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Idaho State: Population, Rankings, and Facts

#18 in Overall Ranking out of 50 in 2021

Idaho is a small American territory adorned with several beautiful landscapes and rich land. Famous for its numerous resources, it is otherwise called the Gem State. Not only does it have abundant minerals, but it is also renowned for the production of potatoes and other agricultural products. The lifestyle here is unique. The moderate cost of living, delicious food, numerous parks, and recreation sites make it a fun place to be. Plus, Idahoans are friendly people.

Updated: April 20, 2021
  • Area
    83,569 sq. mi.
  • Capital
    Boise
  • Population
    1,787,065
  • Income
    $52,225
  • Home Value
    $348,483
  • Crime
    4,000
  • Unemployment
    3.8%
  • Education
    26.8%
  • Medicine
    14
  • Poverty
    11.9%
  • Environment
    4
  • Infrastructure
    2.8%

Idaho is the fourteenth largest state in the U.S., with 44 counties. Despite its size, it has a relatively low population: the 12th lowest in America. Among all its cities, Boise has the most number of residents – about 226,000 people.

Geographically, it stands in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. Its topography is widely characterized by scenic terrains, mountains, lakes, and rivers. Also, large farmlands and natural plantations are common sights in its landscape.

The state was founded on July 3, 1890, as the 43rd American state. Since its creation, the territory has had 31 governors, with the grand old party having an uninterrupted reign since 1995. Also, ID has a decades-long history of voting Republicans for president.

Agriculture, manufacturing, and real-estates are the gem state’s major industries. Together, they contribute over $22 billion in GDP. The region has a famous history of producing the highest amount of potatoes in the U.S. 

Other crops commonly grown here are fruits, sugarbeets, wheat, onions, barley, etc. Livestock farming is also a pillar of its agric sector. It is a large producer of dairy products, cheese, beef, pork, lambs, and trout fish.

Food and wood processing is the most common activity manufacturing sector. ID is also famous for making electrical and computer products. The entire industry contributes over $8 billion in GDP to the economy. The housing and finance industries likewise massive revenue annually. Added to that, it mines several gemstones and minerals, including silver, zinc, garnet, copper, opal, topaz, etc.

Another aspect of the area that cannot be overlooked is tourism. Its cities welcome millions of tourists each year and generate about $3.7 billion in revenue. Plus, the industry employs over 45,000 Idahoans. 

Some notable sites are Sun Valley resorts, lake Coeur d’Alene, Shoshone Falls, City of Rocks national reserve, Snake river, etc. Some of these sites are famous Native Americans’ gathering places.

How We Figured Out Which Were the Best States To Live In

To determine the best states to live in in 2021, data was gathered from several reliable sources. Some of such include the National Census Bureau, departments of labor and health, etc.

Using several indicators, the collated data was then used to judge the states’ general performance. The information got from there then determined their overall ranking.

Idaho Rankings

  • Population
    #39
    Population
    Data: 1,787,065

    Data from the U.S. census bureau of the region shows that it is sparsely dense, with 21.6 people per square mile. This is similar to figures seen in Nevada, Nebraska, New Mexico. Ada County is the most populous district statewide, with 481,587 residents. Boise is the largest city in the province, both in demography and size.

  • Median Income
    #31
    Income in $
    Data: $52,225

    This is an excellent place for a middle-class life. The median income figure is below the national value ($68,703). Although, the general price of goods and services is also lower than country-wide averages. Physicians, engineers, judges, and pharmacists are among the highest-paid professionals statewide.

  • Home Value
    #10
    Home Value
    Data: $348,483

    The housing market in the province is quite active. The home value index is among the top in the U.S. Similar figures are seen in Virginia, Arizona, and New Hampshire. The median rent is $853. Blaine County holds the highest accommodation prices with a median house cost of over $380,000.

  • Unemployment Rate
    #6
    Unemployment
    Data: 3.8%

    The Idaho unemployment metrics rank way above other states on the pacific coast. With over 885,000 employable populace, only about 25,000 are out of jobs. The health, education, and commerce sectors are the highest employers of labor. St. Luke's Health System is the largest single labor employer in the region, with about 14,000 employees.

  • Poverty
    #23
    Poverty
    Data: 11.9%

    The level of poverty here is relatively high. That index is way above the national average (10.5%). About 220,000 of the population live below the poverty line. On the other hand, there are about 30,000 millionaire households. Frank VanderSloot, the founder of pharmaceutical company Melaleuca, is the wealthiest person, with a net worth of $4.3 billion.

  • Education
    #39
    Education
    Data: 26.8%

    ID ranks as the twelfth least-educated region in the United States. That shows that it has a fairly educated populace. 40.1% of the white Idaho population are degree holders. For blacks and Asian Idahoans, 26.1% and 58.1% of them respectively are college graduates.

  • Medicine
    #22
    Medicine
    Health Outcomes: 14

    In this indicator, ID's health sector performed reasonably to sit among other mid-ranking states: California, Oregon, South Dakota, etc. The state has over 1,200 physicians. Hence, there is one doctor per 500 people. A majority of uninsured Idahoans do not have a college degree. That shows the effect of its education on its health sector. Altogether, there are 43 hospitals and medical centers statewide.

  • Crime Rate
    #4
    Crime
    Violent Crime: 4,000

    This is one of the safest places in the United States. It records a low amount of violent crimes across its counties. Ranking fourth, it trails behind Maine, Vermont, and New Hampshire. The most reported crimes in the area are property crimes (21,793) and larceny-theft (16,295). Cases like robbery, rape, and homicide occur rarely.

  • Natural Environment
    #17
    Environment
    Air: 4

    Despite having a renowned natural beauty, the province still records a relatively high case of air, land, and water pollution. A common situation is the improper application and disposal of pesticides. Boise county suffers most from pollution. However, the department of environmental quality is working to improve the standard of the environment.

  • Infrastructure
    #18
    Infrastructure
    Poor Roads: 2.8%

    The Idaho road conditions and general infrastructure fares excellently. Statewide, drivers spend an average of $500 on the highway. Compared to California, Washington, and Arizona, the average travel time to work (21 mins) is relatively high. Some famous facilities are the Boise airport, the Perrine and Dent bridges, and Dworshak Dam.

Idaho Facts

  • The largest and most populous city in the province is Boise, the capital of the state.
  • The state’s motto is “Esto Perpetua,” which means “It Is Perpetual.”
  • Its official bird is the Mountain Bluebird (Sialia arctcia) and Syringa, the state flower.
  • Star Garnet is its official gemstone.
  • The flag comprises a blue background with the province’s seal in the center.
  • There are 44 counties in the area. Clark County is the smallest while Ada is the largest one.
  • ID is the official state name abbreviation.
  • Flooding and wildfires are the most natural disasters. Idaho earthquakes and volcanic eruptions have also occurred in the past.
  • There are 16 colleges in the area. The University of Idaho is the most famous of them, with over 9,000 enrollments. It is rated number 170 among schools in the country.
  • The entire territory is divided into 290 postal zip codes.
  • The sales tax rate here is 6%, and the property tax – 0.75%.
  • Statewide, there are 23 state parks, ten national forests, and six federal wildlife refuges.

Idaho in Photos

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FAQ Section

  • Where Is Idaho?

    ID is located in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. On the map, Montana and Wyoming share their border on the east side. To its south, it has Nevada and Utah as neighbors. And it shares a borderline with Washington and Oregon to the west. At its northern end, it is flanked by the province of British Columbia, Canada.

  • What Time Zone Is Idaho?

    There are two zones in the region. Counties in the North area (Benewah, Bonner, Clearwater, Latah, Lewis, etc.) use the Pacific Standard Time (PST). That means they are eight hours behind GMT.

    The rest of the province is in the Mountain Time Zone (GMT -7). Hence, the southern part of ID is an hour ahead of its northern side.

  • What Is Minimum Wage In ID?

    The base salary for labor is $7.25 per hour, the same as the national average. Summing it up, that amounts to $1,160 weekly (for a 40-hour week) and $15,080 annual income. The overtime rate is set at 1.5 times an employee’s regular wage.

  • What To Do In Idaho?

    The landscape and beautiful scenery within its boundaries makes it a choice destination for many tourists. It has several terrains and mountains for hikers, mountain bikers, climbers, etc.

    Individuals can also spend time taking photographs of the natural and eye-catching views. Plus, they can go water-rafting on a lake or river. People can decide to relax in a bar and enjoy impressive coffee and wines and the cultural atmosphere.

  • What Is The Gem State Known For?

    It is famous for its natural beauty and friendly communities, large gemstones, and agricultural success. Its beautiful terrains, mountains, and resorts make it a destination for skiing, biking, climbing, and photography. Also, its glacial lakes are famous during winter.

    The state is most renowned for its production of potatoes. Plus, it produces beef, cattle, and wool on a massive scale. And its food-processing and manufacturing industries are likewise well-known across the country.