Kokomo, IN
Surety bonds for Kokomo, IN contractors
Local construction data, public works bond rules, and what sureties ask Kokomo contractors for. A quote is not a binder.
Construction is a substantial local industry around Kokomo: 131 establishments in Howard County, or 0.9% of the Indiana total of 14,935. For contractors in that market, bonding capacity often decides which jobs they can chase.
Contractors in Howard County by the numbers
| Measure (2023) | Howard County | Indiana |
|---|---|---|
| Construction establishments (all) | 131 | 14,935 |
| Construction employees | 1,197 | 156,037 |
| Annual payroll per construction employee | $72,879 | $74,725 |
| Commercial and institutional building contractors | 6 | 731 |
| Heavy and civil engineering contractors | 7 | 713 |
| Construction firms with fewer than 5 employees | 63% | 61% |
Data: County Business Patterns 2023 (NAICS 23, 236220, 237).
Howard County has 7 heavy and civil engineering contractors, the firms that build roads, bridges, water lines, and utility systems. Nearly all of that work is public, and nearly all of it is bonded.
Howard County's 6 commercial and institutional builders compete for offices, schools, and public facilities. Private owners and lenders on larger projects increasingly ask for performance and payment bonds too.
Kokomo's building stock and bonded work
Kokomo is an older city (median housing year 1967). Aging water and sewer lines, streets, and public buildings drive a steady flow of bonded rehabilitation work, often with tight schedules and occupied sites.
Buildings with five or more units make up 15% of Kokomo's housing (Indiana: 13%). Larger multifamily and mixed-use projects frequently involve lenders who require payment and performance bonds from the general contractor.
The Census Bureau's 2020–2024 survey puts Kokomo's housing stock at 29,814.0 units, 74% of them single-family homes, with 37% of occupied homes rented. Those numbers shape the mix of bonded street, utility, and facility contracts the city puts out.
Source: Census ACS 2020–2024 five-year estimates; Vintage 2024 population estimates.
Public works bond rules that apply in Kokomo
State and local public works in Kokomo fall under Indiana's bond statute: Indiana's public works bond requirements are set by state law; check the bid documents and the state code. Federal projects in the area follow the Miller Act. Thresholds and claim deadlines differ, so read each solicitation.
About 63% of Howard County's construction firms have fewer than five employees. Smaller contractors can get bonded, usually starting with modest job sizes and relying on owners' credit and experience while financial statements mature.
Kokomo compared with other Indiana markets
Marion County, home to Indianapolis, lists 1,910 construction businesses. Fort Wayne (Allen County) draws on 1,002 construction establishments in its county. Kokomo's county ranks 25th of 25 profiled Indiana cities for number of construction firms.
Kokomo bond quote checklist
- Company name, entity type, and ownership
- Work-in-progress schedule
- Owners' personal financial statements
- Your bank and available credit line
- Project solicitation and required bond forms
- List of completed projects
Kokomo bond FAQ
Do Kokomo public projects require performance bonds?
Generally yes, above thresholds set by Indiana law and the owner. See the Indiana page.
How many contractors work in Howard County?
The Census Bureau counted 131 construction establishments in Howard County in 2023.
Can a small Kokomo contractor get bonded?
Yes, usually starting with smaller bonds. See how to get bonded.
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Last updated October 15, 2026 · How we research