Howard County Income Charts

This section shows the Howard County Arkansas economy using the most recent economic analysis from the 2020 Census Bureau. Starting with Figure 1 which shows the median earnings per worker, Howard County shows it has a Median earnings of $32,147 which is the second smallest when sorted by median earnings per worker of all the other counties in the metropolitan area. The county with the highest median earnings per worker in the area is Little River County which depicts a median earnings of $39,609 (23.2% larger). Comparing median earnings per worker to the United States average of $49,041, Howard County is approximately three-fourths the size. Also, versus the state of Arkansas, median earnings per worker of $40,032, Howard County is about 24.5% smaller.

In Figure 2 a more complete view of income is shown which aggregates income from all members in the household and it has a Median household income of $36,059 which is the second smallest in order of median household income of all the other counties in the area. The county with the highest median household income in the area is Sevier County which depicts a median income of $47,704 (32.3% larger). Comparing median household income to the United States average of $62,843, Howard County is approximately half the size. Also, measured against the state of Arkansas, median household income of $47,597, Howard County is approximately three-fourths the size.

The next section examines a variety of different income statistics for the Howard County metropolitan area. In Figure 3 we see that it it has the largest proportion of earnings between $75,000 and $99,999 at 6.5% of the total and is ranked #1.

Figure 5 has the Average number of hours worked in a typical work week during the year, it has a Avg Hours Worked of 39.1 which is the second smallest in terms of average hours of all the other counties in the local area. The county with the highest average hours in the area is Pike County which shows an average hours of 40.1 (only about 2.6% larger). Dividing median annual worker earnings by the average number of hours worked in a year in Figure 6 shows that it has a Avg Hrly Earnings of $15.81 which is the second smallest when sorted by average hourly earnings of all the other counties in the metro area. The county with the highest average hourly earnings in the area is Little River County which depicts an average hourly earnings of $19.09 (20.7% larger). Comparing average hourly earnings to the United States average of $24.31, Howard County is approximately three-fourths the size. Also, benchmarked against the state of Arkansas, average hourly earnings of $19.54, Howard County is about 23.6% smaller.

Figure 7 examines the number of self employed people in the Howard County metro area based on the number of people who reported any self employment income. Howard County depicts it has a Self Employed of 9.3% which is less than most other counties in the surrounding region. The county with the highest percentage of people self employed in the area is Pike County which depicts a percentage self employed of 15.3% (64.4% larger).

Turning our attention to Figure 8, the median household income by age group, has the smallest proportion of median income-under 25 years at $34,343 of the total. Second, it has one of the largest proportions of median income-25 to 44 years at $49,613 of the total and is ranked #3. Only #2 Sevier County ($50,234), and #1 Hempstead County ($54,605) are larger. Third, it has less than most other counties in the greater region in terms of median income-45 to 64 years at $32,813 of the total.

Figure 9 breaks down the source of income and Howard County has the largest proportion of income from wages at 14.9% of the total and is ranked #1.

The next chart (Figure 11) shows the percentage of households that had retirement income over the last 12 months and it has a With Retirement Income of 17.3% which is the second smallest as measured by households with retirement income of all the other counties in the local area. The county with the highest households with retirement income in the area is Montgomery County which shows a households with retirement income of 23.8% (37.7% larger).

In the next chart, Figure 12, the median family income is shown for families broken down by racial group and it has the largest proportion of overall family income at $64,955 of the total and is ranked #1. Second, it has one of the largest proportions of white family income at $31,694 of the total and is ranked #2. The only larger county being Hempstead County with $36,058. Third, it has in the mid range of other counties in the local area in terms of hawaiian family income at $37,083 of the total.

Figure 13 shows the cost of living and other consumer spending categories for a variety of cost components from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Howard County depicts it has the hightest cost of 102.9 for the cost of miscellaneous items group.

Howard County Labor Force Charts

The next two charts look at very recent, monthly trended employment related performance using data estimated by economists at the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The BLS tracks unemployment statistics for a large number of areas throughout the country on a month to month basis. However, not every location in the U.S. is tracked by the BLS so the chart will only show the closest location available (which may be the same location.) Figure 14 shows the monthly unemployment rate for the area as well as a comparison to the overall national economy measure for the United States. Note that in March to April 2020, the Covid 19 recession or great recession occurred and affects this metric. . It depicts that from February 2010 to before the Wuhan Coronavirus/COVID Pandemic the monthly unemployment rate went from 8.5% to 3.8% in February 2020. This represents a decrease in the monthly unemployment rate of 55.3%. Since that time, the monthly unemployment rate has gone to 4.7% This represents an increase in the monthly unemployment rate of 23.7%. In Figure 15 the monthly labor force participation which are people actively looking for work are also defined as unemployed but do not include people who have given up looking for work. . It indicates that from February 2010 to before the disasterous COVID Pandemic the monthly labor force participation went from 6,559 to 5,795 in February 2020. This represents a decrease in the monthly labor force participation of 11.6%. Since that time, the monthly labor force participation has gone to 5,474 This represents a decrease in the monthly labor force participation of 5.5%.

The next two charts look at the annual unemployment rate/eligible for unemployment benefits and is based on the American Community survey. Figure 16 shows Howard County depicts it has a Unemployment Rate of 4.0% which is the third most unemployment rate of all other counties in the greater Howard County region. The county with the highest unemployment rate in the area is Little River County which depicts a rate of 5.5% (36.8% larger). Figure 17 shows the labor force participation using the estimated percentage of people either working or actively looking for work. Howard County depicts it has a Labor Force Participation of 58.6% which is the second most of all the counties in the metropolitan area.

The percentage of full-time workers are compared to the number of part-time workers in Figure 19. Howard County depicts full time employees very much bigger as the part time employees.

The next employment related data item is shown in Figure 21 which is the percentage of families with only a single earner in the greater Howard County area. Howard County shows it has a Single Earner Families of 35.4% which is ranked #1 of all counties in the greater Howard County region. The percentage of families with no one working is depicted in Figure 22. Howard County depicts it has a Families with No One Working of 18.4% which is the second smallest when sorted by families with no one working of all the other counties in the metro area. The county with the highest families with no one working in the area is Montgomery County which depicts a families with no worker of 35.2% (about twice as large).

Howard County Poverty Charts

The next section details economy analysis about poverty for residents of the Howard County community. This performance can be enhanced by government programs such as economic opportunity zone to influence manufacturing, job growth, economic opportunity an hopefully lead to economic recovery after the recent Covid 19 recession. In Figure 23 the total number of people earning less than the poverty level are shown. Howard County depicts it has a Total In Poverty of 2,539 which is in the mid point range of other counties in the greater region. The county with the highest total people earning less than the poverty level in the area is Hempstead County which depicts a total people earning less than the poverty level of 4,892 (about twice as large).

In Figure 24 the percentage of people earning less than the poverty level is shown and compared across the group of places. Howard County depicts it has a Percent of Population In Poverty of 19.4% which is less than most other counties in the local area. The county with the highest percent of people earning less than the poverty level in the area is Polk County which depicts a percent of people in poverty of 23.8% (22.7% larger).

In Figure 25 people who are in poverty are broken out by age group. Howard County has the largest proportion of person in poverty under 12 years at 19% of the total and is ranked #1. Second, it has the smallest proportion of person in poverty 18 to 34 years at 18% of the total.

The next chart, Figure 26, shows the percentage of people in poverty by racial group. Howard County has the percentage of hawaiian poverty rate the second smallest as measured by white poverty rate of all the other counties in the metropolitan area at 26% of the total.

Figure 27 shows key poverty statistics for groups based on marriage status. Howard County has the largest proportion of married with children and in poverty at 73% of the total and is ranked #1. Second, it has one of the largest proportions of unmarried with children and in poverty at 74% of the total and is ranked #2. The only larger county being Montgomery County with 77%. Third, it has one of the largest proportions of unmarried female with children and in poverty at 60% of the total and is ranked #2. The only larger county being Sevier County with 63%.

The next chart looks at the percentage of people in poverty based on their education level in Figure 28 marriage status. Howard County has the largest proportion of has some college and in poverty at 8% of the total and is ranked #1. Additionally, Figure 30 looks at the percentage of people who receive some form of public assistance including general assistance, temporary assistance or food stamps (i.e. SNAP.) Howard County depicts it has a Public Assistance Percent of 17.0% which is the highest of all counties in the greater Howard County region.

Figure 31 shows the "Gini Index of Income Inequality" with a range from zero (perfect equality) to one (perfect inequality). Howard County depicts it has a Gini Index of 51.1% which is is the uppermost of the counties in the greater Howard County region.

Howard County Work Commute Charts

The following set of charts detail a variety of metrics that have economic impact, economic grow factors and economic development metrics in the Howard County community and has an impact on other factors such as economic growth, population growth, economic recovery, job growth, etc.. Figure 32 shows a high level view of how the population commutes to work (including the percent of people who work from home.) Howard County has the largest proportion of people who drive a car or motorcycle to work at 1% of the total and is ranked #1. Figure 33 shows a more detailed view of how the population commutes to work for (for example to downtown Howard County or elsewhere.) Howard County has the largest proportion of people who take the bus at 1% of the total and is ranked #1.

In Figure 35 is shown a frequency distribution of the time that people leave for work. Howard County has the smallest proportion of people who leave for work between 12am to 5am at 4% of the total. Second, it has the largest proportion of people who leave for work between 530 am to 6am at 15% of the total and is ranked #1. Third, it has the largest proportion of people who leave for work between 9am to 10am at 3% of the total and is ranked #1.

The next graph in Figure 36 shows the average number of minutes that it takes for people to commute to work. Howard County has the largest proportion of people with commute time of less than 5 minutesutes at 23% of the total and is ranked #1. Second, it has one of the largest proportions of people with commute time between 5 to 9 minutes at 18% of the total and is ranked #3. Only #2 Polk County (19%), and #1 Sevier County (21%) are larger. Third, it has the smallest proportion of people with commute time between 20 to 24 minutes at 2% of the total.

The average commute time is shown in Figure 37. Howard County depicts it has a Avg Commute Time of 21 which is the smallest as measured by average commute time of all the other counties in the greater region. Figure 38 shows the difference between male versus female commuting time. Howard County shows average commute time in minutes for men 14.7% larger as the average commute time in minutes for women. Figure 40 shows the total number of vehicles available for transportation and Howard County has the largest proportion of no vehicle available at 22% of the total and is ranked #1. Second, it has the smallest proportion of 1 vehicle available at 35% of the total. Third, it has the largest proportion of 3 vehicles available at 17% of the total and is ranked #1. Also, it has the smallest proportion of 4 vehicles available at 3% of the total. Figure 41 shows the percentage of people who both work and live in the same city (town or place.) Howard County shows it has a Work in city or place where live of 55% which is the third most of all other counties in the metropolitan area. The county with the highest people who both work and live in the same city in the area is Polk County which depicts a people who both work and live in the same city of 59% (7.8% larger). Comparing people who both work and live in the same city to the United States average of 42%, Howard County is 30.6% larger. Also, measured against the state of Arkansas, people who both work and live in the same city of 51%, Howard County is 7.1% larger.

Howard County Jobs Charts

The next to charts break out the median earnings for major job categories for men and women. Figure 46 shows the median earnings of men for the job categories. Howard County depicts it has the hightest median earnings of $125,750 for the earnings-healthcare practitioners and tech occupations classification. Similarly, Figure 47 shows the median earnings of women for the job categories and Howard County depicts it has the hightest median earnings of $45,046 for the earnings-education, legal, community service, arts, media occupations group. The table in Figure 48, shows Howard County employment data in terms of job categories and salary data.

Howard County Self Employment Charts

Figure 49 shows economic activity in terms of the number of people who are self employed in incorporated local business by industry. Howard County depicts it has the hightest entrepreneurs of 31% for the self employed in service businesses category.

Similar to the last chart is Figure 50 which shows the number of people who are self employed but in more detailed industry categories such as manufacturing, retail sales, residential real estate, commercial real estate, health care, exports/imports, and advanced industries, etc. Howard County shows it has the hightest entrepreneurs of 43% for the self employed in manufacturing aggregate.

In Figure 51 the average annual self employment/entrepreneur income is shown. Howard County depicts it has a Self Employment Income of $92,063 which is the largest of all counties in the greater Howard County region. Comparing average annual self employment income to the United States average of $39,154, Howard County is approximately 2.4 times bigger. Also, compared to the state of Arkansas, average annual self employment income of $34,501, Howard County is approximately 2.7 times bigger.

Figure 52 shows the difference between the number of self employed men and self employed women (i.e. entrepreneurs.) Howard County depicts total number of self-employed men approximately 2.3 times bigger as the total number of self-employed women.