Howard County, TX

County

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2021 Population

34,620

4.4% 1-year decline

US Senator

John Cornyn

Republican Party

US Senator

Ted Cruz

Republican Party

2021 Median Age

37.1

1.07% 1-year decrease

2021 Poverty Rate

16%

2.32% 1-year decrease

2021 Median Household Income

$60,260

4.33% 1-year growth

2021 Median Property Value

$121,200

17.1% 1-year growth

2021 Employed Population

14,007

1.58% 1-year decline

About

In 2021, Howard County, TX had a population of 34.6k people with a median age of 37.1 and a median household income of $60,260. Between 2020 and 2021 the population of Howard County, TX declined from 36,213 to 34,620, a −4.4% decrease and its median household income grew from $57,761 to $60,260, a 4.33% increase.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in Howard County, TX are White (Non-Hispanic) (46.6%), White (Hispanic) (30.2%), Other (Hispanic) (7.99%), Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) (5.21%), and Two+ (Hispanic) (5.12%).

None of the households in Howard County, TX reported speaking a non-English language at home as their primary shared language. This does not consider the potential multi-lingual nature of households, but only the primary self-reported language spoken by all members of the household.

91.2% of the residents in Howard County, TX are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Howard County, TX are Howard College (705 degrees awarded in 2021) and Southwest Collegiate Institute for the Deaf (382911) (25 degrees).

In 2021, the median property value in Howard County, TX was $121,200, and the homeownership rate was 67.5%.

Most people in Howard County, TX drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 21 minutes. The average car ownership in Howard County, TX was 2 cars per household.

Howard County, TX borders Borden County, TX, Dawson County, TX, Glasscock County, TX, Martin County, TX, Mitchell County, TX, and Sterling County, TX.

United States Texas Big Spring, TX

Population & Diversity

Howard County, TX is home to a population of 34.6k people, from which 91.2% are citizens. As of 2021, 10.5% of Howard County, TX residents were born outside of the country (3.65k people).

In 2021, there were 1.54 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (16.1k people) in Howard County, TX than any other race or ethnicity. There were 10.5k White (Hispanic) and 2.77k Other (Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

91.2%

2021 Citizenship

90.8%

2020 Citizenship

As of 2021, 91.2% of Howard County, TX residents were US citizens, which is lower than the national average of 93.4%. In 2020, the percentage of US citizens in Howard County, TX was 90.8%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been increasing.

The following chart shows US citizenship percentages in Howard County, TX compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Howard County, TX

White (Non-Hispanic)
16.1k ± 118
White (Hispanic)
10.5k ± 697
Other (Hispanic)
2.77k ± 657

44%

Hispanic Population

15.2k people

44% of the people in Howard County, TX are hispanic (15.2k people).

The following chart shows the 7 races represented in Howard County, TX as a share of the total population.

Global Diversity

The PUMS dataset is not available at the County level, so we are showing data for Texas.

Most Common Origin

Mexico
2,459,913 ± 36,829 people
India
290,669 ± 13,170 people
El Salvador
220,934 ± 11,496 people

In 2021, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Texas was Mexico, the natal country of 2,459,913 Texas residents, followed by India with 290,669 and El Salvador with 220,934.

Foreign-Born Population

10.5%

2021 Foreign-Born Population

3.65k people

11.1%

2020 Foreign-Born Population

4.03k people

As of 2021, 10.5% of Howard County, TX residents (3.65k people) were born outside of the United States, which is lower than the national average of 13.6%. In 2020, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Howard County, TX was 11.1%, meaning that the rate has been decreasing.

The following chart shows the percentage of foreign-born residents in Howard County, TX compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Vietnam
684 ± 142
Gulf War (2001-)
523 ± 202
Gulf War (1990s)
504 ± 173

Howard County, TX has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 1.31 times greater than any other conflict.

Economy

The economy of Howard County, TX employs 14k people. The largest industries in Howard County, TX are Health Care & Social Assistance (2,156 people), Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction (1,905 people), and Construction (1,221 people), and the highest paying industries are Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction ($68,345), Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting, & Mining ($67,183), and Utilities ($63,313).

Males in Texas have an average income that is 1.39 times higher than the average income of females, which is $53,604. The income inequality in Texas (measured using the Gini index) is 0.476, which is lower than than the national average.

Employment

Occupations

14k

2021 Value

± 918

−1.58%

1 Year decline

± 9.46%

From 2020 to 2021, employment in Howard County, TX declined at a rate of −1.58%, from 14.2k employees to 14k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Howard County, TX, are Construction & Extraction Occupations (1,574 people), Office & Administrative Support Occupations (1,462 people), and Management Occupations (1,167 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Howard County, TX.

Unemployment Insurance Claims

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for false.

This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in Texas (not-seasonally adjusted) compared with the four states with the most similar impact.

The most recent data point uses Advance State Claims data, which can be revised in subsequent weeks.

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Industries

Employment by Industries

14k

2021 Value

± 918

−1.58%

1 Year decline

± 9.46%

From 2020 to 2021, employment in Howard County, TX declined at a rate of −1.58%, from 14.2k employees to 14k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Howard County, TX, are Health Care & Social Assistance (2,156 people), Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction (1,905 people), and Construction (1,221 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Howard County, TX, though some of these residents may live in Howard County, TX and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Median Earnings by Industry

$53,901

Median earning men ± $4,474

$26,473

Median earning women ± $1,914

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2021 are Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting, & Mining ($67,692), Transportation & Warehousing, & Utilities ($63,563), and Manufacturing ($56,269).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2021 are Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting, & Mining ($53,667), Transportation & Warehousing, & Utilities ($37,455), and Public Administration ($37,279).

Employment by Industry Sector

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for false.

Y-Axis

2.75%

Year-over-year growth

Employment change between February 2022 and February 2023

As of February 2023, there are 155M people employed in Texas. This represents a 2.75% increase in employment when compared to February 2022.

The following chart shows monthly employment numbers for each industry sector in Texas.

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Establishments by Size

The industries with the most establishments

215
Finance & Insurance, and Real Estate, Rental & Leasing
192
Educational Services, Health Care & Social Assistance
133
Retail Trade

The visualization shows the distribution of establishments by industry and by size according to the number of employees.

Payroll by Industry Sector

The industries with the highest total annual payroll

$158k
Manufacturing
$94.1k
Educational Services, Health Care & Social Assistance
$56k
Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting, and Mining

The chart shows the total annual payroll and the average annual payroll by industry.

Domestic Trade

Domestic Production & Consumption

Domestic production and consumption consists of products and services shipped from Texas to other states, or from other states to Texas.

Top Domestic Production in Dollars

Electronics
$255B
Gasoline
$212B
Fuel oils
$180B

In 2020, the top outbound Texas product (by dollars) was Electronics with $255B, followed by Gasoline ($212B) and Fuel oils ($180B).

The following chart shows the share of these products in relation to all outbound Texas products.

Domestic Trade Growth

Showing data for Texas.

$2.26T

2020 Value in Texas

$4.54T

Projected 2050 Value in Texas

101% growth

In 2020, total outbound Texas trade was $2.26T. This is expected to increase 101% to $4.54T by 2050.

The following chart shows how the domestic outbound Texas trade is projected to change in comparison to its neighboring states.

Interstate Trade

Interstate trade consists of products and services shipped from Texas to other states, or from other states to Texas.

Most Common Trade Partners

Louisiana
$77.7B
California
$68.4B
Michigan
$58.4B

In 2020, the top outbound Texas domestic partner for goods and services (by dollars) was Louisiana with $77.7B, followed by California with $68.4B and Michigan and $58.4B.

The following map shows the amount of trade that Texas shares with each state (excluding itself).

Civics

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in Howard County, TX went to Donald J. Trump with 78.6% of the vote. The runner-up was Joseph R Biden Jr. (20.2%), followed by Jo Jorgensen (0.869%).

John Cornyn and Ted Cruz are the senators currently representing the state of Texas. In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

Texas is currently represented by 38 members in the U.S. house, and members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms.

Presidential Elections

Presidential Popular Vote Over Time

2020 Election Results

Donald J. Trump (78.6%)
Republican Party
Joseph R Biden Jr. (20.2%)
Democratic Party
Jo Jorgensen (0.869%)
Libertarian Party

The following chart shows the popular vote results in Howard County, TX for each registered party from 1976 to 2020.

Senator Elections

US Senators from Texas

Senatorial voting results are only available at the state level. Showing data for Texas.

John Cornyn

Senator from Texas

Assumed office on December 2, 2002
Phil Gramm resigned (effective November 30, 2002) a few weeks before the expiration of his term in hopes that his successor, fellow Republican John Cornyn, could gain seniority over other newly elected senators. However, Cornyn did not gain additional seniority due to a 1980 Rules Committee policy.

Ted Cruz

Senator from Texas

Assumed office on January 3, 2013

John Cornyn and Ted Cruz are the senators currently representing Texas.

In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

The following chart shows elected senators in Texas over time, excluding special elections, colored by their political party.

US Representative Elections

US Representatives from Texas

Texas is currently represented by 38 members in the U.S. house.

Members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms, and the following chart shows the how the members for Texas have changed over time starting in 2008.

Education

In 2021, universities in Howard County, TX awarded 730 degrees. The student population of Howard County, TX in 2021 is skewed towards women, with 1,586 male students and 2,514 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Howard County, TX are Hispanic or Latino (354 and 49.4%), followed by White (305 and 42.5%), Black or African American (24 and 3.35%), and Two or More Races (21 and 2.93%).

The largest universities in Howard County, TX by number of degrees awarded are Howard College (705 and 96.6%) and Southwest Collegiate Institute for the Deaf (382911) (25 and 3.42%).

The most popular majors in Howard County, TX are General Studies (116 and 15.9%), General Business (80 and 11%), and Registered Nursing (70 and 9.59%).

Admissions & Enrollments

Enrollments by Gender and Races

In 2021 there were 4,100 students enrolled in Howard County, TX, 38.7% men and 61.3% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in Hispanic or Latino with 2,069 records, of which 64.2% were women and 35.8% men.

Completions

Concentrations

Most Common

General Studies
116 degree-majors awarded
Registered Nursing
70 degree-majors awarded
General Business
65 degree-majors awarded

In 2021, the most common concentation for Associates Degree recipients in Howard County, TX was General Studies with 116 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a Associates Degree from schools in Howard County, TX according to their major.

Universities

Gender

Race

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

Howard College
705 degrees awarded
Southwest Collegiate Institute for the Deaf (382911)
25 degrees awarded

In 2021, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was Howard College with 705 degrees awarded.

Student Diversity

In 2021, 244 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Howard County, TX, which is 0.502 times less than the 486 female students who received degrees in the same year.

In 2021 the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was Hispanic or Latino students. These 354 degrees mean that there were 1.16 times more degrees awarded to Hispanic or Latino students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, White, with 305 degrees awarded.

Awarded Degrees over Time

The graph shows the evolution of awarded degrees by degrees. Under the paragraphs, the average number of awarded degrees by university in each degree is shown.

Tuition

Average Net Price by Sector

Public, 2-year ($3,720) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2021.

Public, 2-year ($260) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2021.

Public, 2-year ($1,682) is the sector with the highest average net price of books and supplies.

The graph shows the average net price by sector and year.

Working Population

Educational Pyramid

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Texas.

Measure

In 2021, 1.46% of men over 25 years of age had not completed any academic degree (no schooling), while 1.43% of women were in the same situation.

This visualization shows the gender distribution of the population according to the academic level reached.

Educational Attainment

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Texas.

Race

The most common educational levels obtained by the working population in 2021 were High School or Equivalent (5.58M), Some college (4.95M), and Bachelors Degree (4.04M).

This visualization illustrates the percentage distribution of the population according to the highest educational level reached. You can filter the data by race by using the selector above.

Housing & Living

The median property value in Howard County, TX was $121,200 in 2021, which is 0.495 times smaller than the national average of $244,900. Between 2020 and 2021 the median property value increased from $103,500 to $121,200, a 17.1% increase. The homeownership rate in Howard County, TX is 67.5%, which is approximately the same as the national average of 64.6%.

People in Howard County, TX have an average commute time of 21 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Howard County, TX is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Median household income in Howard County, TX is $60,260. In 2021, the tract with the highest Median Household Income in Howard County, TX was Census Tract 9509 with a value of $79,087, followed by Census Tract 9506 and Census Tract 9508.01, with respective values of $77,975 and $67,854.

In 2022, 14.9% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Howard County, TX. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator grew 2.41%.

Housing

Property

$121,200

Median Property Value 2021

±$7,439

$8,146

Median Property Taxes

±$663

The following chart display owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Howard County, TX the largest share of households pay taxes in the < $800 range.

The chart underneath the paragraph shows the property taxes in Howard County, TX compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies.

Rent vs Own

67.5%

Homeownership

2021

68%

Homeowners with Mortgage

2021

In 2021, 67.5% of the housing units in Howard County, TX were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 66.4%.

This chart shows the percentage of owner in Howard County, TX compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

Equity

Income by Location

Use the dropdown to filter by race/ethnicity.

Race/Ethnicity

Highest Median Household Income (Total)

Census Tract 9509
Census Tract 9506
Census Tract 9508.01

In 2021, the tract with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Howard County, TX was Census Tract 9509 with a value of $79,087, followed by Census Tract 9506 and Census Tract 9508.01, with respective values of $77,975 and $67,854.

The following map shows all of the tracts in Howard County, TX colored by their Median Household Income (Total).

Household Income

Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.

$60,260

Median Household Income

± $3,485

12.1k

Number of Households

± 821

In 2021, the median household income of the 12.1k households in Howard County, TX grew to $60,260 from the previous year's value of $57,761.

The following chart displays the households in Howard County, TX distributed between a series of income buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households have an income in the $75k - $100k range.

Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for Howard County, TX is from Texas.

0.476

2021 Wage GINI in Texas

0.478

2020 Wage GINI in Texas

In 2021, the income inequality in Texas was 0.476 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.474% decline from 2020 to 2021, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for Texas was lower than than the national average of 0.478. In other words, wages are distributed more evenly in Texas in comparison to the national average.

This chart shows the number of workers in Texas across various wage buckets compared to the national average.

Transportation

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2021

Drove Alone (81.2%)
Carpooled (13.9%)
Worked At Home (2.38%)

In 2021, 81.2% of workers in Howard County, TX drove alone to work, followed by those who carpooled to work (13.9%) and those who worked at home (2.38%).

The following chart shows the number of households using each mode of transportation over time, using a logarithmic scale on the y-axis to help better show variations in the smaller means of commuting.

Commute Time

21 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Howard County, TX have a shorter commute time (21 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.8 minutes). Additionally, 1.82% of the workforce in Howard County, TX have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

The chart below shows how the median household income in Howard County, TX compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Car Ownership

2 cars

Average Number

The following chart displays the households in Howard County, TX distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in Howard County, TX have 2 cars.

Poverty

Severe Housing Problems

In 2022, 14.9% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Howard County, TX. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator grew 2.41%.

The graph shows the trend of the percentage of the population living with severe housing problems.

Poverty & Diversity

16% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Howard County, TX (4.89k out of 30.6k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 12.6%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 25 - 34, followed by Females 18 - 24 and then Females 35 - 44.

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Howard County, TX is White, followed by Hispanic and Black.

The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold than that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.

Children in Poverty

In 2022, 17.8% of the children was living in poverty in Howard County, TX. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator declined 9.7%.

The graph shows the trend of the percentage of the children living in poverty.

Social Needs

Data only available at the state level.

Most prevalent states

California
35,798 individuals
New York
5,087 individuals
Florida
4,915 individuals

In 2017, California had the highest estimated number of chronically homeless individuals in the nation, at 35,798. New York has the second highest (5,087), followed by Florida (4,915).

The following map shows the estimated number of chronically homeless individuals by state over multiple years.

Security

Crimes & Accidents

Indicator

In 2022, the number of reported violent crimes offenses per 100,000 population was 607 in Howard County, TX. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator grew 31 per 100,000 population.

The graph shows the trend in the number of reported violent crimes offenses per 100,000 population.

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Health

82.7% of the population of Howard County, TX has health coverage, with 43.8% on employee plans, 14.4% on Medicaid, 10.2% on Medicare, 12.4% on non-group plans, and 2% on military or VA plans.

Primary care physicians in Howard County, TX see 3666 patients per year on average, which represents a 0.549% increase from the previous year (3646 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 2030 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 630 patients per year.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 50.7% were men and 49.3% were women.

Coverage

Patient to Clinician Ratios

3,666 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Howard County, TX

Primary care physicians in Howard County, TX see an average of 3,666 patients per year. This represents a 0.549% increase from the previous year (3,646 patients).

The following chart shows how the number of patients seen by primary care physicians has been changing over time in Howard County, TX in comparison to its neighboring geographies.

Health Care Diversity

In 2021, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 27.2% under 18 years, 22.1% between 18 and 34 years, 37.5% between 35 and 64 years, and 13.2% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 50.7% were men and 49.3% were women.

The following chart shows the number of people with health coverage by gender.

Uninsured People

17.3%

Uninsured

43.8%

Employer Coverage

14.4%

Medicaid

10.2%

Medicare

12.4%

Non-Group

Military or VA

Between 2020 and 2021, the percent of uninsured citizens in Howard County, TX grew by 2.9% from 16.8% to 17.3%.

The following chart shows how the percent of uninsured individuals in Howard County, TX changed over time compared with the percent of individuals enrolled in various types of health insurance.

Health Indicators

Health Outcomes

Indicator

In 2022, the number of deaths among residents under age 18 per 100,000 population was 69.9 in Howard County, TX.

The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in Howard County, TX.

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Health Behaviors

Indicator

In 2022, the percentage of the adult population (age 18 and older) that reports a body mass index (BMI) greater than or equal to 30 kg/m2 (age-adjusted) was 39.4% in Howard County, TX.

The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in Howard County, TX.

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