Overview
Howard County is one of 92 counties in the U.S. state of Indiana. As of the 2020 census, the population was 83,658. Originally named Richardville County, it was renamed in 1846 to commemorate General Tilghman Ashurst Howard. Howard County comprises the Kokomo metropolitan area.
Geography
According to the 2010 census, the county has a total area of , of which (or 99.71%) is land and (or 0.29%) is water.
Adjacent counties
* 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
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. 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.
Notable locations
* 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
Climate and weather
In recent years, average temperatures in Kokomo have ranged from a low of in January to a high of in July, although a record low of was recorded in January 1985 and a record high of was recorded in July 1936. Average monthly precipitation ranged from in February to in July.
Government
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. 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. and Indiana House of Representatives districts 30, 32 and 38.
Airports
* Kokomo Municipal Airport
Bus services
* 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
* 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.
Colleges and universities
* Indiana University Kokomo (IUK) * Indiana Wesleyan University – Kokomo Campus * Ivy Tech Community College * Purdue College of Technology
Public school districts
* 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
* 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)
2020 census
As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 83,658. The median age was 41.7 years. 22.1% of residents were under the age of 18 and 20.0% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 93.7 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 90.7 males age 18 and over. The racial makeup of the county was 83.1% White, 7.8% Black or African American, 0.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2% Asian, <0.1% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 1.3% from some other race, and 6.2% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 3.7% of the population. There were 35,711 households in the county, of which 27.2% had children under the age of 18 living in them.
Of all households, 43.6% were married-couple households, 19.3% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 30.2% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 32.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. There were 39,605 housing units, of which 9.8% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 68.3% were owner-occupied and 31.7% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 2.3% and the rental vacancy rate was 11.2%.
2010 census
As of the 2010 United States census, there were 82,752 people, 34,301 households, and 22,604 families residing in the county. The population density was . There were 38,679 housing units at an average density of . 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. 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.
Towns
* Greentown * Russiaville
Townships
* Center * Clay * Ervin * Harrison * Honey Creek * Howard * Jackson * Liberty * Monroe * Taylor * Union
Other places
* Alto * Cassville * Center * Darrough Chapel * Hemlock * New London * Oakford * Phlox * West Middleton
See also
* National Register of Historic Places listings in Howard County, Indiana * List of counties in Indiana
External links
* Howard County Official Website