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.

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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′N 86°07′W
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

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Howard County comprises the Kokomo, Indiana Metropolitan Statistical Area.

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]

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]

• 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

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]

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]

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]

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