County · Indiana
Howard County, Indiana
Howard County, Indiana. Howard County had 83,904 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 0.3% since 2020, slower than Indiana (+2.8%). It holds 20 places (3 cities, villages and boroughs, 11 towns and townships and 6 census-designated) and 21 census tracts. GEOID 18067.
Howard County is the county of the Kokomo, IN metropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
83,904
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 83,658 · ACS 2020-2024: 83,752
Median household income
$64,027
±$2,106 (90% margin)
Indiana: $71,957
Median home value
$165,000
±$5,476 (90% margin)
Indiana: $218,200
Median gross rent
$937
±$19 (90% margin)
Indiana: $1,062
How many people live in Howard County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 83,658 residents in Howard County. The Census Bureau estimates 83,904 for July 1, 2025, up 0.3% since 2020, slower than Indiana (+2.8%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 83,752 over 293 square miles of land.
| Measure | Howard County | Indiana | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 83,752 | 6,851,073 | +1,421 |
| Households | 35,593±532 | 2,716,009 | +892 |
| Average household size | 2.32±0.03 | 2.46 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 39,876±70 | 2,976,568 | +480 |
Howard County's population since 2000
From 84,964 in 2000 to 83,904 in 2025: down 1.2%. 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 20 places: 3 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places), 11 towns and townships (county subdivisions with their own government) and 6 census-designated places. The largest is Kokomo with 59,999 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Kokomo | 59,604 | $55,360 |
|---|---|---|
| Center Township, Howard County | 45,776 | $51,025 |
| Harrison Township, Howard County | 9,848 | $85,478 |
| Taylor Township, Howard County | 9,396 | $71,971 |
| Liberty Township, Howard County | 4,737 | $84,632 |
| Clay Township, Howard County | 4,036 | $104,292 |
| Howard Township, Howard County | 2,436 | $81,595 |
| Greentown | 2,370 | $60,521 |
| Honey Creek Township, Howard County | 2,344 | $84,728 |
| Ervin TownshipGEOID 1806721430 | 2,143 | $120,135 |
| Monroe Township, Howard CountyGEOID 1806750328 | 1,325 | $127,788 |
| Russiaville | 1,319 | $84,457 |
| Union Township, Howard CountyGEOID 1806777336 | 1,012 | $71,694 |
| CenterGEOID 1811404 | – | $103,875 |
| Jackson Township, Howard CountyGEOID 1806737098 | 605 | $75,581 |
| CassvilleGEOID 1810828 | – | $72,269 |
| New LondonGEOID 1853190 | – | not published |
| West MiddletonGEOID 1883042 | – | not published |
| HemlockGEOID 1832998 | – | $126,083 |
| JeromeGEOID 1838484 | – | 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 40.7 years old; 22.8% are under 18 and 19.9% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 82.6%, then non-Hispanic Black residents at 7.3%. 1.9% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Howard County | Indiana | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 40.7±0.4 | 38.1 | −1.0 |
| Under 18 years | 22.8% | 23.3% | – |
| 65 years and over | 19.9%±0.2 pts | 16.8% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 4.1% | 8.6% | +0.7 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 82.6%±0.2 pts | 75.4% | −2.5 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 7.3%±0.6 pts | 9.1% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 1.4%±0.2 pts | 2.6% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 4.2%±0.6 pts | 3.8% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.3%±0.2 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 1.9%±0.4 pts | 6.3% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 3.3%±0.6 pts | 10.3% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 8.0%±0.8 pts | 6.3% | – |
| With a disability | 18.3%±1.1 pts | 14.2% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 5.7%±0.9 pts | 7.4% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 91.8%±0.9 pts | 90.4% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 20.8%±1.4 pts | 29.5% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 7.0%±0.8 pts | 10.8% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 1.2%±0.3 pts | 2.1% | – |
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 35,593 households earn less than $64,027 a year (±$2,106), against $71,957 in Indiana. In 2015-2019 it was $64,455 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 13.4% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Howard County | Indiana | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $64,027±$2,106 | $71,957 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $83,020±$3,272 | $95,247 | – |
| Per capita income | $35,963±$1,295 | $38,351 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 13.4%±1.1 pts | 12.3% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 18.6%±2.6 pts | 16.0% | −4.4 pts |
| Households receiving SNAP | 11.4%±1.3 pts | 9.1% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 89.0%±1.4 pts | 89.9% | – |
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 70.6% of Howard County's occupied homes and renters 29.4%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $165,000 by its owner (±$5,476). The median renter pays $937 a month including utilities, and 42.0% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Howard County | Indiana | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $165,000±$5,476 | $218,200 | +$30,239 |
| Median gross rent | $937±$19 | $1,062 | +$76 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 42.0%±4.2 pts | 38.9% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,126±$29 | $1,404 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 70.6%±1.9 pts | 70.6% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 39,876±70 | 2,976,568 | +480 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 1.0%±0.6 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 10.0%±2.5 pts | 5.6% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 75.8%±1.7 pts | 72.6% | – |
| Mobile homes | 3.2%±0.6 pts | 4.4% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 1.2%±0.4 pts | 1.7% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 18.6%±1.4 pts | 16.0% | – |
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 106 new housing units across Howard County in 2025 (106 single-family), 1.3 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?
79.8% of Howard County's workers drive alone and 6.0% work from home. The average trip to work takes 20.4 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 5.8%.
| Measure | Howard County | Indiana | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 59.0%±1.1 pts | 63.8% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 5.8%±0.8 pts | 4.3% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 79.8%±1.9 pts | 76.3% | – |
| Carpooled | 11.6%±1.6 pts | 9.1% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.3%±0.2 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Walked | 1.6%±0.6 pts | 1.9% | – |
| Worked from home | 6.0%±1.0 pts | 10.7% | +2.0 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 20.4 min±0.8 | 24.1 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 21 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $30,985 (Tract 12) to $122,470 (Tract 104).
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 Indiana's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 19th of 92 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 67th of 92 |
| Residents per square mile | 16th of 92 |
| Median household income | 66th of 92 |
| Median home value | 59th of 92 |
| Median gross rent | 28th of 92 |
| Poverty rate | 30th of 92 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 36th of 92 |
| Median age | 54th of 92 |
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.