Developing Howard County (Howard County, Arkansas)
Howard County Profile

County Profile

Howard County blends agriculture, manufacturing, and small-town life with Nashville as its civic and commercial center. U.S. Highways 278 and 371 tie the county to Texarkana, Little Rock, and broader markets, while investment in infrastructure and broadband keeps established industry and new projects on solid footing. Forestry, poultry, and food manufacturing anchor the economy; workforce development through the University of Arkansas Cossatot campus in Nashville supports both employers and career-seekers.

Location & Momentum

The county sits where rural work ethic and modern production meet: companies benefit from skilled labor and regional logistics, and families gain from schools, healthcare, and a lower cost of living than many metro areas. Collaborative leadership across public and private partners has helped Howard County position itself as a place where business investment and community life can grow together.

Site selectors and residents alike often weigh highway access, utility capacity, and digital connectivity. Continuing broadband expansion and reliable traditional infrastructure support day-to-day operations for farms, plants, offices, and remote workers alike.

Major Employers

Howard County’s employer base reflects both food systems and community institutions. Major private-sector names include poultry and protein producers, forest-products operations, and large-scale food manufacturing alongside healthcare and public education.

  • Pilgrim’s Pride CorporationSignificant food-production employment.
  • Tyson FoodsProtein and agricultural processing footprint.
  • WeyerhaeuserTimber and forest-products sector.
  • Howard Memorial HospitalRegional healthcare services.
  • Nashville Public SchoolsK–12 education and community anchor.

Demographics

The following breakdown summarizes resident race and ethnicity (non-Hispanic and Hispanic categories as reported) for planning and community context. Figures are drawn from materials prepared for regional economic development.

  • White (non-Hispanic)7,982 — 62.43%
  • Black or African American (non-Hispanic)2,626 — 20.54%
  • Native American82 — 0.64%
  • Asian62 — 0.48%
  • Pacific Islander4 — 0.03%
  • Other / mixed512 — 4.00%
  • Hispanic or Latino1,517 — 11.87% (any race)