Howard
Arkansas

What stands out

If you had to describe Howard County in numbers, start here: the share working from home is in the bottom 7% of American counties (3%), rainfall is in the top 9% of American counties (54 inches a year), and the median household income is in the bottom 12% of American counties ($44,824). Within Arkansas it ranks 19th of 74 counties for the share working from home, counting from the bottom.

Where you are

You live in Howard County, Arkansas. 12,779 people live here with you. The population shrank 0.7% last year, and more Americans moved out than in (net -58).

Arkansas has been cutting its income tax rates every legislative session since 2015, and the top rate is now well under 4%. Home prices remain among the lowest in the country, especially outside Northwest Arkansas, where Walmart, Tyson and J.B. Hunt have built a fast-growing corporate corridor around Bentonville and Fayetteville. Tornado season is real across the whole state.

Money

The typical household here brings in $44,824 a year, lower than 88% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $43,784. Unemployment runs 3.3%, lower than 53% of American counties. 3% of workers work from home.

Arkansas takes 3.5% of that median income in state income tax, about $1,579 a year.

Home

The median home costs $162K, cheaper than 79% of American counties, about 2.2 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $723 a month. Property tax is 0.53% of home value, roughly $659 a year on that median home, lower than 85% of American counties. 73% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 4.7 per 1,000 residents, higher than 88% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 13 people per 100,000 in 2024.

A child born here can expect to live 73.1 years, shorter than 79% of American counties. There are 8 active physicians in the county, about 6.3 per 10,000 people. Medicare rates the local hospitals 3.0 of 5 stars. 12.4% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 2.75 where 3.0 is national grade level, lower than 88% of American counties. 88% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 42 points, among the most lopsided counties in the country. 53% of eligible voters turned out. Under Arkansas law you can carry a concealed handgun without a permit, abortion is banned with narrow exceptions, and marijuana is medical only.

Weather and risk

The year averages 63°F, highs near 74 and lows near 52, warmer than 77% of American counties. About 54 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 43 out of 100, safer than 57% of American counties; the county has had 22 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 174 Mbps down, slower than 61% of American counties. There is 1 airport in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.7 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people.