Power County, Idaho

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
County
Power County Courthouse, American Falls
Seal
Location within the U.S. state of Idaho
Idaho's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 42°41′N 112°50′W
Country	United States
State	Idaho
Founded	January 30, 1913
Named after	power plant at the American Falls Dam
Seat	American Falls
Largest city	American Falls
Area
• Total	1,443 sq mi (3,740 km2)
• Land	1,404 sq mi (3,640 km2)
• Water	38 sq mi (100 km2)  2.7%
Population  (2020)
• Total	7,878
• Density	5.5/sq mi (2.1/km2)
Time zone	UTC−7 (Mountain)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−6 (MDT)
Congressional district	2nd
Website	www.co.power.id.us

Geography

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

• Bannock County – east
• Oneida County – south
• Bingham County – north
• Blaine County – northwest
• Cassia County – southwest

Major highways

• Interstate 86
• US 30
• SH-37
• SH-39

National protected areas

• Caribou National Forest (part)
• Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve (part)
• Curlew National Grassland (part)
• Minidoka National Wildlife Refuge (part)
• Sawtooth National Forest (part)

Government

Power County, like Idaho in general, is highly conservative and supports Republican presidential candidates by large margins. The last Democrat to win the county was Lyndon Johnson in 1964.

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.	%
2024	2,146	71.04%	785	25.98%	90	2.98%
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

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1920	5,105		—
1930	4,457		−12.7%
1940	3,965		−11.0%
1950	3,988		0.6%
1960	4,111		3.1%
1970	4,864		18.3%
1980	6,844		40.7%
1990	7,086		3.5%
2000	7,538		6.4%
2010	7,817		3.7%
2020	7,878		0.8%
2024 (est.)	8,381	[7]	6.4%
U.S. Decennial Census[8] 1790–1960,[9] 1900–1990,[10] 1990–2000,[11] 2010,[12] 2020[1]

2000 census

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

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

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

Cities

• American Falls
• Pocatello (partly)
• Rockland

Census-designated place

• Arbon Valley

Unincorporated communities

• Arbon
• Neeley
• Pauline
• Roy

Education

School districts include:^[18]

• American Falls Joint School District 381
• Arbon Elementary School District 383
• Rockland School District 382

See also

• National Register of Historic Places listings in Power County, Idaho