Editing Bear Lake County, Idaho

{{short description|County in Idaho, United States}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox U.S. county
 | county               = Bear Lake County
 | state                = Idaho
 | flag                 = 
 | seal                 = Bearlakecountyseal.png
 | founded year         = 1875
 | founded date         = January 5
 | seat wl              = Paris
 | largest city wl      = Montpelier
 | area_total_sq_mi     = 1049
 | area_land_sq_mi      = 975
 | area_water_sq_mi     = 75
 | area percentage      = 7.1
 | census yr            = 2020
 | pop                  = 6372 {{increase}}
 | pop_est_as_of        = 
 | population_est       = 
 | population_density_sq_mi = 6
 | time zone            = Mountain
 | district             = 2nd
 | web                  = bearlakecounty.info
 | named for            = [[Bear Lake (Idaho-Utah)|Bear Lake]]
 | ex image             = Bear Lake County Courthouse Paris Idaho.jpeg
 | ex image cap         = Bear Lake County Courthouse
}}

'''Bear Lake County''' is a [[County (United States)|county]] in the [[U.S. state]] of [[Idaho]]. As of the [[2020 United States census]] the county had a population of 6,372.<ref name=QF>{{cite web|title=State & County QuickFacts|url=http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/16/16007.html|publisher=US Census Bureau|access-date=June 28, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110717015352/http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/16/16007.html|archive-date=July 17, 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref> The [[county seat]] is [[Paris, Idaho|Paris]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx|access-date=June 7, 2011|title=Find a County|publisher=National Association of Counties|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120704084002/http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx|archive-date=July 4, 2012}}</ref> and [[Montpelier, Idaho|Montpelier]] is the largest city.

The county is named after [[Bear Lake (Idaho-Utah)|Bear Lake]], a large [[alpine lake]] at an [[elevation]] of {{convert|5924|ft}} above [[sea level]]. The northern half of the {{convert|20|mi|km|adj=mid|-long|abbr=off|sp=us}} lake is in Idaho, the southern half in [[Utah]]. The county was established in 1875 in the [[Idaho Territory]], fifteen years before statehood.<ref name=lmtst>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=P75eAAAAIBAJ&sjid=LTEMAAAAIBAJ&pg=5823%2C1834960 |work=Lewiston Morning Tribune |location=(Idaho) |last1=Rich |first1=A.M. |last2=Rich |first2=Russell |title=Indians once traded beside Bear Lake |date=April 12, 1962 |page=6, section 2}}</ref>

==History==
Peg-Leg Smith established a trading post on the [[Oregon Trail]] from 1848 to 1850 near [[Dingle, Idaho|Dingle]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.history.idaho.gov/Reference%20Series/1042.pdf|title=Archived copy |access-date=August 31, 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100707172120/http://www.history.idaho.gov/Reference%20Series/1042.pdf|archive-date=July 7, 2010}} THOMAS L. (PEG-LEG) SMITH'S HUDSON'S BAY COMPANY FUR TRADE OPERATIONS</ref>

The first settlement in the Bear Lake Valley was Paris, settled by [[Mormon]] pioneers led by [[Charles C. Rich|Charles Rich]] on September 26, 1863;<ref name=lmtst/> thirty families comprised the original settlement. In the spring of 1864, [[Montpelier, Idaho|Montpelier]] was settled on the other side of the valley on the Oregon Trail. Bear Lake County was established in 1875,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.state.id.us/aboutidaho/county/bearlake.html|publisher=State of Idaho|title=Bear Lake County|access-date=December 3, 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130104090602/http://www.state.id.us/aboutidaho/county/bearlake.html|archive-date=January 4, 2013}}</ref> and the railroad was extended through Montpelier in 1892.

== Economy ==
A heavily rural county, Bear Lake's economy is predominantly agricultural, although tourism has been increasing as an industry in recent years. Bear Lake is well-known for its cattle ranches and grain farms, although these industries are susceptible to the region's high elevation and long winters. Bear Lake County is home to the northern half of its namesake, [[Bear Lake (Idaho–Utah)|Bear Lake]], and the popularity of [[Bear Lake National Wildlife Refuge]] has led to a building boom surrounding the lake in the southern side of the county. Montpelier serves as the county's center of commerce, and seasonal commerce picks up during the summer.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bear Lake County Idaho Business Information |url=https://www.bearlakecounty.info/business-info.html |access-date=2025-03-08 |website=Bear Lake County Idaho |language=en}}</ref>

==Geography==
Bear Lake County comprises the state's southeast corner. Its east boundary line abuts the west line of the state of [[Wyoming]] and its south boundary line abuts the north line of the state of [[Utah]]. According to the [[United States Census Bureau|U.S. Census Bureau]], the county has a total area of {{convert|1049|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|975|sqmi|abbr=on}} is land and {{convert|75|sqmi|abbr=on}} (6.1%) is water.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/geographies/reference-files/time-series/geo/gazetteer-files.html|publisher=US Census Bureau|access-date=April 23, 2011|date=February 12, 2011|title=US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990}}</ref> The county is centered on [[Bear River (Great Salt Lake)|Bear Lake Valley]] and includes the surrounding mountain ranges. The valley is high in the mountains, with its lowest [[elevation]] over {{convert|5900|ft|m}} above sea level. The highest point in the county is Meade Peak at {{convert|9957|ft}}.

===Adjacent counties===
{{div col}}
* [[Caribou County, Idaho|Caribou County]] - north
* [[Lincoln County, Wyoming]] - east
* [[Rich County, Utah]] - south
* [[Franklin County, Idaho|Franklin County]] - west
{{div col end}}

===Major highways===
{{div col}}
* [[Image:US 30.svg|25px]] - [[U.S. Route 30 in Idaho|US 30]]
* [[Image:US 89.svg|25px]] - [[U.S. Route 89 in Idaho|US 89]]
* [[Image:ID-36.svg|25px]] - [[Idaho State Highway 36|SH-36]]
* [[Image:ID-61.svg|25px]] - [[Idaho State Highway 61|SH-61]]
{{div col end}}

===National protected areas===
* [[Bear Lake National Wildlife Refuge]]
* [[Cache National Forest]] (part)
* [[Caribou National Forest]] (part)

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1880= 3235
|1890= 6057
|1900= 7051
|1910= 7729
|1920= 8783
|1930= 7872
|1940= 7911
|1950= 6834
|1960= 7148
|1970= 5801
|1980= 6931
|1990= 6084
|2000= 6411
|2010= 5986
|2020= 6372
|estyear=2024
|estimate=6779
|estref=<ref name="USCensusEst2024">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/popest/2020s-counties-total.html|title=County Population Totals and Components of Change: 2020-2024|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=May 17, 2025}}</ref>
|align-fn=center
|footnote=US Decennial Census<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=US Decennial Census|publisher=US Census Bureau|access-date=June 28, 2014}}</ref><br>1790–1960,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu|title=Historical Census Browser|publisher=University of Virginia Library|access-date=June 28, 2014}}</ref> 1900–1990,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/population/cencounts/id190090.txt|title=Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990|publisher=US Census Bureau|access-date=June 28, 2014}}</ref><br>1990–2000,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100327165705/http://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |archive-date=March 27, 2010 |url-status=live|title=Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000|publisher=US Census Bureau|access-date=June 28, 2014}}</ref> 2020<ref>[https://www.census.gov/library/visualizations/interactive/2020-population-and-housing-state-data.html 2020 Population and Housing State Data | Idaho]</ref>
}}

===2000 census===
As of the [[2000 United States Census]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=US Census Bureau|access-date=January 31, 2008|title=U.S. Census website}}</ref> there were 6,411 people, 2,259 households, and 1,710 families in the county. The [[population density]] was {{convert|7|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|people&nbsp;|people}}. There were 3,268 housing units at an average density of {{convert|3|/mi2|/km2}}. The racial makeup of the county was 97.66% [[Race (United States Census)|White]], 0.09% [[Race (United States Census)|Black]] or [[Race (United States Census)|African American]], 0.53% [[Race (United States Census)|Native American]], 0.08% [[Race (United States Census)|Asian]], 0.05% [[Race (United States Census)|Pacific Islander]], 1.08% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 0.51% from two or more races. 2.40% of the population were [[Race (United States Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Race (United States Census)|Latino]] of any race. 28.6% were of [[English people|English]], 16.1% [[United States|American]], 9.4% [[Germans|German]], 7.1% [[danish people|Danish]], 6.2% [[swiss people|Swiss]] and 5.5% [[swedish people|Swedish]] ancestry.

There were 2,259 households, out of which 38.80% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 66.90% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 6.40% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.30% were non-families. 22.20% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.81 and the average family size was 3.33.

The county population contained 33.00% under the age of 18, 7.40% from 18 to 24, 22.40% from 25 to 44, 21.70% from 45 to 64, and 15.60% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 98.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.70 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $32,162, and the median income for a family was $38,351. Males had a median income of $33,958 versus $17,829 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the county was $13,592. About 7.10% of families and 9.60% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 11.30% of those under age 18 and 9.20% of those age 65 or over.

===2010 census===
As of the [[2010 United States Census]], there were 5,986 people, 2,281 households, and 1,661 families in the county.<ref name=DC>{{cite web|url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/DPDP1/0500000US16007|title=Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data|access-date=January 4, 2016|publisher=US Census Bureau|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213011641/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/DPDP1/0500000US16007|archive-date=February 13, 2020|url-status=dead}}</ref> The population density was {{convert|6.1|PD/sqmi}}. There were 3,914 housing units at an average density of {{convert|4.0|/sqmi}}.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/GCTPH1.CY07/0500000US16007|access-date=January 4, 2016|title=Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County|publisher=US Census Bureau|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213184004/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/GCTPH1.CY07/0500000US16007|archive-date=February 13, 2020|url-status=dead}}</ref> The racial makeup of the county was 96.3% white, 0.5% American Indian, 0.4% Asian, 0.1% black or African American, 1.6% from other races, and 1.1% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 3.6% of the population.<ref name=DC/> In terms of ancestry, 37.1% were [[English people|English]], 10.2% were [[Germans|German]], 8.0% were [[Americans|American]], and 7.6% were [[Danes|Danish]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP02/0500000US16007|title=Selected Social Characteristics in the US – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates|access-date=January 4, 2016|publisher=US Census Bureau|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213013115/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP02/0500000US16007|archive-date=February 13, 2020|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Of the 2,281 households, 32.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 63.3% were married couples living together, 6.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 27.2% were non-families, and 24.0% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.61 and the average family size was 3.12. The median age was 40.5 years.<ref name=DC/>

The median income for a household in the county was $43,374 and the median income for a family was $47,092. Males had a median income of $39,023 versus $26,417 for females. The per capita income for the county was $19,284. About 11.2% of families and 13.9% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 14.1% of those under age 18 and 12.0% of those age 65 or over.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP03/0500000US16007|title=Selected Economic Characteristics – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates|access-date=January 4, 2016|publisher=US Census Bureau|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213023815/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP03/0500000US16007|archive-date=February 13, 2020|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Communities==
===Cities===
{{div col}}
* [[Bloomington, Idaho|Bloomington]]
* [[Georgetown, Idaho|Georgetown]]
* [[Montpelier, Idaho|Montpelier]]
* [[Paris, Idaho|Paris]]
* [[St. Charles, Idaho|St. Charles]]
{{div col end}}

===Census-designated place===
* [[Bennington, Idaho|Bennington]]

===Unincorporated communities===
{{div col}}
* Alton<ref>[https://www.google.com/maps/place/Alton,+ID+83254/@42.2274457,-111.1603612,15z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x8754264fa33fd7a5:0x4a31d267a3898cb7!8m2!3d42.2274306!4d-111.151585 ''Alton ID''  Google Maps (accessed January 16, 2019)]</ref>
* [[Bern, Idaho|Bern]]
* [[Dingle, Idaho|Dingle]]
* [[Fish Haven, Idaho|Fish Haven]]
* [[Geneva, Idaho|Geneva]]
* [[Liberty, Idaho|Liberty]]
* [[Nounan, Idaho|Nounan]]
* [[Ovid, Idaho|Ovid]]
* [[Pegram, Idaho|Pegram]]
* Raymond<ref>[https://www.google.com/maps/place/Raymond,+ID+83238/@42.2752668,-111.0562514,13.75z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x875682cd9a989949:0x5998579e49bb4ba4!8m2!3d42.2746532!4d-111.0588031 ''Raymond ID''  Google Maps (accessed January 16, 2019)]</ref>
* [[Wardboro, Idaho|Wardboro]]
* Wooleys<ref>[https://www.google.com/maps/place/Wooleys,+ID+83254/@42.3929479,-111.2101819,10.5z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x8755c9499337db7f:0x75b1eaf9c6e36b12!8m2!3d42.4518699!4d-111.3868773 ''Wooleys ID''  Google Maps (accessed January 16, 2019)]</ref>
{{div col end}}

==Government and politics==

=== Government ===

==== County Commissioners ====
{| class="wikitable"
! colspan="2" |Office<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Bear Lake County Elected Officials |url=https://www.bearlakecounty.info/officials.html |access-date=2025-03-08 |website=Bear Lake County Idaho |language=en}}</ref>
!Name
!Party
|-
| bgcolor="red" |&nbsp;
|1st County Commissioner District
|Alan Eborn
|Republican
|-
| bgcolor="red" |&nbsp;
|2nd County Commissioner District
|Rex Payne
|Republican
|-
| bgcolor="red" |&nbsp;
|3rd County Commissioner District
|Wynn Olsen
|Republican
|}

==== County Offices ====
{| class="wikitable"
! colspan="2" |Office<ref name=":0" />
!Name
!Party
|-
| bgcolor="red" |&nbsp;
|Sheriff
|Bart Heslington
|Republican
|-
| bgcolor="red" |&nbsp;
|Assessor
|Janelle Jensen
|Republican
|-
| bgcolor="red" |&nbsp;
|Clerk
|Amy Bishop
|Republican
|-
| bgcolor="red" |&nbsp;
|Coroner
|Chad Walker
|Republican
|-
| bgcolor="red" |&nbsp;
|Treasurer
|Tricia Poulsen
|Republican
|}

=== Politics ===
Bear Lake County has historically been one of the most reliably [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] counties in Idaho, only voting for two Democratic candidates ([[Franklin D. Roosevelt]] and [[Lyndon B. Johnson]]) in the past century, all of whom carried the state of Idaho in landslide national victories. Before the [[Great Depression]], Bear Lake was a swing county, switching between Democrats and Republicans until it solidified itself as a Republican stronghold during the 20th century. Bear Lake, along with the rest of Southeast Idaho, have long been one of the strongest Republican areas in a state that is already overwhelmingly Republican, something that can be attributed to the region's extremely high [[Mormons|Mormon]] population. Bear Lake County is nearly 90% Mormon,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Congregational Membership Reports {{!}} US Religion |url=https://www.thearda.com/us-religion/census/congregational-membership?y=2020&t=0&c=16007 |access-date=2025-03-08 |website=The Association of Religion Data Archives (the ARDA) |language=en-gb}}</ref> one of the most strongly Republican demographics in the country. As Mormons continue to shift to the right, Bear Lake in the 21st century has continuously given Republicans nearly 90% of the vote (notably aside from 2016, when Republican candidate [[Donald Trump]] performed poorly with Mormons and Mormon third-party candidate [[Evan McMullin]], from neighboring [[Utah]], obtained a substantial percentage of the vote in heavily Mormon areas).

Bear Lake County's Republican dominance holds true at the local level as well, with Republicans in local office frequently going unchallenged for election. Bear Lake County is represented in the United States Congress by senators [[Mike Crapo]] and [[Jim Risch]], both Republicans, as well as Republican [[Mike Simpson]], representative for [[Idaho's 2nd congressional district]]. At the state level, Bear Lake County is part of [[Idaho's 35th legislative district]], represented by senator [[Van Burtenshaw]] and representatives Karey Hanks and [[Rod Furniss]], all Republicans. 
{{PresHead|place=Bear Lake County, Idaho|source=<ref>{{cite web|url=http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS|title=Atlas of US Presidential Elections|last=Leip|first=David|website=uselectionatlas.org|access-date=April 4, 2018}}</ref>}}
<!-- PresRow should be {{PresRow|Year|Winning party|GOP vote #|Dem vote #|3rd party vote #|State}} -->
{{PresRow|2024|Republican|2,908|346|71|Idaho}}
{{PresRow|2020|Republican|2,914|350|52|Idaho}} 
{{PresRow|2016|Republican|2,203|255|470|Idaho}} 
{{PresRow|2012|Republican|2,489|302|31|Idaho}} 
{{PresRow|2008|Republican|2,377|502|64|Idaho}} 
{{PresRow|2004|Republican|2,506|494|40|Idaho}} 
{{PresRow|2000|Republican|2,296|517|86|Idaho}} 
{{PresRow|1996|Republican|1,583|805|420|Idaho}} 
{{PresRow|1992|Republican|1,419|562|873|Idaho}} 
{{PresRow|1988|Republican|2,084|867|29|Idaho}} 
{{PresRow|1984|Republican|2,760|481|26|Idaho}} 
{{PresRow|1980|Republican|2,941|508|118|Idaho}} 
{{PresRow|1976|Republican|2,094|960|90|Idaho}} 
{{PresRow|1972|Republican|2,213|716|256|Idaho}} 
{{PresRow|1968|Republican|1,866|1,058|177|Idaho}} 
{{PresRow|1964|Democratic|1,409|1,857|0|Idaho}} 
{{PresRow|1960|Republican|1,963|1,563|0|Idaho}} 
{{PresRow|1956|Republican|2,181|1,218|0|Idaho}} 
{{PresRow|1952|Republican|2,300|1,274|0|Idaho}} 
{{PresRow|1948|Democratic|1,590|1,664|26|Idaho}} 
{{PresRow|1944|Democratic|1,613|1,732|2|Idaho}} 
{{PresRow|1940|Democratic|1,761|2,026|0|Idaho}} 
{{PresRow|1936|Democratic|1,404|2,078|4|Idaho}} 
{{PresRow|1932|Republican|1,785|1,721|3|Idaho}} 
{{PresRow|1928|Republican|1,802|1,146|7|Idaho}} 
{{PresRow|1924|Republican|1,611|881|481|Idaho}} 
{{PresRow|1920|Republican|1,831|1,138|0|Idaho}} 
{{PresRow|1916|Democratic|1,229|1,566|34|Idaho}} 
{{PresRow|1912|Republican|1,271|916|307|Idaho}} 
{{PresRow|1908|Republican|1,460|933|23|Idaho}} 
{{PresRow|1904|Republican|1,538|769|14|Idaho}} 
{{PresRow|1900|Democratic|1,055|1,077|0|Idaho}}
{{PresRow|1896|Democratic|249|851|1|Idaho}}
{{PresFoot|1892|Populist|114|0|222|Idaho}}

==See also==
<div style="float:right;">{{Portal|Idaho}}</div>
* [[Black Bear Resort]]
* [[List of counties in Idaho]]
* [[National Register of Historic Places listings in Bear Lake County, Idaho]]

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}

==External links==
* {{official website|http://www.bearlakecounty.info}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20130123122640/http://idaho.gov/aboutidaho/county/bearlake.html State of Idaho official site] - Bear Lake County
* [http://www.news-examiner.net/ News-Examiner] - Montpelier newspaper
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20130114225651/http://bearlake.org/gov.html Bear Lake Valley Convention & Visitors Bureau]
* [http://blsd.net/ Bear Lake County School District #33]
* [https://archive.org/details/rightsofcitizens00gibsiala The rights of citizenship : brief in re H.R. Bills no. 1478, 6153, and the Petition of the citizens of Bear Lake County, Idaho Territory (1885?)]

{{Geographic Location
|Centre    = Bear Lake County
|North     = [[Caribou County, Idaho|Caribou County]]
|East      = [[Lincoln County, Wyoming]]
|South     = [[Rich County, Utah|Rich County]] ([[Utah]])
|West      = [[Franklin County, Idaho|Franklin County]]
}} 
{{Bear Lake County, Idaho}}
{{Idaho county seats}}
{{Idaho}}
{{authority control}}
{{coord|42.29|-111.33|display=title|type:adm2nd_region:US-ID_source:UScensus1990}}

[[Category:Bear Lake County, Idaho| ]]
[[Category:Idaho counties]]
[[Category:Bear River (Great Salt Lake)]]
[[Category:1875 establishments in Idaho Territory]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1875]]