Shoshone County, Idaho

Infobox U.S. County
county = Shoshone County
state = Idaho


founded year = 1864
founded date = February 4
seat wl = Wallace|Wallace
largest city wl = Kellogg|Kellogg
area_total_sq_mi = 2636 sq mi
area_total_km2 = 6826 km²
area_land_sq_mi = 2634 sq mi
area_land_km2 = 6822 km²
area_water_sq_mi = 2 sq mi
area_water_km2 = convert|4|km2|sqmi|0|abbr=on
area percentage = 0.06%
census yr = 2005
pop = 13157
density_sq_mi = 2
density_km2 = 4
time zone = PST
UTC offset =
DST offset =
footnotes =
web =
named for = Shoshone Indians

Shoshone County is a county located in the U.S. state of Idaho. The county was established in 1864. It was named for the Indian tribe. As of the 2000 Census the county had a population of 13,771 (2005 estimate: 13,157) [http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/16/16079.html] . The county seat is WallaceGR|6. Shoshone County is commonly referred to as the "Silver Valley" due to its mining history. The Silver Valley is famous nationwide for the vast amounts of silver mined from it. Wallace is known as the Center of the Universe as a manhole cover now states the exact center of the Universe which is located in Wallace.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 2,636 square miles (6,826 km²), of which, 2,634 square miles (6,822 km²) of it is land and 2 square miles (4 km²) of it (0.06%) is water.

Adjacent counties

* Bonner County, Idaho - north
* Kootenai County, Idaho - west
* Benewah County, Idaho - west
* Latah County, Idaho - southwest
* Clearwater County, Idaho - south
* Mineral County, Montana - east
* Sanders County, Montana - east

National protected areas

* Clearwater National Forest (part)
* Coeur d'Alene National Forest (part)
* St. Joe National Forest (part)

History

Shoshone County has had a history of disputes between miners and mine owners.

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 13,771 people, 5,906 households, and 3,856 families residing in the county. The population density was 5 people per square mile (2/km²). There were 7,057 housing units at an average density of 3 per square mile (1/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 95.84% White, 0.11% Black or African American, 1.52% Native American, 0.23% Asian, 0.07% Pacific Islander, 0.49% from other races, and 1.74% from two or more races. 1.93% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 22.1% were of German, 14.0% American, 11.3% English, 9.7% Irish and 5.9% Norwegian ancestry according to Census 2000.

There were 5,906 households out of which 26.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.70% were married couples living together, 8.10% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.70% were non-families. 29.40% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.60% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.30 and the average family size was 2.82.

In the county the population was spread out with 22.90% under the age of 18, 6.70% from 18 to 24, 25.50% from 25 to 44, 27.40% from 45 to 64, and 17.40% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 99.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.00 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $28,535, and the median income for a family was $35,694. Males had a median income of $30,439 versus $18,831 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,934. About 12.40% of families and 16.40% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.80% of those under age 18 and 10.00% of those age 65 or over.

Cities and towns

*Kellogg
*Mullan
*Osburn
*Pinehurst
*Smelterville
*Wallace
*Wardner

Unincorporated communities

*Avery
*Burke
*Clarkia