Driggs, Idaho

This article is about the city of Driggs. For the prominent American family who founded the city, see Driggs family.

Driggs, Idaho
City
Driggs in 2006
Motto:  The heart of Teton Valley
Location of Driggs in Teton County, Idaho
Driggs, Idaho Location in the United States
Coordinates: 43°43′31″N111°6′22″W / 43.72528°N 111.10611°W / 43.72528; -111.10611
Country	United States
State	Idaho
County	Teton
Government
• Mayor	August Christensen
Area [1]
• Total	2.92 sq mi (7.56 km2)
• Land	2.92 sq mi (7.56 km2)
• Water	0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Elevation	6,109 ft (1,862 m)
Population  (2010) [2]
• Total	1,660
• Estimate  (2019) [3]	1,817
• Density	622.90/sq mi (240.50/km2)
Time zone	UTC-7 (Mountain (MST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC-6 (MDT)
ZIP code	83422
Area codes	208, 986
FIPS code	16-22690
GNIS feature ID	0380758
Website	www.driggs.govoffice.com

Driggs is a city in the western United States in eastern Idaho, and is the county seat of Teton County. ^[4] Part of the Jackson, WY-ID Micropolitan Statistical Area, it is located in Teton Valley, the headwaters of the Teton River. The population was 1,660 at the 2010 census, up from 1,100 in 2000. ^[5]

Located within city limits is the Driggs-Reed Memorial Airport, a class II airport that can accommodate private aircraft on its 7,300-foot (2,225 m) runway.

History

The Teton Valley was discovered by John Colter in 1808, a member of the Lewis and Clark Expedition (1804–06). It later became known as Pierre's Hole, in honor of "le grand Pierre" Tivanitagon, and hosted the well-attended 1832 Rendezvous, which was followed by the Battle of Pierre's Hole.

Driggs was founded in 1888 by Benjamin Woodbury Driggs, Jr. and Don Carlos Driggs, whose descendants later moved to Arizona (where most live still), and there founded Western Savings and Loan. John Driggs, a descendant of Don Carlos Driggs, later became the mayor of Phoenix, Arizona in the 1970s.

In 2007, National Geographic magazine listed Driggs as one of the 10 best outdoor recreation destinations in the U.S. ^[6] The Wall Street Journal posited in 2023 that with the expansion of the Grand Targhee Resort 12 miles away in Alta, Wyoming that Driggs could become the next Jackson Hole (much to the dismay of many of its residents). ^[7]

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total land area of 2.76 square miles (7.15 km²). ^[8]

Climate

This climatic region is typified by large seasonal temperature differences, with warm summers and cold (sometimes severely cold) winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Driggs has a humid continental climate, abbreviated "Dfb" on climate maps. ^[9]

Climate data for Driggs, Idaho, 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1904–present
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Record high °F (°C)	60 (16)	60 (16)	72 (22)	80 (27)	89 (32)	95 (35)	100 (38)	98 (37)	96 (36)	85 (29)	71 (22)	65 (18)	100 (38)
Mean maximum °F (°C)	43.7 (6.5)	46.4 (8.0)	56.0 (13.3)	67.9 (19.9)	76.8 (24.9)	83.5 (28.6)	87.5 (30.8)	87.4 (30.8)	82.1 (27.8)	73.1 (22.8)	58.9 (14.9)	46.3 (7.9)	89.0 (31.7)
Average high °F (°C)	32.8 (0.4)	36.0 (2.2)	44.3 (6.8)	53.9 (12.2)	64.6 (18.1)	73.2 (22.9)	82.9 (28.3)	81.8 (27.7)	72.7 (22.6)	58.1 (14.5)	43.7 (6.5)	32.8 (0.4)	56.4 (13.6)
Daily mean °F (°C)	21.0 (−6.1)	24.2 (−4.3)	32.3 (0.2)	40.7 (4.8)	49.9 (9.9)	57.2 (14.0)	65.2 (18.4)	63.7 (17.6)	55.5 (13.1)	43.4 (6.3)	31.4 (−0.3)	21.7 (−5.7)	42.2 (5.7)
Average low °F (°C)	9.3 (−12.6)	12.3 (−10.9)	20.3 (−6.5)	27.5 (−2.5)	35.2 (1.8)	41.2 (5.1)	47.5 (8.6)	45.6 (7.6)	38.2 (3.4)	28.7 (−1.8)	19.0 (−7.2)	10.5 (−11.9)	27.9 (−2.2)
Mean minimum °F (°C)	−14.5 (−25.8)	−9.9 (−23.3)	0.2 (−17.7)	14.1 (−9.9)	22.2 (−5.4)	30.4 (−0.9)	38.1 (3.4)	35.3 (1.8)	25.5 (−3.6)	14.1 (−9.9)	−1.6 (−18.7)	−11.4 (−24.1)	−18.2 (−27.9)
Record low °F (°C)	−44 (−42)	−50 (−46)	−30 (−34)	−11 (−24)	8 (−13)	21 (−6)	25 (−4)	13 (−11)	9 (−13)	−7 (−22)	−25 (−32)	−40 (−40)	−50 (−46)
Average precipitation inches (mm)	1.95 (50)	1.07 (27)	1.37 (35)	1.90 (48)	2.30 (58)	1.97 (50)	1.06 (27)	1.23 (31)	1.47 (37)	1.77 (45)	1.52 (39)	1.74 (44)	19.35 (491)
Average snowfall inches (cm)	15.7 (40)	8.7 (22)	8.8 (22)	3.7 (9.4)	0.4 (1.0)	0.1 (0.25)	0.0 (0.0)	0.0 (0.0)	0.1 (0.25)	2.6 (6.6)	9.6 (24)	19.1 (49)	68.8 (174.5)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in)	8.3	5.7	5.4	7.7	8.5	6.5	5.3	5.7	5.0	5.3	4.9	6.5	74.8
Average snowy days (≥ 0.1 in)	8.1	4.1	2.9	1.7	0.2	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	1.2	3.7	7.2	29.1
Source 1: NOAA [10]
Source 2: National Weather Service [11]

Demographics

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1920	683		—
1930	719		5.3%
1940	1,040		44.6%
1950	941		−9.5%
1960	824		−12.4%
1970	727		−11.8%
1980	727		0.0%
1990	846		16.4%
2000	1,100		30.0%
2010	1,660		50.9%
2019 (est.)	1,817	[3]	9.5%
U.S. Decennial Census [12]

2010 census

As of the census ^[2] of 2010, there were 1,660 people, 587 households, and 385 families residing in the village. The population density was 601.4 inhabitants per square mile (232.2/km²). There were 873 housing units at an average density of 316.3 per square mile (122.1/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 73.0% White, 0.5% African American, 0.2% Native American, 0.5% Asian, 0.4% Pacific Islander, 23.5% from other races, and 2.0% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 31.6% of the population.

There were 587 households, of which 40.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.6% were married couples living together, 9.5% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.5% had a male householder with no wife present, and 34.4% were non-families. 22.5% of all of the households were made up of individuals, and 5.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.82 and the average family size was 3.40.

The median age in the city was 30.6 years. 29.2% of residents were under the age of 18; 9.1% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 33.9% were from 25 to 44; 20.5% were from 45 to 64; and 7% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 51.4% male and 48.6% female.

2000 census

As of the census ^[13] of 2000, there were 1,100 people, 386 households, and 252 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,054.5 inhabitants per square mile (407.1/km²). There were 449 housing units at an average density of 430.4 per square mile (166.2/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 83.73% White, 0.09% African American, 0.73% Native American, 0.73% Pacific Islander, 13.64% from other races, and 1.09% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 20.55% of the population.

There were 386 households, out of which 38.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.6% were married couples living together, 7.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.5% were non-families. 23.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.83 and the average family size was 3.44.

The population is spread over various age categories, with 30.5% under the age of 18, 10.8% from 18 to 24, 34.6% from 25 to 44, 15.9% from 45 to 64, and 8.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 30 years. For every 100 females, there were 112.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 114.3 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $33,750, and the median income for a family was $40,469. Males had a median income of $30,703 versus $19,722 for females. The per capita income for the city was $14,710. About 7.0% of families and 11.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.8% of those under age 18 and 11.6% of those age 65 or over.

Arts and culture

Former Teton County Court House

Corner Drug Store

Key Bank

Sites and events in Driggs include:

• an art gallery
• Winter Snowfest, which includes a snow sculpture competition
• Teton Valley Hot Air Balloon Festival
• Shakespeare in the Park
• Plein Air Arts Festival
• Geotourism Center
• "Music on Main", a series of free, outdoor musical concerts during the summer
• SpudFest Family Film and Music Festival at Spud Drive-In Theater (2004-2008)

Parks and recreation

Recreation centers include Driggs Community Center, and an indoor climbing gym, plus a gymnastics gym.

Education

The public schools of Teton County are operated by Teton School District #401, headquartered in Driggs. The county's only traditional high school (Teton High School), middle school and upper elementary school are in Driggs.

Infrastructure

Transportation

Highway

• – SH-33 to Victor (south), and Tetonia (north)

Airports

• Driggs-Reed Memorial Airport. (IATA: DIJ, ICAO: KDIJ, FAA LID: DIJ)

Notable people

• Hendrika B. Cantwell (born 1925), clinical professor of pediatrics who advocated for abused and neglected children
• Jeannine Davis-Kimball (1929–2017), archaeologist
• Junius Driggs (1907-1994), banker
• Leon M. Lederman (1922-2018), director of Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory; recipient of Nobel Prize in Physics
• Dawn Wells (1938-2020), actress, ^[14] lived part time in Driggs. She was the original Mary Ann from Gilligan's Island , and also established SpudFest Family Film & Music Festival in Driggs (2004-2008).

References

1. "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 9, 2020.
2. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved December 18, 2012.
3. "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". United States Census Bureau. May 24, 2020. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
4. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
5. Spokesman-Review Archived February 28, 2017, at the Wayback Machine – 2010 census – Driggs, Idaho – accessed December 23, 2011
6. National Geographic Article, National Geographic Adventure. Retrieved on September 21, 2007.
7. Journal, Nancy Keates | Photographs by Sofia Jaramillo for The Wall Street (September 21, 2023). "This Idaho Town Could Become the Next Jackson Hole—but Don't Tell Locals That". WSJ.
8. "US Gazetteer files 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on July 2, 2012. Retrieved December 18, 2012.
9. "Driggs, Idaho Köppen Climate Classification (Weatherbase)". Weatherbase.
10. "U.S. Climate Normals Quick Access – Station: Driggs, ID". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved June 16, 2023.
11. "NOAA Online Weather Data – NWS Pocatello". National Weather Service. Retrieved June 16, 2023.
12. "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
13. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved January 31, 2008.
14. Dainon Moody (September 16, 1999). "Dawn Wells -- life after Mary Ann". Deseret News.

External links

• Official website
• Teton Valley Chamber of Commerce