County · Iowa
Howard County, Iowa
Howard County, Iowa. Howard County had 9,415 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 0.6% since 2020, while Iowa grew 1.5%. It holds 6 places (6 cities, villages and boroughs) and 3 census tracts. GEOID 19089.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
9,415
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 9,469 · ACS 2020-2024: 9,445
Median household income
$67,446
±$7,862 (90% margin)
Iowa: $75,059
Median home value
$147,800
±$14,899 (90% margin)
Iowa: $208,000
Median gross rent
$713
±$28 (90% margin)
Iowa: $972
How many people live in Howard County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 9,469 residents in Howard County. The Census Bureau estimates 9,415 for July 1, 2025, down 0.6% since 2020, while Iowa grew 1.5%. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 9,445 over 473 square miles of land.
| Measure | Howard County | Iowa | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 9,445 | 3,210,507 | +219 |
| Households | 3,773±182 | 1,315,707 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.45±0.12 | 2.36 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 4,320±20 | 1,437,699 | no clear change |
Howard County's population since 2000
From 9,932 in 2000 to 9,415 in 2025: down 5.2%. 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: 6 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places). The largest is Cresco with 3,925 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Cresco | 3,888 | $60,608 |
|---|---|---|
| Elma | 505 | $44,375 |
| Lime Springs | 473 | $53,750 |
| Riceville | 806 | $44,615 |
| Protivin | 269 | $71,667 |
| ChesterGEOID 1913125 | 139 | $63,438 |
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 39.2 years old; 25.8% are under 18 and 20.5% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 93.0%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 3.3%. 2.3% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Howard County | Iowa | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 39.2±0.8 | 38.6 | −2.3 |
| Under 18 years | 25.8%±0.3 pts | 22.9% | – |
| 65 years and over | 20.5%±0.1 pts | 18.1% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 3.3% | 7.3% | +1.7 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 93.0%±0.7 pts | 82.3% | −3.5 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.8%±0.5 pts | 3.8% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.3%±0.2 pts | 2.5% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 0.2% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.3 pts | 0.2% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 2.1%±0.8 pts | 3.5% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.3%±0.3 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 2.3%±0.8 pts | 5.9% | +1.5 pts |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 9.6%±3.1 pts | 9.1% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 6.5%±1.4 pts | 6.5% | – |
| With a disability | 10.5%±1.6 pts | 12.6% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 10.2%±3.3 pts | 5.0% | +4.2 pts |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 92.5%±2.1 pts | 93.3% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 19.5%±2.5 pts | 31.4% | +3.7 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 3.9%±1.1 pts | 10.5% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 3.1%±1.5 pts | 2.2% | – |
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 3,773 households earn less than $67,446 a year (±$7,862), against $75,059 in Iowa. In 2015-2019 it was $67,762 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 8.9% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Howard County | Iowa | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $67,446±$7,862 | $75,059 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $87,621±$9,183 | $98,187 | – |
| Per capita income | $35,150±$3,855 | $40,877 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 8.9%±2.4 pts | 11.1% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 12.0%±5.3 pts | 12.9% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 6.5%±2.4 pts | 8.8% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 85.7%±2.5 pts | 88.9% | – |
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 77.4% of Howard County's occupied homes and renters 22.6%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $147,800 by its owner (±$14,899). The median renter pays $713 a month including utilities, and 26.3% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Howard County | Iowa | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $147,800±$14,899 | $208,000 | no clear change |
| Median gross rent | $713±$28 | $972 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 26.3%±9.5 pts | 35.2% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,238±$91 | $1,533 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 77.4%±3.5 pts | 71.7% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 4,320±20 | 1,437,699 | no clear change |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 1.7%±1.5 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 0.3%±0.7 pts | 5.7% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 90.1%±2.7 pts | 72.2% | – |
| Mobile homes | 1.7%±1.0 pts | 3.2% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 1.4%±1.0 pts | 1.7% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 39.3%±4.4 pts | 23.5% | – |
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 6 new housing units across Howard County in 2025 (6 single-family), 0.6 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?
76.4% of Howard County's workers drive alone and 10.0% work from home. The average trip to work takes 23.2 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 1.9%.
| Measure | Howard County | Iowa | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 64.7%±2.5 pts | 66.4% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 1.9%±1.0 pts | 3.6% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 76.4%±3.3 pts | 76.0% | – |
| Carpooled | 8.2%±2.3 pts | 7.8% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.0%±0.5 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Walked | 3.4%±1.4 pts | 2.9% | – |
| Worked from home | 10.0%±2.6 pts | 11.3% | no clear change |
| Mean travel time to work | 23.2 min±2.4 | 19.8 min | +4.0 min |
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 $60,709 (Tract 9601) to $90,083 (Tract 9602).
| Tract 960119089960100 | 4,010±65 | $60,709 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 960219089960200 | 2,628±205 | $90,083 |
| Tract 960319089960300 | 2,807±207 | $66,000 |
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 Iowa's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 79th of 99 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 39th of 99 |
| Residents per square mile | 73rd of 99 |
| Median household income | 68th of 99 |
| Median home value | 67th of 99 |
| Median gross rent | 89th of 99 |
| Poverty rate | 68th of 99 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 79th of 99 |
| Median age | 79th of 99 |
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.