Howell County is a county located in South Central Missouri in the United States. As of the 2010 U.S. Census, the county's population was 40,400. The largest city and county seat is West Plains. The county was officially organized on March 2, 1851, and is named after Josiah Howell, a pioneer settler of the area.

The Missouri Presidential Preference Primary Election will be held on Tuesday, February 7, 2012 (Click on "Elections" for more information) .