Population 6,534 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Howard County
Household size in Howard County
| Period | Howard County | Nebraska | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.36 | 2.52 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.43 | 2.53 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.36 | 2.51 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.60 | 2.51 | 2.65 |
| Change | +0.23 | −0.01 | −0.03 |
Households in Howard County average 2.60 people, about the same as the country as a whole (2.65). The typical household here is bigger than in Nebraska overall, where it has 2.51 people. Since 2006–10, household size has climbed from 2.36, even as the national average fell.
Household size: the average number of people living in each occupied home. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25010).
Median age in Howard County
| Period | Howard County | Nebraska | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 42.9 | 37.4 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 42.7 | 37.9 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 43.9 | 38.3 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 41.7 | 38.3 | 40.1 |
| Change | −1.2 | +0.9 | +2.3 |
The median resident of Howard County is 41.7 years old, a bit older than the national median of 40.1. The median age has dropped from 42.9 in 2006–10, even as the national median rose. The youngest areas are in the southeast, the oldest in the north.
Median age: the age that splits residents into two equal halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B01002).
Single-parent households in Howard County
| Period | Howard County | Nebraska | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 5.9% | 10.1% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 5.9% | 10.6% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 6.5% | 10.1% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 10.8% | 10.4% | 11.6% |
| Change | +4.9 pts | +0.3 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head just over one in ten households in Howard County (10.8%), close to the national share of 11.6%. Since 2006–10, the single-parent share has risen 4.9 points, even as the national share fell. Howard County has a higher share of single-parent households than the great majority of Nebraska counties.
Single-parent households: households where one adult with no spouse present lives with children under 18. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B11003).
Housing in Howard County
Renters in Howard County
| Period | Howard County | Nebraska | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 21.7% | 31.4% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 24.0% | 33.5% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 23.5% | 33.9% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 21.8% | 33.5% | 34.8% |
| Change | +0.1 pts | +2.0 pts | +1.5 pts |
Howard County is largely a place of homeowners: only 21.8% of households rent, far below the national share of 34.8%. Owner-heavy areas like this tend to see less turnover. Just over half of owners (53.4%) have paid off their mortgages, well above the national share of 39.8%.
Renters: occupied homes that are rented rather than owned. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25003).
Vacant homes in Howard County
| Period | Howard County | Nebraska | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 9.1% | 10.0% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 12.7% | 9.1% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 11.7% | 9.4% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 16.3% | 7.8% | 9.6% |
| Change | +7.1 pts | −2.2 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacant homes make up 16.3% of the housing in Howard County, far above the national rate of 9.6%. In resort and lake areas that usually means seasonal and vacation homes; elsewhere it can point to weak demand. Vacancy has risen 7.1 points since 2006–10, even as the national rate fell.
Vacant homes: homes with no one living in them, including vacation homes and homes for sale or rent. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25002).
Age of homes in Howard County
| Period | Howard County | Nebraska | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1958 | 1969 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1962 | 1970 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1967 | 1972 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1961 | 1975 | 1980 |
| Change | +3 | +6 | +6 |
Howard County is a place of older homes: half were built before 1961, while the national median is 1980. That means established neighborhoods, and more houses that may need updating. Newer construction is concentrated in the center, while the southeast has the oldest housing.
Age of homes: the year that splits the housing stock into older and newer halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25035).
Rent in Howard County
| Period | Howard County | Nebraska | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $609 | $730 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $617 | $805 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $734 | $911 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $939 | $1,159 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$330 | +$429 | +$606 |
A typical rental in Howard County costs $939 a month with utilities, well below the national median of $1,571. Rents are up $330 a month from 2006–10, a 54% rise, a slower climb than the nation's. The typical renter here spends 23.3% of household income on rent, comfortably under the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent, and a smaller share than renters pay nationally. Renters on a budget will find the lowest rents in the center; the highest are in the southeast.
Rent: monthly rent plus the utilities renters pay themselves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25064).
Education in Howard County
Bachelor's degrees in Howard County
| Period | Howard County | Nebraska | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 14.5% | 29.5% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 19.1% | 30.4% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 20.9% | 32.4% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 25.6% | 34.9% | 35.6% |
| Change | +11.1 pts | +5.5 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are relatively uncommon in Howard County: 25.6% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's or higher, well below the national share of 35.6%. Since 2006–10, the share with a degree has risen 11.1 points, as it has nationally.
Bachelor's degrees: adults 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
High school graduates in Howard County
| Period | Howard County | Nebraska | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 90.9% | 90.3% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 92.0% | 90.6% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 94.7% | 91.3% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 96.0% | 91.8% | 89.3% |
| Change | +5.1 pts | +1.6 pts | +4.3 pts |
High school completion is high in Howard County: 96.0% of adults 25 and older have a diploma or equivalent, well above the national rate of 89.3%. The share with a diploma has risen 5.1 points since 2006–10, mirroring the country. Howard County has a higher share of high school graduates than the great majority of Nebraska counties.
High school graduates: adults 25 and older with a high school diploma, GED or more. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
Jobs in Howard County
| Period | Howard County | Nebraska | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 4.5% | 5.1% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 5.2% | 5.5% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 3.5% | 3.4% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 3.7% | 3.1% | 5.4% |
| Change | −0.8 pts | −2.1 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in Howard County runs below the national rate: 3.7% of the labor force was out of work and looking, against 5.4% nationally. Unemployment has edged down 0.8 points since 2006–10, a smaller shift than nationally. Because the Census pools five years of responses (2020–24), these rates smooth over short swings and lag the current job market.
Unemployment: people looking for work as a share of everyone working or looking. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B23025).
Howard County compared with nearby counties
| County | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Howard County | 2.60 | 41.7 | 10.8% | 21.8% | 16.3% | 1961 | $939 | 25.6% | 96.0% | 3.7% |
| Merrick County | 2.38 | 43.1 | 6.8% | 17.8% | 10.8% | 1965 | $842 | 19.0% | 91.7% | 0.3% |
| Sherman County | 2.21 | 46.4 | 6.0% | 24.6% | 24.0% | 1955 | $779 | 20.7% | 92.1% | 3.3% |
| Polk County | 2.44 | 45.0 | 6.1% | 21.1% | 14.5% | 1957 | $730 | 20.3% | 94.0% | 1.2% |
| Butler County | 2.37 | 41.8 | 4.9% | 20.1% | 12.5% | 1964 | $901 | 23.8% | 91.0% | 1.2% |
| Saunders County | 2.62 | 40.4 | 7.8% | 17.9% | 12.0% | 1970 | $989 | 33.3% | 97.0% | 3.0% |
| Lincoln County | 2.24 | 43.0 | 12.7% | 34.4% | 12.0% | 1969 | $898 | 22.8% | 94.2% | 3.5% |
| Douglas County | 2.55 | 36.7 | 11.6% | 38.5% | 6.3% | 1977 | $1,396 | 42.3% | 91.2% | 4.1% |
| Sarpy County | 2.71 | 37.0 | 9.5% | 29.6% | 4.6% | 1994 | $1,451 | 43.2% | 95.6% | 2.5% |
| Pottawattamie County | 2.45 | 41.1 | 11.3% | 30.1% | 7.3% | 1967 | $1,056 | 23.9% | 90.6% | 3.7% |
| Mills County | 2.67 | 42.2 | 9.2% | 16.5% | 11.2% | 1969 | $937 | 30.9% | 96.8% | 1.9% |
All figures 2020–24.
Counties with similar populations: Presque Isle County, MI · Jones County, SD · Juab County, UT · Kalawao County, HI · Poquoson City, VA · Potter County, PA · Potter County, SD · Powder River County, MT · Power County, ID · Prairie County, AR
About these numbers
Every figure on this page is a BestNeighborhood calculation from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), built up from the Census block groups that make up Howard County. Each ACS 5-year release pools five years of responses; this page shows the last 15 releases, 2006–10 through 2020–24. Neighboring releases share four of their five years, so they move gradually and small changes between them are within the survey's margin of error; in small places the lines can jump from one release to the next for the same reason. The maps show the same measures for each neighborhood, ranked against the whole country.
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