Howard County Demographics
A map of Howard County's Population by Race
Howard County, Missouri has an estimated population of 10,147, a less than 1% change from the 10,151 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 86.2% White, 5.5% Black, 4.8% Multiracial, 2.3% Hispanic, 1.1% Native American/Other, and 0.2% 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 Missouri 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 23.9% in 2020 and 25.2% in the most recent ACS estimates.
Howard County is ranked the 85th most populous county in Missouri, out of 115 counties. Howard County was ranked the 85th most populous county in the 2020 Census.
Howard County's White Population
8,742 residents of Howard County, or 86.2% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Howard County is higher than in Missouri overall, where 76.3% of the population is White. Howard County ranks 80th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 115 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 86.9% to 86.2%.
Howard County is more White than neighboring Boone County (75.8% White), and Saline County (75.3% White). Howard County is less White than neighboring Cooper County (87.8% White), Randolph County (87.5% White), and Chariton County (92.7% White).
Howard County's Black Population
561 residents of Howard County, or 5.5% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Howard County is lower than in Missouri overall, where 10.9% of the population is Black. Howard County ranks 20th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 115 counties.
Since the 2020 Census, Howard County's Black population has grown by an estimated 3.5%. Black residents' share of Howard County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 5.5%.
Howard County is more Black than neighboring Randolph County (4.9% Black), Chariton County (1.9% Black), and Saline County (4.9% Black). Howard County is less Black than neighboring Cooper County (5.6% Black), and Boone County (9.5% Black).
Howard County's Asian Population
21 residents of Howard County, or 0.2% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Howard County is comparable to the share in Missouri overall, where 2.1% of the population is Asian. Howard County ranks 79th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 115 counties.
Since the 2020 Census, Howard County's Asian population has declined by an estimated 22.2%. Asian residents' share of Howard County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.2%.
Howard County is more Asian than neighboring Cooper County (0.1% Asian). Howard County is less Asian than neighboring Boone County (4.8% Asian), and Saline County (0.6% Asian).
Howard County's Hispanic Population
229 residents of Howard County, or 2.3% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Howard County is slightly lower than in Missouri overall, where 5.2% of the population is Hispanic. Howard County ranks 64th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 115 counties.
Since the 2020 Census, Howard County's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 10.1%. Hispanic residents' share of Howard County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 2.3%.
Howard County is more Hispanic than neighboring Cooper County (2.1% Hispanic), and Chariton County (1.5% Hispanic). Howard County is less Hispanic than neighboring Randolph County (2.5% Hispanic), Boone County (4.5% Hispanic), and Saline County (12.6% Hispanic).
Howard County's Native American/Other Population
110 residents of Howard County, or 1.1% 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 Missouri overall, where 0.7% of the population is Native American/Other. Howard County ranks 35th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 115 counties.
Since the 2020 Census, Howard County's Native American/Other population has grown by an estimated 32.5%. Native American/Other residents' share of Howard County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 1.1%.
Howard County is more Native American/Other than neighboring Cooper County (0.2% Native American/Other), Randolph County (0.2% Native American/Other), Boone County (0.6% Native American/Other), and Chariton County (0.8% Native American/Other). Howard County is less Native American/Other than neighboring Saline County (1.9% Native American/Other).
Howard County's Multiracial Population
484 residents of Howard County, or 4.8% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Howard County is comparable to the share in Missouri overall, where 4.8% of the population is Multiracial. Howard County ranks 56th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 115 counties.
Since the 2020 Census, Howard County's Multiracial population has grown by an estimated 4.1%. Multiracial residents' share of Howard County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 4.8%.
Howard County is more Multiracial than neighboring Cooper County (4.1% Multiracial), Randolph County (4.7% Multiracial), Chariton County (3% Multiracial), and Saline County (4.7% 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.