Cassia County, Idaho

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


founded year = 1879
founded date = February 20
seat wl = Burley
largest city wl = Burley
area_total_sq_mi = 2580
area_total_km2 = 6683
area_land_sq_mi = 2566
area_land_km2 = 6647
area_water_sq_mi = 14
area_water_km2 = 36
area percentage = 0.54%
census yr = 2000
pop = 21416
density_sq_mi =
density_km2 =
time zone =
UTC offset =
DST offset =
footnotes =
web = www.cassiacounty.org
named for = Cassia Creek, which in turn was named either for John Cazier, a member of the Mormon Battalion and an emigrant train captain, or for a plant found in the area.

Cassia County is a county located in the U.S. state of Idaho. As of the 2000 Census the county had a population of 21,416 (2005 estimate: 21,324) [http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/16/16031.html] . The county seat is Burley.GR|6 Albion served as county seat between 1879 and 1918.

Cassia County was created by the Idaho Territorial Legislature on February 20, 1879, by a partition of Owyhee County. A western portion became Twin Falls County in 1907. The county assumed its present boundaries when an eastern portion became Power County on January 30, 1913. The county was named for Cassia Creek, which in turn was named either for John Cazier, a member of the Mormon Battalion and an emigrant train captain, or for a plant found in the area.

Cassia County is part of the Burley, ID Micropolitan Statistical Area.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 2,580 square miles (6,683 km²), of which, 2,566 square miles (6,647 km²) of it is land and 14 square miles (36 km²) of it (0.54%) is water. The lowest part of the county is Milner Lake, a reservoir on the Snake River, at convert|4134|ft|m, and the highest is Cache Peak at convert|10339|ft|m in elevation.

The northern half of the county is part of the Magic Valley region of the Snake River Plain, and numerous mountain ranges extend north from the southern boundary and diminish as they approach the river, which flows from east to west.

The Silent City of Rocks National Reserve, containing exposed granitic batholith as old as 2.5 billion years is located in the southern part of the county.

Adjacent Counties

*Minidoka County, Idaho - north
*Blaine County, Idaho - north
*Power County, Idaho - northeast
*Oneida County, Idaho - east
*Box Elder County, Utah - southeast
*Elko County, Nevada - southwest
*Twin Falls County, Idaho - west
*Jerome County, Idaho - northwest

National protected areas

* City of Rocks National Reserve
* Minidoka National Wildlife Refuge (part)
* Sawtooth National Forest (part)

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 21,416 people, 7,060 households, and 5,485 families residing in the county. The population density was 8 people per square mile (3/km²). There were 7,862 housing units at an average density of 3 per square mile (1/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 84.69% White, 0.17% Black or African American, 0.80% Native American, 0.37% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 12.06% from other races, and 1.87% from two or more races. 18.74% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 23.1% were of English, 13.8% American and 12.9% German ancestry according to Census 2000.

There were 7,060 households out of which 42.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 65.20% were married couples living together, 8.80% had a female householder with no husband present, and 22.30% were non-families. 19.50% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.50% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.99 and the average family size was 3.46.

In the county the population was spread out with 34.10% under the age of 18, 9.00% from 18 to 24, 24.50% from 25 to 44, 19.60% from 45 to 64, and 12.70% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 31 years. For every 100 females there were 101.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.70 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $33,322, and the median income for a family was $38,162. Males had a median income of $29,132 versus $19,851 for females. The per capita income for the county was $14,087. About 11.10% of families and 13.60% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.60% of those under age 18 and 8.00% of those age 65 or over.

Cities and towns

*Albion
*Burley
*Declo
*Malta
*Oakley

Unincorporated communities

*Almo

ee also

* USS "Cassia County" (LST-527)

References