Howard, South Dakota

Howard is a city in Miner County, South Dakota, United States. The population was 848 at the 2020 census.<ref name=USCensus>Template:Cite web</ref> It is the county seat and most populous city in Miner County.

History

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,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> shortly after the Southern Minnesota Railway was extended to that point.<ref name="history">Template:Cite book</ref> The city was named for Howard Farmer, the son of the townsite owner, J. D. Farmer.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> In 1883, when Miner and Sanborn counties were organized, the town was named the county seat of Miner County.<ref name="history" />

One of the first known photographs of a tornado is an image of the 1884 Howard, South Dakota, tornado.<ref name=OldestPhoto>Template:Cite web</ref>

The first public library in Dakota Territory was the Howard Public Library, chartered in 1886.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Howard became the first municipality in South Dakota to own and operate its own wind turbines in 2001.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Since 2001, over 200 new jobs have been created in the community. From 1996 to 2008, the city's sales tax revenues increased 123%.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Geography

Howard is located in southeastern South Dakota and is situated on South Dakota Highway 34.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of Template:Convert, all land.<ref name="Gazetteer files">Template:Cite web</ref>

Demographics

2010 census

As of the census<ref name ="wwwcensusgov">Template:Cite web</ref> of 2010, there were 858 people, 414 households, and 195 families residing in the city. The population density was Template:Convert. There were 509 housing units at an average density of Template:Convert. 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<ref name="GR2" /> of 2000, there were 1,071 people, 493 households, and 273 families residing in the city. The population density was Template:Convert. There were 557 housing units at an average density of Template:Convert. 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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The district operates Howard Elementary School and Howard Junior Senior High School within the town.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

The Howard School District is committed to fostering well-rounded students to excel in academics, athletics, and beyond. Howard's graduating classes have been recognized for academic performance earning the highest average ACT composite score in South Dakota for the school years 2020-2021 and 2021–2022. Howard High School was awarded a National Blue Ribbon Award in 2025.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Howard High School is ranked as the 5th best high school in South Dakota by U.S. news.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Howard High School offers many Co-Curriculars. Including Band, Vocal, Drama, FCCLA, FFA, National Honor Society, Oral Interp, Student Council, Yearbook, and Quiz Bowl.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Howard Senior High School has a boy's varsity basketball, football, wrestling, track and field, cross country, baseball, and golf. It also has girl's varsity volleyball, basketball, track and field, cross country, softball, cheer, and golf.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Howard boy's varsity basketball team won the 2024 South Dakota Class B State Championship.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The Howard boy's varsity football team won the 2024 9A State Championship. That title win brought Howard their fifth state championship.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

St. Agatha School was a private, Catholic school located in Howard. The high school was open from 1905 to 1969. The St. Louis World's Fair is where the school received its materials from in 1905. From 1905 to 1930 it was operated by four orders of religious sisters and laywomen with some boarders. In 1930 the school closed for the first time. It was re-opened in 1934 by Reverend J.P. Veeser and they also added a high school curriculum. The first high school graduation class happened in 1937. The school closed in 1969 but it remains in Howard, SD as a church.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Events

Howard Hosts an annual fall festival that started in 2021 located at the Miner County 4-H Grounds. The event is a fundraiser for the Miner County 4-H and Children's Care Corner. The event costs $5 to get in and that covers costs of pumpkin painting, which children then get to bring their pumpkins home with them. It is expected that about 1,000 people attend the event each year and there are close to 40 vendors.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Howard Headers hosts a car show that recently had their 10th anniversary in 2025. The car show is located on main street and takes up 2 blocks. There are 21 classes, 1939 and older, 1940s, 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, 1980–1994, 1995 and newer, Corvette, Mustang 1978 and older, Mustang 1979 and newer, Mopar, Truck, Camaro/Firebird 1973 and older, Camaro/Firebird 1974 and newer, youth (18 and under), Rat Rod, Bike Stock, Bike Custom, Tractor, Street Rod/Hot Rod, and In Progress.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Hometown Holidays is an annual event that happens every Christmas season. The event has been held for over 10 years. It currently includes horse-drawn wagon rides, holiday bingo, the festival of trees, a vendor show and sell, a visit with Santa, the parade of lights, and the tour of homes.

Entertainment

Howard has a nine-hole golf course, 3 parks: Loe Park, Nobel Park,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and Taschner Park, a swimming pool, a track, football field, gym, two softball diamonds, a bow range, basketball courts, and a two campground. Howard also has a museum and a community library.

Notable people

• Cameron Hawley, author, script writer
• Johan Andreas Holvik, author and educator
• Wayne Rasmussen, professional football player

See also

• List of cities in South Dakota