Parts of this article (those related to demographics) need to beupdated. Please help update this article to reflect recent events or newly available information.(March 2019)
According to theUnited States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 904.205 square miles (2,341.88 km2), of which 900.791 square miles (2,333.04 km2) are land and 3.414 square miles (8.84 km2) (0.4%) are covered by water.[5]
Howard County, Texas – Racial and ethnic composition Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.
As of the2020 census, the county had a population of 34,860, 11,674 households, and 7,739 families. The median age was 37.7 years, 22.9% of residents were under the age of 18, 5.8% were under the age of 5, and 14.4% were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 129.8 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 137.6 males age 18 and over.[12]
Of the 11,674 households, 34.3% had children under the age of 18 living in them, 44.4% were married-couple households, 21.5% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 27.3% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 28.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[12]
As of the2000 census, there were 33,627 people, 11,389 households and 7,949 families residing in the county. Thepopulation density was 37 people per square mile (14 people/km2). There were 13,589 housing units at an average density of 15 units per square mile (5.8/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 80.14%White, 4.13%Black orAfrican American, 0.59%Native American, 0.59%Asian, 0.01%Pacific Islander, 12.43% fromother races, and 2.10% from two or more races. 37.46% of the population wereHispanic orLatino of any race.
There were 11,389 households, of which 32.80% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.30% weremarried couples living together, 12.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.20% were non-families. 26.80% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.20% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.53 and the average family size was 3.07.
24.20% of the population were under the age of 18, 9.00% from 18 to 24, 30.90% from 25 to 44, 21.30% from 45 to 64, and 14.60% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 118.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 122.50 males.
Themedian household income was $30,805 and the median family income was $37,262. Males had a median income of $28,971 and females $21,390. Theper capita income was $15,027. About 14.50% of families and 18.60% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 24.70% of those under age 18 and 15.50% of those age 65 or over.
The county is served by a daily newspaper, local radio stations KBST (AM), KBST-FM, KBTS (FM), KBYG (AM), nearby stations KBXJ (FM), KPET (AM) and KWDC (FM), and the various Midland and Odessa radio and TV stations.
From1912 through1964, Howard County voters, in common with theSolid South, voted predominantly for the Democratic candidate in presidential elections. Since1980, the trend has swung to voting chiefly for the Republican candidate.
United States presidential election results for Howard County, Texas[15]
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