Howard County, NE Property Records
Property records in Howard, Nebraska, are maintained at the county level and document key details about real estate, including ownership, parcel boundaries, assessed values, property classifications, tax information, sales history, and legal descriptions. These records are useful for buyers, sellers, homeowners, researchers, and professionals who need to verify ownership, review valuation data, estimate property taxes, or understand a parcel’s history before a transaction or project. Official records may be available through the Howard County Assessor for assessment and parcel information, while recorded documents such as deeds and mortgages are typically handled by the Register of Deeds. Users can access or request official information through the county’s government resources, including the Howard County Assessor’s property records page.
Howard County, NE Property Records & Statistics
Howard County has a median rent of $724.50, slightly under the Nebraska median of $734 and below the national figure of $840.25. Renter-occupied housing is 22.63% of occupied homes, a little above the state's 21.72% and the national 21.81%, so the rental share is close to average.
The median home value is $170,050, well above Nebraska's $130,200 and just under the national $173,750. The median property tax rate of 1.2% is below the state's 1.28% but higher than the national 0.74%. Buyers pay near-national prices for homes while enjoying a somewhat lighter tax rate than the Nebraska median.
The median household income is $62,639, a little below the state's $64,083 and the national $65,108. The unemployment rate is 1.68%, above Nebraska's 1.38% but well under the national 2.87%.
The figures describe a county with fairly typical rents and incomes, relatively high home values, and low unemployment.
Median Rent
Median Property Tax Rate
Median Home Value
Median Income
Unemployment Rate
Renter Occupied Housing
Property Records, Assessments, and Valuations in Howard
Howard County property records cover tax assessments, recorded deeds and mortgages, valuation data, and foreclosure filings. The county has 6,161 total parcels, including 3,210 residential and 297 commercial parcels, and tax records cover 90.28% of the population for the 2024 assessment year. Recorded documents include 6,900 deeds and 5,100 mortgages.
| Key Data | Details |
|---|---|
| Total Parcels | 6,161 |
| Residential Parcels | 3,210 |
| Commercial Parcels | 297 |
| Tax Record Coverage | 90.28% |
| Assessment Year | 2024 |
| Deed Records | 6,900 |
| Mortgage Records | 5,100 |
| Properties with Valuation Data | 1,787 |
| Latest Valuation Update | August 19, 2025 |
| Notice of Trustee Sale Records | 102 |
Assignment and Release Records
Assignment and release records show what happens to a mortgage after it is recorded. An assignment shows that a mortgage was transferred from one lender or servicer to another, while a release shows that the loan was satisfied and the lien removed from the property.
Howard County has 1,525 assignment and release records, including 79 assignment documents recorded from January 4, 2022, to August 28, 2025, and 1,446 release documents recorded from October 13, 2016, to August 28, 2025. There are no other document types.
For property research, these records help confirm that earlier mortgages were paid off, show who currently holds a loan, and reveal liens that may still be open before a sale or refinance. The date ranges also help focus a search on a particular period in a property's history.
How to Search Howard County, NE Property Records
Howard County property records are held by county offices that handle assessment and recording. The Register of Deeds records deeds, mortgages, and other real estate documents, while assessment data covers the county's 6,161 parcels, including ownership, valuation, and tax details.
For recorded documents, start with the Howard County Register of Deeds page, which provides office information. The office is at 612 Indian St, Paul, and is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM. Call 308-754-4343 to ask about searching or requesting copies. Recorded deeds in the available data run from January 3, 2007, to August 22, 2025.
For official guidance on how property is valued and assessed across Nebraska, see the Nebraska Department of Revenue Property Assessment Division.
Before searching, have the property address, owner name, or parcel number ready. Share the most complete details you have, confirm the record matches the property you are researching, and ask staff what is available online or in person.
Howard Registrar of Deeds
The Howard County Probate Office is located at 612 Indian St, Paul, NE, 68873 and can be reached at 308-754-4343. Office hours are Monday-Friday 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM. Records can be accessed through the official website howardcounty.ne.gov.
Howard County Register of Deeds
Howard County Property Records FAQ
How can I search Howard County property records by address?
Contact the Howard County Assessor's office in St. Paul with the street address, and staff can identify the parcel and its assessment details. The county holds 6,161 parcels. For recorded documents, the Howard County Register of Deeds can help at 308-754-4343.
How can I find property owners in Howard County?
Ownership appears in assessor records and on recorded deeds. The Howard County Register of Deeds at 612 Indian St, Paul, keeps deeds that show transfers of ownership. The assessor's office can also look up an owner by address or parcel number.
How can I check a property's assessed value in Howard County?
Assessed values are set by the county assessor, and Howard County's records reflect the 2024 assessment year, last updated April 9, 2025. Call the assessor's office for a specific parcel. The Nebraska Department of Revenue Property Assessment Division explains the process.
Where can I find Howard County property tax bills and payment records?
Nebraska property taxes are collected by the county treasurer. Call the Howard County Treasurer's office for tax bills, payment history, and payment options. Have the parcel number or address ready to speed up the lookup.
How can I find deeds and other recorded documents in Howard County?
Deeds, mortgages, and other recorded documents are kept by the Howard County Register of Deeds. The office is at 612 Indian St, Paul, open Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM, and can be reached at 308-754-4343.
Where can I access Howard County parcel maps and GIS information?
Parcel maps are maintained through the county assessor's records. Ask the Howard County Assessor's office for parcel maps or GIS information. Maps help locate a parcel but are not a legal survey of its boundaries.
How can I check permits and zoning information in Howard County?
Permit and zoning questions go to the county's zoning administrator through the county courthouse. If the property is inside a city or village, check with that municipality, which may handle its own permits and zoning.
How can I create a list of property owners in Howard County?
Owner information is generally looked up one parcel at a time. For a larger list drawn from the county's 6,161 parcels, call the Howard County Register of Deeds at 308-754-4343 or the assessor's office to ask what can be provided and whether fees apply.