Howard County Demographics
A map of Howard County's Population by Race
Howard County, Iowa has an estimated population of 9,445, a less than 1% change from the 9,469 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 93.0% White, 3.3% Hispanic, 2.1% Multiracial, 0.8% Black, 0.5% Native American/Other, and 0.3% Asian. This demographic dot map shows the population of Howard County, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.
Howard has become more racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is considerably less diverse than Iowa overall. Demographers use a diversity index to measure the probability that two randomly selected individuals belong to different racial or ethnic groups. In Howard County, that probability was 11.7% in 2020 and 13.4% in the most recent ACS estimates.
Howard County is ranked the 79th most populous county in Iowa, out of 99 counties. Howard County was ranked the 79th most populous county in the 2020 Census.
Howard County's White Population
8,782 residents of Howard County, or 93.0% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Howard County is considerably higher than in Iowa overall, where 82.3% of the population is White. Howard County ranks 22nd statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 99 counties.
Since the 2020 Census, Howard County's White population has declined by an estimated 1.2%. White residents' share of Howard County's population has decreased from 93.9% to 93.0%.
Howard County is more White than neighboring Chickasaw County (92.6% White), and Mower County (72.5% White). Howard County is less White than neighboring Fillmore County (94.3% White), Mitchell County (95.1% White), and Winneshiek County (93.3% White).
Howard County's Black Population
79 residents of Howard County, or 0.8% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Howard County is slightly lower than in Iowa overall, where 3.8% of the population is Black. Howard County ranks 88th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 99 counties.
Since the 2020 Census, Howard County's Black population has grown by an estimated 243.5%. Black residents' share of Howard County's population has increased from 0.2% to 0.8%.
Howard County is more Black than neighboring Chickasaw County (0.5% Black), Fillmore County (0.5% Black), Mitchell County (0.3% Black), and Winneshiek County (0.4% Black). Howard County is less Black than neighboring Mower County (3.4% Black).
Howard County's Asian Population
31 residents of Howard County, or 0.3% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Howard County is slightly lower than in Iowa overall, where 2.5% of the population is Asian. Howard County ranks 77th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 99 counties.
Since the 2020 Census, Howard County's Asian population has grown by an estimated 14.8%. Asian residents' share of Howard County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.3%.
Howard County is more Asian than neighboring Chickasaw County (0% Asian). Howard County is less Asian than neighboring Fillmore County (0.7% Asian), Mitchell County (0.6% Asian), Winneshiek County (0.5% Asian), and Mower County (6.2% Asian).
Howard County's Hispanic Population
312 residents of Howard County, or 3.3% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Howard County is slightly lower than in Iowa overall, where 7.3% of the population is Hispanic. Howard County ranks 66th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 99 counties.
Since the 2020 Census, Howard County's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 20.9%. Hispanic residents' share of Howard County's population has increased from 2.7% to 3.3%.
Howard County is more Hispanic than neighboring Fillmore County (2% Hispanic), Mitchell County (2.4% Hispanic), and Winneshiek County (3.1% Hispanic). Howard County is less Hispanic than neighboring Chickasaw County (4.6% Hispanic), and Mower County (13.6% Hispanic).
Howard County's Native American/Other Population
43 residents of Howard County, or 0.5% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Howard County is comparable to the share in Iowa overall, where 0.6% of the population is Native American/Other. Howard County ranks 30th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 99 counties.
Since the 2020 Census, Howard County's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 20.4%. Native American/Other residents' share of Howard County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.5%.
Howard County is more Native American/Other than neighboring Mitchell County (0.3% Native American/Other). Howard County is less Native American/Other than neighboring Mower County (1.3% Native American/Other).
Howard County's Multiracial Population
198 residents of Howard County, or 2.1% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Howard County is comparable to the share in Iowa overall, where 3.5% of the population is Multiracial. Howard County ranks 65th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 99 counties.
Since the 2020 Census, Howard County's Multiracial population has declined by an estimated 8.8%. Multiracial residents' share of Howard County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 2.1%.
Howard County is more Multiracial than neighboring Chickasaw County (1.7% Multiracial), Fillmore County (2% Multiracial), and Mitchell County (1.2% Multiracial). Howard County is less Multiracial than neighboring Winneshiek County (2.2% Multiracial), and Mower County (2.9% Multiracial).
Sources: Most recent population estimates are from the 2020-2024 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. 2020 population counts and map data are from 2020 Census State Redistricting Data. Geographic data are from Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles.