Howard, SD

South Dakota

Howard is a small town in South Dakota with a population of 990. Residents earn $54,792 per year, which is 27% below the national average.

3.5 /5.0
B+ Good
990 Population 1,021/sq mi density
$54,792 Median Income $30,547 per capita
$93,200 Home Value
$516 Median Rent
47°F Avg Temperature
B+
Overall
3.5 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.8 / 5.0
$54,792 median income, 0.0% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$93,200 home value, $516/mo rent
D
Education
1.7 / 5.0
8.4% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $54,792
27% lower than US avg
Home Value $93,200
67% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 8.4%
75% lower than US avg
Median Rent $516
56% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 36.1%
12% higher than US avg
Unemployment 0.0%
100% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 11.4%
8% lower than US avg

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

People

Population990
Median Age49.7 yrs
Density1,021/mi²
Male / Female52% / 48%
Largest GroupWhite 94%

Economy

B+
Median Income$54,792
Per Capita$30,547
Unemployment0.0%
Poverty11.4%
County GDP$177M
Commute21 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$93,200
Rent$516
OwnershipN/A

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity36.1%
UninsuredN/A
Depression22.4%
Heart Disease5.6%

Climate

Avg Temp47°F
AQI35 (Good)
Rain26.4 in/yr
Elevation1,561 ft

Education

D
Bachelor's+8.4%
High School+92.2%
School Score5.45

Community

2024 VoteR 72% / D 25%
Commute21 min
Libraries1

Is Howard a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Howard receives an overall livability score of 3.5 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing. Areas to be aware of include below-average incomes. 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 $54,792, 27% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 0.0%. 11.4% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 21 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Howard is $93,200, 67% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $516 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 1.7x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

8.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 92.2% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.4/10.

Climate & Weather

Howard experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 47°F. Winters average 17°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 26.4 inches, including 35.8 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 35.

Howard has a population of 990 with a density of 1,021 people per square mile. The median age is 49.7 years, 28% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (93.6%), with 1.3% Hispanic, 1.8% Black.

Population

990
Total Population
1,021
People / sq mi
49.7yrs
Median Age
28% above US avg
1.0mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 52.4%
Female 47.6%

Race & Ethnicity

Howard vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only97.2%
24% above US avg
Spanish2.8%
79% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Howard vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Howard is $54,792, which is 27% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 0.0% (below the 3.6% US average). 11.4% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 21 minutes.

Income: Howard vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$54,792
27% below US avg
Per Capita Income$30,547
Avg Weekly Wage$837
IRS Avg AGI$79,103

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment0.0%
100% below US avg
Poverty Rate11.4%
8% below US avg
Establishments (County)108
County GDP$177M

Business (County)

Restaurants9
Healthcare9
Retail12
Manufacturing4

Tax & Cost of Living

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time20.7 min
Work from Home10.2%

Walkability

The median home value in Howard is $93,200, 67% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $516 (56% below US avg).

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$93,200
67% below US avg

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$516
56% below US avg

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$691
1 Bedroom$784
2 Bedrooms$990
3 Bedrooms$1,295
4 Bedrooms$1,540

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied72.9%

Property Tax

In Howard, 36.1% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 22.4% report depression. 24.3% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity36.1%
12% above US avg
Diabetes9.6%
Heart Disease5.6%
High Blood Pressure29.2%
Asthma10.4%
COPD6.2%
Stroke3.0%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking20.3%
Physical Inactivity24.3%
Depression22.4%
Mental Distress17.2%
Physical Distress12.2%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate85.3%
Checkup Rate73.3%
Premature Death6,717/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.3/10
Exercise Access52.3%
Healthcare Facilities9

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Safety Score

Howard has an average annual temperature of 47°F (8°C). Winters average 17°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. Annual precipitation is 26.4 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 35.

Temperature

17°F Jan (-8°C) 74°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average46.6°F
14% below US avg
January Average17°F (-8°C)
July Average74°F (23°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall26.4 inches
31% below US avg
Snowfall35.8 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median35.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,561 ft (476 m)
Area1.0 sq mi (2.5 km²)
Population Density1,021/sq mi
Coordinates44.0117°N, 97.5246°W
County FIPS46097
It is classified as Nonmetro — Rural, adjacent. 8.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (75% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 47-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 72.1%
D 25.1%

Winner: Republican by 47 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+8.4%
75% below US avg
High School+92.2%
School Test Score5.45
D Education Grade (1.7/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 8Nonmetro — Rural, adjacent
Population Density1,021/sq mi
Total Area1.0 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries1
Healthcare Facilities9
Restaurants9
Retail Stores12

Safety & Disasters

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute20.7 min
Work from Home10.2%

Nearby Cities

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