Howard County Demographics

A map of Howard County's Population by Race

Howard County, Indiana has an estimated population of 83,752, a less than 1% change from the 83,658 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 82.6% White, 7.3% Black, 4.2% Multiracial, 4.1% Hispanic, 1.4% Asian, and 0.3% Native American/Other. 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 less racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is considerably less diverse than Indiana 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 32.0% in 2020 and 30.8% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Howard County is ranked the 19th most populous county in Indiana, out of 92 counties. Howard County was ranked the 18th most populous county in the 2020 Census.

Howard County's White Population

69,211 residents of Howard County, or 82.6% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Howard County is higher than in Indiana overall, where 75.4% of the population is White. Howard County ranks 74th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 92 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Howard County's White population has grown by an estimated 1.1%. White residents' share of Howard County's population has increased from 81.8% to 82.6%.

Howard County is more White than neighboring Cass County (74.1% White), Clinton County (77.8% White), and Hamilton County (78.6% White). Howard County is less White than neighboring Tipton County (92.8% White), and Miami County (86.9% White).

Howard County's Black Population

6,131 residents of Howard County, or 7.3% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Howard County is comparable to the share in Indiana overall, where 9.1% of the population is Black. Howard County ranks 8th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 92 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Howard County's Black population has declined by an estimated 4.4%. Black residents' share of Howard County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 7.3%.

Howard County is more Black than neighboring Tipton County (1.1% Black), Miami County (3.7% Black), Cass County (1.2% Black), Clinton County (0.5% Black), and Hamilton County (4.4% Black).

Howard County's Asian Population

1,176 residents of Howard County, or 1.4% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Howard County is comparable to the share in Indiana overall, where 2.6% of the population is Asian. Howard County ranks 19th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 92 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Howard County's Asian population has grown by an estimated 14.5%. Asian residents' share of Howard County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 1.4%.

Howard County is more Asian than neighboring Tipton County (0.3% Asian), Miami County (0.6% Asian), and Clinton County (0.4% Asian). Howard County is less Asian than neighboring Hamilton County (6.9% Asian).

Howard County's Hispanic Population

3,438 residents of Howard County, or 4.1% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Howard County is slightly lower than in Indiana overall, where 8.6% of the population is Hispanic. Howard County ranks 43rd statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 92 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Howard County's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 12.4%. Hispanic residents' share of Howard County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 4.1%.

Howard County is more Hispanic than neighboring Tipton County (3.3% Hispanic), and Miami County (3.7% Hispanic). Howard County is less Hispanic than neighboring Cass County (18.6% Hispanic), Clinton County (19.5% Hispanic), and Hamilton County (5.6% Hispanic).

Howard County's Native American/Other Population

293 residents of Howard County, or 0.3% 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 Indiana overall, where 0.5% of the population is Native American/Other. Howard County ranks 11th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 92 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Howard County's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 45.1%. Native American/Other residents' share of Howard County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.3%.

Howard County is more Native American/Other than neighboring Clinton County (0.1% Native American/Other). Howard County is less Native American/Other than neighboring Miami County (0.9% Native American/Other), Cass County (0.6% Native American/Other), and Hamilton County (0.6% Native American/Other).

Howard County's Multiracial Population

3,503 residents of Howard County, or 4.2% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Howard County is comparable to the share in Indiana overall, where 3.8% of the population is Multiracial. Howard County ranks 3rd statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 92 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Howard County's Multiracial population has declined by an estimated 15.6%. Multiracial residents' share of Howard County's population has decreased from 5.0% to 4.2%.

Howard County is more Multiracial than neighboring Tipton County (2.2% Multiracial), Miami County (4.1% Multiracial), Clinton County (1.7% Multiracial), and Hamilton County (3.8% 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.