Howard County, MO

County

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    2024 Population
    10,147
    US Senator
    Josh Hawley
    Republican Party
    US Senator
    Eric Schmitt
    Republican Party
    2024 Median Age
    39
    1.83% 1-year increase
    2024 Poverty Rate
    12%
    6.17% 1-year decrease
    2024 Median Household Income
    $65,938
    5.29% 1-year growth
    2024 Median Property Value
    $159,400
    9.7% 1-year growth
    2024 Employed Population
    4,479
    0.643% 1-year decline

    About

    None of the households in Howard County, MO 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.

    99.6% of the residents in Howard County, MO are U.S. citizens.

    The largest universities in Howard County, MO are Central Methodist University-College of Graduate and Extended Studies (606 degrees awarded in 2024) and Central Methodist University-College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (248 degrees).

    In 2024, the median property value in Howard County, MO was $159,400, and the homeownership rate was 78.7%.

    Most people in Howard County, MO drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 26.5 minutes. The average car ownership in Howard County, MO was 2 cars per household.

    United StatesMissouri

    Population & Diversity

    Howard County, MO is home to a population of 10.1k people, from which 99.6% are citizens. As of 2024, 1.05% of Howard County, MO residents were born outside of the country (107 people).

    In 2024, there were 15.6 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (8.74k people) in Howard County, MO than any other race or ethnicity. There were 561 Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) and 281 Two Races Including Other (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

    Population & Diversity

    Citizenship

    99.6%
    2024 Citizenship
    99.6%
    2023 Citizenship

    As of 2024, 99.6% of Howard County, MO residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.2%. In 2023, the percentage of US citizens in Howard County, MO was 99.6%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been increasing.

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

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    Diversity

    Race and Ethnicity

    The 3 largest ethnic groups in Howard County, MO
    1. White (Non-Hispanic)
      8.74k ± 216
    2. Black or African American (Non-Hispanic)
      561 ± 59
    3. Two Races Including Other (Non-Hispanic)
      281 ± 205
    2.26%
    Hispanic Population
    229 people

    In 2024, there were 15.6 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (8.74k people) in Howard County, MO than any other race or ethnicity. There were 561 Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) and 281 Two Races Including Other (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

    2.26% of the people in Howard County, MO are hispanic (229 people).

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

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    Global Diversity

    The PUMS dataset is not available at the County level, so we are showing data for Missouri.
    Most Common Origin
    1. Mexico
      42,470 ± 5,042 people
    2. India
      24,378 ± 3,826 people
    3. China
      16,113 ± 3,112 people

    In 2024, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Missouri was Mexico, the natal country of 42,470 Missouri residents, followed by India with 24,378 and China with 16,113.

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    Foreign-Born Population

    1.05%
    2024 Foreign-Born Population
    107 people
    1.06%
    2023 Foreign-Born Population
    108 people

    As of 2024, 1.05% of Howard County, MO residents (107 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, MO was 1.06%, meaning that the rate has been decreasing.

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

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    Military

    Veterans

    Most Common Service Period
    1. Vietnam
      181 ± 65
    2. Gulf War (2001-)
      88 ± 50
    3. Korea
      50 ± 41

    Howard County, MO has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 2.06 times greater than any other conflict.

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

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    Health

    91.9% of the population of Howard County, MO has health coverage, with 48.7% on employee plans, 13.8% on Medicaid, 16.2% on Medicare, 11.3% on non-group plans, and 1.92% on military or VA plans.

    Primary care physicians in Howard County, MO see 2,542 patients per year on average, which represents a 0% change from the previous year (2,542 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 3389 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 1263 patients per year.

    By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 50.1% were men and 49.9% were women.

    Coverage

    Patient to Clinician Ratios

    2,542 to 1
    Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Howard County, MO

    Primary care physicians in Howard County, MO see an average of 2,542 patients per year. This represents a 0% change from the previous year (2,542 patients).

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

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    Health Care Diversity

    In 2024, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 23.9% under 18 years, 21.9% between 18 and 34 years, 34.4% between 35 and 64 years, and 19.8% over 64 years.

    By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 50.1% were men and 49.9% were women.

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

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    Uninsured People

    8.13%
    Uninsured
    48.7%
    Employer Coverage
    13.8%
    Medicaid
    16.2%
    Medicare
    11.3%
    Non-Group
    1.92%
    Military or VA

    Between 2023 and 2024, the percent of uninsured citizens in Howard County, MO declined by 0.649% from 8.18% to 8.13%.

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

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    Health Indicators

    Health Outcomes

    Indicator

    In 2025, the average number of mentally unhealthy days reported in past 30 days (age-adjusted) was 5.82 in Howard County, MO.

    The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in Howard County, MO.

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    Health Behaviors

    Indicator

    In 2025, the percentage of the adult population (age 18 and older) that reports a body mass index (BMI) greater than or equal to 30 kg/m2 (age-adjusted) was 40% in Howard County, MO.

    The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in Howard County, MO.

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    Clinical Care

    Indicator

    In 2025, the percentage of population under age 65 without health insurance was 10.6% in Howard County, MO.

    The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in Howard County, MO.

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    Economy

    The economy of Howard County, MO employs 4.48k people. In 2024, the largest industries in Howard County, MO were Educational Services (732 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (602 people), and Manufacturing (467 people), and the highest paying industries were Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($92,500), Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($69,750), and Finance & Insurance ($69,688).

    Employment

    Occupations

    4.48k
    2024 Value
    ± 355
    −0.643%
    1 Year decline
    ± 11.2%

    From 2023 to 2024, employment in Howard County, MO declined at a rate of −0.643%, from 4.51k employees to 4.48k employees.

    The most common job groups, by number of people living in Howard County, MO, are Office & Administrative Support Occupations (614 people), Management Occupations (503 people), and Education Instruction, & Library Occupations (357 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Howard County, MO.

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    Unemployment Insurance Claims

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

    This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in Missouri (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.

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    Industries

    Employment by Industries

    4.48k
    2024 Value
    ± 355
    −0.643%
    1 Year decline
    ± 11.2%

    From 2023 to 2024, employment in Howard County, MO declined at a rate of −0.643%, from 4.51k employees to 4.48k employees.

    The most common employment sectors for those who live in Howard County, MO, are Educational Services (732 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (602 people), and Manufacturing (467 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Howard County, MO, though some of these residents may live in Howard County, MO and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

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    Median Earnings by Industry

    $46,767
    Median earning men ± $5,364
    $37,256
    Median earning women ± $2,574

    The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2024 are Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($83,750), Professional, Scientific, & Management, & Administrative & Waste Management Services ($62,839), and Transportation & Warehousing, & Utilities ($53,720).

    The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2024 are Transportation & Warehousing, & Utilities ($70,880), Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($48,382), and Manufacturing ($43,750).

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    Employment by Industry Sector

    Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Missouri.
    Y-Axis
    2.17%
    Year-over-year growth
    Employment change between February 2022 and February 2023

    As of February 2023, there are 2.94M people employed in Missouri. This represents a 2.17% 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 11.8%.

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

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    Establishments by Size

    The industries with the most establishments
    1. 18
      Other Services (except Public Administration)
    2. 18
      Construction
    3. 12
      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.

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    Payroll by Industry Sector

    The industries with the highest total annual payroll
    1. $14.3k
      Health Care and Social Assistance
    2. $13.4k
      Manufacturing
    3. $5.34k
      Finance and Insurance

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

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    Civics

    In the 2024 presidential election, the popular vote in Missouri went to Donald J. Trump with 58.5% of the vote. The runner-up was Kamala Harris (40.1%), followed by Chase Oliver (0.797%).

    Josh Hawley and Eric Schmitt are the senators currently representing the state of Missouri. In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

    Missouri is currently represented by 8 members in the U.S. house, and members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms.

    Presidential Elections

    Voting results are not available for Howard County, MO. Showing the available data for Missouri.
    2024 Election Results
    1. Donald J. Trump (58.5%)
      Republican Party
    2. Kamala Harris (40.1%)
      Democratic Party
    3. Chase Oliver (0.797%)
      Libertarian Party

    In the 2024 presidential election, the popular vote in Missouri went to Donald J. Trump with 58.5% of the vote. The runner-up was Kamala Harris (40.1%), followed by Chase Oliver (0.797%).

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

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    Senator Elections

    US Senators from Missouri

    Senatorial voting results are only available at the state level. Showing data for Missouri.
    Josh Hawley
    Senator from Missouri1
    Assumed office on January 3, 2019
    Eric Schmitt
    Senator from Missouri3
    Assumed office on January 3, 2023

    Josh Hawley and Eric Schmitt are the senators currently representing Missouri.

    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 Missouri over time, excluding special elections, colored by their political party.

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    Education

    In 2024, universities in Howard County, MO awarded 854 degrees. The student population of Howard County, MO in 2024 is skewed towards women, with 2,154 male students and 2,689 female students.

    Most students graduating from Universities in Howard County, MO are White (702 and 84.1%), Black or African American (72 and 8.62%), Two or More Races (29 and 3.47%), and Unknown (16 and 1.92%).

    The largest universities in Howard County, MO by number of degrees awarded are Central Methodist University-College of Graduate and Extended Studies (606 and 71%) and Central Methodist University-College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (248 and 29%).

    The most popular majors in Howard County, MO are Elementary Education & Teaching (105 and 12.3%), General Business (102 and 11.9%), and Other Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research, & Clinical Nursing (84 and 9.84%).

    The median tuition cost for private four year colleges is $17,400.

    Admissions & Enrollments

    Applicants, Admissions & Enrolled

    University
    Measure

    In 2024 in Howard County, MO, the percentage of applicants admitted was 63.3%, while the percentage of admitted who enrolled was 48.3%. The number of students enrolled in 2024 was 4,843 (44.5% men and 55.5% women).

    The line chart  shows the evolution of the percentage of applicants admitted, admitted who enrolled or the number of students enrolled according to the option selected in the upper button.

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    Enrollments by Gender and Races

    Universities

    In 2024 there were 4,843 students enrolled in Howard County, MO, 44.5% men and 55.5% women.

    By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in White with 2,963 records, of which 61.6% were women and 38.4% men.

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    Completions

    Concentrations

    Most Common
    1. Elementary Education & Teaching
      105 degrees awarded
    2. Other Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research, & Clinical Nursing
      84 degrees awarded
    3. General Business
      83 degrees awarded

    In 2024, the most common concentation for Bachelors Degree recipients in Howard County, MO was Elementary Education & Teaching with 105 degrees awarded.

    This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a Bachelors Degree from schools in Howard County, MO according to their major.

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    Universities

    Gender
    Race
    Largest Universities by degrees awarded
    1. Central Methodist University-College of Graduate and Extended Studies
      606 degrees awarded
    2. Central Methodist University-College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
      248 degrees awarded

    In 2024, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was Central Methodist University-College of Graduate and Extended Studies with 606 degrees awarded.

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    Student Diversity

    University

    In 2024, 241 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Howard County, MO, which is 0.393 times less than the 613 female students who received degrees in the same year.

    In 2024, the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was White students. These 702 degrees mean that there were 9.75 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Black or African American, with 72 degrees awarded.

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    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.

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    Tuition

    Average Net Price by Sector

    Universities

    Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above ($17,400) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2024.

    Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above ($660) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2024.

    Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above ($1,300) is the sector with the highest average net price of books and supplies.

    The graph shows the average net price by sector and year.

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    Housing & Living

    The median property value in Howard County, MO was $159,400 in 2024, which is 0.479 times smaller than the national average of $332,700. Between 2023 and 2024 the median property value increased from $145,300 to $159,400, a 9.7% increase. The homeownership rate in Howard County, MO is 78.7%, which is higher than the national average of 65.2%.

    People in Howard County, MO have an average commute time of 26.5 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Howard County, MO is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

    In 2025, 8.79% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Howard County, MO. From 2014 to 2025, the indicator declined 1.61%.

    Housing

    Property

    $159,400
    Median Property Value 2024
    ±$12,253
    $2,821
    Median Property Taxes
    ±$235

    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, MO 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, MO compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies.

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    Rent vs Own

    78.7%
    Homeownership
    2024
    67.5%
    Homeowners with Mortgage
    2024

    In 2024, 78.7% of the housing units in Howard County, MO were occupied by their owner. This percentage declined from the previous year's rate of 80.3%.

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

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    Equity

    Household Income

    Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.
    $65,938
    Median Household Income
    ± $7,076
    3.59k
    Number of Households
    ± 291

    In 2024, the median household income of the 3.59k households in Howard County, MO grew to $65,938 from the previous year's value of $62,628.

    The following chart displays the households in Howard County, MO 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.

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    Wage Distribution

    The closest comparable wage GINI for Howard County, MO is from Missouri.
    0.45
    2024 Wage GINI in Missouri
    0.451
    2023 Wage GINI in Missouri

    In 2024, the income inequality in Missouri was 0.45 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.34% decline from 2023 to 2024, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for Missouri was lower than than the national average of 0.474. In other words, wages are distributed more evenly in Missouri in comparison to the national average.

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

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    Transportation

    Commuter Transportation

    Most Common Commute in 2024
    1. Drove Alone (75.7%)
    2. Carpooled (10.6%)
    3. Worked At Home (9.78%)

    In 2024, 75.7% of workers in Howard County, MO drove alone to work, followed by those who carpooled to work (10.6%) and those who worked at home (9.78%).

    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.

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    Commute Time

    26.5 minutes
    Average Travel Time

    Using averages, employees in Howard County, MO have a longer commute time (26.5 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.4 minutes). Additionally, 3.67% of the workforce in Howard County, MO have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

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

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    Car Ownership

    2 cars
    Average Number

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

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    Poverty

    Severe Housing Problems

    In 2025, 8.79% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Howard County, MO. From 2014 to 2025, the indicator declined 1.61%.

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

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    Poverty & Diversity

    12% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Howard County, MO (1.13k out of 9.39k 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 Females 18 - 24, followed by Females 55 - 64 and then Males 18 - 24.

    The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Howard County, MO is White, followed by Two Or More and Black.

    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.

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    Children in Poverty

    In 2025, 14.4% of the children was living in poverty in Howard County, MO. From 2014 to 2025, the indicator declined 10%.

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

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    Security

    Crimes & Accidents

    Indicator

    In 2022, the number of reported violent crimes offenses per 100,000 population was 117 in Howard County, MO. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator declined 11.7% per 100,000 population.

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

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