Norwegian Lutheran Church in Howard.One of the first ever photographs of a tornado, taken near Howard.
The city of Howard was established in 1881,[8] shortly after the Southern Minnesota Railway was extended to that point.[9] The city was named for Howard Farmer, the son of the townsite owner, J. D. Farmer.[10] In 1883, when Miner and Sanborn counties were organized, the town was named the county seat of Miner County.[9]
As of the census[19] of 2010, there were 858 people, 414 households, and 195 families residing in the city. The population density was 903.2 inhabitants per square mile (348.7/km2). There were 509 housing units at an average density of 535.8 units per square mile (206.9 units/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 97.8% White, 0.1% Native American, 0.1% Asian, 0.6% from other races, and 1.4% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.3% of the population.
There were 414 households, of which 20.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 38.2% were married couples living together, 7.0% had a female householder with no husband present, 1.9% had a male householder with no wife present, and 52.9% were non-families. 49.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 28.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 1.97 and the average family size was 2.92.
The median age in the city was 50.5 years. 21.2% of residents were under the age of 18; 4.1% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 17.2% were from 25 to 44; 27.2% were from 45 to 64; and 30.1% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 46.9% male and 53.1% female.
2000 census
As of the census[6] of 2000, there were 1,071 people, 493 households, and 273 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,138.7 inhabitants per square mile (439.7/km2). There were 557 housing units at an average density of 592.2 units per square mile (228.6 units/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 98.13% White, 0.47% African American, 0.65% Native American, 0.28% Asian, 0.28% from other races, and 0.19% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.31% of the population.
There were 493 households, out of which 24.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.4% were married couples living together, 8.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 44.6% were non-families. 41.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 25.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.06 and the average family size was 2.84.
In the city, the population was spread out, with 22.7% under the age of 18, 5.4% from 18 to 24, 21.4% from 25 to 44, 18.3% from 45 to 64, and 32.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 46 years. For every 100 females, there were 82.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 78.4 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $26,544, and the median income for a family was $36,518. Males had a median income of $26,250 versus $20,054 for females. The per capita income for the city was $15,121. About 5.3% of families and 9.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.3% of those under age 18 and 16.2% of those age 65 or over.
Education
The Howard School District (encompassing most of Miner County and small portions of McCook, Hanson, and Kingsbury counties) is based in Howard.[20] The district operates Howard Elementary School, Howard Jr. High School and Howard Senior High School within the town.[21]
St. Agatha School was a private, Catholic school located in Howard. The high school closed in 1966. The grade school closed a few years later.[22]
^"Station: Howard, SD". U.S. Climate Normals 2020: U.S. Monthly Climate Normals (1991−2020). National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved October 16, 2021.