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COUNTY · 2020 ACS

Howard County

Arkansas · 12,785 residents · 587.332 sq mi
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The short version

Howard County has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $38,038. Population has declined 11% since 2000. 14% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 33%. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $101,000.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Mid-age
median age 40.6
US median: 38.8
Less educated
14% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
12,785
−11%since 2000
from 14,300 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
22 / sq mi
−11%since 2000
from 24 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
40.6
+12%since 2000
from 36.1 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
12K13K13K14K14K1990201020202024Howard County
202413K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$38,038
−12%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $28,699 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$23,297
+49%since 2000
from $15,586 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
20.6%
+4.4 ptssince 2009
from 16.2% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
19.3%
+3.8 ptssince 2000
from 15.5% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Retail trade31.3%
US avg: 10%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing9.8%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction9.5%
US avg: 1.2%
Information8.6%
US avg: 11.1%
Wholesale trade5.2%
US avg: 6.7%
Finance & insurance5.1%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical3.6%
US avg: 4.7%
Arts, entertainment, food2.7%
US avg: 2%
Education & health services1.5%
US avg: 0.8%
Other services1.1%
US avg: 6.6%
Public administration0.6%
US avg: 4.7%
Transportation & warehousing0.5%
US avg: 2.5%
Manufacturing0.3%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$101,000
+23%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $54,700 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$649
+17%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $369 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
68.8%
−3.4 ptssince 2000
from 72.2% in 2000
31.2% rent
Afford Score
2.7
+39%since 2000
from 1.9 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Howard County on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic71.5%(10,220)
Black21.8%(3,111)
Hispanic / Latino5.1%(727)
Asian0.5%(71)
Other0%
Diversity Score53.2%(7,608)
Segregation Score0%
2020
White, non-Hispanic62.4%(7,982)
Black20.5%(2,626)
Hispanic / Latino11.9%(1,517)
Asian0.5%(62)
Other2.2%(277)
Diversity Score66.3%(8,472)
Segregation Score27.9%(3,573)
Diversity Score
66
+25%since 2000
from 53 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Segregation Score
28
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
13.8%
+2.2 ptssince 2000
from 11.6% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
86.0%
+15.3 ptssince 2000
from 70.7% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
3.5%
Unchangedsince 2000
from 3.5% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
19.4 min
+37%since 2000
from 14.2 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
82.3%
+2.8 ptssince 2009
from 79.6% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
3.7%
−3.0 ptssince 2009
from 6.7% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
6.6%
−0.5 ptssince 2011
from 7.1% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
58.0%
−5.2 ptssince 2011
from 63.3% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
24.9%
−29.8 ptssince 2009
from 54.7% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
47.7%
−1.2 ptssince 2009
from 48.9% in 2009
Female
52.3%
+1.2 ptssince 2009
from 51.1% in 2009
Foreign born
7.5%
+0.2 ptssince 2009
from 7.3% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
10.4%
−68.7 ptssince 2013
from 79.1% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Howard County

Glades County
Pop 13,270
Choctaw County
Pop 11,904
Bacon County
Pop 11,070
Fulton County
Pop 12,492
Places similar to Howard County
Head to head

Compare Howard County to nearby counties

HOWARD COUNTY VS
Sevier County
Income$53,527+41%
Home value$117,600+16%
Population15,758+28%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
HOWARD COUNTY VS
Pike County
Income$49,269+30%
Home value$121,600+20%
Population9,964−19%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
HOWARD COUNTY VS
Little River County
Income$53,344+40%
Home value$113,500+12%
Population11,763−4%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
HOWARD COUNTY VS
Hempstead County
Income$46,787+23%
Home value$105,700+5%
Population19,080+55%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Howard County, Arkansas?

Howard County, Arkansas has about 12,785 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Howard County, Arkansas?

The typical household in Howard County, Arkansas earns about $38,038 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Howard County, Arkansas expensive?

In Howard County, Arkansas, the median home is worth about $101,000, and the typical rent is about $649 a month.

How educated are people in Howard County, Arkansas?

About 13.8% of adults age 25 and over in Howard County, Arkansas hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Howard County, Arkansas?

About 19.3% of people in Howard County, Arkansas live below the federal poverty line.

Has Howard County, Arkansas grown since 1990?

Yes, Howard County, Arkansas has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 784 residents, a change of about -6 percent over that period.

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Explore from here

3 census tracts
Census Tract 9502Census Tract 9503Census Tract 9501
5 ZIP codes
ZIP 71852ZIP 71851ZIP 71833ZIP 71971ZIP 71831
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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

How we source and harmonize this data →