Howard County, Nebraska Population 2026

Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates · 45th-largest in Nebraska

The population of Howard County, Nebraska is 6,492 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 45th-largest county in Nebraska. The median household income is $74,508, the median home value is $205,200, and the median age is 42.3.

The population of Howard County has grown 4.7% since 2010 (6,279 → 6,572), a +0.33% annualized rate.

Howard County within Nebraska · Source: US Census TIGER/Line via us-atlas

6,492

Population

+0.33%

Annual growth

People / sq mi

$74,508

Median Income

$205,200

Median Home Value

Howard County covers 569 sq mi of land at 11.4 people per square mile.

About Howard County, NE

The poverty rate is what most separates Howard County from the typical county: 2.2% of residents live below the federal poverty line, against 12.4% nationally. With 6,492 residents, Howard County is a county in Nebraska. It ranks #45 among counties in Nebraska by population.

The typical household earns $74,508 a year, below the US median of $78,538. Very few residents live in poverty — 2.2%, below the national 12.4%. Median home value is $205,200, with typical rent around $811.

Roughly 23.0% of adults have a bachelor’s, below the national 35.0%. Around 7.8% of workers work from home, below the national 14.0%, and the average commute runs about 28 minutes each way.

Howard County Population History (2010-2024)

The county of Howard County had a population of 6,279 in 2010 and 6,572 in 2024, a 4.7% growth over 14 years. The peak was 6,572 in 2024. Average annual growth rate: 0.33%.

Howard County population, 2010–2024 · Source: U.S. Census Bureau — decennial census & Population Estimates

6,572

Population (2024)

6,279

Population (2010)

6,572

Peak (2024)

0.33%

Avg Annual Growth

Year	Population	Change	Annual %	Source
2010	6,279	-	-	estimate
2011	6,295	+16	+0.25%	estimate
2012	6,296	+1	+0.02%	estimate
2013	6,335	+39	+0.62%	estimate
2014	6,350	+15	+0.24%	estimate
2015	6,378	+28	+0.44%	estimate
2016	6,394	+16	+0.25%	estimate
2017	6,391	-3	-0.05%	estimate
2018	6,446	+55	+0.86%	estimate
2019	6,423	-23	-0.36%	estimate
2020	6,486	+63	+0.98%	estimate
2021	6,525	+39	+0.60%	estimate
2022	6,521	-4	-0.06%	estimate
2023	6,564	+43	+0.66%	estimate
2024	6,572	+8	+0.12%	estimate

Race & Ethnicity

White	93.4%
Black or African American	0.5%
Asian	0.0%
Hispanic or Latino (any race)	0.7%
Two or More Races	0.0%

Age & Sex

42.3

Median Age

49.2%

Female

50.8%

Male

22.2%

Age 65+

Age Distribution

Under 5

6.8%

5–9

6.1%

10–14

7.6%

15–19

6.6%

20–24

4.2%

25–34

10.4%

35–44

11.3%

45–54

11.0%

55–59

7.3%

60–64

6.5%

65–74

12.5%

75–84

6.1%

85+

3.6%

Children (under 15): 20.5% · Seniors (65+): 22.2%

Income & Poverty

Median household income	$74,508$-477 vs state
Mean household income	$87,091
Per-capita income	$35,045
Poverty rate	2.2%-4.5% vs state
Unemployment rate	2.2%
Employment-to-population	63.9%

Top Industries by Employment

Professional & business services

22.9%

Agriculture

10.4%

Manufacturing

10.0%

Information

7.7%

Retail trade

7.1%

Arts, entertainment & food

5.7%

Finance & real estate

5.4%

Construction

4.7%

The largest employment sector in Howard County is professional & business services, accounting for 22.9% of workers.

How residents commute

0.0%

Drive alone

2.3%

Carpool

81.5%

Public transit

7.8%

Work from home

28.3 min

Avg commute

Housing

$205,200$-18,600 vs state

Median home value

$811

Median rent

74.1%

Homeownership rate

2,893

Total housing units

86.2%

Occupied

13.8%

Vacant

25.9%

Renter-occupied

Social & access

93.0%

With health insurance

88.6%

With broadband internet

12.0%

Foreign-born

7.7%

Veterans (18+)

14.1%

With a disability

97.2%

Speak language other than English at home

Education

95.2%

High School+

23.0%

Bachelor's+

Largest cities in Nebraska

Omaha (488,197)Lincoln (291,932)Bellevue (64,355)Grand Island (52,761)Kearney (34,024)Fremont (27,321)Norfolk (25,962)Hastings (25,005)Columbus (24,188)Papillion (24,063)All Nebraska cities →

Other counties in Nebraska

Douglas County (585,461)Lancaster County (323,673)Sarpy County (194,051)Hall County (62,431)Buffalo County (50,323)Dodge County (37,146)Scotts Bluff County (35,937)Madison County (35,535)Platte County (34,358)Lincoln County (34,122)All Nebraska counties →

Part of Nebraska

Nebraska demographic profile All Nebraska data →

Metro areas in Nebraska

Omaha (972,840)Lincoln (341,309)Sioux City (144,007)Grand Island (76,619)All US metros →

County rankings

US Counties by Population Richest US Counties by Median Household Income Expensive US Counties by Home Value Educated US Counties Counties With Highest Poverty Rates Youngest US Counties by Median Age Oldest US Counties by Median Age Cheapest US Counties by Median Home Value Racially Diverse US Counties Counties With Largest Hispanic Population All rankings →

Frequently Asked Questions

Howard County, Nebraska has a population of 6,492 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 45th-largest county in Nebraska. Population density is 11 people per square mile.

The population of Howard County has grown 4.7% since 2010 (6,279 → 6,572), a +0.33% annualized rate.

The median household income in Howard County, Nebraska is $74,508, with mean (average) household income of $87,091 and per-capita income of $35,045. 2.2% of residents live below the federal poverty level.

In Howard County, the largest racial and ethnic groups are White (93.4%), Hispanic or Latino (0.7%), Black or African American (0.5%). Figures are from the US Census Bureau's 2023 ACS 5-year estimates and reflect self-reported responses.

The median age in Howard County, Nebraska is 42.3 years. Residents are 49.2% female and 50.8% male.

The median home value in Howard County is $205,200 and median monthly rent is $811. 74.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. The county has 2,893 total housing units, 13.8% of which are vacant.

The largest employment sector in Howard County, Nebraska is professional, scientific, and management services, employing 22.9% of workers. The unemployment rate is 2.2%.

Omaha is among the largest cities associated with Howard County, Nebraska, with a population of 488,197.