County · Missouri
Howard County, Missouri
Howard County, Missouri. Howard County had 10,180 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 0.3% since 2020, slower than Missouri (+1.9%). It holds 5 places (5 cities, villages and boroughs) and 3 census tracts. GEOID 29089.
Howard County is one of the 3 counties of the Columbia, MO metropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
10,180
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 10,151 · ACS 2020-2024: 10,147
Median household income
$65,938
±$7,076 (90% margin)
Missouri: $70,702
Median home value
$159,400
±$12,253 (90% margin)
Missouri: $230,300
Median gross rent
$832
±$76 (90% margin)
Missouri: $1,033
How many people live in Howard County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 10,151 residents in Howard County. The Census Bureau estimates 10,180 for July 1, 2025, up 0.3% since 2020, slower than Missouri (+1.9%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 10,147 over 464 square miles of land.
| Measure | Howard County | Missouri | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 10,147 | 6,191,814 | +89 |
| Households | 3,585±124 | 2,508,227 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.61±0.09 | 2.40 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 4,374±29 | 2,825,287 | −217 |
Howard County's population since 2000
From 10,212 in 2000 to 10,180 in 2025: down 0.3%. 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 5 places: 5 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places). The largest is Fayette with 2,848 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Fayette | 2,803 | $57,679 |
|---|---|---|
| Glasgow | 1,087 | $50,446 |
| New Franklin | 1,027 | $55,066 |
| ArmstrongGEOID 2901954 | 243 | $59,063 |
| FranklinGEOID 2925624 | 70 | $55,625 |
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 39.0 years old; 21.2% are under 18 and 20.1% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 86.2%, then non-Hispanic Black residents at 5.5%. 1.1% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Howard County | Missouri | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 39.0±0.9 | 39.0 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 21.2%±1.2 pts | 22.3% | – |
| 65 years and over | 20.1%±0.4 pts | 17.9% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 2.3% | 5.2% | +0.7 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 86.2%±2.1 pts | 76.3% | −4.4 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 5.5%±0.6 pts | 10.9% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.2%±0.3 pts | 2.1% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.4%±0.2 pts | 0.2% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 4.8%±2.0 pts | 4.8% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.7%±0.7 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 1.1%±0.6 pts | 4.5% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 1.1%±0.4 pts | 6.7% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 6.4%±1.0 pts | 7.3% | – |
| With a disability | 16.1%±1.9 pts | 14.9% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 8.1%±1.9 pts | 8.8% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 90.9%±1.8 pts | 91.9% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 28.2%±3.4 pts | 32.4% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 10.1%±2.1 pts | 12.6% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 1.5%±0.7 pts | 2.5% | – |
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 3,585 households earn less than $65,938 a year (±$7,076), against $70,702 in Missouri. In 2015-2019 it was $64,858 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 12.0% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Howard County | Missouri | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $65,938±$7,076 | $70,702 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $83,071±$6,034 | $96,247 | – |
| Per capita income | $30,705±$2,215 | $39,695 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 12.0%±2.7 pts | 12.6% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 8.6%±4.6 pts | 15.8% | −12.4 pts |
| Households receiving SNAP | 7.8%±2.0 pts | 9.8% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 85.6%±2.9 pts | 89.3% | – |
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 78.7% of Howard County's occupied homes and renters 21.3%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $159,400 by its owner (±$12,253). The median renter pays $832 a month including utilities, and 30.6% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Howard County | Missouri | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $159,400±$12,253 | $230,300 | no clear change |
| Median gross rent | $832±$76 | $1,033 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 30.6%±9.2 pts | 36.6% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,270±$74 | $1,524 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 78.7%±3.0 pts | 68.1% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 4,374±29 | 2,825,287 | −217 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.3%±0.5 pts | 0.9% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 0.0%±4.4 pts | 5.0% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 77.5%±2.8 pts | 70.5% | – |
| Mobile homes | 13.0%±2.6 pts | 5.2% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 1.4%±1.0 pts | 1.6% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 20.5%±3.4 pts | 13.3% | – |
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 12 new housing units across Howard County in 2025 (6 single-family), 1.2 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?
75.7% of Howard County's workers drive alone and 9.8% work from home. The average trip to work takes 26.5 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 3.7%.
| Measure | Howard County | Missouri | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 56.1%±2.9 pts | 63.1% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 3.7%±1.2 pts | 4.0% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 75.7%±3.3 pts | 74.8% | – |
| Carpooled | 10.6%±2.6 pts | 8.1% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.8%±0.9 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Walked | 2.3%±1.2 pts | 1.8% | – |
| Worked from home | 9.8%±2.4 pts | 13.0% | no clear change |
| Mean travel time to work | 26.5 min±2.0 | 23.5 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 $51,379 (Tract 9603) to $80,430 (Tract 9602).
| Tract 960129089960100 | 3,074±226 | $59,868 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 960229089960200 | 3,283±224 | $80,430 |
| Tract 960329089960300 | 3,790±174 | $51,379 |
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 Missouri's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 85th of 115 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 76th of 115 |
| Residents per square mile | 74th of 115 |
| Median household income | 30th of 115 |
| Median home value | 70th of 115 |
| Median gross rent | 31st of 115 |
| Poverty rate | 83rd of 115 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17th of 115 |
| Median age | 90th of 115 |
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.