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HOWARD COUNTY

Howard County was created under an act of the general assembly, approved on January 13, 1816. It was named for Benjamin Howard, first Missouri Territory governor. Howard County was the ninth organized county in the Missouri Territory and was created from the counties of St. Louis and St. Charles.

Howard County was one of the several counties settled mostly by southerners along the Missouri River. Given their culture and traditions, this area became known as Little Dixie and Howard was the heart.

An ideal central location for business, Howard County is within two “truck days” of ninety percent of the United States – meaning your semi shipment is just two days away from the majority of your customers.

Kansas City is two short hours away from the town of Fayette, and a drive to St. Louis takes just two and a half hours. There are six major highways in Howard County. They are: U.S. Route 40, Route 3, Route 5, Route 87, Route 124, Route 240.

Labor Data

The MAEDC Region Workforce is robust and diverse, ready to serve a variety of industry and business sectors. Our region is a net labor magnet, drawing in workers from outside of the two-county area. It has a diverse skill set from, highly technical workers to skilled labor, to entry-level labor.

 

We have one of the lowest cost of labor in the United States and Missouri. We have recent reports to verify the data from a supply side and a demand side. Reports that include primary research data, with granular information for potential and current employers.

Howard County, MO Overview

Howard County, MO
(By Place of Residence)
(By Place of Work)
Population (2021)
10,168
Covered Employment
2,497
Growth (%) since 2010 Census
0.20%
Avg Wage per Job
$34,984
Households (2021)
3,186
Manufacturing - % All Jobs in County
12.40%
Labor Force (persons) (Ann. Avg. 2021)
4,853
Avg Wage per Job
$46,726
Unemployment Rate (Ann. Avg. 2021)
3.2
Transportation & Warehousing - % All Jobs in County
3.90%
Per Capita Personal Income (2021)
$46,854
Avg Wage per Job
$48,092
Median Household Income (2021)
$55,699
Health Care, Social Assist. - % All Jobs in County
0.00%
Poverty Rate (2021)
12.2
Avg Wage per Job
N/A
High School Diploma or More - % of Adults 25+ (2021)
87.90%
Finance and Insurance - % All Jobs in County
3.60%
Bachelor's Degree or More - % of Adults 25+ (2021)
27.70%
Avg Wage per Job
$53,795
Demographics
Population over Time
Number
Percent of Missouri
Missouri
2021
10,168
0.20%
6,168,187
2010
10,144
0.20%
5,988,927
2000
10,168
0.20%
5,605,714
1990
9,633
0.20%
5,126,370
1980
10,008
0.20%
4,916,766
2000 to 2010 % Change
-0.20%
6.80%
1990 to 2010 % Change
5.30%
16.80%
1980 to 2010 % Change
1.40%
21.80%
Source: U.S. Census Bureau
Components of Population Change (1-year change ending in 2021)
Number
Percent of Missouri
Missouri
Net Domestic Migration
7
0.00%
16,816
Net International Migration
1
0.00%
3,862
Natural Increase (births minus deaths)
14
-0.20%
-6,647
Births
109
0.20%
68,778
Deaths
95
0.10%
75,425
Source: U.S. Census Bureau
Population Estimates by Age in 2021
Number
Pct Dist.
Pct Dist.
in State
Preschool (0 to 4)
578
5.70%
5.90%
School Age (5 to 17)
1,668
16.40%
16.60%
College Age (18 to 24)
1,303
12.80%
9.20%
Young Adult (25 to 44)
2,126
21.00%
26.60%
Older Adult (45 to 64)
2,498
24.60%
25.60%
Older (65 plus)
1,974
19.50%
16.00%
Median Age
38.5
Median Age = 38.4
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau; Median age calculated by the IBRC.
Population Estimates by Race and Hispanic Origin in 2021
Number
Pct Dist.
Pct Dist.
in State
American Ind. or Alaskan Native Alone
61
0.60%
0.80%
Asian Alone
45
0.40%
5.70%
Black Alone
554
5.50%
12.60%
Native Hawaiian and Other Pac. Isl. Alone
3
0.00%
0.20%
White Alone
9,044
89.10%
68.20%
Two or More Race Groups
395
3.90%
7.00%
Hispanic or Latino (can be of any race)
Non-Hispanic or Latino
9,962
98.20%
81.60%
Hispanic or Latino
185
1.80%
18.40%
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau
Hispanic or Latino Population in 2021 (can be of any race)
Number
Pct Dist.
Pct Dist.
in State
Hispanic
185
100%
100%
Mexican
110
59.50%
60.80%
Cuban
0
0.00%
3.90%
Puerto Rican
0
0.00%
9.60%
Other
75
40.50%
25.60%
White, Not Hispanic (reporting white alone)
8,930
N/A
N/A
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey, 5-Year Estimates
Education
Educational Attainment in 2021
Number
Rank in State
U.S. % of Population 25+
Total Population 25 and Older
6,598
N/A
100%
Less than 9th Grade
307
31
4.80%
9th to 12th, No Diploma
491
66
6.30%
High School Graduate (includes equiv.)
2,255
95
26.50%
Some College, No Degree
1,284
76
20.00%
Associate Degree
432
92
8.70%
Bachelor's Degree
962
31
20.60%
Graduate, Professional or Doctorate Degree
867
8
13.10%
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey, 5-Year Estimates
Income & Poverty
Median Income
Number
Percent of U.S.
Median Household Income in 2021
$55,699
79.90%
Median Household Income in 2000
$32,086
76.40%
Percent Change 2000 to 2021
73.60%
Source: U.S. Census Bureau
Per Capita Personal Income (PCPI)
Number
Percent of U.S.
2021
$46,854
73.00%
2011
$32,654
76.40%
2001
$23,852
75.40%
1991
$15,305
76.40%
10-Year % Change
43.50%
20-Year % Change
96.40%
30-Year % Change
206.10%
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis
Personal Income in 2021 ($000)
Number
Rank in State
Total Earnings by Place of Work
$171,166
64
Minus: Contributions for Government Social Insurance
$19,465
98
Personal Contributions for Government Social Insurance
$11,442
99
Employer Contributions for Government Social Insurance
$8,023
93
Plus: Adjustment for Residence
$110,057
45
Equals: Net Earnings by Place of Residence
$261,758
45
Plus: Dividends, Rent, Interest
$71,402
33
Plus: Transfer Payments
$143,254
94
Equals: Personal Income by Place of Residence
$476,414
57
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis
Poverty Estimates
Number
Percent Change
Rank in State
Poverty Rate in 2021
12.2
--
--
In 2000
12.4
-1.60%
103
Poverty Rate for Children under 18 in 2021
15.7
--
--
In 2000
16.5
-4.80%
106
Source: U.S. Census Bureau
Jobs & Earnings (BEA)
BEA Major Sectors (NAICS)
Earnings ($000)
Rank in State
Jobs
in 2021 (by place of work)
Earnings by place of work - 35
$171,166
94
4,810
Wage and salary disbursements - 50
$105,294
103
3,022
Proprietors' income - 70
$34,662
64
1,788
Farm proprietors' income - 71
$15,484
43
670
Nonfarm proprietors' income - 72
$19,178
98
1,118
Farm earnings - 81
$17,308
46
708
Nonfarm earnings - 82
$153,858
99
4,102
Private earnings - 90
$128,082
93
3,563
Forestry, fishing, related activities, and other - 100
$0
1
0
Mining - 200
$0
1
0
Utilities - 300
$0
1
0
Construction - 400
$7,352
96
222
Manufacturing - 500
$20,111
62
345
Retail Trade - 700
$9,360
98
368
Transportation and warehousing - 800
$7,154
50
157
Information - 900
$0
1
0
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA)
D = Not shown to avoid disclosure of confidential information, but the estimates for this item are included in the totals.
L = Less than 10 jobs, but the estimates for this item are included in the totals.
N/A = Not available or not applicable.
* = "Other" consists of the number of jobs held by U.S. residents employed by international organizations and foreign embassies and consulates in the United States.
Jobs & Wages (BLS)
Annual Covered Employment and Wages Over Time (NAICS)
Establishments
Average Wage
Rank in
Per Job
State
2021
221
$34,984
90
2020
224
$33,649
87
2019
227
$31,363
84
2018
230
$31,260
81
2017
247
$30,063
83
2016
247
$29,445
81
2015
250
$28,603
83
2014
236
$27,553
86
2013
235
$27,119
85
2012
240
$26,647
85
2011
229
$25,142
87
10-Year Change
-8
$9,842
10-Year Percent Change
-3.50%
39.10%
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)
D = Non-Discloseable Data; N/A = Not Available; Note: Average wage may not match published numbers due to rounding.
Annual Industry Distribution of Jobs
Establishments
Pct. Dist.
Annual Average Wage
and Avg. Wage in 2021 (NAICS)
Per Job
Total
221
100.00%
$34,984
Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting
5
0.00%
$0
Mining
2
0.00%
$0
Utilities
5
0.30%
$38,393
Construction
20
1.60%
$37,074
Manufacturing
13
12.40%
$46,726
Wholesale Trade
9
0.00%
$0
Retail Trade
26
9.00%
$20,271
Transportation & Warehousing
17
3.90%
$48,092
Information
3
0.00%
N/A
Finance and Insurance
15
3.60%
$53,795
Real Estate and Rental and Leasing
5
0.80%
$18,923
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
14
2.90%
$41,218
Management of Companies and Enterprises
1
0.00%
$0
Admin. & Support & Waste Mgt. & Rem. Services
8
0.00%
$0
Educational Services
4
0.00%
N/A
Health Care and Social Services
29
0.00%
N/A
Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation
1
0.00%
$0
Accommodation and Food Services
10
5.30%
$11,769
Other Services (Except Public Administration)
13
0.00%
$0
Public Administration
21
6.60%
$20,640
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)
D = Not shown to avoid disclosure of confidential information.
N/A = This item is not available.
Note: Average wage may not match published numbers due to rounding.
Labor Force
Labor Force Annual Averages in Ann. Avg. 2021
Number
% of Missouri
Missouri
Total Labor Force
4,853
0.20%
3,062,449
   5-Year % Change
-3.40%
--
0.00%
   10-Year % Change
0.20%
--
1.00%
Employed
4,696
0.20%
2,928,368
   5-Year % Change
-2.20%
--
-0.20%
   10-Year % Change
5.90%
--
5.70%
Unemployed
157
0.10%
134,081
   5-Year % Change
-29.30%
--
-3.80%
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