County · Arkansas
Howard County, Arkansas
Howard County, Arkansas. Howard County had 12,306 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 3.8% since 2020, while Arkansas grew 3.4%. It holds 6 places (4 cities, villages and boroughs and 2 census-designated) and 3 census tracts. GEOID 05061.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
12,306
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 12,785 · ACS 2020-2024: 12,583
Median household income
$45,603
±$5,800 (90% margin)
Arkansas: $60,773
Median home value
$153,900
±$16,888 (90% margin)
Arkansas: $188,000
Median gross rent
$690
±$67 (90% margin)
Arkansas: $947
How many people live in Howard County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 12,785 residents in Howard County. The Census Bureau estimates 12,306 for July 1, 2025, down 3.8% since 2020, while Arkansas grew 3.4%. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 12,583 over 587 square miles of land.
| Measure | Howard County | Arkansas | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 12,583 | 3,049,391 | −728 |
| Households | 5,098±214 | 1,205,987 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.43±0.10 | 2.46 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 6,173±30 | 1,394,673 | −89 |
Howard County's population since 2000
From 14,300 in 2000 to 12,306 in 2025: down 13.9%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); PEP Vintage 2025 (CO-EST2025); 2020 Census · Check it at data.census.gov
What cities and towns are in Howard County?
Howard County holds 6 places: 4 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 2 census-designated places. The largest is Nashville with 3,945 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Nashville | 4,153 | $41,142 |
|---|---|---|
| Mineral Springs | 1,085 | $52,031 |
| Dierks | 916 | $22,188 |
| TolletteGEOID 0569500 | 185 | $44,167 |
| Center PointGEOID 0512700 | 179 | not published |
| SaratogaGEOID 0562630 | 124 | not published |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 place-by-county parts · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Howard County?
The median resident of Howard County is 38.8 years old; 25.7% are under 18 and 18.8% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 62.9%, then non-Hispanic Black residents at 20.8%. 5.8% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Howard County | Arkansas | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 38.8±0.7 | 38.5 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 25.7% | 23.1% | – |
| 65 years and over | 18.8%±0.5 pts | 17.6% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 12.6% | 9.0% | +0.1 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 62.9%±0.4 pts | 67.4% | −1.2 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 20.8%±1.6 pts | 14.6% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.6%±0.8 pts | 1.6% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.2 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.3 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 3.1%±1.6 pts | 6.3% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.3 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 5.8%±1.9 pts | 5.4% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 12.7%±2.3 pts | 8.3% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 5.4%±1.5 pts | 7.4% | – |
| With a disability | 20.3%±2.2 pts | 18.0% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 9.9%±2.5 pts | 9.0% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 87.7%±2.5 pts | 88.7% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 16.2%±3.1 pts | 25.7% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 5.5%±1.9 pts | 9.5% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 0.8%±0.5 pts | 2.4% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Howard County earn?
Half of Howard County's 5,098 households earn less than $45,603 a year (±$5,800), against $60,773 in Arkansas. In 2015-2019 it was $44,378 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 22.5% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Howard County | Arkansas | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $45,603±$5,800 | $60,773 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $62,719±$5,495 | $84,759 | – |
| Per capita income | $25,569±$1,852 | $34,225 | −$4,560 |
| People below the poverty line | 22.5%±4.4 pts | 16.0% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 25.3%±7.5 pts | 21.1% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 9.8%±2.6 pts | 10.2% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 80.8%±3.9 pts | 86.7% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Howard County?
Owners occupy 72.5% of Howard County's occupied homes and renters 27.5%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $153,900 by its owner (±$16,888). The median renter pays $690 a month including utilities, and 46.2% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Howard County | Arkansas | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $153,900±$16,888 | $188,000 | +$35,876 |
| Median gross rent | $690±$67 | $947 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 46.2%±10.4 pts | 35.9% | +13.4 pts |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,157±$63 | $1,345 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 72.5%±3.6 pts | 66.4% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 6,173±30 | 1,394,673 | −89 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 1.1%±1.3 pts | 1.1% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 10.0%±6.6 pts | 6.4% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 73.8%±3.7 pts | 70.0% | – |
| Mobile homes | 18.2%±3.4 pts | 11.0% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 1.4%±0.9 pts | 2.1% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 7.4%±2.6 pts | 4.1% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Howard County building?
Builders took permits for 0 new housing units across Howard County in 2025 (0 single-family), 0.0 per 1,000 residents.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual county files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Howard County get to work?
79.5% of Howard County's workers drive alone and 3.0% work from home. The average trip to work takes 19.8 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 5.4%.
| Measure | Howard County | Arkansas | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 56.5%±3.1 pts | 58.4% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 5.4%±2.1 pts | 4.9% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 79.5%±4.7 pts | 78.9% | – |
| Carpooled | 12.6%±3.6 pts | 9.4% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.7%±0.9 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Walked | 2.8%±2.2 pts | 1.4% | – |
| Worked from home | 3.0%±1.7 pts | 8.8% | no clear change |
| Mean travel time to work | 19.8 min±2.0 | 22.5 min | no clear change |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What are Howard County's census tracts?
Howard County is divided into 3 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $33,469 (Tract 9501) to $66,042 (Tract 9502).
| Tract 950105061950100 | 3,789±326 | $33,469 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 950205061950200 | 4,897±438 | $66,042 |
| Tract 950305061950300 | 3,897±395 | $41,155 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Howard County compare with Arkansas's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 54th of 75 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 52nd of 75 |
| Residents per square mile | 51st of 75 |
| Median household income | 57th of 75 |
| Median home value | 26th of 75 |
| Median gross rent | 56th of 75 |
| Poverty rate | 9th of 75 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 43rd of 75 |
| Median age | 58th of 75 |
Source: PlainCities ranks from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Howard County are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' school search.