Howard County, Indiana

Howard County
County
Howard County courthouse in Kokomo, Indiana
Seal
Location within the U.S. state of Indiana
Indiana's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 40°29′N86°07′W / 40.48°N 86.12°W / 40.48; -86.12
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.in.gov/counties/howard/
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 comprises the Kokomo, Indiana Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Geography

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

• 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. ^[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

• 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

City

• Kokomo

Towns

• Greentown
• Russiaville

Former census-designated place

• Indian Heights

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

Climate and weather

Kokomo, Indiana
Climate chart (explanation)
J F M A M J J A S O N D     2.5     30 15     2.3     36 19     3.3     47 28     3.7     60 38     4.1     71 49     4     81 58     4.4     84 62     4.2     82 60     3.1     76 52     3     64 41     3.6     49 32     3.2     36 21 █ Average max. and min. temperatures in °F █ Precipitation totals in inches Source: The Weather Channel [7]
Metric conversion J F M A M J J A S O N D     64     −1 −9     58     2 −7     84     8 −2     95     16 3     105     22 9     101     27 14     111     29 17     107     28 16     80     24 11     77     18 5     92     9 0     81     2 −6 █ 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

Airports

• Kokomo Municipal Airport

Highways

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

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.

Education

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)

Government

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
	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

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
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%
2023 (est.)	83,831	[14]	0.2%
U.S. Decennial Census [15] 1790-1960 [16] 1900-1990 [17] 1990-2000 [18] 2010-2013 [19] 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. ^[20] 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. ^[20] In terms of ancestry, 22.4% were German, 15.3% were American, 10.8% were English, and 10.2% were Irish. ^[21]

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. ^[20]

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. ^[22]

See also

• National Register of Historic Places listings in Howard County, Indiana
• List of counties in Indiana

References

1. 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. "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. "Monthly Averages for Kokomo, Indiana". The Weather Channel. Retrieved January 27, 2011.
8. Indiana Code. "Title 36, Article 2, Section 3". IN.gov. Retrieved September 16, 2008.
9. 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. "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 2, 2024.
15. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 10, 2014.
16. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved July 10, 2014.
17. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 10, 2014.
18. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 10, 2014.
19. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 7, 2011. Retrieved February 22, 2014.
20. "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.
21. "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.
22. "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

• Howard County Official Website

40°29′N86°07′W / 40.48°N 86.12°W / 40.48; -86.12