IDAHO
HISTORIC & PROJECTED GROWTH 1790 TO 2050
Sources: Census figures from U.S. Bureau of the Census & *Estimates from Weldon Cooper Center, Demographics Research Group
IDAHO POPULATION DENSITY
Idaho Land Area - 82,643 square miles
YEAR | PEOPLE PER SQUARE MILE |
|---|---|
2020 | 22.3 |
2010 | 19.0 |
2000 | 15.7 |
1990 | 12.2 |
1980 | 11.4 |
1970 | 8.6 |
1960 | 8.1 |
1950 | 7.1 |
1940 | 6.4 |
1930 | 5.4 |
1920 | 5.2 |
1910 | 3.9 |
SOURCE: U.S. Bureau of the Census
Idaho Population News Articles
Idaho signs immigration agreement – Sep 10, 2026
Idaho bear sightings rise as drought pushes wildlife into neighborhoods, officials say – Sep 10, 2026
Idaho Conservation League reports 53% of wastewater plants exceed pollution limits – Sep 3, 2026
Idaho compost site dogged by 'rancid' odor complaints could become 721 homes – Aug 29, 2026
Study: Nearly half of land burned in last 25 years tied to heatwaves – Aug 26, 2026
New Data Shows Idahoans Abandoning the Gem State For These 10 Appealing States – Mar 12, 2026
Keep Boise Cool takes a unique approach to climate change – Mar 11, 2026
Idaho House passes bill requiring local police to partner with ICE officials – Mar 6, 2026
New research highlights challenges, pathways for Idaho’s wastewater systems – Feb 26, 2026
One of America’s Fastest Growing Boomtowns in 2026 is Located in Idaho – Feb 26, 2026
Budget cuts hinder wildfire suppression, water quality, according to natural resource directors – Feb 16, 2026
Biggest sources of immigrants to Boise - Oct 29, 2025
Idaho’s Tamarack Ski Resort Is Turning Wildfire Destruction Into New Trails – Oct 28, 2025
At central Idaho’s Stibnite Gold Mine, crews start initial construction – Oct 23, 2025
“This Could Change Nuclear Forever”: This New Fuel Tested in Idaho Promises Safer Reactors and Cooler Power (and the World Is Watching) – Oct 16, 2025
Twin Falls unveils plan to restore Rock Creek’s water quality – Oct 13, 2025
Lifelong rancher discusses agricultural lands, climate impacts, more – Oct 6, 2025
EPA reviews ongoing cleanup at North Idaho's Bunker Hill Superfund site – July 7, 2025
Idaho Power's 20-year Energy Plan Calls for Significant Investment in Energy Resources to Meet Projected Growth – July 1, 2025
Gov. Brad Little highlights American Falls Dam and Magic Valley water infrastructure projects – June 26, 2025
Local conservation groups, EPA to address Lake Cascade water quality issues – June 20, 2025
State of Idaho approves $300,000 request to transport inmates to ICE detention centers – June 17, 2025
Growing Idaho: Caldwell leaders trying to keep up with growth – June 10, 2025
Idaho's employers, workers brace for Trump administration immigration polices, deportations – Dec 16, 2024
Homeless population faces additional challenges in freezing temps, organizations assist those affected – Dec 12, 2024
In Idaho Wilderness, A Clash Over Water Quality and National Security – Dec 10, 2024
Statewide enrollment is slightly up compared to last fall – Dec 9, 2024
Kootenai County exploring options to help infrastructure keep up with population growth – Dec 9, 2024
City of Boise launches committee to address climate change, seeks residents to join – Dec 4, 2024
Report: Undocumented immigrants paid nearly $72M in Idaho, local taxes in 2022 – Sept 23, 2024
Responding to the impacts of Climate Change on Northern Idaho -- a presentation at Gizmo-CdA - Sept 23, 2024
500,000 people, one aquifer: Kootenai's only water supply faces challenges – Sept 15, 2024
New report finds more than half of Idaho wastewater treatment plants violated Clean Water Act – Sept 12, 2024
Greenhouse Gas Emissions in Idaho: A State Breakdown – Sept 6, 2024
As the city's population continue to grow, Twin Falls City Council looks ahead at State of the City – Sept 4, 2024
We Did The Math: This Is Exactly How Fast Idaho Is Growing – July 9, 2024
Supreme Court affirms decision against California dredge miner who polluted Idaho River – July 7, 2024
Unauthorized immigrants are key players in Idaho’s economy, agricultural sector, study shows – July 5, 2024
Traffic Woes In Treasure Valley: An Inside Look At Idaho’s Gridlock – June 18, 2024
Idaho Panhandle National Forest receives $1 million for wildfire risk reduction – June 18, 2024
Farmland loss at an alarming rate – June 14, 2024
Idaho’s Population Has Grown 158% in 50 Years… 5 Reasons People Are Flocking There – November 14, 2023
Idaho growth not viewed favorably by many people who live there – November 3, 2023
Border Policy, Housing, Water, and Farms – November 3, 2023
Eastern Idaho’s groundwater has declined by hundreds of thousands of acre-feet. Will that trend continue? – November 3, 2023
Campus survey shows student efforts to reduce climate change – November 2, 2023
These Idaho cities are leading Idaho in clean energy transition, experts, advocates say – October 25, 2023
The part of Idaho with the worst droughts right now, according to data – July 23, 2023
Major upgrades are on the horizon at the Idaho Botanical Garden. See what’s in store – July 22, 2023
J.R. Simplot Settles Enviro Violations – July 12, 2023
Idaho transportation officials name finalists for EV charging sites – July 5, 2023
Homelessness up slightly in North Idaho – June 26, 2023
Forest Service Urged to Reject Massive Idaho Gold Mine Threatening Endangered Species, Public Health – January 10, 2023
Star neighborhood development proposal draws concerns from residents – January 4, 2023
2022 Population Estimates Place Idaho Second in the Nation for States with the Highest Percentage Growth – December 23, 2022
Idaho Waterways Could be Excluded From Clean Water Protections – July 25, 2022
Beloved monarch butterflies now listed as endangered – July 24, 2022
Worried about energy use during heat waves? Idaho Power explains rising demand – July 22, 2022
Three Idaho Cities Were in the Top 15 Fastest Growing in U.S. – July 13, 2022
Idaho home ownership, work-from-home rates up; so are commute times: Census survey – March 22, 2022
Deep dive: Meridian lacks affordable housing options. Leaders say solutions aren’t easily found – March 17, 2022
Idaho Students Are Stuck in Trailers as Voters Reject Bonds for Schools - March 9, 2022
Drought expected to continue in southern Idaho this spring and summer – March 6, 2022
Idahoans express growing concern about growth, climate change, water in new poll – March 4, 2022
Climate Change Presents Challenges and Opportunities for Idaho – December 15, 2021
Survey: North Idahoans Support Forests as Climate Solution – December 13, 2021
Idaho Experiences Highest Percentage of Population Growth in Country for Fourth Consecutive Year – December 10, 2021
Farm Bureau adopts policy about farmland preservation – December 8, 2021
Some homeowners wary of proposed Bear Lake development – November 19, 2021
Here's Why Pollinators Are Hurting in Idaho – September 23, 2021
How potential growth could impact the City of Melba – September 23, 2021
Idaho Ranks Second Nationally in Population Growth Rate According to 2020 Census Data – September 20, 2021
EPA Must Force Idaho Factory Farms to Monitor and Report Water Pollution: Ninth Circuit – September 16, 2021
Idaho’s ongoing drought halts some irrigation months early – June 16, 2021
Smoke from wildfires has reached the Treasure Valley; here's what you need to know about air quality in Idaho – July 11, 2021
What Idaho’s population growth means for the Magic Valley – June 14, 2021
Gov. Little addresses North Idaho growth with proposed $1.5B infrastructure bill – March 30, 2021
PRICED OUT OF THE MARKET: Tight local housing market leaves buyers with few options – March 22, 2021
Cow manure pollution bill approved by Idaho Senate panel – March 4, 2021
Idaho continues to attract out-of-staters, mainly from California – March 2, 2021
Tribes sue to stop Idaho land swap amid pollution concerns – December 9, 2020
How Light And Noise Pollution Affects Bird Populations In Idaho – November 30, 2020
Climate Change Series Part 3: What changes are expected? – November 26, 2020
Neighbor to proposes waste transfer site raises concerns with county – October 14, 2020
Meridian, Nampa among top 10 fastest growing cities in America – October 13, 2020
Idaho, Oregon, Washington to receive nearly $1 Million in EPA Pollution Prevention Grants – October 1, 2020
Study finds killing of protected Idaho wildlife higher than previously known – September 24, 2020
Idaho development claimed area bigger than Boise in 15-year span – August 12, 2020
Tiny plastic particles are piling up in Idaho’s wild places, according to this study – August 4, 2020
Land Trust: Dog waste poses threat to river – July 31, 2020
Idahoans value growth management, transportation and affordable housing in Ada, Canyon Counties growth plans – July 27, 2020
Idaho farmers jointly cut water consumption – July 24, 2020
Idaho Cities Continue Strong Population Growth in 2019 – June 2, 2020
Idaho is Losing Tens of Thousands of Acres In Farmland – June 16, 2020
Closer and closer to the last dance: Sage grouse continue to struggle as feds try to roll back protections – June 17, 2020
Star City Council approves 4 new subdivisions – June 18, 2020
Boise leaders say they want affordable housing. They enforce zoning that impedes it – June 19, 2020
Boiseans face the burden of rising property tax costs – February 8, 2020
Growth hits Idaho's state parks hard – February 7, 2020
Study: Idahoans are worried about rapid population growth – January 30, 2020
Idaho county surveys ag producers about growth, farmland preservation – January 29, 2020
Over 9,000 Idahoans experienced homelessness in 2019 – January 22, 2020
Surveying Utah’s raptors: how the population is dealing with new kinds of danger – February 5, 2020
FOX 13 Investigates Utah's Polluters: Tailpipe Truth & the Inland Port – February 5, 2020
Saving water for Utah farms: 'Banking' may be the key in face of growth – February 2, 2020
Counting the population – January 30, 2020
Utah think tank says state should cut CO2 emissions 80% by 2050 – January 7, 2020
Idaho Public Television produces film, “Living with wildfire” – November 3, 2019
Idaho’s Bees to Bears project hopes this simple idea can combat climate change – October 17, 2019
Population data developer projects big changes for Idaho's counties – October 15, 2019
Thousands attend ‘Treasure Our Valley’ festival – October 8, 2019
D91 board approves design for addition at overcrowded elementary school – Sept 13, 2019
Reclamation takes comments on raising Anderson Ranch Dam – Aug 30, 2019
With Push from 4th Graders, Idaho City Wins Water Conservation Award – Aug 22, 2019
Report: Pollutants Increase in Snake River Aquifer – July 12, 2019
Western farmland continues to disappear – July 9, 2019
A dangerous cocktail threatens the gem of North Idaho – June 24, 2019
More and more people move to Kootenai Co. each year – May 13, 2019
Bees are dying in Idaho. Here's what you can do – May 8, 2019
Is the Treasure Valley ready for the massive population growth expected by 2040? – May 3, 2019
Idaho has some of the most polluted areas in the country – April 24, 2019
Conservationists, power officials look for common ground over dams, wild salmon – April 23, 2019
Senate committee moves to amend bill to increase fines for ignoring school bus stop signs – February 26, 2019
USDA to aid producers helping monarch butterfly – February 15, 2019
Civic groups urge Pocatello leaders to set energy goals – February 14, 2019
Cleaning up: Push to monitor water quality of Snake River comes to the Idaho statehouse – February 7, 2019
Civil engineers give Idaho infrastructure C- on report card – January 30, 2019
Strap on your snowshoes – January 11, 2019
Sportsmen flex their political muscles – January 11, 2019
Free Sandpoint event hopes to dispel climate change myths, focus on solutions – January 9, 2019
Simpson, Fulcher introduce bill to give Idaho a 3rd federal district judge – January 8, 2019
Appreciating our Sage Brush Steppe Areas – January 5, 2019
Earthworms answer questions about soil health – January 4, 2019