[4] As of the 2020 United States census, there were 12,785 people, 5,142 households, and 3,503 families residing in the county.

Over the past few election cycles, Howard County has trended heavily towards the GOP.

The last Democratic presidential candidate (as of 2024) to carry this county was Bill Clinton in 1996.

Each township includes unincorporated areas; some may have incorporated cities or towns within part of their boundaries.

However, the United States census does list Arkansas population based on townships (sometimes referred to as "county subdivisions" or "minor civil divisions").

Each town or city is within one or more townships in an Arkansas county based on census maps and publications.