RANK #342 / 996 · POP 83,452 · IN
PROJECTED GROWTH: +1.4%
Howard County, Indiana, is known for its automotive heritage and as the "City of Firsts," with Kokomo, its largest city, being the birthplace of America's first commercially built car. Located in north-central Indiana, about 50 miles north of Indianapolis, the county offers a suburban feel with a strong sense of community. Commuting within Kokomo is generally manageable by car, and a free public trolley system provides access to many key areas. The county also features parks like Highland Park, home to "Old Ben," the world's largest steer, and trails along Wildcat Creek for outdoor recreation.
Life in Howard County is characterized by an affordable cost of living, which is below the national average, particularly for housing. The public schools in Kokomo are considered above average, with several school corporations serving the county, including Kokomo School Corporation, Eastern Howard School Corporation in Greentown, and Western School Corporation in Russiaville. The economy, historically tied to manufacturing, is experiencing growth driven by investments in advanced manufacturing and the energy sector. This has contributed to an increase in average weekly wages and a growing labor force.
Contracting economy
Harsh climate or flat terrain
Housing looks undervalued at 2.4x — home prices are low relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
StarPlus Energy Gigafactory (Phase 2)
Stellantis & Samsung SDI
|
$3,200M | Planned |
|
StarPlus Energy Gigafactory (Phase 1)
Stellantis & Samsung SDI
|
$2,500M | Under Construction |
|
Pumpkinvine Battery Energy Storage System
Spearmint Energy
|
$400M | Proposed |
|
Stellantis Transmission Plant Conversion (Electric Drive Modules)
Stellantis
|
$250M | Under Construction |
|
Emerald Green Solar Farm
Engie
|
$200M | Proposed |
|
Locomotive Solar
Ranger Power
|
$120M | Proposed |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Howard County has a Boom Town Index score of 66/100, ranking #342 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +2.1% and a median household income of $62,014, it's an above-average county on economic indicators.
The median home value in Howard County is $143,100 with median rent at $855/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.4334, which is more affordable than the national average.
Population growth: +0.1% year-over-year. Job growth: +2.1%. Home values changed +5.8% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 3.24% of Howard County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.