County · Texas
Howard County, Texas
Howard County, Texas. Howard County had 30,504 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 12.5% since 2020, while Texas grew 8.8%. It holds 4 places (3 cities, villages and boroughs and 1 census-designated) and 10 census tracts. GEOID 48227.
Howard County is the county of the Big Spring, TX micropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
30,504
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 34,860 · ACS 2020-2024: 32,290
Median household income
$69,649
±$3,878 (90% margin)
Texas: $78,476
Median home value
$155,600
±$8,624 (90% margin)
Texas: $283,800
Median gross rent
$1,034
±$85 (90% margin)
Texas: $1,403
How many people live in Howard County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 34,860 residents in Howard County. The Census Bureau estimates 30,504 for July 1, 2025, down 12.5% since 2020, while Texas grew 8.8%. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 32,290 over 901 square miles of land.
| Measure | Howard County | Texas | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 32,290 | 30,188,424 | −4,059 |
| Households | 12,191±351 | 10,992,816 | +1,127 |
| Average household size | 2.39±0.06 | 2.69 | −0.45 |
| Housing units | 14,048±202 | 12,128,515 | +868 |
Howard County's population since 2000
From 33,627 in 2000 to 30,504 in 2025: down 9.3%. 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 4 places: 3 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 1 census-designated place. The largest is Big Spring with 22,290 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Big Spring | 26,144 | $67,581 |
|---|---|---|
| Coahoma | 945 | $68,828 |
| Sand SpringsGEOID 4865240 | 878 | $48,457 |
| ForsanGEOID 4826640 | 225 | $92,950 |
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 36.7 years old; 22.6% are under 18 and 13.4% are 65 or older. The largest group is Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 47.7%, then non-Hispanic white residents at 43.1%. 9.8% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Howard County | Texas | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 36.7±0.6 | 35.6 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 22.6%±0.1 pts | 25.0% | – |
| 65 years and over | 13.4%±0.2 pts | 13.4% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 47.7% | 39.7% | +5.2 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 43.1%±0.5 pts | 39.1% | −5.6 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 4.5%±0.5 pts | 11.9% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 1.0%±0.1 pts | 5.5% | +0.3 pts |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.3%±0.2 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 3.1%±0.8 pts | 3.1% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.2%±0.2 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 9.8%±1.8 pts | 17.6% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 30.3%±2.3 pts | 35.1% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 5.9%±0.9 pts | 6.2% | – |
| With a disability | 17.8%±1.9 pts | 12.3% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 13.6%±1.9 pts | 17.1% | −3.4 pts |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 81.1%±1.8 pts | 86.0% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 15.7%±1.6 pts | 33.8% | +3.1 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 5.0%±1.2 pts | 12.3% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 1.1%±0.7 pts | 2.0% | – |
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 12,191 households earn less than $69,649 a year (±$3,878), against $78,476 in Texas. In 2015-2019 it was $66,713 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 13.8% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Howard County | Texas | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $69,649±$3,878 | $78,476 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $90,688±$4,577 | $109,933 | – |
| Per capita income | $34,939±$1,970 | $40,752 | +$4,729 |
| People below the poverty line | 13.8%±2.0 pts | 13.8% | −3.5 pts |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 14.2%±3.5 pts | 18.7% | −6.5 pts |
| Households receiving SNAP | 12.4%±2.2 pts | 11.4% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 86.4%±2.1 pts | 91.4% | – |
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 69.5% of Howard County's occupied homes and renters 30.5%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $155,600 by its owner (±$8,624). The median renter pays $1,034 a month including utilities, and 34.5% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Howard County | Texas | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $155,600±$8,624 | $283,800 | +$33,761 |
| Median gross rent | $1,034±$85 | $1,403 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 34.5%±6.9 pts | 42.3% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,506±$123 | $2,106 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 69.5%±3.0 pts | 62.6% | +4.1 pts |
| Housing units | 14,048±202 | 12,128,515 | +868 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 1.4%±1.1 pts | 1.1% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 7.6%±3.3 pts | 7.7% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 75.8%±2.7 pts | 64.4% | – |
| Mobile homes | 7.8%±1.4 pts | 6.4% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.5%±0.3 pts | 4.0% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 6.4%±1.6 pts | 3.1% | – |
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 6 new housing units across Howard County in 2025 (6 single-family), 0.2 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?
79.1% of Howard County's workers drive alone and 3.0% work from home. The average trip to work takes 21.7 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 5.4%.
| Measure | Howard County | Texas | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 55.3%±2.2 pts | 65.3% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 5.4%±1.4 pts | 5.3% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 79.1%±3.2 pts | 71.4% | – |
| Carpooled | 16.0%±2.8 pts | 10.0% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.0%±0.4 pts | 0.9% | – |
| Walked | 1.0%±0.7 pts | 1.5% | – |
| Worked from home | 3.0%±1.2 pts | 14.4% | no clear change |
| Mean travel time to work | 21.7 min±1.7 | 26.7 min | +2.9 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 10 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $42,547 (Tract 9504) to $98,114 (Tract 9506).
| Tract 950148227950100 | 2,244±422 | $97,960 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 950248227950200 | 2,466±489 | $66,081 |
| Tract 950348227950300 | 1,899±541 | $43,021 |
| Tract 950448227950400 | 3,343±524 | $42,547 |
| Tract 950548227950500 | 2,560±412 | $64,856 |
| Tract 950648227950600 | 4,759±454 | $98,114 |
| Tract 950748227950700 | 2,974±535 | $65,363 |
| Tract 9508.0148227950801 | 3,834±416 | $79,924 |
| Tract 9508.0248227950802 | 4,100±585 | $69,722 |
| Tract 950948227950900 | 4,111±502 | $90,298 |
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 Texas's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 89th of 253 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 249th of 254 |
| Residents per square mile | 92nd of 254 |
| Median household income | 88th of 253 |
| Median home value | 146th of 247 |
| Median gross rent | 90th of 245 |
| Poverty rate | 133rd of 240 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 194th of 252 |
| Median age | 176th of 254 |
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.