Howard County is a county located in the U.S. state of Arkansas. As of the 2020 census, the population was 12,785. The county seat is Nashville. Howard County is Arkansas's 74th county, formed on April 17, 1873, and named for James Howard, a state senator. It is a dry county.
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of , of which is land and (1.1%) is water.
Major highways
U.S. Highway 70
U.S. Highway 278
U.S. Highway 371
Highway 26
Highway 27
Highway 84
Adjacent counties
Polk County (north) Pike County (east) Hempstead County (southeast) Little River County (southwest) Sevier County (west)
National protected area
Ouachita National Forest (part)
Demographics
2020 census
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 12,785 people, 5,142 households, and 3,503 families residing in the county.
2000 census
As of the 2000 census, there were 14,300 people, 5,471 households, and 3,922 families residing in the county. The population density was . There were 6,297 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the county was 73.60% White, 21.86% Black or African American, 0.41% Native American, 0.50% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 2.76% from other races, and 0.86% from two or more races. 5.08% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 4.75% reported speaking Spanish at home, while 1.73% speak German.
There were 5,471 households, out of which 34.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.20% were married couples living together, 12.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.30% were non-families. 25.70% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.60% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.55 and the average family size was 3.04.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 26.90% under the age of 18, 8.60% from 18 to 24, 27.80% from 25 to 44, 21.60% from 45 to 64, and 15.10% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 95.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.20 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $28,699, and the median income for a family was $34,510. Males had a median income of $28,086 versus $17,266 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,586. About 11.90% of families and 15.50% of the population were below the poverty line, including 20.10% of those under age 18 and 17.00% of those age 65 or over.
Government
Over the past few election cycles, Howard County has trended heavily towards the GOP. The last Democratic presidential candidate (as of 2020) to carry this county was Bill Clinton in 1996.
Communities
Cities
Dierks
Mineral Springs
Nashville (county seat)
Towns
Tollette
Census-designated places
Center Point
Saratoga
Other unincorporated communities
Athens
Corinth
Midway
Mineola
Okay
Schaal
Umpire
Historic communities
Allbrook
Antimony
Baker Springs
Carl
Cowling
Dial
Eldridge
Euclid
Galena
Henry
Howe
Markham
Martha
Minnie
New Moon
Pates
Picayune
Rosadale
Townships
Blackland
Blue Bayou
Blue Ridge
Brewer
Buck Range
Burg
Center Point
Clay
County Line
Dillard
Duckett
Franklin
Holly Creek
Madison (Dierks) Mineral Springs (Mineral Springs) Mountain Muddy Fork Nashville (Nashville) Saline Saratoga Tollette (Tollette) --- township completely inside Blackland Township Umpire