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#358 of 527
32nd percentile in Kansas
Median Gross Rent
#264 of 552
0th percentile in Kansas
Median Home Value
#455 of 527
14th percentile in Kansas
Poverty Rate
#153 of 552
72nd percentile in Kansas
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#367 of 552
33rd percentile in Kansas

Ranked by raw value (highest first); a higher rank is not automatically "better" for every measure, see each metric's own context above. This is a comparison within Kansas only, not a livability score. See the methodology for the source and calculation.

24thIncome percentile

24th percentile nationally for median household income. Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

How Howard's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$53,400 Among the most affordable more affordable than 99% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). This entry sits in this band. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Above this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Above this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Above this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Above this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. Howard $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - Howard, KS Howard, KS's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Howard, KS-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution Howard, KS median $53,125/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
Howard, KS's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for Howard, KS. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 16.7%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 11.5%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 60.7%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
553
Median Income
$53,125
Median Home Value
$53,400
Median Age
38.2
Poverty Rate
11.5%
Labor force participation
60.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
16.7%

Climate

Avg Temperature
55.8°F
Annual Precipitation
38.6"
Annual Snowfall
6.4"

Schools

Total Schools
2
Public schools in this city

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
560 residents565 residents570 residents575 residents580 residents 202020212022202320242025 573 residents 570 residents ▼ -0.5%
Howard's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
76.7%
Carpool
7.5%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
9.9%
Work from Home
5.1%
Other
0.8%

Based on 253 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for Kansas - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$110
avg/month
Natural Gas
$65
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$42
avg/month
Total Utilities
$217
estimated/month

Estimates reflect Kansas state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a Kansas state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Howard sits in

Cost of Living Index
90.1
Well Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$877/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
14.6 / 100
Very Low
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Kansas

Pretty Prairie
553 people
Burden
548 people
Parkerfield
545 people
Rolla
545 people
Potwin
562 people
Goessel
541 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Howard's 553 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Orchid, FL
553 people
Bainbridge, IN
553 people
Caspian, MI
553 people
Amboy, MN
553 people
Wellington, MO
553 people
Stuart, NE
553 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Howard's $53,125 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Ninilchik, AK
$53,125 median income
Subiaco, AR
$53,125 median income
Eckley, CO
$53,125 median income
Campbellton, FL
$53,125 median income
Pierce, ID
$53,125 median income
Calumet, IA
$53,125 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Howard, KS Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition Howard, KS - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 95.1% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 9.9% White 95.1% Black or African American 0.5% Asian 0.0% American Indian 3.1% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 0.0% Two or more races 1.3% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How Howard compares to nearby Kansas cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
Howard (this city) 553 $53,125
Pretty Prairie 553 $57,969
Burden 548 $54,261
Parkerfield 545 $130,417
Census ACS 5-year FIPS KS NOAA Normals NCES CCD OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Howard, KS?

What is the population of Howard, KS? +

553 people live in Howard, KS according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Howard, KS? +

The median household income in Howard is $53,125 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Howard? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Howard; the closest available measure is the Kansas state average, a cost of living index of 90.1 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Well Below Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within Kansas vary by metro area.

What is the median home value in Howard, KS? +

A typical home in Howard is worth $53,400, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Howard? +

Climate normals put Howard's yearly average temperature at 55.8°F, 38.6 inches of precipitation, and 6.4 inches of snowfall per year. Source: NOAA Climate Normals.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES CCD, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities

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Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.