Howard County Public RecordsNebraska

Howard County, Nebraska, is considered a relatively safe area with low crime rates compared to the national average. In 2023, the overall crime rate was approximately 7.5 incidents per 1,000 residents, with violent crimes making up less than 1 per 1,000. Property crimes, such as burglary and theft, accounted for about 6.5 per 1,000. The Howard County Sheriff’s Office actively encourages community crime reporting and maintains a prompt response system, contributing to a steady decline in crime rates over recent years.

As of the 2020 Census, Howard County, Nebraska, had a population of approximately 6,475. The median age was around 42.8 years, with 22% under 18 and 20% aged 65 or older. Gender distribution was nearly equal, with about 50.1% male and 49.9% female. Racially, the county was predominantly White (95.6%), with Hispanic or Latino residents making up about 4.3%. Other racial groups, including Black, Native American, and Asian, each comprised less than 1% of the population.

As of 2024, Howard County, Nebraska, has approximately 4,400 residents and around 2,900 registered voters. Elections include general, primary, and special local ballots. In the 2020 presidential election, Republican candidates received about 75% of the vote, Democrats 23%, and others 2%. Polling locations include the county courthouse in St. Paul and designated precinct sites. Issues commonly involve agriculture, property taxes, and infrastructure. The county’s elections are administered by the Howard County Clerk. The major parties represented are Republican and Democratic, with GOP registration significantly higher, reflecting regional trends.

Howard County, NE, hosts several public schools within the St. Paul Public Schools district, with St. Paul High School serving most students. The high school graduation rate averages around 95%, and about 17% of adults hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. The county has 4 public schools and emphasizes school safety with low incident rates reported. Educational programs include advanced placement and vocational tracks. Local scores for state assessments are above Nebraska's average. Adult education is available through community partnerships, aiding lifelong learning.

As of the 2022 American Community Survey, Howard County, NE, had an employment rate of approximately 63%. Major industries include agriculture, forestry, fishing & hunting, and mining (21.6%); educational services, health care & social assistance (19.3%); and retail trade (9.8%). The leading occupation types are management, business, science, and arts (27.2%) and natural resources, construction, and maintenance (22%). Around 72% of workers commute alone by car, with an average commute time of 22 minutes. The majority work within Howard County or commute to neighboring counties like Hall and Buffalo.

Howard County, NE, has a homeownership rate of around 82%, with median home values near $145,000 and median gross rents about $675 per month. The housing market remains stable, with modest appreciation rates in recent years. Most homes are single-family detached units, situated in small towns like St. Paul and Elba. Neighborhoods are quiet, with spacious lots. Property taxes average 1.67% of assessed value, slightly above the national average. The rental market is limited, catering mainly to smaller households or seniors, and vacancy rates remain low due to steady demand and limited new construction.