Howard County, Indiana

County in Indiana, United States

U.S. county in Indiana

Howard County

U.S. county

Howard County courthouse in Kokomo, Indiana

Official seal of Howard County

Seal

Location within the U.S. state of Indiana

Indiana's location within the U.S.

Country|  United States
State|  Indiana
Founded| 1844
Named for| Tilghman Howard
Seat| Kokomo
Largest city| Kokomo
Area

• Total| 293.92 sq mi (761.2 km2)
• Land| 293.06 sq mi (759.0 km2)
• Water| 0.86 sq mi (2.2 km2)  0.29%%
Population

(2020)

• Total| 83,658
• Density| 280/sq mi (110/km2)
Time zone| UTC−5 (Eastern)
• Summer (DST)| UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional districts| 4th, 5th
Website| www.co.howard.in.us
Indiana county number 34

Howard County is one of 92 counties in the U.S. state of Indiana. As of the 2020 census, the population was 83,658.[1] The county seat is Kokomo.[2] Originally named Richardville County, it was renamed in 1844 to commemorate General Tilghman Ashurst Howard.

Howard County is part of the Kokomo, Indiana Metropolitan Statistical Area.

## Contents

* 1 Geography
* 1.1 Adjacent counties
* 2 History
* 3 Notable locations
* 4 Communities
* 4.1 City
* 4.2 Towns
* 4.3 Former census-designated place
* 4.4 Townships
* 4.5 Other places
* 5 Climate and weather
* 6 Transportation
* 6.1 Airports
* 6.2 Highways
* 6.3 Bus services
* 6.4 Walking trails
* 7 Education
* 7.1 Colleges and universities
* 7.1.1 Public school districts
* 7.1.2 Private schools
* 8 Government
* 9 Demographics
* 10 See also
* 11 References
* 12 External links

## Geography

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According to the 2010 census, the county has a total area of 293.92 square miles (761.2 km2), of which 293.06 square miles (759.0 km2) (or 99.71%) is land and 0.86 square miles (2.2 km2) (or 0.29%) is water.[3]

### Adjacent counties

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* Miami County, Indiana (North)
* Grant County, Indiana (East)
* Tipton County, Indiana (South)
* Clinton County, Indiana (Southwest)
* Carroll County, Indiana (West)
* Cass County, Indiana (Northwest)

## History

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This county was organized in 1844. It was first known as Richardville County. Its first name honored Jean Baptiste Richardville, a chief of the Miami.[4] Richardville's name was Pe-che-wa, which translates to “Wildcat”, hence Wildcat Creek.

In 1846, the name was changed to Howard County, in honor of Gen. Tilghman Howard, U.S. Representative from Indiana, who died in 1844.[5][6]

## Notable locations

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* Kokomo Reservoir (Wildcat Creek Reservoir)
* Western Days Festival: First week of June, in Russiaville, Indiana
* Howard County 4-H Fair, in Greentown, Indiana
* Koh-Koh-Mah & Foster Living History Encampment, mid-September
* Kokomo-Howard County Public Library

## Communities

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### City

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* Kokomo

### Towns

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* Greentown
* Russiaville

### Former census-designated place

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* Indian Heights

### Townships

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* Center
* Clay
* Ervin
* Harrison
* Honey Creek
* Howard
* Jackson
* Liberty
* Monroe
* Taylor
* Union

### Other places

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* Alto
* Cassville
* Center
* Hemlock
* New London
* Oakford
* Phlox
* West Middleton

## Climate and weather

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Kokomo, Indiana

Climate chart (explanation)

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2.5

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4.1

4.4

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Average max. and min. temperatures in °F
Precipitation totals in inches
Source: The Weather Channel[7]
| Metric conversion

105

101

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107

Average max. and min. temperatures in °C
Precipitation totals in mm

In recent years, average temperatures in Kokomo have ranged from a low of 15 °F (−9 °C) in January to a high of 84 °F (29 °C) in July, although a record low of −26 °F (−32 °C) was recorded in January 1985 and a record high of 110 °F (43 °C) was recorded in July 1936. Average monthly precipitation ranged from 2.29 inches (58 mm) in February to 4.37 inches (111 mm) in July.[7]

## Transportation

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### Airports

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* Kokomo Municipal Airport

### Highways

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* US 31
* US 35
* SR 19
* SR 22
* SR 26
* SR 213
* SR 931

### Bus services

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* City-Line Trolley Serves the city of Kokomo. It is a fixed transportation route that is free to ride and has free wifi.
* Trailways A service running from Indianapolis through Kokomo, and then to South Bend.
* Greyhound Lines A nationwide service, the Kokomo stop is at the Marathon gas station on North Reed Road, and Gano Street.

### Walking trails

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* Walk Of Excellence – serves the city of Kokomo.
* Industrial Heritage Trail – serves the city of Kokomo.
* Nickel Plate Trail – ends in northern Howard County in unincorporated community, Cassville. Connects directly to Industrial Heritage Trail in Kokomo.
* Cloverleaf Trail - Serves the West side to downtown of the city of Kokomo.
* Comet Trail – serves the town of Greentown, and is exactly one mile in length.
* Historic Downtown Trail – serves the city of Greentown, marked with information about Greentown's history.

## Education

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### Colleges and universities

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* Indiana University Kokomo (IUK)
* Indiana Wesleyan University – Kokomo Campus
* Ivy Tech Community College
* Purdue College of Technology

#### Public school districts

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* Kokomo-Center Township Consolidated School Corporation (K–12, Kokomo, Indiana) Kokomo High School (NCC)
* Eastern Howard School Corporation (K–12, Greentown, Indiana) (MIC)
* Northwestern School Corporation (K–12) (MIC)
* Taylor Community School Corporation (K–12, Indian Heights, Indiana) (MIC)
* Western School Corporation (K–12, Russiaville, Indiana) (MIC)

#### Private schools

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* Redeemer Lutheran School (K–8)
* Sts. Joan of Arc and St. Patrick Catholic School (K–8)
* Temple Christian School (K–12)
* Victory Christian Academy (K–12)
* Acacia Academy (K–8)

## Government

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See also: Government of Indiana

The county government is a constitutional body, and is granted specific powers by the Constitution of Indiana, and by the Indiana Code.

County Council: The county council is the legislative branch of the county government and controls all the spending and revenue collection in the county. Representatives are elected from county districts. The council members serve four-year terms. They are responsible for setting salaries, the annual budget, and special spending. The council also has limited authority to impose local taxes, in the form of an income and property tax that is subject to state level approval, excise taxes, and service taxes.[8][9]

Board of Commissioners: The executive body of the county is made of a board of commissioners. The commissioners are elected county-wide, in staggered terms, and each serves a four-year term. One of the commissioners, typically the most senior, serves as president. The commissioners are charged with executing the acts legislated by the council, collecting revenue, and managing the day-to-day functions of the county government.[8][9]

Court: The county maintains five courts. Circuit Court, Superior Court I, Superior Court II Superior Court III and Superior Court IV. The judge on the court is elected to a term of four years and must be admitted to practice law in the State of Indiana. In some cases, court decisions can be appealed to the Indiana Court of Appeals.

County Officials: The county has several other elected offices, including sheriff, coroner, auditor, treasurer, recorder, surveyor, and circuit court clerk Each of these elected officers serves a term of four years and oversees a different part of county government. Members elected to county government positions are required to declare party affiliations and to be residents of the county.[9]

Howard County is part of Indiana's 2nd congressional district and Indiana's 5th congressional district; Indiana Senate districts 7 and 21;[10] and Indiana House of Representatives districts 30, 32 and 38.[11]

United States presidential election results for Howard County, Indiana[12][13] Year  | Republican | Democratic | Third party

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No. | % | No. | % | No. | %
2020 | 26,449  | 65.10% | 13,303  | 32.74%  | 878  | 2.16%
2016 | 23,675  | 63.40% | 11,215  | 30.03%  | 2,452  | 6.57%
2012 | 20,327  | 56.01% | 15,135  | 41.70%  | 829  | 2.28%
2008 | 20,248  | 52.14% | 17,871  | 46.02%  | 714  | 1.84%
2004 | 23,714  | 64.06% | 12,998  | 35.11%  | 309  | 0.83%
2000 | 20,331  | 59.63% | 12,899  | 37.83%  | 865  | 2.54%
1996 | 16,771  | 50.51% | 11,999  | 36.14%  | 4,436  | 13.36%
1992 | 15,306  | 44.57% | 10,288  | 29.96%  | 8,746  | 25.47%
1988 | 19,971  | 63.16% | 11,518  | 36.43%  | 131  | 0.41%
1984 | 22,386  | 67.74% | 10,458  | 31.65%  | 202  | 0.61%
1980 | 21,272  | 59.24% | 12,916  | 35.97%  | 1,722  | 4.80%
1976 | 19,571  | 56.48% | 14,815  | 42.75%  | 267  | 0.77%
1972 | 23,089  | 73.67% | 8,083  | 25.79%  | 169  | 0.54%
1968 | 15,905  | 50.39% | 11,026  | 34.93%  | 4,635  | 14.68%
1964 | 12,897  | 41.68%  | 17,809  | 57.56% | 235  | 0.76%
1960 | 17,938  | 56.94% | 13,415  | 42.58%  | 149  | 0.47%
1956 | 17,234  | 58.26% | 12,159  | 41.10%  | 188  | 0.64%
1952 | 15,212  | 53.34% | 12,938  | 45.37%  | 367  | 1.29%
1948 | 10,874  | 44.64%  | 12,937  | 53.10% | 551  | 2.26%
1944 | 11,515  | 49.49% | 11,224  | 48.24%  | 526  | 2.26%
1940 | 11,855  | 47.82%  | 12,655  | 51.04% | 283  | 1.14%
1936 | 9,534  | 42.67%  | 12,288  | 54.99% | 524  | 2.34%
1932 | 9,257  | 44.62%  | 10,541  | 50.81% | 946  | 4.56%
1928 | 12,632  | 66.89% | 5,930  | 31.40%  | 323  | 1.71%
1924 | 10,438  | 60.05% | 5,451  | 31.36%  | 1,494  | 8.59%
1920 | 10,379  | 58.54% | 5,767  | 32.53%  | 1,584  | 8.93%
1916 | 4,777  | 47.38% | 3,934  | 39.02%  | 1,371  | 13.60%
1912 | 2,152  | 24.35%  | 2,824  | 31.95% | 3,863  | 43.70%
1908 | 4,423  | 50.60% | 3,497  | 40.01%  | 821  | 9.39%
1904 | 5,014  | 61.18% | 2,098  | 25.60%  | 1,084  | 13.23%
1900 | 4,308  | 56.65% | 2,823  | 37.12%  | 474  | 6.23%
1896 | 4,195  | 55.59% | 3,191  | 42.29%  | 160  | 2.12%
1892 | 3,576  | 51.09% | 2,331  | 33.30%  | 1,092  | 15.60%
1888 | 3,604  | 58.87% | 2,202  | 35.97%  | 316  | 5.16%

## Demographics

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Historical population

Census | Pop. |  | %±
1850| 6,657| | —
1860| 12,524| | 88.1%
1870| 15,847| | 26.5%
1880| 19,584| | 23.6%
1890| 26,186| | 33.7%
1900| 28,575| | 9.1%
1910| 33,177| | 16.1%
1920| 43,965| | 32.5%
1930| 46,696| | 6.2%
1940| 47,752| | 2.3%
1950| 54,498| | 14.1%
1960| 69,509| | 27.5%
1970| 83,198| | 19.7%
1980| 86,896| | 4.4%
1990| 80,827| | −7.0%
2000| 84,964| | 5.1%
2010| 82,752| | −2.6%
2020| 83,658| | 1.1%
U.S. Decennial Census[14]
1790-1960[15] 1900-1990[16]
1990-2000[17] 2010-2013[18] 2020[1]

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 82,752 people, 34,301 households, and 22,604 families residing in the county.[19] The population density was 282.4 inhabitants per square mile (109.0/km2). There were 38,679 housing units at an average density of 132.0 per square mile (51.0/km2).[3] The racial makeup of the county was 88.6% white, 6.9% black or African American, 0.9% Asian, 0.3% American Indian, 0.8% from other races, and 2.5% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 2.7% of the population.[19] In terms of ancestry, 22.4% were German, 15.3% were American, 10.8% were English, and 10.2% were Irish.[20]

Of the 34,301 households, 30.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.3% were married couples living together, 13.1% had a female householder with no husband present, 34.1% were non-families, and 29.4% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.38 and the average family size was 2.92. The median age was 40.7 years.[19]

The median income for a household in the county was $47,697 and the median income for a family was $55,479. Males had a median income of $50,838 versus $33,196 for females. The per capita income for the county was $23,759. About 13.1% of families and 16.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 26.9% of those under age 18 and 4.3% of those age 65 or over.[21]

## See also

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* National Register of Historic Places listings in Howard County, Indiana

## References

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1. ^ a b 2020 Population and Housing State Data | Indiana
2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
3. ^ a b "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 – County". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 12, 2020. Retrieved July 10, 2015.
4. ^ "A Look Back as We Move Forward". The Kokomo Tribune. March 28, 1999. p. 58. Retrieved August 16, 2014 - via Newspapers.com.
5. ^ De Witt Clinton Goodrich & Charles Richard Tuttle (1875). An Illustrated History of the State of Indiana. Indiana: R. S. Peale & Co. pp. 577.
6. ^ Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. Govt. Print. Off. pp. 162.
7. ^ a b "Monthly Averages for Kokomo, Indiana". The Weather Channel. Retrieved January 27, 2011.
8. ^ a b Indiana Code. "Title 36, Article 2, Section 3". IN.gov. Retrieved September 16, 2008.
9. ^ a b c Indiana Code. "Title 2, Article 10, Section 2" (PDF). IN.gov. Retrieved September 16, 2008.
10. ^ "Indiana Senate Districts". State of Indiana. Retrieved July 14, 2011.
11. ^ "Indiana House Districts". State of Indiana. Retrieved July 14, 2011.
12. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved May 17, 2018.
13. ^ The leading "other" candidate, Progressive Theodore Roosevelt, received 2,184 votes, while Socialist candidate Eugene Debs received 1,107 votes, Prohibition candidate Eugene Chafin received 453 votes, and Socialist Labor candidate Arthur Reimer received 119 votes.
14. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 10, 2014.
15. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved July 10, 2014.
16. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 10, 2014.
17. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 10, 2014.
18. ^ "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 7, 2011. Retrieved February 22, 2014.
19. ^ a b c "DP-1 Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved July 10, 2015.
20. ^ "DP02 Selected Social Characteristics in the United States – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 14, 2020. Retrieved July 10, 2015.
21. ^ "DP03 Selected Economic Characteristics – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 14, 2020. Retrieved July 10, 2015.

## External links

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* Howard County Official Website

Places adjacent to Howard County, Indiana

| Cass County | Miami County |

|
|

|  |
Carroll County |

Howard County, Indiana

| Grant County
|  |
Clinton County | Tipton County |

* v
* t
* e

Municipalities and communities of Howard County, Indiana, United States

County seat: Kokomo

City|

* Kokomo

Map of Indiana highlighting Howard County

Towns|

* Greentown
* Russiaville

Townships|

* Center
* Clay
* Ervin
* Harrison
* Honey Creek
* Howard
* Jackson
* Liberty
* Monroe
* Taylor
* Union

Other
unincorporated
communities|

* Alto
* Cassville
* Center
* Darrough Chapel
* Guy
* Hemlock
* Jerome
* Judson
* New London
* Oakford
* Phlox
* Plevna
* Poplar Grove
* Sycamore
* Vermont
* West Liberty
* West Middleton

* United States portal

* v
* t
* e

State of Indiana

Indianapolis (capital)

Topics|

* Index
* Geography
* History
* City nicknames
* National Historic Landmarks
* State parks
* Symbols
* Transportation
* Tourist attractions
* Index of Indiana-related articles
* Outline

Government|

* Constitution
* Code of Law
* Governor (List)
* Congressional districts (Delegations)
* General Assembly (House & Senate)
* Supreme Court

Society|

* Hoosiers
* Culture
* Crime
* Demographics
* Economy
* Education
* Ghostlore
* Politics
* Party strength
* Sports

Regions|

* Central Indiana
* East Central Indiana
* Wabash Valley
* Northern Indiana
* Northeast Indiana
* Northwest Indiana
* Michiana
* Southern Indiana
* Indiana Uplands
* Kentuckiana
* Southwestern Indiana

Largest cities|

* Anderson
* Bloomington
* Carmel
* Columbus
* Crown Point
* Elkhart
* Evansville
* Fishers
* Fort Wayne
* Gary
* Goshen
* Greenwood
* Hammond
* Indianapolis
* Jeffersonville
* Kokomo
* Lafayette
* Lawrence
* Michigan City
* Mishawaka
* Muncie
* New Albany
* Noblesville
* Portage
* Richmond
* South Bend
* Terre Haute
* Valparaiso
* Westfield
* West Lafayette

Largest towns|

* Avon
* Brownsburg
* Clarksville
* Highland
* Merrillville
* Munster
* St. John
* Plainfield
* Schererville
* Zionsville

Counties|

* Adams
* Allen
* Bartholomew
* Benton
* Blackford
* Boone
* Brown
* Carroll
* Cass
* Clark
* Clay
* Clinton
* Crawford
* Daviess
* Dearborn
* Decatur
* DeKalb
* Delaware
* Dubois
* Elkhart
* Fayette
* Floyd
* Fountain
* Franklin
* Fulton
* Gibson
* Grant
* Greene
* Hamilton
* Hancock
* Harrison
* Hendricks
* Henry
* Howard
* Huntington
* Jackson
* Jasper
* Jay
* Jefferson
* Jennings
* Johnson
* Knox
* Kosciusko
* LaGrange
* Lake
* LaPorte
* Lawrence
* Madison
* Marion
* Marshall
* Martin
* Miami
* Monroe
* Montgomery
* Morgan
* Newton
* Noble
* Ohio
* Orange
* Owen
* Parke
* Perry
* Pike
* Porter
* Posey
* Pulaski
* Putnam
* Randolph
* Ripley
* Rush
* Saint Joseph
* Scott
* Shelby
* Spencer
* Starke
* Steuben
* Sullivan
* Switzerland
* Tippecanoe
* Tipton
* Union
* Vanderburgh
* Vermillion
* Vigo
* Wabash
* Warren
* Warrick
* Washington
* Wayne
* Wells
* White
* Whitley

Coordinates: 40°29′N 86°07′W﻿ / ﻿40.48°N 86.12°W﻿ / 40.48; -86.12
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