Gem County, Idaho

Gem County
County
Gem County Courthouse
Seal
Location within the U.S. state of Idaho
Idaho's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 44°04′N116°25′W / 44.06°N 116.41°W / 44.06; -116.41
Country	United States
State	Idaho
Founded	March 15, 1915
Named for	the state nickname, "Gem State".
Seat	Emmett
Largest city	Emmett
Area
• Total	566 sq mi (1,470 km2)
• Land	561 sq mi (1,450 km2)
• Water	4.8 sq mi (12 km2)  0.8%
Population  (2020)
• Total	19,123
• Density	34/sq mi (13/km2)
Time zone	UTC−7 (Mountain)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−6 (MDT)
Congressional district	1st
Website	www.co.gem.id.us

Gem County is a county in the U.S. state of Idaho. As of the 2020 census, the population was 19,123. ^[1] The county seat and largest city is Emmett. ^[2]

Gem County is part of the Boise, ID Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Gem County is home to the Idaho ground squirrel.

History

Named for the state nickname, "Gem State," the county was established on March 15, 1915, partitioned from Canyon County and Boise County. ^[3] Fur trappers were in the area as early as 1818, and Alexander Ross explored Squaw Creek in 1824. Prospectors and miners moved through the county in 1862 en route to the gold rush in the Boise Basin around Idaho City, and by the next year irrigation began along the Payette River. ^[4] Under Washington Territory, the area was part of Idaho County from the time of settlement until the territory south of the Payette River became part of Boise County at its creation in 1863. Picket's Corral, northeast of Emmett was the base of operations for a gang of horse thieves and "bogus dust peddlers" between 1862 and 1864. ^[3] The Payette Vigilance Committee eliminated the gang, bringing safety for citizens of the area. The act creating Ada County in 1864 established the Ada County boundary common to Boise County as a line from Grimes Creek to Picket's Corral and then north from that point to the existing northern boundary of Boise County, leaving the areas outside of Emmett within Boise County. ^{[5] [6]} Jonathan Smith and Nathaniel Martin settled near Emmett about 1862. They established a ferry on the Payette River at Emmett in 1866. On May 31, 1867, a post office was established at the ferry and named Martinsville, which was renamed Emmettsville on October 31, 1868; postal officials shortened the name of the post office to Emmett in 1885. ^{[7] [8]}

Census data for the area shows Squaw Creek Precinct under Boise County with a population of 30 in 1870. ^[9] Ada County did not separately return precincts at that census. By 1890, Squaw Creek was split into two precincts. Those precincts were grouped with Horseshoe Bend at the 1890 census. The Emmett precinct contained 479 residents at that time. ^[10] The Emmett area was transferred to Canyon County at its establishment in 1892. ^[11] At the 1910 Census, three Emmett area precincts contained a population of 2,601 while three Boise County precincts of Upper Squaw Creek, Lower Squaw Creek, and Pearl contained 1,069 residents. ^[12]

The Black Canyon Diversion Dam on the river was built in the early 1920s, east of Emmett. ^[13] Based on a German television broadcast, there was even in the 1990s a high level of Radioactivity because of the Atomic Tests in Nevada.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 566 square miles (1,470 km²), of which 561 square miles (1,450 km²) is land and 4.8 square miles (12 km²) (0.8%) is water. ^[14] It is the fifth-smallest county in Idaho by area.

Adjacent counties

• Washington County - northwest
• Adams County - north
• Valley County - northeast
• Boise County - east
• Ada County - south
• Canyon County - southwest
• Payette County - west

National protected area

• Boise National Forest (part)

Demographics

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1920	6,427		—
1930	7,419		15.4%
1940	9,544		28.6%
1950	8,730		−8.5%
1960	9,127		4.5%
1970	9,387		2.8%
1980	11,972		27.5%
1990	11,844		−1.1%
2000	15,181		28.2%
2010	16,719		10.1%
2020	19,123		14.4%
2023 (est.)	21,071	[15]	10.2%
U.S. Decennial Census [16] 1790–1960, [17] 1900–1990, [18] 1990–2000, [19] 2010, [20] 2020 [1]

2000 census

As of the census ^[21] of 2000, there were 15,181 people, 5,539 households, and 4,176 families living in the county. The population density was 27 inhabitants per square mile (10/km²). There were 5,888 housing units at an average density of 10 per square mile (3.9/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 93.79% White, 0.73% Native American, 0.36% Asian, 0.07% Black or African American, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 3.16% from other races, and 1.83% from two or more races. 6.92% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 18.9% were of American, 17.5% German, 13.1% English and 7.2% Irish ancestry.

There were 5,539 households, out of which 34.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 63.40% were married couples living together, 8.40% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.60% were non-families. 20.80% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.90% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.70 and the average family size was 3.12.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 28.00% under the age of 18, 7.60% from 18 to 24, 25.30% from 25 to 44, 23.50% from 45 to 64, and 15.60% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 98.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.70 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $34,460, and the median income for a family was $40,195. Males had a median income of $31,036 versus $20,755 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,340. About 11.60% of families and 13.10% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.60% of those under age 18 and 13.90% of those age 65 or over.

2010 census

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 16,719 people, 6,495 households, and 4,611 families living in the county. ^[22] The population density was 29.8 inhabitants per square mile (11.5/km²). There were 7,099 housing units at an average density of 12.7 per square mile (4.9/km²). ^[23] The racial makeup of the county was 93.4% white, 0.6% American Indian, 0.5% Asian, 0.1% Pacific islander, 0.1% black or African American, 3.1% from other races, and 2.2% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 8.0% of the population. ^[22] In terms of ancestry, 23.2% were German, 19.2% were English, 15.8% were American, and 12.3% were Irish. ^[24]

Of the 6,495 households, 30.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.9% were married couples living together, 9.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 29.0% were non-families, and 24.3% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.55 and the average family size was 3.01. The median age was 42.9 years. ^[22]

The median income for a household in the county was $42,794 and the median income for a family was $49,976. Males had a median income of $39,482 versus $31,083 for females. The per capita income for the county was $20,431. About 9.7% of families and 14.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.3% of those under age 18 and 9.3% of those age 65 or over. ^[25]

2016

As of 2016 the largest self-reported ancestries/ethnicities in Gem County, Idaho were:

Largest ancestries (2016)	Percent
English	19.3%
German	17.9%
Irish	11.9%
"American"	8.8%
Italian	3.3%
Scottish	2.4%
Dutch	1.1%
French	2.0%
Swedish	1.7%
Norwegian	1.1%
Swiss	0.9%
Welsh	0.8%

^[26]

2020 census

Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos can be of any race.

Gem County racial composition ^{[27] [28]}
(NH = Non-Hispanic)

Race	Pop 2010	Pop 2020	% 2010	% 2020
White (NH)	14,898	16,132	89.11%	84.36%
Black or African American (NH)	20	29	0.12%	0.15%
Native American or Alaska Native (NH)	77	124	0.46%	0.65%
Asian (NH)	78	99	0.47%	0.52%
Pacific Islander (NH)	10	20	0.06%	0.1%
Some Other Race (NH)	13	96	0.08%	0.5%
Mixed/Multi-Racial (NH)	287	901	1.72%	4.71%
Hispanic or Latino	1,336	1,722	7.99%	9.0%
Total	16,719	19,123

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 19,123 people, 6,683 households, and 4,585 families residing in the county.

Communities

City

• Emmett

Census-designated place

• Letha

Unincorporated communities

• Ola
• Sweet

Politics

Gem County is almost always Republican. The last time a Democratic presidential candidate carried the county was in 1964 by Lyndon B. Johnson.

United States presidential election results for Gem County, Idaho ^[29]

Year	Republican		Democratic		Third party
	No.	%	No.	%	No.	%
2020	7,951	79.65%	1,803	18.06%	229	2.29%
2016	5,980	75.18%	1,229	15.45%	745	9.37%
2012	5,311	70.90%	1,957	26.12%	223	2.98%
2008	5,585	70.27%	2,166	27.25%	197	2.48%
2004	5,416	75.92%	1,628	22.82%	90	1.26%
2000	4,376	73.14%	1,346	22.50%	261	4.36%
1996	3,362	53.96%	1,968	31.58%	901	14.46%
1992	2,455	42.90%	1,609	28.11%	1,659	28.99%
1988	2,926	56.90%	2,064	40.14%	152	2.96%
1984	3,644	68.11%	1,607	30.04%	99	1.85%
1980	3,766	65.77%	1,613	28.17%	347	6.06%
1976	2,401	52.75%	1,978	43.45%	173	3.80%
1972	2,717	61.32%	1,069	24.13%	645	14.56%
1968	2,314	57.89%	1,183	29.60%	500	12.51%
1964	1,979	45.95%	2,328	54.05%	0	0.00%
1960	2,428	55.13%	1,976	44.87%	0	0.00%
1956	2,445	58.75%	1,717	41.25%	0	0.00%
1952	2,568	62.21%	1,555	37.67%	5	0.12%
1948	1,585	46.26%	1,724	50.32%	117	3.42%
1944	1,363	41.75%	1,866	57.15%	36	1.10%
1940	1,462	35.38%	2,666	64.52%	4	0.10%
1936	879	24.64%	2,468	69.17%	221	6.19%
1932	898	27.54%	2,007	61.55%	356	10.92%
1928	1,656	71.01%	646	27.70%	30	1.29%
1924	1,072	41.31%	380	14.64%	1,143	44.05%
1920	1,404	62.73%	832	37.18%	2	0.09%
1916	750	39.47%	990	52.11%	160	8.42%

Education

There is a single K-12 school district in the county: Emmett Independent School District 221. ^[30]

Residents are in the area (but not the taxation zone) for College of Western Idaho. ^[31]

See also

• National Register of Historic Places listings in Gem County, Idaho

References

1. "Gem County, Idaho". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved June 25, 2023.
2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
3. Curtis, Lola (March 8, 1962). "Vigilantes once held Gem County". Lewiston Morning Tribune. (Idaho). p. 8.
4. Idaho.gov - Gem County Archived November 26, 2005, at the Wayback Machine - accessed December 10, 2011
5. "Idaho State Historical Society Reference Series: PICKET'S CORRAL" (PDF). Idaho State Historical Society. Archived (PDF) from the original on May 2, 2012. Retrieved February 17, 2017.
6. Laws of the Territory of Idaho, Second Session. Boise City: Frank Kenyon, Territorial Printer. 1866. p.  430 . Retrieved February 17, 2017.
7. "Gem County Post Offices and Postmasters". Gem County Historical Society and Village Museum. Retrieved February 17, 2017.
8. "What's in a Name?". Gem County Historical Society and Village Museum. Retrieved February 17, 2017.
9. Ninth Census—Volume I (PDF). Government Printing Office. 1872. p. 107. Archived (PDF) from the original on November 8, 2005. Retrieved February 17, 2017.
10. Report on the Population of the United States at the Eleventh Census: 1890. Washington: Government Printing Office. 1895. p.  99.
11. Idaho Atlas of Historical County Boundaries. Chicago: The Newberry Library. 2010. pp. 2, 42, 45, 66, 95–96.
12. Twelfth Census of the United States Taken in the Year 1910 (PDF). Washington: Government Printing Office. 1913. pp. 414–415. Archived (PDF) from the original on May 25, 2006. Retrieved February 17, 2017.
13. USBR - Black Canyon div. dam Archived June 7, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
14. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
15. "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 31, 2024.
16. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 30, 2014.
17. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved June 30, 2014.
18. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 30, 2014.
19. "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.
20. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on May 26, 2012. Retrieved June 30, 2014.
21. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved January 31, 2008.
22. "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.
23. "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved January 9, 2016.
24. "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.
25. "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.
26. Bureau, U.S. Census. "American FactFinder - Results". Factfinder.census.gov. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved January 2, 2018.
27. "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved March 15, 2022.
28. "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved March 15, 2022.
29. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". Uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved January 2, 2018.
30. "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Gem County, ID" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau . Retrieved March 12, 2024. - Text list
31. "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.

External links

• County website
• County Parcel Map
• History of Gem County
• County profile on state website
• Black Canyon Diversion Dam

44°04′N116°25′W / 44.06°N 116.41°W / 44.06; -116.41