Howell County Demographics

A map of Howell County's Population by Race

Howell County, Missouri has an estimated population of 40,383, a slight increase from the 39,750 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 91.5% White, 3.5% Multiracial, 2.6% Hispanic, 1.5% Native American/Other, 0.5% Black, and 0.4% Asian. This demographic dot map shows the population of Howell County, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Howell has become less 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 Howell County, that probability was 17.8% in 2020 and 16.1% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Howell County is ranked the 29th most populous county in Missouri, out of 115 counties. Howell County was ranked the 28th most populous county in the 2020 Census.

Howell County's White Population

36,940 residents of Howell County, or 91.5% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Howell County is significantly higher than in Missouri overall, where 76.3% of the population is White. Howell County ranks 63rd statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 115 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Howell County's White population has grown by an estimated 2.7%. White residents' share of Howell County's population has increased from 90.5% to 91.5%.

Howell County is more White than neighboring Texas County (89% White). Howell County is less White than neighboring Fulton County (92.3% White), Oregon County (92.6% White), Ozark County (93.7% White), and Shannon County (92.2% White).

Howell County's Black Population

194 residents of Howell County, or 0.5% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Howell County is considerably lower than in Missouri overall, where 10.9% of the population is Black. Howell County ranks 81st statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 115 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Howell County's Black population has grown by an estimated 7.8%. Black residents' share of Howell County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.5%.

Howell County is more Black than neighboring Fulton County (0.3% Black), Oregon County (0.1% Black), Ozark County (0.3% Black), and Shannon County (0.2% Black). Howell County is less Black than neighboring Texas County (3.5% Black).

Howell County's Asian Population

177 residents of Howell County, or 0.4% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Howell County is comparable to the share in Missouri overall, where 2.1% of the population is Asian. Howell County ranks 34th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 115 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Howell County's Asian population has declined by an estimated 18.4%. Asian residents' share of Howell County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.4%.

Howell County is more Asian than neighboring Fulton County (0.2% Asian), Texas County (0.1% Asian), and Ozark County (0% Asian).

Howell County's Hispanic Population

1,042 residents of Howell County, or 2.6% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Howell County is slightly lower than in Missouri overall, where 5.2% of the population is Hispanic. Howell County ranks 51st statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 115 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Howell County's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 16.3%. Hispanic residents' share of Howell County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 2.6%.

Howell County is more Hispanic than neighboring Fulton County (1.9% Hispanic), Oregon County (1.5% Hispanic), Texas County (2.5% Hispanic), Ozark County (2.1% Hispanic), and Shannon County (0.7% Hispanic).

Howell County's Native American/Other Population

612 residents of Howell County, or 1.5% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Howell County is comparable to the share in Missouri overall, where 0.7% of the population is Native American/Other. Howell County ranks 22nd statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 115 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Howell County's Native American/Other population has grown by an estimated 56.5%. Native American/Other residents' share of Howell County's population has increased from 1.0% to 1.5%.

Howell County is more Native American/Other than neighboring Fulton County (0.4% Native American/Other), Oregon County (0.3% Native American/Other), Texas County (0.4% Native American/Other), Ozark County (0.1% Native American/Other), and Shannon County (0.6% Native American/Other).

Howell County's Multiracial Population

1,418 residents of Howell County, or 3.5% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Howell County is comparable to the share in Missouri overall, where 4.8% of the population is Multiracial. Howell County ranks 26th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 115 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Howell County's Multiracial population has declined by an estimated 32.3%. Multiracial residents' share of Howell County's population has decreased from 5.3% to 3.5%.

Howell County is less Multiracial than neighboring Fulton County (4.8% Multiracial), Oregon County (5.1% Multiracial), Texas County (4.5% Multiracial), Ozark County (3.8% Multiracial), and Shannon County (6% 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.