Iowa

Howard

9,469
2020 population
1860
first census record
17
census records

About Howard

Howard, Iowa, first appears in the United States federal census in 1860, when it recorded a population of 3,168. At the most recent census, in 2020, its population stood at 9,469.

Its recorded population peaked at 14,512 in 1900, and has since declined by roughly 35 percent.

On the ground today, 7 places are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Population by decade

Census YearPopulationChart
20209,469
20109,566
20009,932
19909,809
198011,114
197011,442
196012,734
195013,105
194013,531
193013,082
192013,705
191012,920
190014,512
189011,182
188010,837
18706,282
18603,168
Source

Population data from the United States decennial census, U.S. Census Bureau (public domain).

Historic places in Howard

National Register of Historic Places listings in Howard, Iowa.

Polygonal Barn, New Oregon Township
Cresco
Kellow House
Cresco
Cresco Opera House
Cresco
Fellows, James C., House
Riceville
Bohemian Savings Bank
Protivin
Lime Springs Mill Complex
Lime Springs
Howard County Courthouse
Cresco

Other counties in Iowa

Explore census history and historic records for more Iowa counties.

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Everything a full report reveals about Howard County, Iowa

This page charts the census history of Howard County, Iowa. A full Aubrey report for an address here pulls together everything the historical record holds about the ground, from the earliest settlement to the twentieth century:

Overview
An interactive map of the location with historic sites, battles and Native heritage plotted, and its full story era by era.
The Land
The historic sites and place names around the location, and how this land was settled and used.
Geology
The bedrock beneath the site, its age and rock type, reaching back millions of years.
LiDAR Terrain
Laser-scanned terrain that reveals earthworks and old features hidden in the landscape.
Conflict & War
The battles, raids and skirmishes fought near here, across every era of American conflict.
The Civil War
The Civil War on this ground, 1861 to 1865: who held it, and the battles, camps and regiments nearby.
The Soldiers
The men who marched from here in the Civil War, named and traced where the record allows.
Native Heritage
The Native nations who held this land, mapped across time from before European contact to today.
Settlement
Who claimed and held this ground, from Indigenous homelands through the colonial powers to the United States.
The Community
How the town grew, who came, and what kind of place it became, traced through the census record.
Rivers & Rail
The rivers, canals and railroads that connected this place between 1830 and 1911.
Notable People
The people born, buried or genuinely tied to this exact place, with their stories.
Historical Maps
Historic maps of the location layered over how it looks today.
Finds & Access
Museum objects tied to the area, and the laws on searching, collecting and access here.
Literature
The old books, county histories and archives that mention this place, quoted with their sources.
Spotlight
A deep dive into the most remarkable, lesser-known history of the place, traced back to the record.
Points of Interest
The most significant historic sites and landmarks near the location, and why they matter.
Timeline
The whole story of the location told era by era, from first peoples to the present day.
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Frequently asked about Howard

When does Howard first appear in the US census?
Howard, Iowa first appears in the federal census in 1860, with a recorded population of 3,168.
What is the population of Howard?
At the most recent federal census (2020), Howard had a recorded population of 9,469.
When did Howard's population peak?
Howard's recorded population peaked at 14,512 in 1900.
How many historic places are in Howard?
7 sites are listed on the National Register of Historic Places in Howard, Iowa.
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