Howard County, Indiana
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Howard County is one of 92 counties in the U.S. state of Indiana. Originally named Richardville County, it was rechristened in 1844 to commemorate General Tilghman Ashurst Howard. As of 2000, the population is 84,964. The county seat is Kokomo6. The license plate number for Howard County is 34.
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Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 761 km² (294 mi²). 759 km² (293 mi²) of it is land and 2 km² (1 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 0.29% water.
Major Highways
- U.S. Highway 31
- U.S. Highway 35
- Indiana State Highway 19
- Indiana State Highway 22
- Indiana State Highway 26
- Indiana State Highway 213
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. 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.
Demographics
As of the census2 of 2000, there were 84,964 people, 34,800 households, and 23,559 families residing in the county. The population density was 112/km² (290/mi²). There were 37,604 housing units at an average density of 50/km² (128/mi²). The racial makeup of the county was 89.73% White, 6.55% Black or African American, 0.36% Native American, 1.01% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.85% from other races, and 1.49% from two or more races. 2.01% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 34,800 households out of which 31.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.70% were married couples living together, 11.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.30% were non-families. 28.20% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.30% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.41 and the average family size was 2.95.
In the county the population was spread out with 25.60% under the age of 18, 8.30% from 18 to 24, 28.20% from 25 to 44, 24.60% from 45 to 64, and 13.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 93.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.00 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $43,487, and the median income for a family was $53,051. Males had a median income of $43,767 versus $26,566 for females. The per capita income for the county was $22,049. 9.50% of the population and 6.60% of families were below the poverty line. 13.20% of those under the age of 18 and 6.50% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.
Howard County is Indiana's second most wealthy county, only Hamilton County is wealthier.
Places to See
- Kokomo Reservoir ( Wildcat Creek Reservoir)
- Western Days Festival: First week of June, located in Russiaville, Indiana
- Howard County 4-H Fair[1], located in Greentown, Indiana
- Koh-Koh-Mah & Foster Living History Encampment, mid-September
Road Construction
Kokomo and Howard County are currently working together for major road construcion on Kokomo's west side. West Sycamore Road is closed from Malfalfa Road to the west to Berkley Road to the east. Sycamore will also be 4-lanes. Indiana Department of Transportation, or INDOT, is working on Sycamore Road. Sycamore Road should be open by Winter/Spring 2006.
Cities, Towns and Villages
- Alto
- Cassville
- Center
- Greentown
- Hemlock
- Indian Heights
- New London
- Oakford
- Kokomo
- Russiaville
- West Middleton
