Twin Falls County, Idaho

Twin Falls County
County
Oregon Trail Wayside in Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument
Seal
Location within the U.S. state of Idaho
Idaho's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 42°21′N114°40′W / 42.35°N 114.66°W / 42.35; -114.66
Country	United States
State	Idaho
Founded	February 21, 1907
Named for	Snake River waterfall
Seat	Twin Falls
Largest city	Twin Falls
Area
• Total	1,928 sq mi (4,990 km2)
• Land	1,921 sq mi (4,980 km2)
• Water	7.1 sq mi (18 km2)  0.4%
Population  (2020)
• Total	90,046
• Estimate  (2022)	93,696
• Density	47/sq mi (18/km2)
Time zone	UTC−7 (Mountain)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−6 (MDT)
Congressional district	2nd
Website	www.twinfallscounty.org

Twin Falls County is a county in the south central part of the U.S. state of Idaho. As of the 2020 census, the population was 90,046, ^[1] making it the fifth-most populous county in Idaho. The county seat and largest city is Twin Falls. ^[2] Twin Falls County is part of the Twin Falls, ID Twin Falls Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Prior to the 1860s, the Twin Falls County area was an unorganized part of Shoshone lands, then as part of the Oregon Country. The area was first organized as part of the original Owyhee County in 1864 as part of Idaho Territory. In 1879 it was partitioned away from Owyhee County to form part of Cassia County. The county is named for a split waterfall on the Snake River of the same name. The Snake River is the county's northern boundary.

Even after Idaho became a state in 1890, the Twin Falls area was very sparsely populated and without significant settlements. That changed after the city of Twin Falls was founded in 1904, ^[3] and Milner Dam was completed in 1905. Most of the county's other towns were established during this period as well. In response to local government needs for these new communities, which were as much as 80 miles (130 km) away from Cassia County's seat at Albion, Twin Falls County was created by the Idaho Legislature on February 21, 1907. ^[4]

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,928 square miles (4,990 km²), of which 1,921 square miles (4,980 km²) is land and 7.1 square miles (18 km²) (0.4%) is water. ^[5]

Adjacent counties

• Gooding County - north
• Jerome County - northeast
• Cassia County - east
• Elko County, Nevada - south/Pacific Time Border
• Owyhee County - west
• Elmore County - northwest

Major highways

• US 30
• US 93
• SH-50
• SH-74

National protected areas

• Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument
• Sawtooth National Forest (part)

Demographics

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1910	13,543		—
1920	28,398		109.7%
1930	29,828		5.0%
1940	36,403		22.0%
1950	40,979		12.6%
1960	41,842		2.1%
1970	41,807		−0.1%
1980	52,927		26.6%
1990	53,580		1.2%
2000	64,284		20.0%
2010	77,230		20.1%
2020	90,046		16.6%
2023 (est.)	95,156	[6]	5.7%
U.S. Decennial Census [7] 1790–1960, [8] 1900–1990, [9] 1990–2000, [10] 2010–2020, [1]

2010 census

As of the 2010 census, there were 77,230 people, 28,760 households, and 19,954 families living in the county. ^[11] The population density was 40.2 inhabitants per square mile (15.5/km²). There were 31,072 housing units at an average density of 16.2 per square mile (6.3/km²). ^[12] The racial makeup of the county was 88.9% white, 1.2% Asian, 0.8% American Indian, 0.4% black or African American, 0.1% Pacific islander, 6.3% from other races, and 2.3% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 13.7% of the population. ^[11] In terms of ancestry, 20.2% were German, 14.5% were English, 10.8% were Irish, and 7.0% were American. ^[13]

Of the 28,760 households, 35.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.1% were married couples living together, 10.5% had a female householder with no husband present, 30.6% were non-families, and 24.3% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.65 and the average family size was 3.16. The median age was 34.4 years. ^[11]

The median income for a household in the county was $42,455 and the median income for a family was $49,188. Males had a median income of $35,777 versus $26,257 for females. The per capita income for the county was $19,892. About 10.6% of families and 13.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.9% of those under age 18 and 10.7% of those age 65 or over. ^[14]

2000 census

As of the 2000 census, there were 64,284 people, 23,853 households, and 16,959 families living in the county. The population density was 33 inhabitants per square mile (13/km²). There were 25,595 housing units at an average density of 13 per square mile (5.0/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 92.47% White, 0.19% Black or African American, 0.71% Native American, 0.76% Asian, 0.08% Pacific Islander, 3.77% from other races, and 2.02% from two or more races. 9.37% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 17.9% were of German, 17.7% English, 10.9% American and 7.3% Irish ancestry.

There were 23,853 households, out of which 34.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.00% were married couples living together, 9.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.90% were non-families. 23.60% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.40% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.64 and the average family size was 3.13.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 27.90% under the age of 18, 10.40% from 18 to 24, 26.00% from 25 to 44, 21.50% from 45 to 64, and 14.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 96.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.70 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $34,506, and the median income for a family was $39,886. Males had a median income of $30,058 versus $20,825 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,678. About 9.10% of families and 12.70% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.00% of those under age 18 and 9.30% of those age 65 or over.

Communities

Cities

• Buhl
• Castleford
• Filer
• Hansen
• Hollister
• Kimberly
• Murtaugh
• Twin Falls

Unincorporated communities

• Amsterdam
• Artesian City
• Caldron Linn
• Clover
• Curry
• Deep Creek
• Fairview
• Godwin
• Knull
• Peavey
• Milner Dam (Extends into) Cassia County and Jerome County
• Rock Creek
• Rogerson

Politics

Twin Falls County leans heavily Republican; it has not voted for a Democratic presidential nominee since 1936, and even in the Democratic landslide of 1964 Barry Goldwater still carried Twin Falls by 20 percentage points.

United States presidential election results for Twin Falls County, Idaho ^[15]

Year	Republican		Democratic		Third party
	No.	%	No.	%	No.	%
2020	25,897	70.93%	9,391	25.72%	1,224	3.35%
2016	19,828	66.37%	6,233	20.86%	3,813	12.76%
2012	19,773	69.70%	7,541	26.58%	1,055	3.72%
2008	19,032	66.52%	8,621	30.13%	960	3.36%
2004	19,672	74.42%	6,458	24.43%	305	1.15%
2000	15,794	70.10%	5,777	25.64%	959	4.26%
1996	12,393	54.13%	6,826	29.81%	3,677	16.06%
1992	10,335	43.97%	6,593	28.05%	6,575	27.98%
1988	13,243	63.87%	7,078	34.14%	413	1.99%
1984	16,974	77.97%	4,567	20.98%	230	1.06%
1980	17,425	73.50%	4,835	20.39%	1,448	6.11%
1976	12,659	65.82%	6,085	31.64%	489	2.54%
1972	13,075	73.98%	3,344	18.92%	1,254	7.10%
1968	11,564	62.94%	4,001	21.78%	2,808	15.28%
1964	11,518	60.13%	7,638	39.87%	0	0.00%
1960	12,171	62.15%	7,413	37.85%	0	0.00%
1956	12,097	68.10%	5,666	31.90%	0	0.00%
1952	14,471	76.07%	4,548	23.91%	4	0.02%
1948	7,833	55.71%	6,019	42.81%	209	1.49%
1944	7,946	56.29%	6,128	43.41%	42	0.30%
1940	9,031	55.23%	7,286	44.56%	34	0.21%
1936	4,966	38.71%	7,476	58.28%	386	3.01%
1932	4,928	42.05%	6,395	54.57%	396	3.38%
1928	6,791	72.72%	2,471	26.46%	76	0.81%
1924	4,630	51.04%	1,641	18.09%	2,800	30.87%
1920	5,894	67.16%	2,882	32.84%	0	0.00%
1916	3,083	40.03%	3,974	51.60%	644	8.36%
1912	1,074	20.08%	1,741	32.55%	2,533	47.36%
1908	1,757	55.64%	1,051	33.28%	350	11.08%

Education

School districts include: ^[16]

• Bliss Joint School District 234
• Buhl Joint School District 412
• Cassia County Joint School District 151
• Castleford School District 417
• Filer School District 413
• Hagerman Joint School District 233
• Hansen School District 415
• Kimberly School District 414
• Murtaugh Joint School District 418
• Three Creek Joint Elementary School District 416
• Twin Falls School District 411

The county is in the catchment area, and the taxation zone, for College of Southern Idaho. ^[17]

See also

• National Register of Historic Places listings in Twin Falls County, Idaho

References

1. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 16, 2024.
2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
3. Hayes, Anna Hansen (April 19, 1962). "Water turned desert into a Magic Valley". Lewiston Morning Tribune. (Idaho). p. 9, section 2.
4. Idaho.gov - Twin Falls County Archived September 25, 2009, at the Wayback Machine accessed May 29, 2009
5. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
6. "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 31, 2024.
7. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 1, 2014.
8. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved July 1, 2014.
9. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 1, 2014.
10. "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 July 1, 2014.
11. "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.
12. "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved January 9, 2016.
13. "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.
14. "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.
15. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved April 4, 2018.
16. "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Twin Falls County, ID" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau . Retrieved March 12, 2024. - Text list
17. "Community Colleges" (PDF). Legislative Budget Book. Idaho Legislature. 2016. p. 1-81 (PDF p. 3/9). - See area 1 in: "TITLE 33 EDUCATION CHAPTER 21 JUNIOR COLLEGES". Idaho Legislature . Retrieved March 12, 2024.

External links

• County website
• County Parcel Map

42°21′N114°40′W / 42.35°N 114.66°W / 42.35; -114.66