Howell is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 9,489. It is the county seat of Livingston County and is located mostly within Howell Township, but is politically independent from Howell Township. The city is part of the South Lyon-Howell-Brighton Urban Area.Howell is home to many festivals celebrated through the year. Most notably, the Michigan Challenge Balloonfest occurs every year in late June.