Power County is a county located in the U.S. state of Idaho. As of the 2020 Census, the county had a population of 7,878.[1] The county seat and largest city is American Falls.[2] The county was created by the Idaho Legislature on January 30, 1913, by a partition of Cassia County. It is named for an early hydroelectric power plant (1902) at the American Falls.[3]

Power County
Power County Courthouse, American Falls
Power County Courthouse, American Falls
Official seal of Power County
Map of Idaho highlighting Power County
Location within the U.S. state of Idaho
Map of the United States highlighting Idaho
Idaho's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 42°41′N 112°50′W / 42.69°N 112.84°W / 42.69; -112.84
Country United States
State Idaho
FoundedJanuary 30, 1913
Named forpower plant at the American Falls Dam
SeatAmerican Falls
Largest cityAmerican Falls
Area
 • Total
1,443 sq mi (3,740 km2)
 • Land1,404 sq mi (3,640 km2)
 • Water38 sq mi (100 km2)  2.7%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
7,878
 • Density5.5/sq mi (2.1/km2)
Time zoneUTC−7 (Mountain)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−6 (MDT)
Congressional district2nd
Websitewww.co.power.id.us

Geography

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According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,443 square miles (3,740 km2), of which 1,404 square miles (3,640 km2) is land and 38 square miles (98 km2) (2.7%) is water.[4]

Adjacent counties

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Major highways

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National protected areas

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Government

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Power County's commissioners are:[5]

  • Ronald Funk (chairman, District 1)
  • William Lasley (District 2)
  • Delane Anderson (District 3)
United States presidential election results for Power County, Idaho[6]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2020 2,116 68.57% 865 28.03% 105 3.40%
2016 1,666 60.41% 699 25.34% 393 14.25%
2012 1,870 64.39% 982 33.82% 52 1.79%
2008 1,754 61.72% 1,027 36.14% 61 2.15%
2004 2,105 71.16% 829 28.03% 24 0.81%
2000 1,872 69.10% 755 27.87% 82 3.03%
1996 1,501 51.12% 1,070 36.44% 365 12.43%
1992 1,352 45.41% 837 28.12% 788 26.47%
1988 1,838 61.66% 1,095 36.73% 48 1.61%
1984 2,298 76.50% 678 22.57% 28 0.93%
1980 2,235 71.11% 727 23.13% 181 5.76%
1976 1,374 49.96% 1,286 46.76% 90 3.27%
1972 1,405 64.45% 625 28.67% 150 6.88%
1968 1,222 60.26% 582 28.70% 224 11.05%
1964 966 45.42% 1,161 54.58% 0 0.00%
1960 1,065 52.59% 960 47.41% 0 0.00%
1956 1,108 59.03% 769 40.97% 0 0.00%
1952 1,308 68.45% 603 31.55% 0 0.00%
1948 875 52.05% 795 47.29% 11 0.65%
1944 895 52.77% 801 47.23% 0 0.00%
1940 951 50.45% 931 49.39% 3 0.16%
1936 708 39.07% 1,075 59.33% 29 1.60%
1932 603 34.74% 1,126 64.86% 7 0.40%
1928 852 56.50% 653 43.30% 3 0.20%
1924 757 43.13% 314 17.89% 684 38.97%
1920 1,155 67.31% 561 32.69% 0 0.00%
1916 1,024 47.41% 1,079 49.95% 57 2.64%

Demographics

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Historical population
CensusPop.Note
19205,105
19304,457−12.7%
19403,965−11.0%
19503,9880.6%
19604,1113.1%
19704,86418.3%
19806,84440.7%
19907,0863.5%
20007,5386.4%
20107,8173.7%
20207,8780.8%
2023 (est.)8,253[7]4.8%
U.S. Decennial Census[8]
1790–1960,[9] 1900–1990,[10]
1990–2000,[11] 2010,[12] 2020[1]

2000 census

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As of the census[13] of 2000, there were 7,538 people, 2,560 households, and 1,968 families living in the county. The population density was 5 people per square mile (1.9 people/km2). There were 2,844 housing units at an average density of 2 units per square mile (0.77 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 83.78% White, 0.09% Black or African American, 3.29% Native American, 0.32% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 11.10% from other races, and 1.38% from two or more races. 21.73% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 18.0% were of German, 17.6% English and 10.9% American ancestry.

There were 2,560 households, out of which 40.90% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 63.40% were married couples living together, 8.80% had a female householder with no husband present, and 23.10% were non-families. 20.30% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.80% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.92 and the average family size was 3.38.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 33.80% under the age of 18, 8.40% from 18 to 24, 25.40% from 25 to 44, 22.00% from 45 to 64, and 10.40% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females, there were 101.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 99.90 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $32,226, and the median income for a family was $36,685. Males had a median income of $29,676 versus $20,930 for females. The per capita income for the county was $14,007. About 10.80% of families and 16.10% of the population were below the poverty line, including 20.10% of those under age 18 and 12.70% of those age 65 or over.

2010 census

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As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 7,817 people, 2,641 households, and 2,019 families living in the county.[14] The population density was 5.6 inhabitants per square mile (2.2/km2). There were 2,944 housing units at an average density of 2.1 units per square mile (0.81 units/km2).[15] The racial makeup of the county was 75.1% white, 2.3% American Indian, 0.4% Asian, 0.3% black or African American, 0.1% Pacific islander, 19.5% from other races, and 2.4% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 29.8% of the population.[14] In terms of ancestry, 16.7% were German, 16.7% were English, and 7.2% were American.[16]

Of the 2,641 households, 40.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.6% were married couples living together, 10.1% had a female householder with no husband present, 23.6% were non-families, and 19.8% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.94 and the average family size was 3.39. The median age was 33.2 years.[14]

The median income for a household in the county was $40,843 and the median income for a family was $46,391. Males had a median income of $35,674 versus $29,844 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,412. About 8.3% of families and 11.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.7% of those under age 18 and 12.3% of those age 65 or over.[17]

Communities

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An aerial view of the Power County wind farm in Power County

Cities

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Census-designated place

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Unincorporated communities

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Education

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School districts include:[18]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b 2020 Population and Housing State Data | Idaho
  2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ^ Idaho.gov - Power County Archived August 15, 2009, at the Wayback Machine accessed May 28, 2009
  4. ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  5. ^ "Commissioners - Power County, Idaho". Retrieved November 12, 2020.
  6. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved April 4, 2018.
  7. ^ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 31, 2024.
  8. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 1, 2014.
  9. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved July 1, 2014.
  10. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 1, 2014.
  11. ^ "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.
  12. ^ "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on December 22, 2015. Retrieved July 1, 2014.
  13. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  14. ^ a b c "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.
  15. ^ "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved January 9, 2016.
  16. ^ "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.
  17. ^ "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.
  18. ^ "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Power County, ID" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved March 13, 2024. - Text list
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42°41′N 112°50′W / 42.69°N 112.84°W / 42.69; -112.84