Howard County

General

Population:  6,475
Land area (sq. mi.):  569.34
Population per square mile:  11.4

Race and Age

Race  2020

White: 95.0%
African American: 0.2%
American Indian: 0.2%
Asian: 0.2%
Hispanic: 2.3%
Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander: 0.0%
Two or More Races: 2.0%

Age  2020

0-17: 24.5%
18-64: 54.0%
65+: 21.5%

Households

Total households:  2,616  2020
With one child:  320  2022
With 2+ children:  460  2022
With seniors (65+):  750  2022

Socioeconomics

Personal income per capita:  $56,410  2021
% of Population in Poverty:  8.4%  2022
# of Housing Units:  2,865  2020
2023 housing unit building permits:  14
Owner-occupied rate:  79.5%  2020
Median home price:  $227,520  Q1 2024

Technology

Access to broadband (100 Mbps via fiber or cable modem):  59.2%  2021

Sources: National Association of Realtors, Nebraska Department of Revenue, Nebraska Legislature, Nebraska Library Commission, U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, U.S. Census Bureau (building permits), U.S. Census Bureau (demographics), U.S. Census Bureau (municipalities)

Employment, Schools, and Child Care

Unemployment rate:  1.6%  Sept. 2024

County Employment Website:  https://howardcounty.ne.gov/webpages/employment/employment.html

High school graduate or higher:  96.0%  2020

School Districts:  Central Valley Public Schools, Centura Public Schools, Loup City Public Schools, Northwest Public Schools, Palmer Public Schools, St. Paul Public Schools

Bachelor's degree or higher:  21.7%  2020

Community College Service Area:  Central Community College

Countywide child care capacity:  9 providers; 215 children  2024

Find child care:  For a list of child care providers in your zip code, visit Nebraska DHHS or the Nebraska Resource and Referral System.

Howard County Economy

Annual Gross Domestic Product (GDP):  $281,176,000  2022

Nonfarm Small Business Receipts:  $38,451,681  2021

• Nonfarm small business receipts are reported by partnerships & sole proprietorships and do not include receipts reported by cooperative associations. Nonfarm wage income may include wages earned from a Howard County business for telework that is performed partially outside of Nebraska.

Nonfarm Wage Income:  $133,800,000  2022

Farm & Ranch Commodity Sales Receipts:  $306,576,000  2022

Farm & Ranch Operations (Non-Sales) Receipts:  $13,413,000  2022

• Farm & ranch receipt totals for commodity sales and operations are reported by producers operating principally in Howard County and include those producers' receipts from production in other counties. The totals do not include receipts from sales and operations in Howard County reported by producers operating principally in other counties.

Cattle Producers:  277

• Pastureland Cash Rent (avg.):  $50/acre/yr  2024

Crop Producers:  299

Grain Elevators by Location (bushels capacity):

• St. Paul: Viterra (4,020,000)
• (1 bushel = 56 lbs. corn/sorghum, 60 lbs. soybeans/wheat; % max. moisture = 18% beans, 15.5% corn, 14% sorghum/soybeans, 13.5% wheat)

Other Grain Purchasers:  St. Paul Co-Op Grain Association

Railroad Miles: 62.50 main, 4.56 side

• Places with Railroad Service:  Cotesfield, Elba, St. Libory, St. Paul

Local Grain Market:  Click for today's grain prices in Howard County

Electricity Providers:  City of St. Paul, Howard Greeley Rural PPD, Nebraska PPD, Southern PPD

Well Locations (Irrigation/Livestock), Soils, Groundwater & Surface Water

Total Irrigation/Livestock Wells:  1,465  2024

Agricultural Wells per Square Mile:  2.57  2024

Surface Water Diversions (Irrigation):  143  2024

Click for real time:

Streamflow data on the Middle Loup River at St. Paul

Streamflow data on the North Loup River near St. Paul

Sources: National Agricultural Statistics Service (USDA), Nebraska Cooperative Council, Nebraska Coordinating Commission for Postsecondary Education, Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, Nebraska Department of Revenue, Nebraska Department of Transportation, Nebraska Office of the CIO, Nebraska Power Review Board, Nebraska Public Service Commission, U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Census Bureau, U.S. Energy Information Administration, U.S. Department of the Treasury (IRS), Warehouse and Commodity Management Division (USDA)

2023 Levies and Valuation

County levy rate:  $0.1598 per $100 of taxable valuation

County property taxes levied:  $2,477,284

Total local government property taxes levied:  $21,118,898

Total countywide taxable valuation:  $1,550,520,325

Federal PILT payment to Howard County (FY2024):  $3,713 regarding 1,109 federally-owned acres

Click here for all levy rates in Howard County

County Levy and Taxation Laws

Levy limits:

Since 1996, counties and other political subdivisions have been subject to the levy limits listed in Neb. Rev. Stat. § 77-3442 and Neb. Rev. Stat. § 77-3443.

Statutes and regulations:

Nebraska Revised Statutes (Chapter 77)

Nebraska Administrative Code (Title 350)

Local tax reductions, exemptions, and credits:

Neb. Rev. Stat. § 76-902(5)(a) (Deed "stamp tax" exemption): "The [stamp tax] shall not apply to: ... (5)(a) Deeds between spouses, between ex-spouses for the purpose of conveying any rights to property acquired or held during the marriage, or between parent and child, without actual consideration therefor."

Neb. Rev. Stat. § 77-201(2) (Valuation of agricultural land and horticultural land): "Agricultural land and horticultural land as defined in section 77-1359 shall constitute a separate and distinct class of property for purposes of property taxation, shall be subject to taxation, unless expressly exempt from taxation, and shall be valued at seventy-five percent of its actual value, except that for school district taxes levied to pay the principal and interest on bonds that are approved by a vote of the people on or after January 1, 2022, such land shall be valued at fifty percent of its actual value."

Neb. Rev. Stat. § 77-6703(1) (Tax credit for school district taxes paid): "(1) For taxable years beginning or deemed to begin on or after January 1, 2020, under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, there shall be allowed to each eligible taxpayer a refundable credit against the income tax imposed by the Nebraska Revenue Act of 1967 or against the franchise tax imposed by sections 77-3801 to 77-3807. The credit shall be equal to the credit percentage for the taxable year, as set by the department under subsection (2) of this section, multiplied by the amount of school district taxes paid by the eligible taxpayer during such taxable year."

Sources: Nebraska Department of Revenue

State Senator-Elect: Daniel D. McKeon

State Senator: Fred Meyer (District 41)

Standing Committees (click for scheduled committee hearings): 

• Education
• Revenue

Select Committees:

• Reference (chairperson)

Special Committees: 

• Legislative Performance Audit
• Legislature’s Planning Committee

Map and statistics for Legislative District 41

Map of all districts in the Nebraska Unicameral Legislature

Howard County History

Number of Registered Historic Places: 7

Year Authorized: 1871

Year Organized: 1871

Etymology: Oliver Howard (U.S. army general)

     Howard County, bisected by two veins of the Loup River and marked by rolling hills, was originally part of Hall County. In 1871, following extensive research conducted by two government surveyors, James and Nicholas Paul, the Nebraska Legislature carved Howard County from the northern part of Hall County. The county was named after Civil War General Oliver Howard (nicknamed the “Christian General”), a staunch abolitionist who would later lead the Freedman’s Bureau.

     Following its formal organization, Howard County grew quickly and gained over 4,000 residents in its first decade. By 1900, the population had swelled to 10,000 people. Notably, the Paul brothers not only surveyed the county in the 1860’s, they also helped found the county’s first permanent settlement and eventual county seat. The brothers suggested naming the town “Athens,” but a post office in Nebraska already bore that name. Phineas Hitchcock (the namesake of Hitchcock County, later organized in 1873) suggested naming the town after the Paul brothers, and hence, St. Paul became Howard County’s first and only county seat. Remarkably, unlike in other Nebraska counties, the decision over the county seat was uncontroversial and enduring, likely due to St. Paul’s central location and early founding.

     Howard County is rich in history and notable figures. Lieutenant General Clarence Irvine, known for his work helping develop the legendary B-29, was born in Howard County. One of Nebraska’s most famous edibles, Dorothy Lynch dressing, was created by the woman herself in Howard County. Grover Cleveland Alexander also hailed from Howard County and later retired to St. Paul following his Hall of Fame baseball career and 373 career wins (3rd all-time). Each year, residents celebrate Grover Cleveland Alexander Days, a festival that features music, food, sporting tournaments, and of course, baseball.

     Finally, it’s impossible to describe Howard County’s history without noting its courthouse, a three-story Bedford Stone (or white limestone) building constructed in 1913 that also features a memorial to Civil War veterans. Throughout its history, the courthouse has welcomed many different types of tenants, including not only the jail, courtroom, and county officials, but also the public library and the Grand Army of the Republic (a Civil War veterans organization).

Highlight an important program from your county in this space! Send an email to:

luke.bonkiewicz@nebraskacounties.org

Local Highlights

License Plate Number:  49

Time Zone:  Central

Number of Veterans:  374  2023

Zoned County:  Yes

County Hospital:  Howard County Medical Center

Number of County-Owned Bridges:  132

Number of County-Owned Dams:  2

Election Data

General Election Turnout:  77.29%  2024

Total Registered Voters:  4,668  2024

Number of Precincts:  8  2022

Number of Election Day Polling Places:  7  2022

Land Area per Polling Place (avg.):  81.33 sq. miles

Intergovernmental Data

Emergency Mgt. Planning, Exercise and Training (PET) Region: East Central

Natural Resource Districts: Central Platte NRD, Lower Loup NRD

State Lands (acres): Harold W. Andersen WMA (272), Leonard A. Koziol WMA (327.70), Marsh Wren WMA (153), Loup Bottoms WMA (86.60), North Loup SRA (19.56)

Sources: Nebraska Department of Transportation, Nebraska Emergency Management Agency, Nebraska Game & Parks Commission, Nebraska Legislature, Nebraska Office of the CIO, Nebraska Secretary of State, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, U.S. Election Assistance Commission, U.S. National Archives and Records Administration (eCFR)