Howard, KS

Kansas

Howard is a small town in Kansas with a population of 553. Residents earn $53,125 per year, which is 29% below the national average.

3.7 /5.0
B+ Good
553 Population 779/sq mi density
$53,125 Median Income $32,117 per capita
$53,400 Home Value $77,221 Zillow
$447 Median Rent 34.6% income on rent
56°F Avg Temperature
B+
Overall
3.7 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.8 / 5.0
$53,125 median income, 1.4% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$53,400 home value, $447/mo rent
C
Education
2.3 / 5.0
16.7% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $53,125
29% lower than US avg
Home Value $53,400
81% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 16.7%
50% lower than US avg
Median Rent $447
62% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 40.6%
26% higher than US avg
Unemployment 1.4%
61% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 11.5%
7% lower than US avg

How Howard Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population553
Median Age38.2 yrs
Density779/mi²
Male / Female52% / 48%
Largest GroupWhite 95%
Veterans7.1%

Economy

B+
Median Income$53,125
Per Capita$32,117
Unemployment1.4%
Poverty11.5%
County GDP$102M
Commute30 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$53,400
Rent$447
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$77,221
Rent Burden34.6%

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity40.6%
UninsuredN/A
Depression24.6%
Heart Disease6.3%

Climate

Avg Temp56°F
AQI39 (Good)
Rain38.6 in/yr
Elevation1,039 ft

Education

C
Bachelor's+16.7%
High School+93.1%
School Score5.80

Community

2024 VoteR 84% / D 14%
Commute30 min
Broadband89.1%
Libraries4

Is Howard a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Howard receives an overall livability score of 3.7 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include below-average incomes, high obesity rates. Howard offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Howard is $53,125, 29% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 1.4%. 11.5% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 30 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Howard is $53,400, 81% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $447 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 1x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

16.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 93.1% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.8/10.

Climate & Weather

Howard enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 56°F. Winters average 32°F in January while summers reach 79°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 38.6 inches, including 6.4 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 39.

Howard has a population of 553 with a density of 779 people per square mile. The median age is 38.2 years, 2% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (95.1%), with 4.2% Hispanic.

Population

553
Total Population
779
People / sq mi
38.2yrs
Median Age
2% below US avg
0.7mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 51.9%
Female 48.1%

Race & Ethnicity

Howard vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only98.8%
26% above US avg
Spanish1.2%
91% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Howard vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Howard is $53,125, which is 29% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 1.4% (below the 3.6% US average). 11.5% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 30 minutes.

Income: Howard vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$53,125
29% below US avg
Per Capita Income$32,117
Avg Weekly Wage$685
IRS Avg AGI$50,489

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment1.4%
61% below US avg
Poverty Rate11.5%
7% below US avg
Establishments (County)86
County GDP$102M

Business (County)

Restaurants5
Healthcare5
Retail12

Tax & Cost of Living

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time29.8 min
Drive Alone76.7%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home5.1%

Walkability

The median home value in Howard is $53,400, 81% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $447 (62% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $77,221.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$53,400
81% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$77,221

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$447
62% below US avg
Rent Burden34.6%

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$702
1 Bedroom$753
2 Bedrooms$947
3 Bedrooms$1,223
4 Bedrooms$1,397

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied72.4%

Property Tax

In Howard, 40.6% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 24.6% report depression. 31.8% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Howard vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity40.6%
26% above US avg
Diabetes10.8%
Heart Disease6.3%
High Blood Pressure33.1%
Asthma11.1%
COPD8.1%
Stroke3.3%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking17.0%
Physical Inactivity31.8%
Depression24.6%
Mental Distress19.9%
Physical Distress14.3%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate95.1%
Checkup Rate74.5%
Premature Death10,720/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment6.2/10
Exercise Access28.0%
Healthcare Facilities5

Crime Rates: Howard vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)1

Safety Score

Howard has an average annual temperature of 56°F (13°C). Winters average 32°F in January while summers reach 79°F in July. Annual precipitation is 38.6 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 39.

Temperature

32°F Jan (-0°C) 79°F Jul (26°C)
Annual Average55.8°F
3% above US avg
January Average32°F (-0°C)
July Average79°F (26°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall38.6 inches
2% above US avg
Snowfall6.4 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median39.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,039 ft (317 m)
Area0.7 sq mi (1.8 km²)
Population Density779/sq mi
Coordinates37.4694°N, 96.2630°W
County FIPS20049
It is classified as Nonmetro — Rural, adjacent. 16.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (50% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 69.7-point margin. 89.1% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 83.9%
D 14.3%

Winner: Republican by 69.7 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+16.7%
50% below US avg
High School+93.1%
School Test Score5.80
C Education Grade (2.3/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 8Nonmetro — Rural, adjacent
Population Density779/sq mi
Total Area0.7 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access89.1%
Public Libraries4
Healthcare Facilities5
Restaurants5
Retail Stores12

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)1

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute29.8 min
Drive Alone76.7%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home5.1%

Nearby Cities

Compare Howard with another city: