How Many Places Are Named Kokomo?

There are **at least two notable populated places named "Kokomo" in the United States**—and likely a few more unincorporated spots:

1. Kokomo, Indiana (The "City of Firsts")

• Population: **~59,000** (2020) — **13th largest in IN**.
• County: **Howard County** (county seat).
• Famous For: **Automotive heritage** — **Kokomo Transmission Plant (Chrysler/Stellantis) — largest in world**; **Haynes-Apperson (1894 — US's 1st commercially built car)**; **Delco Radio (car radios)**; **"City of Firsts"**.
• Culture: **Kokomo Opalescent Glass (1888 — oldest art glass co.)**, **Highland Park (covered bridge, carousel)**, **Kokomo Beach Drive-in Theater**.
• Song: **Beach Boys "Kokomo" (1988) — *not* about this Kokomo (it's fictional Caribbean)** — but city embraces it.

2. Kokomo, Colorado (Ghost Town / Unincorporated)

• Location: **Summit County**, **Rocky Mountains**, **~10,000 ft (3,050 m)**.
• History: **Silver mining boomtown (1870s–1880s)** — **population ~10,000 peak**. **Post office 1879–1918**.
• Current: **Few seasonal cabins, ruins, mine tailings**. **Near Copper Mountain, Breckenridge, Leadville**. **Popular for backcountry skiing, hiking, history buffs**.
• Access: **CO-91 / Fremont Pass** — **high clearance/4WD often needed**.

Others (Minor / Unverified)

• Kokomo, Arkansas — **Unincorporated, Lee County** (near Marianna).
• Kokomo, Hawaii — **Beach area, Maui** (sometimes called "Kokomo Beach" near Kihei).
• Kokomo, Mississippi — **Historical reference, defunct**.
• Kokomo, Texas — **Ghost town, Eastland County** (oil boom 1920s).

Bottom Line: **Two *significant* Kokomos: Indiana (thriving city) & Colorado (historic ghost town).** The name likely derives from **Miami-Illinois *kikomo* ("good land")** or **Maori *kokomo* ("to sleep")** — popularized by 19th-century novelty songs, then Beach Boys.