Howard County Demographics

A map of Howard County's Population by Race

Howard County, Maryland has an estimated population of 336,328, a slight increase from the 332,317 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 45.9% White, 19.7% Black, 19.2% Asian, 8.7% Hispanic, 5.7% Multiracial, and 0.8% 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 slightly more racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is more diverse than Maryland 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 69.6% in 2020 and 70.3% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Howard County is ranked the 6th most populous county in Maryland, out of 24 counties. Howard County was ranked the 6th most populous county in the 2020 Census.

Howard County's White Population

154,383 residents of Howard County, or 45.9% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Howard County is comparable to the share in Maryland overall, where 46.6% of the population is White. Howard County ranks 20th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 24 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Howard County's White population has remained roughly the same. White residents' share of Howard County's population has decreased from 46.7% to 45.9%.

Howard County is more White than neighboring Montgomery County (39.5% White), Baltimore County (26% White), and District of Columbia County (36.5% White). Howard County is less White than neighboring Carroll County (84.5% White), and Baltimore County (51.1% White).

Howard County's Black Population

66,160 residents of Howard County, or 19.7% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Howard County is lower than in Maryland overall, where 28.9% of the population is Black. Howard County ranks 8th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 24 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Howard County's Black population has grown by an estimated 3.3%. Black residents' share of Howard County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 19.7%.

Howard County is more Black than neighboring Montgomery County (18.3% Black), and Carroll County (4% Black). Howard County is less Black than neighboring Baltimore County (58.5% Black), District of Columbia County (41.6% Black), and Baltimore County (30.1% Black).

Howard County's Asian Population

64,689 residents of Howard County, or 19.2% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Howard County is considerably higher than in Maryland overall, where 6.5% of the population is Asian. Howard County ranks 1st statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 24 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Howard County's Asian population has declined by an estimated 2.1%. Asian residents' share of Howard County's population has decreased from 19.9% to 19.2%.

Howard County is more Asian than neighboring Montgomery County (15.3% Asian), Baltimore County (2.6% Asian), Carroll County (2.4% Asian), District of Columbia County (4.3% Asian), and Baltimore County (6.1% Asian).

Howard County's Hispanic Population

29,135 residents of Howard County, or 8.7% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Howard County is slightly lower than in Maryland overall, where 12.5% of the population is Hispanic. Howard County ranks 7th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 24 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Howard County's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 6.5%. Hispanic residents' share of Howard County's population has increased from 8.2% to 8.7%.

Howard County is more Hispanic than neighboring Baltimore County (8.2% Hispanic), Carroll County (5.1% Hispanic), and Baltimore County (7.8% Hispanic). Howard County is less Hispanic than neighboring Montgomery County (21% Hispanic), and District of Columbia County (11.9% Hispanic).

Howard County's Native American/Other Population

2,662 residents of Howard County, or 0.8% 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 Maryland overall, where 0.8% of the population is Native American/Other. Howard County ranks 3rd statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 24 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Howard County's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 4.5%. Native American/Other residents' share of Howard County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.8%.

Howard County is less Native American/Other than neighboring Montgomery County (1.1% Native American/Other).

Howard County's Multiracial Population

19,299 residents of Howard County, or 5.7% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Howard County is comparable to the share in Maryland overall, where 4.6% of the population is Multiracial. Howard County ranks 6th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 24 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Howard County's Multiracial population has grown by an estimated 14.6%. Multiracial residents' share of Howard County's population has increased from 5.1% to 5.7%.

Howard County is more Multiracial than neighboring Montgomery County (4.8% Multiracial), Baltimore County (3.9% Multiracial), Carroll County (3.2% Multiracial), District of Columbia County (4.9% Multiracial), and Baltimore County (4.1% 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.