County · Nebraska
Howard County, Nebraska
Howard County, Nebraska. Howard County had 6,538 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 1.0% since 2020, slower than Nebraska (+2.9%). It holds 8 places (7 cities, villages and boroughs and 1 census-designated) and 2 census tracts. GEOID 31093.
Howard County is one of the 3 counties of the Grand Island, NE metropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
6,538
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 6,475 · ACS 2020-2024: 6,534
Median household income
$76,767
±$7,196 (90% margin)
Nebraska: $76,475
Median home value
$209,100
±$18,825 (90% margin)
Nebraska: $238,600
Median gross rent
$777
±$115 (90% margin)
Nebraska: $1,072
How many people live in Howard County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 6,475 residents in Howard County. The Census Bureau estimates 6,538 for July 1, 2025, up 1.0% since 2020, slower than Nebraska (+2.9%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 6,534 over 569 square miles of land.
| Measure | Howard County | Nebraska | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 6,534 | 1,978,707 | +117 |
| Households | 2,504±108 | 797,847 | −216 |
| Average household size | 2.58±0.11 | 2.42 | +0.22 |
| Housing units | 2,894±21 | 863,444 | −207 |
Howard County's population since 2000
From 6,567 in 2000 to 6,538 in 2025: down 0.4%. 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 8 places: 7 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 1 census-designated place. The largest is St. Paul with 2,416 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| St. Paul | 2,416 | $62,212 |
|---|---|---|
| Dannebrog | 273 | $63,250 |
| St. LiboryGEOID 3143160 | 241 | not published |
| ElbaGEOID 3114555 | 192 | $36,250 |
| Howard City (Boelus) | 181 | $68,750 |
| FarwellGEOID 3116760 | 138 | $52,500 |
| CushingGEOID 3111860 | 37 | $98,478 |
| CotesfieldGEOID 3110740 | 29 | 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 42.2 years old; 25.2% are under 18 and 22.7% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 91.1%, then non-Hispanic residents of two or more races at 4.9%. 1.7% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Howard County | Nebraska | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 42.2±1.4 | 37.2 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 25.2%±0.2 pts | 24.5% | – |
| 65 years and over | 22.7%±0.5 pts | 16.7% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 3.2% | 12.7% | +0.7 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 91.1%±2.9 pts | 75.3% | −4.4 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.6%±0.8 pts | 4.6% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 2.6% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.4 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 4.9%±3.0 pts | 3.8% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.4 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 1.7%±0.9 pts | 8.0% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 2.5%±1.3 pts | 12.8% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 7.3%±1.6 pts | 6.9% | – |
| With a disability | 14.1%±2.0 pts | 12.3% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 6.8%±3.6 pts | 7.2% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 95.9%±1.2 pts | 92.2% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 26.0%±3.6 pts | 34.6% | +4.9 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 5.2%±1.7 pts | 12.3% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 0.1%±0.1 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 2,504 households earn less than $76,767 a year (±$7,196), against $76,475 in Nebraska. In 2015-2019 it was $73,039 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 4.8% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Howard County | Nebraska | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $76,767±$7,196 | $76,475 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $96,174±$7,546 | $102,399 | – |
| Per capita income | $38,592±$2,592 | $41,751 | +$4,761 |
| People below the poverty line | 4.8%±1.8 pts | 10.6% | −3.1 pts |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 4.0%±3.4 pts | 12.0% | – |
| Households receiving SNAP | 6.7%±2.5 pts | 8.2% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 85.3%±2.9 pts | 90.6% | – |
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 78.2% of Howard County's occupied homes and renters 21.8%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $209,100 by its owner (±$18,825). The median renter pays $777 a month including utilities, and 26.4% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Howard County | Nebraska | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $209,100±$18,825 | $238,600 | +$25,973 |
| Median gross rent | $777±$115 | $1,072 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 26.4%±10.5 pts | 35.9% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,357±$147 | $1,736 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 78.2%±4.0 pts | 66.5% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 2,894±21 | 863,444 | −207 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 1.3%±1.2 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 0.2%±0.5 pts | 4.3% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 91.6%±2.3 pts | 71.3% | – |
| Mobile homes | 4.0%±1.8 pts | 2.9% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.7%±0.8 pts | 1.8% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 36.1%±4.7 pts | 18.7% | – |
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 15 new housing units across Howard County in 2025 (13 single-family), 2.3 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?
80.8% of Howard County's workers drive alone and 8.6% work from home. The average trip to work takes 26.7 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 3.8%.
| Measure | Howard County | Nebraska | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 64.9%±3.0 pts | 68.6% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 3.8%±1.9 pts | 3.0% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 80.8%±3.8 pts | 76.1% | – |
| Carpooled | 6.4%±2.0 pts | 8.7% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Walked | 2.1%±1.1 pts | 2.3% | – |
| Worked from home | 8.6%±2.6 pts | 11.0% | no clear change |
| Mean travel time to work | 26.7 min±2.8 | 19.2 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 2 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $69,188 (Tract 9706) to $94,444 (Tract 9705).
| Tract 970531093970500 | 1,854±223 | $94,444 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 970631093970600 | 4,680±223 | $69,188 |
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 Nebraska's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 45th of 93 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 33rd of 93 |
| Residents per square mile | 41st of 93 |
| Median household income | 18th of 93 |
| Median home value | 15th of 93 |
| Median gross rent | 47th of 93 |
| Poverty rate | 92nd of 92 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29th of 93 |
| Median age | 53rd of 93 |
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.