Howard County
IN · Pop. 83,610 · Mixed County
Howard County is a mixed rural-suburban county in Indiana, spanning 293 square miles with 83,610 residents at a density of 285.4 people per square mile, a more developed setting where truly rural parcels are scarcer. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on soybeans, corn, wheat. A median home price of $152,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.73% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 6a with a 170-day growing season, average summer highs of 82.6°F and average winter lows of 18.4°F. Annual rainfall averages 42.9 inches, and with drought risk rated high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Ascension St Vincent Kokomo is 2.2 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 99.3% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, tornado risk is very high, drought risk is high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.73% holds annual carrying costs down.
- A median home price of $152,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 99.3% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Ascension St Vincent Kokomo, with an emergency room, is just 2.2 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
Cons
- Tornado risk is very high, so a storm shelter and wind-resistant structures are practical necessities.
- Flood risk is very high, so careful parcel siting and flood insurance are essential.
- At 285.4 people per square mile, this is a developed area where finding truly rural acreage is harder and pricier.
At a glance
Howard County, IN is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 69/100
- Median home price
- $152k
- Property tax
- 0.73%
- Growing season
- 170 days (zone 6a)
- Annual rainfall
- 42.9"
- Broadband
- 99.3%
- Nearest hospital
- Ascension St Vincent Kokomo, 2.2 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Howard County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Howard County?
- Howard County is in USDA hardiness zone 6a with a 170-day growing season, average summer highs of 82.6°F, and average winter lows of 18.4°F. The established crops are soybeans, corn, wheat.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $152,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.73%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 99.3% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Ascension St Vincent Kokomo is 2.2 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 3 hospitals in the county.
Explore Indiana Resources
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LandWatch
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Lands of America
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AcreTrader
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More counties in Indiana
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The closest counties to Howard County by distance, including across state lines.
Data sources
Verified
Figures are sourced from public datasets: U.S. Census Bureau — ACS 5-year & Gazetteer, USDA NASS Census of Agriculture, USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals (1991–2020), FEMA National Risk Index, FCC Broadband Data Collection, BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, HIFLD Hospitals. Always confirm specifics locally before relying on them. See our methodology for how the homestead score is calculated.
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