Elmore County, Idaho

Elmore County
County
Elmore County Courthouse
Seal
Location within the U.S. state of Idaho
Idaho's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 43°20′N115°28′W / 43.34°N 115.47°W / 43.34; -115.47
Country	United States
State	Idaho
Founded	February 7, 1889
Named for	The Ida Elmore mines, producer of silver and gold in the 1860s
Seat	Mountain Home
Largest city	Mountain Home
Area
• Total	3,101 sq mi (8,030 km2)
• Land	3,075 sq mi (7,960 km2)
• Water	26 sq mi (70 km2)  0.8%
Population  (2020)
• Total	28,666
• Density	9.2/sq mi (3.6/km2)
Time zone	UTC−7 (Mountain)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−6 (MDT)
Congressional district	2nd
Website	elmorecounty.org

Canyon Creek Station on the Oregon Trail, Elmore County

Elmore County is a county in the U.S. state of Idaho. As of the 2020 census, the population was 28,666. ^[1] The largest city and county seat is Mountain Home. ^[2]

Elmore County comprises the Mountain Home, ID Micropolitan Statistical Area, which is also included in the Boise-Mountain Home-Ontario, ID-OR Combined Statistical Area.

History

Elmore County was established February 7, 1889, with its county seat at Rocky Bar. It is named after the Ida Elmore mines, the area's greatest silver and gold producer of the 1860s, located near Silver City in Owyhee County. ^{[3] [4]}

While the Oregon Trail crossed the Snake River in Elmore County, at Three Island Crossing near Glenns Ferry, the significant early settlements of Elmore County were mining settlements located primarily in northern Elmore County surrounding the ghost town of Rocky Bar. Settlement at Rocky Bar commenced in 1863 with the settlement having 560 residents at the Territorial Census of that year. ^[5] Nearby, Atlanta was settled in 1864. ^[6] Elmore County north of the Snake River was originally part of Alturas County when it was created in 1864 and Rocky Bar became its county seat. The portion of Elmore County south of the Snake River was within Owyhee County until 1930. A small portion of Ada County was also annexed in 1948, bringing Elmore to its present boundary. ^[7] The settlement at Rocky Bar was impacted by poor management by mining companies, mining lawsuits, and its geographic remoteness between 1869 and 1880. The Wood River experienced a surge in settlement at Hailey starting in 1880 that led to Rocky Bar's loss of the county seat to Hailey in 1882. ^{[8] [9]} Rocky Bar would briefly become a county seat upon the creation of Elmore County in 1889.

A station on the overland stage route, originally named Rattlesnake, was moved west to the railroad line and became Mountain Home. On February 4, 1891, the county seat was moved to Mountain Home. ^[10]

Construction of Mountain Home Air Force Base began in October 1942, twelve miles (19 km) southwest of Mountain Home. The base officially opened in August 1943 as a training base for bombers, and was an operational base under the Strategic Air Command (SAC) through 1965. It became a fighter base in 1966 under Tactical Air Command (TAC), which became Air Combat Command (ACC) in 1992.

Anderson Ranch Dam is east of Mountain Home on the South Fork of the Boise River. At the time of its completion in 1950, it was the world's highest earthfill dam. ^[11]

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 3,101 square miles (8,030 km²), of which 3,075 square miles (7,960 km²) is land and 26 square miles (67 km²) (0.8%) is water. ^[12] Elmore County's highest point is Snowyside Peak at 10,651 feet (3,246 m) above sea level, located in the northeast corner of the county in the Sawtooth Wilderness. The lowest elevation in the county is the Snake River in the southwest corner, at less than 2,500 feet (760 m).

Adjacent counties

• Boise County - north
• Ada County - west
• Owyhee County - south
• Twin Falls County - southeast
• Gooding County - east
• Camas County - east
• Blaine County - northeast
• Custer County - northeast

Major highways

• I-84
• I-84 BL
• US 20
• US 26
• US 30
• SH-51
• SH-67
• SH-78
• SH-167

National protected areas

• Boise National Forest (part)
• Sawtooth National Forest (part)
• Sawtooth National Recreation Area (part)
  • Sawtooth Wilderness (part)
• Snake River Birds of Prey National Conservation Area (part)

Demographics

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1890	1,870		—
1900	2,286		22.2%
1910	4,785		109.3%
1920	5,087		6.3%
1930	4,491		−11.7%
1940	5,518		22.9%
1950	6,687		21.2%
1960	16,719		150.0%
1970	17,479		4.5%
1980	21,565		23.4%
1990	21,205		−1.7%
2000	29,130		37.4%
2010	27,038		−7.2%
2020	28,666		6.0%
2023 (est.)	29,724	[13]	3.7%
U.S. Decennial Census [14] 1790–1960, [15] 1900–1990, [16] 1990–2000, [17] 2010–2020 [1]

2000 census

As of the census ^[18] of 2000, there were 29,130 people, 9,092 households, and 6,846 families living in the county. The population density was 10 people per square mile (3.9 people/km²). There were 10,527 housing units at an average density of 3 units per square mile (1.2 units/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 85.37% White, 3.25% Black or African American, 0.89% Native American, 1.66% Asian, 0.19% Pacific Islander, 5.39% from other races, and 3.25% from two or more races. 11.99% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 16.8% were of German, 12.0% English, 9.2% American and 8.3% Irish ancestry.

There were 9,092 households, out of which 43.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 64.10% were married couples living together, 7.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.70% were non-families. 20.70% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.40% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.76 and the average family size was 3.21.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 28.00% under the age of 18, 13.90% from 18 to 24, 36.00% from 25 to 44, 15.00% from 45 to 64, and 7.10% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 29 years. For every 100 females there were 123.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 130.60 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $35,256, and the median income for a family was $37,823. Males had a median income of $26,248 versus $21,309 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,773. About 8.80% of families and 11.20% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.00% of those under age 18 and 10.80% of those age 65 or over.

2010 census

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 27,038 people, 10,140 households, and 7,135 families living in the county. ^[19] The population density was 8.8 inhabitants per square mile (3.4/km²). There were 12,162 housing units at an average density of 4.0 units per square mile (1.5 units/km²). ^[20] The racial makeup of the county was 82.2% white, 2.8% Asian, 2.7% black or African American, 1.0% American Indian, 0.4% Pacific islander, 6.8% from other races, and 4.1% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 15.2% of the population. ^[19] In terms of ancestry, 20.4% were German, 13.5% were English, 12.4% were Irish, and 9.0% were American. ^[21]

Of the 10,140 households, 38.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.6% were married couples living together, 9.4% had a female householder with no husband present, 29.6% were non-families, and 23.8% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.60 and the average family size was 3.11. The median age was 30.0 years. ^[19]

The median income for a household in the county was $43,089 and the median income for a family was $50,840. Males had a median income of $34,126 versus $25,999 for females. The per capita income for the county was $20,388. About 9.2% of families and 12.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.3% of those under age 18 and 7.8% of those age 65 or over. ^[22]

Communities

Cities

• Glenns Ferry
• Mountain Home

Census-designated place

• Hammett
• Mountain Home Air Force Base

Unincorporated communities

• Atlanta
• Dixie
• Featherville
• King Hill
• Pine
• Tipanuk

Ghost town

• Rocky Bar

Politics

United States presidential election results for Elmore County, Idaho ^{[23] [24]}

Year	Republican		Democratic		Third party
	No.	%	No.	%	No.	%
2020	7,246	70.95%	2,601	25.47%	366	3.58%
2016	5,816	68.25%	1,814	21.29%	892	10.47%
2012	5,227	65.31%	2,513	31.40%	263	3.29%
2008	5,665	66.76%	2,591	30.53%	230	2.71%
2004	6,011	74.57%	1,959	24.30%	91	1.13%
2000	4,891	70.21%	1,840	26.41%	235	3.37%
1996	3,668	53.13%	2,324	33.66%	912	13.21%
1992	3,087	44.80%	1,858	26.97%	1,945	28.23%
1988	3,756	63.46%	2,078	35.11%	85	1.44%
1984	4,595	75.27%	1,458	23.88%	52	0.85%
1980	3,994	64.87%	1,760	28.59%	403	6.55%
1976	2,808	55.46%	2,164	42.74%	91	1.80%
1972	3,078	66.55%	1,153	24.93%	394	8.52%
1968	1,908	50.62%	1,230	32.63%	631	16.74%
1964	1,857	44.56%	2,310	55.44%	0	0.00%
1960	2,226	47.71%	2,440	52.29%	0	0.00%
1956	1,849	51.25%	1,759	48.75%	0	0.00%
1952	1,653	52.66%	1,484	47.28%	2	0.06%
1948	854	34.12%	1,589	63.48%	60	2.40%
1944	1,030	38.62%	1,627	61.00%	10	0.37%
1940	1,077	39.70%	1,632	60.15%	4	0.15%
1936	688	28.91%	1,567	65.84%	125	5.25%
1932	794	31.94%	1,615	64.96%	77	3.10%
1928	1,125	59.94%	739	39.37%	13	0.69%
1924	789	38.01%	381	18.35%	906	43.64%
1920	1,065	55.12%	867	44.88%	0	0.00%
1916	658	35.53%	1,104	59.61%	90	4.86%
1912	415	27.09%	536	34.99%	581	37.92%
1908	662	42.54%	660	42.42%	234	15.04%
1904	593	53.14%	433	38.80%	90	8.06%
1900	393	41.02%	565	58.98%	0	0.00%

Education

School districts include: ^[25]

• Bliss Joint School District 234
• Bruneau-Grand View Joint School District 365
• Glenns Ferry Joint School District 192
• Mountain Home School District 193
• Prairie Elementary School District 191

Residents in a portion of the county are in the area (but not the taxation zone) for College of Western Idaho. ^[26] In the remainder, it is in the area (but not the taxation zone) for College of Southern Idaho. ^[27]

See also

• National Register of Historic Places listings in Elmore County, Idaho
•   Idahoportal
•   Pacific Northwestportal

References

1. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on July 17, 2011. Retrieved September 17, 2022.
2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
3. Idaho State Historical Society - J. Marion More - accessed June 15, 2009.
4. "Idaho for the Curious", by Cort Conley, ©1982, ISBN   0-9603566-3-0, p.374-379
5. "Idaho State Historical Society Reference Series: Census of 1863" (PDF). Idaho State Historical Society. Archived from the original (PDF) on December 28, 2016. Retrieved February 14, 2017.
6. "Idaho State Historical Society Reference Series: Atlanta" (PDF). Idaho State Historical Society. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 9, 2017. Retrieved February 14, 2017.
7. Idaho Atlas of Historical County Boundaries (PDF). Chicago: The Newberry Library. 2010. pp. 12, 80–83. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 14, 2017. Retrieved February 14, 2017.
8. "Idaho State Historical Society Reference Series: Alturas County" (PDF). Idaho State Historical Society. Archived from the original (PDF) on December 24, 2016. Retrieved February 14, 2017.
9. "Idaho State Historical Society Reference Series: Rocky Bar Mines" (PDF). Idaho State Historical Society. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 14, 2017. Retrieved February 14, 2017.
10. idaho.gov - about Elmore County Archived December 20, 2004, at the Wayback Machine - accessed May 15, 2009
11. USBR.gov Archived 2011-11-12 at the Wayback Machine - Anderson Ranch Dam - accessed September 27, 2011
12. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
13. "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 31, 2024.
14. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 30, 2014.
15. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved June 30, 2014.
16. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 30, 2014.
17. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 27, 2010. Retrieved June 30, 2014.
18. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved January 31, 2008.
19. "DP-1 Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved January 9, 2016.
20. "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved January 9, 2016.
21. "DP02 SELECTED SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS IN THE UNITED STATES – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved January 9, 2016.
22. "DP03 SELECTED ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved January 9, 2016.
23. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved April 4, 2018.
24. The leading "other" candidate, Progressive Theodore Roosevelt, received 382 votes while Socialist candidate Eugene Debs received 190 votes and Prohibition candidate Eugene Chafin 9 votes.
25. "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Elmore County, ID" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on July 22, 2022. Retrieved July 21, 2022. - Text list
26. "College of Western Idaho, pg. 1-77" (PDF). Idaho Legislature. January 26, 2022. Retrieved March 12, 2024. - See the map. Also see area 3 in: "TITLE 33 EDUCATION CHAPTER 21 JUNIOR COLLEGES". Idaho Legislature . Retrieved March 12, 2024.
27. "Community Colleges" (PDF). Legislative Budget Book. Idaho Legislature. 2016. p. 1-81 (PDF p. 3/9). - For details on the portions of Elmore and Owyhee counties, see area 4 in: "TITLE 33 EDUCATION CHAPTER 21 JUNIOR COLLEGES". Idaho Legislature . Retrieved March 12, 2024.

External links

• County website
• Idaho.gov - Elmore County profile

43°20′N115°28′W / 43.34°N 115.47°W / 43.34; -115.47