Howard County Demographics

A map of Howard County's Population by Race

Howard County, Texas has an estimated population of 32,290, a decrease from the 34,860 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 47.7% Hispanic, 43.1% White, 4.5% Black, 3.1% Multiracial, 1.0% Asian, and 0.5% 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 is about as racially diverse as it was in the 2020 Census. It is considerably less diverse than Texas 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 58.0% in 2020 and 58.3% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Howard County is ranked the 89th most populous county in Texas, out of 254 counties. Howard County was ranked the 88th most populous county in the 2020 Census.

Howard County's White Population

13,927 residents of Howard County, or 43.1% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Howard County is slightly higher than in Texas overall, where 39.1% of the population is White. Howard County ranks 180th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 254 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Howard County's White population has declined by an estimated 11.1%. White residents' share of Howard County's population has decreased from 45.0% to 43.1%.

Howard County is less White than neighboring Borden County (90.2% White), Glasscock County (66.2% White), Mitchell County (46.8% White), Martin County (45.1% White), and Sterling County (62.8% White).

Howard County's Black Population

1,468 residents of Howard County, or 4.5% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Howard County is lower than in Texas overall, where 11.9% of the population is Black. Howard County ranks 105th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 254 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Howard County's Black population has declined by an estimated 3.4%. Black residents' share of Howard County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 4.5%.

Howard County is more Black than neighboring Borden County (0.6% Black), Glasscock County (0% Black), Martin County (2.8% Black), and Sterling County (0.1% Black). Howard County is less Black than neighboring Mitchell County (8.2% Black).

Howard County's Asian Population

319 residents of Howard County, or 1.0% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Howard County is slightly lower than in Texas overall, where 5.5% of the population is Asian. Howard County ranks 56th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 254 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Howard County's Asian population has declined by an estimated 17.4%. Asian residents' share of Howard County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 1.0%.

Howard County is more Asian than neighboring Borden County (0% Asian), Glasscock County (0% Asian), Martin County (0.1% Asian), and Sterling County (0.1% Asian).

Howard County's Hispanic Population

15,408 residents of Howard County, or 47.7% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Howard County is higher than in Texas overall, where 39.7% of the population is Hispanic. Howard County ranks 70th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 254 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Howard County's Hispanic population has declined by an estimated 4.7%. Hispanic residents' share of Howard County's population has increased from 46.4% to 47.7%.

Howard County is more Hispanic than neighboring Borden County (8.4% Hispanic), Glasscock County (27% Hispanic), Mitchell County (38.8% Hispanic), and Sterling County (35.7% Hispanic).

Howard County's Native American/Other Population

177 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 Texas overall, where 0.6% of the population is Native American/Other. Howard County ranks 73rd statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 254 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Howard County's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 39.2%. 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 Borden County (0% Native American/Other), Glasscock County (0% Native American/Other), and Sterling County (0.3% Native American/Other). Howard County is less Native American/Other than neighboring Martin County (1.6% Native American/Other).

Howard County's Multiracial Population

991 residents of Howard County, or 3.1% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Howard County is comparable to the share in Texas overall, where 3.1% of the population is Multiracial. Howard County ranks 170th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 254 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Howard County's Multiracial population has grown by an estimated 21.3%. Multiracial residents' share of Howard County's population has increased from 2.3% to 3.1%.

Howard County is more Multiracial than neighboring Borden County (0.8% Multiracial), Martin County (2.7% Multiracial), and Sterling County (1% Multiracial). Howard County is less Multiracial than neighboring Glasscock County (6.8% Multiracial), and Mitchell County (4.8% 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.