Population overview
Howard County is home to roughly 30,504 people, making up about 0.10% of the total population of Texas. Within the West Texas region, it ranks #8 of 51 counties by population. The combination of 903 square miles of land and 30,504 residents yields a density of about 33.8 people per square mile — characteristic of small-town and exurban Texas, where towns are anchored by a county seat surrounded by working farmland and ranches.
How Howard County compares
Compared with the other 253 Texas counties, Howard County sits in the upper half of the population distribution. It represents the broad middle of Texas — small to mid-sized counties with a clear county seat and a regionally rooted economy.
| Comparison | Population | vs Howard |
|---|---|---|
| Howard County | 30,504 | — |
| West Texas region average | 43,626 | +43% |
| Texas county median | 18,916 | -38% |
| Largest in Texas (Harris) | 5,045,026 | +16439% |
Neighboring county populations
Howard County shares borders with 5 counties. Comparing population across an adjacent corridor often reveals commuting patterns, school-district pull, and economic gravity.
| County | Seat | Population | Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mitchell County | Colorado City | 8,947 | 9.8 |
| Martin County | Stanton | 5,284 | 5.8 |
| Sterling County | Sterling City | 1,349 | 1.5 |
| Glasscock County | Garden City | 1,128 | 1.3 |
| Borden County | Gail | 567 | 0.6 |
What the numbers mean
Howard County's density of about 33.8 people per square mile is about 28% of the Texas statewide average of roughly 121. Put another way, there are about 19 acres of land for every resident.
Rural density like this means long drives to services, small school districts that are often the heart of community life, and an economy closely tied to agriculture, energy or recreation.
Howard County in statewide context
By population the county ranks 95th of 254; by land area it ranks 140th; and by density it ranks 100th. Its population and land area rank fairly close together, a balanced profile for Texas.
Texas's population is extremely concentrated: the ten largest counties hold well over half of all Texans, while more than 150 counties have fewer than 30,000 residents. Howard County sits in the middle ground between the big metros and the rural majority.
About the data
Population figures on this page come from the U.S. Census Bureau. The decennial census provides the official count every ten years, and the Bureau's annual Population Estimates Program updates county totals between censuses. Land area comes from the Census Gazetteer and excludes water. Figures are rounded and may differ slightly from county or school district estimates that use other methods. See our methodology page for details.
Frequently asked questions
What is the population of Howard County, Texas?+
Howard County has an estimated population of 30,504 residents, based on the most recent U.S. Census data.
What is the population density of Howard County?+
Howard County has a population density of approximately 33.8 people per square mile across its 903 sq mi of land area — characteristic of a small-town / exurban county.
Where does Howard County rank among Texas counties by population?+
Howard County ranks #95 out of 254 Texas counties by total population, accounting for roughly 0.10% of the state's total population.
What is the most populous county near Howard County?+
Among the 5 counties bordering Howard, Mitchell County is the most populous with about 8,947 residents.
How is Howard County's population measured?+
Population figures are sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau — the decennial census and annual American Community Survey (ACS) population estimates. See our methodology for full sourcing.