Center
RANK #399 / 996 NAT · #19 / 28 IN · POP 83,452
1YR FORECAST: +3.9%
5YR OUTLOOK: +26%
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.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Source: CDC/NCHS vital statistics via County Health Rankings (2020–2022 avg). Rates per 100,000 population. Grade based on homicide rate relative to national average (~6.3). Learn more →
Source: EPA Air Quality System (2021–2023). Grade based on 3-year average median AQI. Learn about AQI →
| 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.
With a Boom Town Index score of 60/100, Howard County sits in the upper half of all 996 ranked counties. Employment is expanding at +2.1%, and median household income stands at $62,014 — indicators that suggest solid fundamentals even if it's not among the fastest-growing counties in IN.
By national standards, Howard County is quite affordable. Homes here have a median value of $143,100, and the income-to-home-value ratio of 0.43 is well above the U.S. average — especially with median rent at just $855/month. Residents can generally buy a home without being cost-burdened.
Employers in Howard County are hiring — job growth of +2.1% — but the population is close to flat (+0.1% YoY). Home values moved +5.8% over the past year. Labor demand is outpacing local population growth, which tends to tighten wages and housing.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 3.24% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Howard County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.
Home values climbed +5.8% year-over-year, which is a solid pace of appreciation. The median home in Howard County is now valued at $143,100. That kind of growth typically reflects sustained demand rather than speculative frenzy.