Idaho County, Idaho

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


founded year = 1864
founded date = February 4
seat wl = Grangeville
largest city wl = Grangeville
area_total_sq_mi = 8502
area_total_km2 = 22021
area_land_sq_mi = 8484
area_land_km2 = 21975
area_water_sq_mi = 18
area_water_km2 = 46
area percentage = 0.21%
census yr = 2000
pop = 15511
density_sq_mi =
density_km2 =
time zone =
UTC offset =
DST offset =
footnotes =
web = www.idahocounty.org
named for = A steamer called "Idaho" that was launched on the Columbia River in 1860.

Idaho County is a county located in the U.S. state of Idaho. As of the 2000 Census the county had a population of 15,511 (2005 estimate: 15,697) [http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/16/16049.html] . The county seat is GrangevilleGR|6. Previous county seats were Florence (1864-1875) and Mount Idaho (1875-1902). Idaho County is the largest county in the state in terms of area.

Idaho County was originally founded as a region of Washington Territory in 1861. It was reorganized by the Idaho Territorial Legislature on February 4, 1864. It was named for a steamer called "Idaho" that was launched on the Columbia River in 1860. In this context the name predates both Idaho Territory and the State of Idaho.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 8,502 square miles (22,021 km²), of which, 8,485 square miles (21,976 km²) of it is land and 18 square miles (46 km²) of it (0.21%) is water. It is part of the Palouse, a wide and rolling prairie-like region of the middle Columbia basin.

Adjacent counties

*Clearwater County, Idaho - north
*Missoula County, Montana - northeast
*Ravalli County, Montana - east
*Lemhi County, Idaho - southeast
*Valley County, Idaho - south
*Adams County, Idaho - southwest
*Wallowa County, Oregon - west
*Nez Perce County, Idaho - northwest
*Lewis County, Idaho - northwest

National protected areas

* Bitterroot National Forest (part)
* Clearwater National Forest (part)
* Nez Perce National Forest (part)
* Nez Perce National Historical Park (part)
* Payette National Forest (part)
* Salmon-Challis National Forest (part)
* Wallowa-Whitman National Forest (part)

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 15,511 people, 6,084 households, and 4,295 families residing in the county. The population density was 2 people per square mile (1/km²). There were 7,537 housing units at an average density of 1 per square mile (0/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 94.12% White, 0.08% Black or African American, 2.89% Native American, 0.26% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.91% from other races, and 1.72% from two or more races. 1.57% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 29.7% were of German, 12.9% American, 11.7% English and 9.0% Irish ancestry according to Census 2000.

There were 6,084 households out of which 29.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.80% were married couples living together, 6.30% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.40% were non-families. 25.30% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.70% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.46 and the average family size was 2.95.

In the county the population was spread out with 25.00% under the age of 18, 6.30% from 18 to 24, 23.30% from 25 to 44, 28.40% from 45 to 64, and 17.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 103.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 104.90 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $29,515, and the median income for a family was $33,919. Males had a median income of $28,383 versus $18,214 for females. The per capita income for the county was $14,411. About 12.50% of families and 16.30% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.00% of those under age 18 and 10.00% of those age 65 or over.

Cities and towns

*Cottonwood
*Ferdinand
*Grangeville
*Kooskia
*Riggins
*Stites
*White Bird

Unincorporated communities

*Mount Idaho
*Pittsburgh Landing
*Warren

External links

* [http://www.idahocounty.org/ Idaho County's Website]