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Howard County, Indiana

Coordinates: 40°29′N 86°07′W / 40.48°N 86.12°W / 40.48; -86.12
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Howard County
County
Howard County courthouse in Kokomo, Indiana
Howard County courthouse in Kokomo, Indiana
Official seal of Howard County
Seal
Map of Indiana highlighting Howard County
Location within the U.S. state of Indiana
Map of the United States highlighting Indiana
Indiana's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 40°29′N 86°07′W / 40.48°N 86.12°W / 40.48; -86.12
Country United States
State Indiana
Founded1844
Named forTilghman Howard
SeatKokomo
Largest cityKokomo
Area
 • Total
293.92 sq mi (761.2 km2)
 • Land293.06 sq mi (759.0 km2)
 • Water0.86 sq mi (2.2 km2)  0.29%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
83,658
 • Density280/sq mi (110/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional districts4th, 5th
Websitewww.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 1846 to commemorate General Tilghman Ashurst Howard.

Howard County comprises the Kokomo, Indiana Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Geography

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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

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History

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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

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  • 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

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City

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Towns

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Former census-designated place

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Townships

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Other places

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Climate and weather

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Kokomo, Indiana
Climate chart (explanation)
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█ Average max. and min. temperatures in °F
█ Precipitation totals in inches
Source: The Weather Channel[7]
Metric conversion
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█ 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

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Airports

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  • Kokomo Municipal Airport

Highways

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Bus services

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  • 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

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  • 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

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Colleges and universities

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Public school districts

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Private schools

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  • 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

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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(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2024 25,871 66.51% 12,197 31.36% 829 2.13%
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

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Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18506,657—
186012,52488.1%
187015,84726.5%
188019,58423.6%
189026,18633.7%
190028,5759.1%
191033,17716.1%
192043,96532.5%
193046,6966.2%
194047,7522.3%
195054,49814.1%
196069,50927.5%
197083,19819.7%
198086,8964.4%
199080,827−7.0%
200084,9645.1%
201082,752−2.6%
202083,6581.1%
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

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References

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  1. ^ a b 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. ^ a b "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. Open access icon
  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. ^ a b "Monthly Averages for Kokomo, Indiana". The Weather Channel. Retrieved January 27, 2011.
  8. ^ a b Indiana Code. "Title 36, Article 2, Section 3". IN.gov. Retrieved September 16, 2008.
  9. ^ a b c 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. ^ a b c "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.
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40°29′N 86°07′W / 40.48°N 86.12°W / 40.48; -86.12

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