Howard County, IA

County

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2024 Population

9,445

US Senator

Chuck Grassley

Republican Party

US Senator

Joni Ernst

Republican Party

2024 Median Age

39.2

0.254% 1-year decrease

2024 Poverty Rate

8.93%

6.35% 1-year increase

2024 Median Household Income

$67,446

0.163% 1-year growth

2024 Median Property Value

$147,800

10.4% 1-year growth

2024 Employed Population

4,658

0.0215% 1-year decline

About

None of the households in Howard County, IA reported speaking a non-English language at home as their primary shared language. This does not consider the potential multi-lingual nature of households, but only the primary self-reported language spoken by all members of the household.

98.8% of the residents in Howard County, IA are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Howard County, IA are Total Look School of Cosmetology & Massage Therapy (9 degrees awarded in 2016).

In 2024, the median property value in Howard County, IA was $147,800, and the homeownership rate was 77.4%.

Most people in Howard County, IA drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 23.2 minutes. The average car ownership in Howard County, IA was 2 cars per household.

Howard County, IA borders Chickasaw County, IA, Floyd County, IA, Mitchell County, IA, Winneshiek County, IA, Fillmore County, MN, and Mower County, MN.

United States Iowa

Population & Diversity

Howard County, IA is home to a population of 9.45k people, from which 98.8% are citizens. As of 2024, 2.32% of Howard County, IA residents were born outside of the country (219 people).

In 2024, there were 61.8 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (8.78k people) in Howard County, IA than any other race or ethnicity. There were 142 Other (Hispanic) and 140 Two Races Including Other (Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

98.8%

2024 Citizenship

99.1%

2023 Citizenship

As of 2024, 98.8% of Howard County, IA residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.2%. In 2023, the percentage of US citizens in Howard County, IA was 99.1%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been decreasing.

The following chart shows US citizenship percentages in Howard County, IA compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Howard County, IA

White (Non-Hispanic)
8.78k ± 63
Other (Hispanic)
142 ± 86
Two Races Including Other (Hispanic)
140 ± 75

3.3%

Hispanic Population

312 people

3.3% of the people in Howard County, IA are hispanic (312 people).

The following chart shows the 8 races represented in Howard County, IA as a share of the total population.

Global Diversity

The PUMS dataset is not available at the County level, so we are showing data for Iowa.

Most Common Origin

Mexico
42,808 ± 5,046 people
India
12,283 ± 2,716 people
China
7,889 ± 2,178 people

In 2023, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Iowa was Mexico, the natal country of 42,808 Iowa residents, followed by India with 12,283 and China with 7,889.

Foreign-Born Population

2.32%

2024 Foreign-Born Population

219 people

1.23%

2023 Foreign-Born Population

116 people

As of 2024, 2.32% of Howard County, IA residents (219 people) were born outside of the United States, which is approximately the same as the national average of 14%. In 2023, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Howard County, IA was 1.23%, meaning that the rate has been increasing.

The following chart shows the percentage of foreign-born residents in Howard County, IA compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Vietnam
221 ± 86
Gulf War (1990s)
39 ± 42
Gulf War (2001-)
37 ± 29

Howard County, IA has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 5.67 times greater than any other conflict.

The chart shows the distribution of veterans by conflict in Howard County, IA.

Economy

The economy of Howard County, IA employs 4.66k people. In 2024, the largest industries in Howard County, IA were Manufacturing (959 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (898 people), and Retail Trade (591 people), and the highest paying industries were Utilities ($102,344), Transportation & Warehousing, & Utilities ($75,500), and Wholesale Trade ($56,250).

Employment

Occupations

4.66k

2024 Value

± 360

−0.0215%

1 Year decline

± 10.9%

From 2023 to 2024, employment in Howard County, IA declined at a rate of −0.0215%, from 4.66k employees to 4.66k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Howard County, IA, are Management Occupations (546 people), Production Occupations (510 people), and Office & Administrative Support Occupations (411 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Howard County, IA.

Unemployment Insurance Claims

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Iowa.

This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in Iowa (not-seasonally adjusted) compared with the four states with the most similar impact.

The most recent data point uses Advance State Claims data, which can be revised in subsequent weeks.

Industries

Employment by Industries

4.66k

2024 Value

± 360

−0.0215%

1 Year decline

± 10.9%

From 2023 to 2024, employment in Howard County, IA declined at a rate of −0.0215%, from 4.66k employees to 4.66k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Howard County, IA, are Manufacturing (959 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (898 people), and Retail Trade (591 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Howard County, IA, though some of these residents may live in Howard County, IA and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Median Earnings by Industry

$46,466

Median earning men ± $3,135

$36,021

Median earning women ± $2,956

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2024 are Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($85,333), Public Administration ($84,063), and Transportation & Warehousing, & Utilities ($78,750).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2024 are Construction ($52,656), Manufacturing ($50,543), and Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($49,219).

Employment by Industry Sector

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Iowa.

Y-Axis

1.48%

Year-over-year growth

Employment change between February 2022 and February 2023

As of February 2023, there are 1.57M people employed in Iowa. This represents a 1.48% increase in employment when compared to February 2022.

Right after the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, during April 2020, a general dip can be seen across industry sectors, resulting in an overall decline in employment by 10.9%.

The following chart shows monthly employment numbers for each industry sector in Iowa.

Establishments by Size

The industries with the most establishments

27
Construction
26
Other Services (except Public Administration)
26
Retail Trade

The visualization shows the distribution of establishments by industry and by size according to the number of employees.

The visualization shows the number of establishments and its share across establishment sizes.

Payroll by Industry Sector

The industries with the highest total annual payroll

$67k
Manufacturing
$25.3k
Health Care and Social Assistance
$13.6k
Retail Trade

The chart shows the total annual payroll and the average annual payroll by industry.

Civics

In the 2024 presidential election, the popular vote in Iowa went to Donald J. Trump with 55.7% of the vote. The runner-up was Kamala Harris (42.5%), followed by Robert Kennedy (0.789%).

Chuck Grassley and Joni Ernst are the senators currently representing the state of Iowa. In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

Iowa is currently represented by 4 members in the U.S. house, and members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms.

Presidential Elections

Presidential Popular Vote Over Time

Voting results are not available for Howard County, IA. Showing the available data for Iowa.

2024 Election Results

Donald J. Trump (55.7%)
Republican Party
Kamala Harris (42.5%)
Democratic Party
Robert Kennedy (0.789%)
Independent Party

In the 2024 presidential election, the popular vote in Iowa went to Donald J. Trump with 55.7% of the vote. The runner-up was Kamala Harris (42.5%), followed by Robert Kennedy (0.789%).

The following chart shows the popular vote results in Iowa for each registered party from 1976 to 2024.

Senator Elections

US Senators from Iowa

Senatorial voting results are only available at the state level. Showing data for Iowa.

Chuck Grassley

Senator from Iowa

Assumed office on January 3, 1981

Joni Ernst

Senator from Iowa

Assumed office on January 3, 2015

Chuck Grassley and Joni Ernst are the senators currently representing Iowa.

In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

The following chart shows elected senators in Iowa over time, excluding special elections, colored by their political party.

Education

In 2016, universities in Howard County, IA awarded 9 degrees. The student population of Howard County, IA in 2016 is skewed towards women, with 0 male students and 8 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Howard County, IA are White (8 and 88.9%) and Asian (1 and 11.1%).

The largest universities in Howard County, IA by number of degrees awarded are Total Look School of Cosmetology & Massage Therapy (9 and 100%).

The most popular majors in Howard County, IA are General Cosmetology (5 and 55.6%) and Massage Therapy (4 and 44.4%).

Admissions & Enrollments

Enrollments by Gender and Races

In 2016 there were 8 students enrolled in Howard County, IA, 0% men and 100% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in White with 8 records, of which 100% were women and 0% men.

Completions

Concentrations

General Cosmetology

Most Common

5 degrees awarded

In 2016, the most common concentation for 2 to 4 Year Postsecondary Certificate recipients in Howard County, IA was General Cosmetology with 5 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a 2 to 4 Year Postsecondary Certificate from schools in Howard County, IA according to their major.

Universities

Gender

Race

Total Look School of Cosmetology & Massage Therapy

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

9 degrees awarded

In 2016, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was Total Look School of Cosmetology & Massage Therapy with 9 degrees awarded.

Student Diversity

In 2016, 1 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Howard County, IA, which is 0.125 times less than the 8 female students who received degrees in the same year.

In 2016, the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was White students. These 8 degrees mean that there were 8 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Asian, with 1 degrees awarded.

Awarded Degrees over Time

The graph shows the evolution of awarded degrees by degrees. Under the paragraphs, the average number of awarded degrees by university in each degree is shown.

Housing & Living

The median property value in Howard County, IA was $147,800 in 2024, which is 0.444 times smaller than the national average of $332,700. Between 2023 and 2024 the median property value increased from $133,900 to $147,800, a 10.4% increase. The homeownership rate in Howard County, IA is 77.4%, which is higher than the national average of 65.2%.

People in Howard County, IA have an average commute time of 23.2 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Howard County, IA is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

In 2025, 7.14% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Howard County, IA. From 2014 to 2025, the indicator declined 2.96%.

Housing

Property

$147,800

Median Property Value 2024

±$14,899

$2,921

Median Property Taxes

±$258

The following chart display owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Howard County, IA the largest share of households pay taxes in the $800 - $1,499 range.

The chart underneath the paragraph shows the property taxes in Howard County, IA compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies.

Rent vs Own

77.4%

Homeownership

2024

69.3%

Homeowners with Mortgage

2024

In 2024, 77.4% of the housing units in Howard County, IA were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 76.6%.

This chart shows the percentage of owner in Howard County, IA compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

Equity

Household Income

Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.

$67,446

Median Household Income

± $7,862

3.77k

Number of Households

± 307

In 2024, the median household income of the 3.77k households in Howard County, IA grew to $67,446 from the previous year's value of $67,336.

The following chart displays the households in Howard County, IA distributed between a series of income buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households have an income in the $75k - $100k range.

Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for Howard County, IA is from Iowa.

0.441

2023 Wage GINI in Iowa

0.442

2022 Wage GINI in Iowa

In 2023, the income inequality in Iowa was 0.441 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.304% decline from 2022 to 2023, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for Iowa was lower than than the national average of 0.476. In other words, wages are distributed more evenly in Iowa in comparison to the national average.

This chart shows the number of workers in Iowa across various wage buckets compared to the national average.

Transportation

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2024

Drove Alone (76.4%)
Worked At Home (10%)
Carpooled (8.16%)

In 2024, 76.4% of workers in Howard County, IA drove alone to work, followed by those who worked at home (10%) and those who carpooled to work (8.16%).

The following chart shows the number of households using each mode of transportation over time, using a logarithmic scale on the y-axis to help better show variations in the smaller means of commuting.

Commute Time

23.2 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Howard County, IA have a shorter commute time (23.2 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.4 minutes). Additionally, 4.3% of the workforce in Howard County, IA have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

The chart below shows how the median household income in Howard County, IA compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Car Ownership

2 cars

Average Number

The following chart displays the households in Howard County, IA distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in Howard County, IA have 2 cars.

Poverty

Severe Housing Problems

In 2025, 7.14% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Howard County, IA. From 2014 to 2025, the indicator declined 2.96%.

The graph shows the trend of the percentage of the population living with severe housing problems.

Poverty & Diversity

8.93% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Howard County, IA (828 out of 9.27k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is lower than the national average of 12.5%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Males 35 - 44, followed by Females 55 - 64 and then Males 6 - 11.

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Howard County, IA is White, followed by Hispanic and Other.

The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold than that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.

Children in Poverty

In 2025, 12.3% of the children was living in poverty in Howard County, IA. From 2014 to 2025, the indicator declined 6.1%.

The graph shows the trend of the percentage of the children living in poverty.

Social Needs

Data only available at the state level.

Most prevalent states

California
35,798 individuals
New York
5,087 individuals
Florida
4,915 individuals

In 2017, California had the highest estimated number of chronically homeless individuals in the nation, at 35,798. New York has the second highest (5,087), followed by Florida (4,915).

The following map shows the estimated number of chronically homeless individuals by state over multiple years.

Security

Crimes & Accidents

Indicator

In 2022, the number of reported violent crimes offenses per 100,000 population was 63.5 in Howard County, IA. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator declined 16.9 per 100,000 population.

The graph shows the trend in the number of reported violent crimes offenses per 100,000 population.

Health

89.8% of the population of Howard County, IA has health coverage, with 44.4% on employee plans, 15.5% on Medicaid, 15% on Medicare, 13.4% on non-group plans, and 1.52% on military or VA plans.

Primary care physicians in Howard County, IA see 1,896 patients per year on average, which represents a 0% change from the previous year (1,896 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 4766 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 1339 patients per year.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 50.5% were men and 49.5% were women.

Coverage

Patient to Clinician Ratios

1,896 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Howard County, IA

Primary care physicians in Howard County, IA see an average of 1,896 patients per year. This represents a 0% change from the previous year (1,896 patients).

The following chart shows how the number of patients seen by primary care physicians has been changing over time in Howard County, IA in comparison to its neighboring geographies.

Health Care Diversity

In 2024, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 27.4% under 18 years, 16.9% between 18 and 34 years, 36.3% between 35 and 64 years, and 19.4% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 50.5% were men and 49.5% were women.

The following chart shows the number of people with health coverage by gender.

Uninsured People

10.2%

Uninsured

44.4%

Employer Coverage

15.5%

Medicaid

15%

Medicare

13.4%

Non-Group

1.52%

Military or VA

Between 2023 and 2024, the percent of uninsured citizens in Howard County, IA grew by 5.96% from 9.59% to 10.2%.

The following chart shows how the percent of uninsured individuals in Howard County, IA changed over time compared with the percent of individuals enrolled in various types of health insurance.