Minidoka County
County
Minidoka County Courthouse
Minidoka County Courthouse
Official seal of Minidoka County
Seal
Map of Idaho highlighting Minidoka 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°51′N 113°38′W / 42.85°N 113.64°W / 42.85; -113.64
Country United States
State Idaho
FoundedJanuary 28, 1913
Named forDakota Sioux word meaning "a fountain or spring of water."
SeatRupert
Largest cityRupert
Area
 • Total763 sq mi (1,980 km2)
 • Land758 sq mi (1,960 km2)
 • Water5.3 sq mi (14 km2)  0.7%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total21,613
 • Density28/sq mi (11/km2)
Time zoneUTC−7 (Mountain)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−6 (MDT)
Congressional district2nd
Websitewww.minidoka.id.us

Minidoka County is a county located in the U.S. state of Idaho. As of the 2020 census, the population was 21,613.[1] The county seat and largest city is Rupert.[2]

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

The name Minidoka is of Dakota Sioux origin meaning "a fountain or spring of water."[3] Minidoka was first used in 1883 as a name for the Union Pacific's Oregon Short Line, a railroad spur in the middle of the Snake River Plain. The spur later became the site of a watering station along the line. The village of Minidoka grew up next to the station. The Minidoka name was then given to a reclamation project under then President Theodore Roosevelt which included the construction of the Minidoka Dam, completed in 1904. Minidoka National Historic Site (in adjacent Hunt of Jerome County) was part of the original reclamation project and hence shares the name. Minidoka County was created by the Idaho Legislature on January 28, 1913, by a partition of Lincoln County.[4]

Camp Rupert, west of Paul, was a prisoner of war (POW) camp during World War II.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 763 square miles (1,980 km2), of which 758 square miles (1,960 km2) is land and 5.3 square miles (14 km2) (0.7%) is water.[5]

It is part of the Magic Valley region of the Snake River Plain. Irrigated farmland covers the southern part of the county, while lava beds cover the northern portion. The elevation is generally in the range of 4,200 to 4,500 feet (1,300 to 1,400 m). The Snake River forms the county's southern boundary.

Adjacent Counties

National protected area

Highways

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
19209,035—
19308,403−7.0%
19409,87017.5%
19509,785−0.9%
196014,39447.1%
197015,7319.3%
198019,71825.3%
199019,361−1.8%
200020,1744.2%
201020,069−0.5%
202021,6137.7%
U.S. Decennial Census[6]
1790–1960,[7] 1900–1990,[8]
1990–2000,[9] 2010–2020[1] 2020[10]

2000 census

At the 2000 census there were 20,176 people, 6,973 households, and 5,362 families in the county. The population density was 27 inhabitants per square mile (10/km2). There were 7,498 housing units at an average density of 10 per square mile (3.9/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 78.07% White, 0.26% Black or African American, 0.88% Native American, 0.42% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 17.83% from other races, and 2.52% from two or more races. 25.46%.[12] were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 18.1% were of English, 12.9% German and 12.0% American ancestry.

Of the 6,973 households 38.90% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 64.40% were married couples living together, 8.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 23.10% were non-families. 20.00% of households were one person and 9.60% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.87 and the average family size was 3.32.

The age distribution was 31.60% under the age of 18, 9.10% from 18 to 24, 25.20% from 25 to 44, 20.90% from 45 to 64, and 13.20% 65 or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 99.90 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.80 males.

The median household income was $32,021 and the median family income was $36,500. Males had a median income of $28,977 versus $19,521 for females. The per capita income for the county was $13,813. About 11.90% of families and 14.80% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.90% of those under age 18 and 9.00% of those age 65 or over.

2010 census

At the 2010 census, there were 20,069 people, 7,170 households, and 5,315 families in the county.[13] The population density was 26.5 inhabitants per square mile (10.2/km2). There were 7,665 housing units at an average density of 10.1 per square mile (3.9/km2).[14] The racial makeup of the county was 80.2% white, 1.2% American Indian, 0.4% black or African American, 0.4% Asian, 15.3% from other races, and 2.4% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 32.4% of the population.[13] In terms of ancestry, 19.9% were German, 16.8% were English, 10.2% were American, and 6.5% were Irish.[15]

Of the 7,170 households, 37.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.8% were married couples living together, 9.1% had a female householder with no husband present, 25.9% were non-families, and 22.0% of households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.79 and the average family size was 3.27. The median age was 35.3 years.[13]

The median household income was $40,350 and the median family income was $47,079. Males had a median income of $32,895 versus $22,271 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,747. About 9.4% of families and 13.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 20.0% of those under age 18 and 7.4% of those age 65 or over.[16]

Education

The only public high school in the county is Minico High School near Rupert.

Communities

Cities

Unincorporated communities

Lincoln County

Ghost Towns

Politics

Like all of eastern Idaho, Minidoka County has been overwhelmingly Republican since the 1950s. The last Democratic presidential candidate to carry the county was Harry S. Truman in 1948, and the last to win a majority Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1940.

United States presidential election results for Minidoka County, Idaho[17]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2020 6,265 78.38% 1,550 19.39% 178 2.23%
2016 4,887 71.13% 1,167 16.98% 817 11.89%
2012 5,442 78.04% 1,390 19.93% 141 2.02%
2008 5,087 73.83% 1,630 23.66% 173 2.51%
2004 5,797 80.50% 1,331 18.48% 73 1.01%
2000 4,907 75.28% 1,344 20.62% 267 4.10%
1996 4,008 56.81% 1,977 28.02% 1,070 15.17%
1992 3,304 44.55% 1,815 24.47% 2,298 30.98%
1988 4,623 65.73% 2,290 32.56% 120 1.71%
1984 5,938 80.03% 1,398 18.84% 84 1.13%
1980 6,035 74.22% 1,689 20.77% 407 5.01%
1976 3,600 56.44% 2,441 38.27% 337 5.28%
1972 4,097 68.66% 1,423 23.85% 447 7.49%
1968 3,182 56.28% 1,332 23.56% 1,140 20.16%
1964 3,111 52.39% 2,827 47.61% 0 0.00%
1960 3,360 57.66% 2,467 42.34% 0 0.00%
1956 2,954 63.58% 1,692 36.42% 0 0.00%
1952 3,128 71.40% 1,253 28.60% 0 0.00%
1948 1,654 48.19% 1,668 48.60% 110 3.21%
1944 1,781 52.02% 1,635 47.75% 8 0.23%
1940 1,979 49.80% 1,982 49.87% 13 0.33%
1936 948 30.61% 2,095 67.65% 54 1.74%
1932 1,130 33.56% 2,164 64.27% 73 2.17%
1928 1,832 61.15% 1,132 37.78% 32 1.07%
1924 1,046 39.92% 204 7.79% 1,370 52.29%
1920 1,622 59.09% 1,107 40.33% 16 0.58%
1916 963 36.22% 1,135 42.69% 561 21.10%

See also

References

  1. ^ a b "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 9, 2022.
  2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ^ Idaho History.net reference series, page #34
  4. ^ Idaho.gov - Minidoka County Archived August 3, 2009, at the Wayback Machine accessed May 29, 2009
  5. ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  6. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 1, 2014.
  7. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved July 1, 2014.
  8. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 1, 2014.
  9. ^ "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.
  10. ^ 2020 Population and Housing State Data | Utah
  11. ^ "County Population Totals: 2010–2020". Retrieved June 23, 2021.
  12. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  13. ^ 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.
  14. ^ "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved January 9, 2016.
  15. ^ "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.
  16. ^ "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.
  17. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved April 4, 2018.

External links

42°51′N 113°38′W / 42.85°N 113.64°W / 42.85; -113.64

Places adjacent to Minidoka County, Idaho
Municipalities and communities of Minidoka County, Idaho, United States
State of Idaho
Authority control databases
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