The Town Files

Howard County, Texas

32,290 people. The median home is worth $155,600 (typical Texas town: $184,100) and the median household earns $69,649.

Towns in Howard County

Towns in Howard County

TownPeopleMedian homeIncomeMedian age
Big Spring26,144$140,200$67,58136.4

People and housing

Howard CountyTypical Texas town
Median home value$155,600$184,100
Median rent$1,034$1,086
Median household income$69,649$65,842
Median age36.737.1
Bachelor's degree or higher15.7%18.9%
Below the poverty line13.8%13.1%

Jobs and pay

12,785 jobs in 2024, average pay $65,285 a year.

Largest industries in Howard CountyRetail1,498 jobs · $46,014Hotels & restaurants1,300 jobs · $24,769Mining, oil & gas884 jobs · $96,554Construction698 jobs · $78,112Manufacturing680 jobs · $98,488Wholesale trade504 jobs · $87,711
BLS QCEW 2024.
Unemployment rate in Howard County0%2%4%6%8%10%2000200420082012201620202023 4.3%
BLS LAUS via USDA ERS, annual averages.

Storms since 1996

NOAA recorded 485 storm events in Howard County from 1996 to 2026, with 2 deaths.

Storm events in Howard County by type since 1996Hail220Flood4Drought16Tornado10High Wind24Ice Storm6Dust Storm3Heavy Rain3Heavy Snow11Flash Flood87
NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database.

Federal disaster declarations

Howard County has been included in 20 FEMA declarations since 1953.

DeclaredIncidentDeclaration
February 19, 2021Severe Ice StormDR-4586: Severe Winter Storms
February 14, 2021Severe Ice StormEM-3554: Severe Winter Storm
March 25, 2020BiologicalDR-4485: Covid-19 Pandemic
March 13, 2020BiologicalEM-3458: Covid-19
September 9, 2011FireDR-4029: Wildfires
July 1, 2011FireDR-1999: Wildfires
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024; BLS QCEW and LAUS; NOAA Storm Events; FEMA OpenFEMA (not endorsed by FEMA).