Benewah County, Idaho

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


founded year = 1915
founded date = January 23
seat wl = St. Maries
largest city wl =
area_total_sq_mi = 784 sq mi
area_total_km2 = 2030 km²
area_land_sq_mi =
area_land_km2 =
area_water_sq_mi =
area_water_km2 =
area percentage = 1.01%
census estimate yr = 2005
pop = 9218
density_sq_mi = 5
density_km2 =
time zone =
UTC offset =
DST offset =
footnotes =
web =
named for =

Benewah County is a county located in the U.S. state of Idaho. It was established in 1915 and was named after a Couer d'Alene chief. As of the 2000 Census the county had a population of 9,171 (2005 estimate: 9,218) [http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/16/16009.html] . The county seat is St. MariesGR|6.

History

Benewah County was formed on January 23, 1915, from sections of Kootenai County. It was named after a chief of the Coeur d'Alene Tribe. [ [http://www.state.id.us/aboutidaho/county/benewah.html Benewah County - Idaho.gov ] ]

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 784 square miles (2,030 km²), of which, 776 square miles (2,010 km²) of it is land and 8 square miles (20 km²) of it (1.01%) is water. It is part of the Palouse, a wide and rolling prairie-like region of the middle Columbia basin.

Adjacent counties

*Kootenai County, Idaho - north
*Shoshone County, Idaho - east
*Latah County, Idaho - south
*Whitman County, Washington - southwest
*Spokane County, Washington - northwest

National protected area

* St. Joe National Forest (part)

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 9,171 people, 3,580 households, and 2,538 families residing in the county. The population density was 12 people per square mile (5/km²). There were 4,238 housing units at an average density of 6 per square mile (2/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 88.66% White, 0.12% Black or African American, 8.94% Native American, 0.15% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 0.25% from other races, and 1.82% from two or more races. 1.55% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 26.6% were of German, 11.7% English, 9.5% American and 8.6% Irish ancestry according to Census 2000.

There were 3,580 households out of which 31.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.40% were married couples living together, 7.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.10% were non-families. 24.00% 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 2.52 and the average family size was 2.99.

In the county the population was spread out with 26.90% under the age of 18, 6.80% from 18 to 24, 25.40% from 25 to 44, 26.60% from 45 to 64, and 14.20% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 104.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 101.10 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $31,517, and the median income for a family was $36,000. Males had a median income of $35,097 versus $20,288 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,285. About 10.50% of families and 14.10% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.20% of those under age 18 and 9.70% of those age 65 or over.

Cities and towns

*Parkline
*Plummer
*St. Maries
*Tensed

Unincorporated communities

*Fernwood
*Renfrew

Parks

*McCroskey State Park

Notes