Population30,504 (July 1, 2025 estimate)
Blufftop Views Across the West Texas Divide
Howard County, TexasHoward County centers on Big Spring, where the surrounding geography connects the Llano Estacado with the Edwards Plateau. Big Spring is the county seat and largest city. A visit to Big Spring State Park offers a higher vantage point on that landscape, with a bluff overlooking the area. Begin with the city and park, then use the county’s public information and current visitor details to plan other stops in this part of West Texas.
Howard County at a Glance
Population30,504 (July 1, 2025 estimate)
County SeatBig Spring
Largest CityBig Spring
Established1876 (organized 1882)
ZIP Codes5
Total Area904 sq mi (2,340 km 2 )
Major RoutesInterstate 20 Interstate 20 Business U.S. Highway 87 State Highway 176 State Highway 350 Farm to Market Road 669 Farm to Market Road 700
Area Code432
Shop - Dine - Discover
Meet Local Businesses
Support the businesses that help make our communities thrive. From family-owned shops and restaurants to trusted local services, discover businesses worth visiting throughout the county.
Discover the County
Howard County
Howard County was created in 1876 and organized in 1882. It was named for Volney E. Howard, who represented Texas in the United States Congress. Big Spring became the county seat and remains the county’s largest city. A later chapter of local history is visible at Big Spring State Park, developed with Civilian Conservation Corps work after the state acquired the property in 1934. The park links a twentieth-century public project with the area’s distinctive natural topography.
Big Spring State Park offers an overlook from its bluff and routes for exploring the park landscape. The official trail information also identifies features associated with Civilian Conservation Corps construction, including a rock quarry. Check current access and park information before setting out. A park visit can complement time in Big Spring, giving a county itinerary both a community setting and a clearer view of the land around it without requiring a long series of separate stops.
What Shapes Us
At a Geographic Edge
Howard County lies where the Llano Estacado meets the Edwards Plateau. Beals Creek through Big Spring is an important reference point in that geographic transition.
Blufftop Perspective
Big Spring State Park’s bluff offers a view of the surrounding country. The park’s own maps and visitor information help turn that outlook into a planned outing.
CCC Craftsmanship
Civilian Conservation Corps work helped develop the state park in the 1930s. Its trail information points visitors toward surviving features of that construction history.
Big views and local history meet above the open country.
My Local Guide
Howard County
Our County. Our Stories.
The Texas Tribune — Statewide
TribCast: Are Texas’ voter systems ready for a contentious election?
Votebeat's Natalia Contreras joins TribCast to explain the state of Texas’ voter rolls one month before election day.
Read the Story Oct 6, 2026 • 2 min read
News & resources for Howard County
Local reporting when available, plus statewide Texas news and official resources.
TribCast: Are Texas’ voter systems ready for a contentious election?
Votebeat's Natalia Contreras joins TribCast to explain the state of Texas’ voter rolls one month before election day.
The Texas Tribune — Statewide • Oct 6, 2026 • 2 min read
Democrat Jon Rosenthal outraises Bo French in Railroad Commission race in latest report
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The Texas Tribune — Statewide • Oct 6, 2026 • 2 min read
Greg Abbott outraised Gina Hinojosa but burned through much of his campaign cash in Texas governor’s race
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The Texas Tribune — Statewide • Oct 6, 2026 • 2 min read
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The Texas Tribune — Statewide • Oct 6, 2026 • 2 min read
These are the most competitive November races up and down Texas’ midterm ballot
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The Texas Tribune — Statewide • Oct 6, 2026 • 2 min read
Shop - Dine - Discover
Meet Local Businesses
Support the businesses that help make our communities thrive. From family-owned shops and restaurants to trusted local services, discover businesses worth visiting throughout the county.
County Resources
Useful connections for everyday life
Find public information and services through the county and relevant service providers.
Government
County & local resources
Commissioner’s Court
Commissioners court information, meetings and county business.
Food, housing & family support
West Texas Food Bank — food assistance
Regional food-bank network serving Howard County. Find a nearby pantry or distribution and confirm its schedule before visiting.
West Texas Food Bank — food assistance — details and contacts
2-1-1 Texas — local assistance
Search community assistance by location and type of need, including food, housing and family support.
Texas HHS — local family support
Search family-support programs and local services for parents and caregivers.
Schools
County & local resources
Big Spring ISD
School and district information, contacts and educational resources.
Child care & learning
Texas Child Care Connection — scholarships
Review child-care scholarship information and the application process for families who need care while working or attending education or training.
Texas Child Care Connection — scholarships — details and contacts
Howard County — AgriLife Extension
Find county Extension contacts, local educational programs and 4-H information.
Hospitals
County & local resources
Scenic Mountain Medical Center — Acute Care Hospitals
Health services and information about finding local assistance.
Big Spring State Hospital — Psychiatric
Health services and information about finding local assistance.
Health, aging & caregiver support
Texas WIC — office locator
Find a nearby WIC office and contact it about appointments, nutrition support and eligibility.
Aging and Disability Resource Centers
Find the regional center that helps older adults, people with disabilities and caregivers explore services and support.
Aging and Disability Resource Centers — details and contacts
Local mental and behavioral health authorities
Use the Texas HHS directory to find the authority serving your county and its contact information.
Local mental and behavioral health authorities — details and contacts
Public Safety
Call 911 for an immediate emergency. Use the directory entry to locate the sheriff’s office, and confirm current non-emergency contact details with the county.
County & local resources
Howard County Sheriff — state directory entry
Sheriff’s office information, public safety resources and non-emergency contacts.
Emergency Services
For an immediate emergency, call 911. These links provide emergency planning, coordination and recovery information.
County & local resources
Texas Division of Emergency Management — Region 7 serving Howard County
Emergency preparedness, local alerts and response information.
Prepare before an emergency
Texas Ready — emergency planning materials
Download emergency plans, supply checklists and preparedness materials in English and Spanish.
Texas Ready — emergency planning materials — details and contacts
State Parks
County & local resources
Big Spring State Park
Park locations, visitor information and current access details.
Trails
Texas resources
Big Spring State Park — Trails Information page.
Outdoor recreation, routes and visitor planning information.
Utilities
Water utilities listed for the county. Confirm the provider for your specific address; service territories vary within county lines.
County & local resources
Help with household costs
Help for Texans — housing and utility assistance
Find local providers for utility bills, housing, weatherization and accessibility repairs. Providers handle applications; availability and eligibility vary.
Help for Texans — housing and utility assistance — details and contacts
Libraries
County & local resources
Accessible reading & library services
Texas Talking Book Program
Learn about accessible library services for qualifying Texans with visual, physical or reading disabilities.
Courts
Use the named county court links or search the official Texas courts directory by county and court name. Confirm the hearing or filing location directly; a regional court may serve more than one county.
County & local resources
Howard County — County Court (County Constitutional Court)
Court information, office contacts and public records resources.
Howard County — 118th District Court (District)
Court information, office contacts and public records resources.
Howard County — Precinct 1 Place 1 (Justice of the Peace)
Court information, office contacts and public records resources.
Howard County — Precinct 1 Place 2 (Justice of the Peace)
Court information, office contacts and public records resources.
Howard County — Precinct 2 (Justice of the Peace)
Court information, office contacts and public records resources.
Howard County — County Clerk Office (County Clerk Office)
County clerk services, public records and office information.
Howard County — District Clerk Office (District Clerk Office)
Court information, office contacts and public records resources.
Howard County — Big Spring (Municipal)
Court information, office contacts and public records resources.
Find legal assistance
TexasLawHelp — legal help directory
Search legal-aid organizations by counties covered and area of legal help. Each organization determines service availability and eligibility.
DMV
For local vehicle titles and registration, start with the county tax office. Texas DPS handles driver licenses.
County & local resources
Howard County Tax Office
Tax office information, payments and available services.
Texas resources
Buying or selling a vehicle
Vehicle registration, licensing and office information.
Apply for a Texas driver license
Vehicle registration, licensing and office information.
Driver license appointments
Vehicle registration, licensing and office information.
Transportation
These agencies or county departments serve local transportation needs. Check routes, service boundaries, eligibility and advance booking with the provider.
County & local resources
West Texas Opportunities, Inc. – WTO, I TRAX
Transportation services, routes and travel information.
Postal Services
Local postal facilities listed in USPS property records. Confirm retail hours, available services and temporary closures with USPS before visiting.
County & local resources
Knott Post Office — Mpo/Modular Bldg
Postal locations, mailing services and address information.
National resources
USPS — confirm local hours and services
Postal locations, mailing services and address information.
Veterans
County & local resources
Howard County veterans service contact — (432) 688-4879
Veterans services, benefits information and support resources.
Employment
County & local resources
Job search & employment support
Workforce Solutions — find an office
Find nearby workforce offices for job-search, training and employer services.
Vocational rehabilitation — office lookup
Find a vocational rehabilitation office to discuss employment services for people with disabilities.
Vocational rehabilitation — office lookup — details and contacts
A little local knowledge goes a long way
Find practical information before you visit or make a move.
Helpful Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Start with the essentials, then follow the source links for more detail.
Big Spring is the county seat of Howard County, Texas.
The county overview lists Big Spring as its largest community.
The total area is 904 sq mi (2,340 km 2 ), including land and water.
Use the Howard County government website for county offices and public information.
Big Spring State Park has a blufftop view of the surrounding area. Consult the park guide for current visiting information. Big Spring State Park.
The official trail information identifies features connected with Civilian Conservation Corps construction, including a rock quarry. Park trails information.
Use the county’s Howard County — District Court. Check that page for current office details before a visit.
Al’s and Son BBQ is one option. Consider barbecue on South Gregg Street.
Faye’s Flowers is one option. Explore a Big Spring floral-shopping option.
Lula Blu Boutique is one option. Browse a boutique on East Marcy Drive.
Big Spring State Park is one option. Hike or bike at the scenic day-use park; check active alerts.
Shop - Dine - Discover
Meet Local Businesses
Support the businesses that help make our communities thrive. From family-owned shops and restaurants to trusted local services, discover businesses worth visiting throughout the county.
My Local Guide
Find Something Fun
Make time for a local discoveryPlan your day around places and experiences in the county.
Kids’ Fun
- Hangar 25 Air Museum — Explore local aviation history inside a restored military hangar.
- Comanche Trail Park Playgrounds — Bring children to the park’s playground areas.
- Big Spring Bowl-A-Rama — Plan a family bowling outing; confirm opening times and prices.
Restaurants
- Al’s and Son BBQ — Consider barbecue on South Gregg Street.
- Alberto’s Crystal Cafe — Plan a cafe stop on South Gregg Street.
- Big John’s Feed Lot by Brenda — Explore a local dining stop on West Third Street.
Shopping & Retail
- Faye’s Flowers — Explore a Big Spring floral-shopping option.
- Inspirations Flowers and Gifts — Shop for flowers and gifts on Scurry Street.
- Johansen Landscape and Nursery — Browse a local nursery on Johansen Road.
Clothing & Boutiques
- Lula Blu Boutique — Browse a boutique on East Marcy Drive.
- Southern Blush Boutique — Explore boutique shopping on South Scurry Street.
- Splurge Boutique — Browse a boutique on South Main Street.
Outdoor Fun
- Big Spring State Park — Hike or bike at the scenic day-use park; check active alerts.
- Comanche Trail Park — Explore the trail, picnic areas and disc golf courses.
- Moss Creek Lake — Plan a lakeside outing; verify access, fees and current conditions.
Free Things To Do
- Big Spring State Park — Enjoy a park visit without an entrance fee; check active park alerts.
- Big Spring Vietnam Memorial — Visit the outdoor memorial grounds for a quiet moment of remembrance.
- Rose Magers Trail — Walk the public trail in Comanche Trail Park.
Every place has a story.Find Your Next Favorite.