Howard County

Howard County is a rural county in northeastern Iowa, with rolling farmland and several small communities scattered across the landscape. Cresco serves as the county seat and main hub for the region.

The county was established in 1851 and named after U.S. Representative Tilghman Ashurst Howard from Indiana. Its creation followed the wave of settlement that brought farmers and communities to northeastern Iowa.

Family farms shape daily life across the county, with generations of residents working the land and building rural communities together. You see this heritage reflected in the small towns and their connection to agriculture.

The county is accessible via U.S. Highway 63 and Iowa Highways 9 and 139, which connect Cresco and surrounding communities. A car is essential for exploring the area, as towns are spread across the landscape.

The county borders Minnesota to the north and includes communities like Chester, Elma, Lime Springs, Protivin, and Riceville scattered throughout its boundaries. Each of these towns has its own character and serves as a gathering point for nearby farming areas.

Location: Iowa

Inception: 1851

Capital city: Cresco

Shares border with: Fillmore County, Chickasaw County, Winneshiek County, Mitchell County, Floyd County, Mower County

Website: http://howard-county.com

GPS coordinates: 43.35750,-92.31556

Latest update: December 15, 2025 13:21