Howard County

As of the latest estimates, Howard County, Indiana, has a population of approximately 82,000 people. The racial makeup is roughly 87% White, 6% Black or African American, 2% Asian, and 2% identifying as two or more races. The Hispanic or Latino population accounts for about 3% of the total. The median household income is around $50,000, and about 13% of residents live below the poverty line. The county features a blend of urban and rural areas, with Kokomo as its largest city and administrative center.

As of 2023, Howard County, Indiana, has a median home value of approximately $130,000. The county's median household income stands around $54,000. Housing costs remain relatively affordable, with a typical monthly mortgage payment estimated at $850. The homeownership rate in Howard County is roughly 70%, reflecting a stable housing market. Rental prices average about $725 per month. Housing inventory includes a mix of single-family homes, apartments, and townhouses, catering to diverse needs. Property tax rates are relatively moderate, approximately 1.0% of home value annually. This affordability attracts both first-time homebuyers and retirees.

As of the latest update, Howard County, IN, has several key elections, including mayoral, city council, and school board races. In the upcoming election, notable candidates include Tyler Moore (Republican, incumbent) and Noah Al-shaikhli (Democrat) for Mayor of Kokomo. City council races feature multiple candidates across various districts:

• District 1: Mike Wyant (R) vs. Anthony Mikel Hinkle (D)
• District 2: Greg Davis (R) vs. Steve Schulze (D)
• District 3: Ray Collins (R) vs. Matt Grecu (D)

Voter registration in Howard County stands at approximately 53,000, with an expected turnout around 60%. Early voting and absentee ballots are prominently utilized, with over 5,000 early votes cast in the most recent primaries.

Key issues include economic development, public safety, and education funding. School board elections focus on candidates advocating for increased funding and improved school safety measures. For precise election dates and additional candidate details, consult Howard County’s official election website.

As of the latest available data, Howard County, Indiana, exhibits the following educational attainment statistics for residents aged 25 and older:

• High school diploma or higher: approximately 87.6%
• Bachelor's degree or higher: around 17.5%

When compared to national and state figures, Howard County trails slightly. The national average for high school graduates is roughly 88%, while for Indiana, it is about 88.7%. Similarly, for bachelor's degrees, the national average stands at around 33.1%, and Indiana's average is approximately 26.9%. This puts Howard County below both the state and national averages in terms of higher education attainment.

Efforts to improve educational outcomes in Howard County include local initiatives focused on increasing college and vocational training enrollment and completion rates.

Howard County, Indiana, has a diverse employment profile, with key sectors such as manufacturing, healthcare, retail, and education. As of the latest available data, the county's workforce participation rate stands at approximately 62%, with an unemployment rate of around 3.5%, which is close to both the national and state averages.

Top industries in Howard County include:

1. Manufacturing: This sector employs about 22% of the workforce, significantly higher than the national average of around 8.5%.
2. Healthcare and Social Assistance: Employing roughly 15% of the workforce, which is consistent with both state (14%) and national (16%) averages.
3. Retail Trade: Accounting for about 12% of employment, slightly above the national average of 10.5%.
4. Educational Services: Constitutes about 10% of jobs, in line with national trends.

This employment distribution indicates a strong local emphasis on manufacturing relative to broader trends.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2015-2019), the median household income in Howard County, IN is approximately $51,529. In comparison, the median household income for the state of Indiana is about $56,303, while the national median household income is around $62,843.

Income Statistics Table

Howard County’s median household income is lower than both the state and national averages, highlighting a disparity in earnings when compared to broader regions.

As of the most recent data, Howard County, Indiana, has seen varying crime rates across different categories. Below are the crime statistics:

While the overall crime rate has shown some stability, property crimes remain quite high compared to violent crimes. Efforts are ongoing within the community to address and reduce these numbers through various local law enforcement and community initiatives.