CountyScore

Howard County

Indiana · IN

#68 in Indiana
68.9
County Score

County Report Card

About Howard County, Indiana

Howard County leads national average

Howard County's 68.9 composite score significantly exceeds the national median of 50.0, ranking in the upper 38th percentile. This northeastern Indiana county demonstrates solid livability fundamentals across tracked dimensions.

Slightly below Indiana average

Howard County scores 68.9 against Indiana's 71.2 state average, placing it in the lower-middle tier of Indiana's 92 counties. The gap suggests room for improvement compared to state leaders.

Competitive taxes and reasonable costs

Howard County leads with an 81.7 tax score and 0.733% effective rate, plus a 79.0 cost score reflecting median home values at $151,500. The health score of 68.6 rounds out a solid foundation for families watching their budgets.

Income lags, risk factors modest

The income score of 24.2 with a $62,496 median household income trails more prosperous Indiana counties. The risk score of 36.3 is the lowest among these eight counties, suggesting environmental or other concerns warrant attention.

Best for cost-conscious, risk-aware settlers

Howard County appeals to families and individuals seeking tax relief and stable housing costs without high incomes, particularly those sensitive to environmental risk factors. Its moderate health profile and low-risk rating make it suitable for those prioritizing community safety.

Score breakdown

5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.

Tax81.7Cost79SafetyComing SoonHealth68.6SchoolsComing SoonIncome24.2Risk36.3WaterComing Soon
🏛81.7
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠79
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼24.2
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤68.6
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡36.3
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncomeincomebycounty.com
Compare Howard County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Coffee County
Alabama
68.9
Median income: $64,672
Walker County
Alabama
68.9
Median income: $54,509
Arkansas County
Arkansas
68.9
Median income: $60,831
Jackson County
Arkansas
68.9
Median income: $41,215
Sevier County
Arkansas
68.9
Median income: $51,641

Deep Dives

Howard County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Howard County

via TaxByCounty

Howard County taxes rank well above U.S. median

Howard County's 0.733% effective tax rate places it in the top 25% nationally, well above the U.S. median of 0.571%. The median annual tax of $1,110 reflects relatively affordable home values at $151,500 compared to the national median of $281,900.

Higher-tax county in Indiana

Howard County ranks among Indiana's pricier tax jurisdictions with a 0.733% effective rate versus the state average of 0.671%. The median tax bill of $1,110 nearly matches Indiana's median of $1,199 despite moderately lower home values.

Peer-level taxes with Henry and Huntington

Howard County's 0.733% rate sits between Henry County (0.749%) and Huntington County (0.731%), making it one of the region's higher-tax areas. All three counties significantly exceed Jackson County's 0.472% rate to the south.

What you'll pay in Howard County

On a median home valued at $151,500, Howard County homeowners pay approximately $1,110 annually in property taxes. With a mortgage, that climbs to $1,136 due to lender escrow requirements.

Assessment appeals can lower your bill

Many property owners in Indiana overpay due to inflated assessments relative to current market values. Contact your county assessor to request a reassessment or file an appeal—it's a straightforward process that could save you hundreds annually.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Howard County

via CostByCounty

Howard County's Housing Affordability Picture

Howard County residents face a 17.6% rent-to-income ratio, meaning renters here spend noticeably more on housing than the national average and significantly more than their state peers. With a median household income of $62,496 sitting well below the national median of $74,755, housing costs pack an outsized punch in local household budgets.

Howard's Affordability Ranking

At 17.6%, Howard County has one of Indiana's tighter housing markets, ranking below the state average of 15.6% and among the less affordable counties statewide. Rents averaging $915 monthly exceed Indiana's median by $32, adding to the affordability pressure families experience here.

Howard Compared to Regional Peers

Howard County's 17.6% rent burden is the highest among its immediate neighbors, trailing only Huntington County at 16.6% and Henry County at 16.1%. At $915 monthly, Howard's rents rank above nearby counties, reflecting tighter local demand and fewer bargain options.

Howard County Housing Costs Explained

A median earner in Howard County takes home $62,496 annually but dedicates about $915 monthly—or 17.6% of gross income—to rent if renting. Homeowners face similar pressure with $847 monthly costs on properties valued around $151,500, making the total housing burden substantial relative to local incomes.

Relocating to Howard County?

Howard County demands careful budget planning, as its 17.6% rent-to-income ratio signals tighter affordability than most Indiana alternatives. If you're considering the move, evaluate whether Howard's job market and lifestyle benefits justify higher housing costs compared to neighboring counties offering similar or better value.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Howard County

via IncomeByCounty

Howard County below U.S. average

Howard County's median household income of $62,496 falls short of the national median of $74,755 by about $12,300. This 16% income gap reflects economic conditions typical of many Midwest manufacturing communities.

Mid-tier earner in Indiana

Howard County's $62,496 median sits modestly below Indiana's average of $68,681, ranking in the middle range statewide. The county's per capita income of $34,785 nearly matches the state average of $34,773, suggesting relatively even income distribution.

Slightly ahead of Henry County

Howard County ($62,496) outpaces Henry County ($60,144) by $2,352 but trails Huntington County ($62,734) by just $238. These three adjacent counties cluster together, with earnings differences of less than 5%.

Renters stretch budgets carefully

At 17.6%, Howard County's rent-to-income ratio sits at the upper edge of affordability, meaning renters allocate a noticeable chunk of earnings to housing. With median home values at $151,500, homeownership remains accessible but requires careful financial planning.

Strategic saving builds security

Howard County households earning $62,496 should prioritize employer 401(k) matches and tax-advantaged savings accounts to maximize wealth growth. Even small increases in savings rates—moving from 5% to 10% of income—meaningfully accelerate long-term financial independence.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Howard County

via HealthByCounty

Howard County faces serious life expectancy gap

At 73.0 years, Howard County residents live roughly 6 years less than the U.S. average of 78.9 years. Just under 1 in 5 residents (19.2%) report poor or fair health, suggesting significant chronic disease burden despite relatively low uninsured rates.

One of Indiana's lowest life expectancies

Howard County's 73.0-year life expectancy ranks among the lowest in Indiana, falling 2.1 years below the state average of 75.1 years. The county's 7.0% uninsured rate is better than the state average of 8.4%, indicating that coverage gaps alone don't explain the health disparity.

Strong mental health resources, thin primary care

Howard County has an impressive 236 mental health providers per 100,000 residents—the highest among neighboring counties—but primary care is more limited at 55 per 100K, matching Huntington County but trailing Jackson County's 67 per 100K. This imbalance suggests residents may access psychiatry but struggle to find family medicine physicians.

Better insured, but health outcomes lag

Howard County's 7.0% uninsured rate is among Indiana's best, yet life expectancy is among the worst—pointing to deeper issues like poverty, education, or healthcare quality rather than just access. With 55 primary care providers per 100K, residents have moderate access, but limited preventive care infrastructure may be driving late-stage diagnoses.

Get insured and stay connected to care

Though Howard County's 7.0% uninsured rate is low, every uninsured resident counts—that's still roughly 1 in 14 people. Visit healthcare.gov, call 1-800-MEDICARE, or check with your employer to lock in coverage and schedule preventive screenings with your primary care provider.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Howard County

via RiskByCounty

Howard County faces above-average risk

Howard County's composite risk score of 63.68 significantly exceeds both the Indiana state average (45.52) and the national median, placing it in the relatively low category but well above typical U.S. county risk levels. This elevated profile warrants serious disaster preparedness efforts.

Among Indiana's riskier counties

Howard County ranks in the upper tier of Indiana counties for natural disaster risk, placing it above 70 of the state's 92 counties. Only the state's most hazard-prone areas exceed Howard's exposure levels.

Notably riskier than surrounding areas

Howard County's 63.68 score substantially exceeds nearby Henry County (44.82) and Grant County, making it one of the higher-risk zones in north-central Indiana. Residents here face markedly greater natural disaster exposure than immediate neighbors.

Tornadoes and earthquakes lead threats

Tornado risk reaches 83.68 in Howard County, among the state's highest, followed by earthquake risk at 77.07—well above Indiana's average. Flood risk (64.50) also ranks significantly higher than the state average, creating a triple threat of major hazards.

Multi-hazard insurance is essential

Howard County residents must secure homeowners insurance with robust wind and hail coverage for tornado protection, plus separate earthquake insurance given the elevated 77.07 seismic score. Flood insurance is equally important, as 64.50 flood risk is substantially above state norms.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

🏛Property Tax🏠Cost of Living💼Income & Jobs🛡Safety❤Health🎓Schools⚡Disaster Risk💧Water Quality

Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS — informational only.