Editing Camas County, Idaho

{{short description|County in Idaho, United States}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox U.S. county
 | county               = Camas County
 | state                = Idaho
 | flag                 = 
 | seal                 = Camas_County_ID_Seal.PNG
 | founded year         = 1917
 | founded date         = February 6
 | seat wl              = Fairfield
 | largest city wl      = Fairfield
 | area_total_sq_mi     = 1079
 | area_land_sq_mi      = 1074
 | area_water_sq_mi     = 4.5
 | area percentage      = 0.4
 | population_as_of     = 2020
 | population_total     = 1077
 | pop_est_as_of        = 2024
 | population_est       = 1247 {{increase}}
 | population_density_sq_mi = 1
 | time zone            = Mountain
 | district             = 2nd
 | footnotes            = 
 | web                  = http://camascounty.id.gov/
 | named for            = [[Camassia|Camas]] root
 | ex image             = Camas County Courthouse, Fairfield, Idaho, USA.jpg
 | ex image cap         = Camas County Courthouse in Fairfield 
}}
'''Camas County''' is a [[County (United States)|county]] in the southern portion of the [[U.S. state]] of [[Idaho]]. The [[county seat]] and largest city is [[Fairfield, Idaho|Fairfield]].<ref name="GR6">{{Cite web |title=Find a County |url=http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110531210815/http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |archive-date=May 31, 2011 |access-date=June 7, 2011 |publisher=National Association of Counties}}</ref> The county was established {{Time ago|1917}} in 1917 by the [[Idaho Legislature]] with a partition of [[Blaine County, Idaho|Blaine County]] on February 6. It is named for the camas root, or [[Camassia]], a lily-like plant with an edible bulb found in the region, that [[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]]s and settlers used as a food source. As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], the population was 1,077,<ref name="QF">{{Cite web |title=State & County QuickFacts |url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/camascountyidaho/PST045222 |access-date=January 16, 2024 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}</ref> making it the second-least populous county in the state, after [[Clark County, Idaho|Clark County]].

Camas County is part of the [[Hailey, Idaho|Hailey, ID]] [[Micropolitan Statistical Area]].

==History==
Native presence on the Camas Prairie dates back over 11,000 years ago. The Shoshoni, Northern Piute, and Nez Perce migrated annually to the Camas Prairie to gather camas and yampa for their winter food storage. Explorer, Donald Mackenzie discovered the Camas Prairie by 1820 and the area slowly grew in importance as a travel route. Military escorts for wagon trains headed to Oregon started using the route through the Camas Prairie in 1852. The route was later named Goodale Cutoff, for Timothy Goodale who first brought migrants through the Camas Prairie in 1862. When the cavalry was stationed at [[Fort Boise]] the southern portion of the Camas Prairie was an important feeding ground for their horses. In 1869, a treaty ratified by the US Senate provided a portion of the "Kansas Prairie" instead of the "Camas Prairie" to be retained by the [[Bannock Indians]]. The error may have made by the person who transcribed the treaty. Since there was no "Kansas Prairie" in Idaho, the treaty rights of the Bannocks were ignored. When they found a few settlers were allowing their hogs to feed on the Bannocks' traditional food source, the camas root, they objected (without results), which was a major cause of the [[Bannock War]] of 1878.<ref>{{Cite web |title=idahohistory.net |url=http://www.idahohistory.net/Reference%20Series/0474.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071108025352/http://www.idahohistory.net/Reference%20Series/0474.pdf |archive-date=November 8, 2007 |access-date=April 4, 2018 |website=www.idahohistory.net |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Camas Prairie (Camas County) |url=https://history.idaho.gov/sites/default/files/uploads/reference-series/0312.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170210171633/https://history.idaho.gov/sites/default/files/uploads/reference-series/0312.pdf |archive-date=February 10, 2017 |access-date=February 5, 2017 |website=Idaho State Historical Society |publisher=Idaho State Historical Society}}</ref>

The Camas Prairie was initially entirely within Alturas County when initial settlement started following the Bannock War. While the Lava mining district near Fairfield was active in the 1880s, Camas County's settlements were primarily agricultural.<ref>*{{Cite book |last=Fisher |first=Vardis |author-link=Vardis Fisher |title=Idaho Encyclopedia |last2=Federal Writers' Project |author-link2=Federal Writers' Project |publisher=Caxton Printers, Ltd |year=1938 |location=[[Caldwell, Idaho]] |pages=249–251 |oclc=962624}}</ref> By the fall of 1881, over 60 farming operations were in existence. Town settlements at Crichton and Soldier occurred almost simultaneously in 1884. Corral was settled no later than 1886.<ref>{{Cite web |title=McCarter Family History |url=http://www.mccarterfamily.com/mccarterpage/stories/mccarter_family_history/1into.htm |access-date=February 5, 2017 |website=McCarter Family History}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Maps of Camas Prairie and Corral Creek |url=http://www.mccarterfamily.com/mccarterpage/stories/idaho_cowboy/maps_camas.htm |access-date=February 5, 2017 |website=McCarter Family History}}</ref> The Camas Prairie became part of Logan County when it was formed in 1889 with the mountainous area north of the prairie remaining within Alturas County. At the 1890 Census, Alturas County contained the Little Smoky precinct with 95 residents while Logan County contained the Corral, Crichton, Soldier, and Spring Creek precincts with a combined population of 805. In 1891, the Idaho Legislature attempted to transfer all five Camas precincts to a new county named Alta. The Idaho Supreme Court found the act unconstitutional. Blaine County included all five Camas precincts when it was organized in 1895. The settlement at Crichton was abandoned in 1896. The decline at Crichton, led to a slight decline to 836 residents within the five Camas precincts at the 1890 census. By 1910, the precincts more than doubled to reach a population of 1,804 residents. A railroad reached the Camas Prairie in 1911 and ran through what is now Fairfield. The railroad's arrival led the majority of settlement in Soldier to locate to what became known as Fairfield.<ref>{{Cite book |title=Idaho Atlas of Historical County Boundaries |date=2010 |publisher=The Newberry Library |location=Chicago |pages=10–11, 12, 17, 36, 65, 137}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |url=https://archive.org/details/reportonpopulati00unit |title=Report on Population of the United States at the Eleventh Census: 1890 |date=1895 |publisher=Government Printing Office |location=Washington |pages=[https://archive.org/details/reportonpopulati00unit/page/99 99]–100}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |title=Census Reports Volume I: Twelfth Census of the United States Taken in the Year 1900 |date=1901 |publisher=United States Census Office |location=Washington |page=111}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |title=Thirteenth Census of the United States Taken in the Year 1910: Volume II |date=1913 |publisher=Government Printing Office |location=Washington |page=414}}</ref>

==Geography==
According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the county has a total area of {{convert|1079|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|1074|sqmi}} is land and {{convert|4.5|sqmi}} (1.0%) is water.<ref name="GR1">{{Cite web |date=February 12, 2011 |title=US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990 |url=https://www.census.gov/geographies/reference-files/time-series/geo/gazetteer-files.html |access-date=April 23, 2011 |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref> The highest point is [[Camas County Highpoint]] at {{convert|10337|ft|m|abbr=on}}, on the county's northern border with Blaine County.

===Adjacent counties===
*[[Blaine County, Idaho|Blaine County]] - east
*[[Lincoln County, Idaho|Lincoln County]] - southeast
*[[Gooding County, Idaho|Gooding County]] - south
*[[Elmore County, Idaho|Elmore County]] - west

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1920= 1730
|1930= 1411
|1940= 1360
|1950= 1079
|1960= 917
|1970= 728
|1980= 818
|1990= 727
|2000= 991
|2010= 1117
|2020= 1077
|estyear=2024
|estimate=1247
|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=U.S. Decennial Census<ref>{{Cite web |title=U.S. Decennial Census |url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html |access-date=June 28, 2014 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}</ref><br />1790–1960,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Historical Census Browser |url=http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu |access-date=June 28, 2014 |publisher=University of Virginia Library}}</ref> 1900–1990,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990 |url=https://www.census.gov/population/cencounts/id190090.txt |access-date=June 28, 2014 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}</ref><br />1990–2000,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000 |url=https://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |url-status=live |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 |access-date=June 28, 2014 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}</ref> 2010–2020<ref name="QF" />
}}

===2020 census===
As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], there were 1,077 people living in the county.{{citation needed|date=January 2024}}

===2010 census===
As of the [[2010 United States census|2010 census]], there were 1,117 people, 487 households, and 326 families living in the county.<ref name="census-dp1">{{Cite web |title=DP-1 Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/DPDP1/0500000US16025 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213030711/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/DPDP1/0500000US16025 |archive-date=February 13, 2020 |access-date=January 19, 2016 |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref> The population density was {{convert|1.0|PD/sqmi}}. There were 831 housing units at an average density of {{convert|0.8|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|units&nbsp;|units|}}.<ref name="census-density">{{Cite web |title=Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/GCTPH1.CY07/0500000US16025 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213234347/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/GCTPH1.CY07/0500000US16025 |archive-date=February 13, 2020 |access-date=January 19, 2016 |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref> The racial makeup of the county was 94.1% white, 0.5% American Indian, 0.3% black or African American, 0.1% Asian, 1.8% from other races, and 3.2% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 6.7% of the population.<ref name="census-dp1" /> In terms of ancestry, 24.8% were [[German Americans|German]], 20.2% were [[American ancestry|American]], 15.1% were [[English Americans|English]], 8.8% were [[Irish Americans|Irish]], and 7.3% were [[Swedish Americans|Swedish]].<ref name="census-dp2">{{Cite web |title=DP02 SELECTED SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS IN THE UNITED STATES – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP02/0500000US16025 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213024826/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP02/0500000US16025 |archive-date=February 13, 2020 |access-date=January 19, 2016 |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref>

Of the 487 households, 28.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.3% were married couples living together, 5.1% had a female householder with no husband present, 33.1% were non-families, and 28.3% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.29 and the average family size was 2.77. The median age was 44.3 years.<ref name="census-dp1" />

The median income for a household in the county was $44,145 and the median income for a family was $43,092. Males had a median income of $39,022 versus $25,938 for females. The per capita income for the county was $19,659. About 14.1% of families and 16.3% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 28.0% of those under age 18 and 4.0% of those age 65 or over.<ref name="census-dp3">{{Cite web |title=DP03 SELECTED ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP03/0500000US16025 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213030632/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP03/0500000US16025 |archive-date=February 13, 2020 |access-date=January 19, 2016 |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref>

===2000 census===
As of the [[2000 United States census|2000 census]], there were 991 people, 396 households, and 287 families living in the county. The [[population density]] was {{convert|0.8|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|people&nbsp;|people}}. There were 601 housing units at an average density of {{convert|0.6|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|units&nbsp;|units|}}. The racial makeup of the county was 95.16% [[Race (United States Census)|White]], 1.21% [[Race (United States Census)|Black]] or [[Race (United States Census)|African American]], 0.30% [[Race (United States Census)|Native American]], 0.20% [[Race (United States Census)|Asian]], 0.91% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 2.22% from two or more races. 5.55% of the population were [[Race (United States Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Race (United States Census)|Latino]] of any race. 20.5% were of [[German Americans|German]], 18.1% [[American ancestry|American]], 15.4% [[English Americans|English]] and 7.4% [[Irish Americans|Irish]] ancestry.

There were 396 households, out of which 30.80% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 65.20% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 4.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.50% were non-families. 22.20% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.30% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.49 and the average family size was 2.92.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 24.70% under the age of 18, 6.60% from 18 to 24, 28.20% from 25 to 44, 27.50% from 45 to 64, and 13.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 104.80 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 102.20 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $34,167, and the median income for a family was $40,156. Males had a median income of $30,500 versus $21,563 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the county was $19,550. About 7.20% of families and 8.30% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 7.20% of those under age 18 and 8.50% of those age 65 or over.

==Communities==
===City===
* [[Fairfield, Idaho|Fairfield]]

===Unincorporated communities===
* [[Corral, Idaho|Corral]]
* [[Hill City, Idaho|Hill City]]
* [[Soldier, Idaho|Soldier]]

==Politics==
With its small and mostly white population, Camas County is one of the most consistently [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] counties in Idaho, having last backed [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democrats]] in [[1960 United States presidential election in Idaho|1960]], when it voted for [[John F. Kennedy]].

Third-party candidates have historically performed well in Camas. In [[1992 United States presidential election in Idaho|1992]], [[Independent politician|Independent]] [[Ross Perot]] got 29.84% of the vote. In [[1996 United States presidential election in Idaho|1996]], [[Reform Party of the United States of America|Reform Party]] candidate [[Ross Perot]] got 17.46%. In [[2000 United States presidential election in Idaho|2000]], [[Reform Party of the United States of America|Reform Party]] candidate [[Pat Buchanan]] got 3.94%. In [[2016 United States presidential election in Idaho|2016]], [[Evan McMullin]] got 5.59%.
{{PresHead|place=Camas County, Idaho|source=<ref>{{Cite web |last=Leip |first=David |title=Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections |url=http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS |access-date=April 4, 2018 |website=uselectionatlas.org}}</ref>}}
<!-- PresRow should be {{PresRow|Year|Winning party|GOP vote #|Dem vote #|3rd party vote #|State}} -->
{{PresRow|2024|Republican|547|153|28|Idaho}}
{{PresRow|2020|Republican|507|149|18|Idaho}}
{{PresRow|2016|Republican|410|110|70|Idaho}}
{{PresRow|2012|Republican|402|159|17|Idaho}}
{{PresRow|2008|Republican|422|187|9|Idaho}}
{{PresRow|2004|Republican|450|139|6|Idaho}}
{{PresRow|2000|Republican|359|113|35|Idaho}}
{{PresRow|1996|Republican|283|156|105|Idaho}}
{{PresRow|1992|Republican|202|134|150|Idaho}}
{{PresRow|1988|Republican|288|136|13|Idaho}}
{{PresRow|1984|Republican|364|123|4|Idaho}}
{{PresRow|1980|Republican|360|145|25|Idaho}}
{{PresRow|1976|Republican|288|160|15|Idaho}}
{{PresRow|1972|Republican|344|95|24|Idaho}}
{{PresRow|1968|Republican|271|118|93|Idaho}}
{{PresRow|1964|Republican|316|258|0|Idaho}}
{{PresRow|1960|Democratic|284|322|0|Idaho}}
{{PresRow|1956|Republican|337|266|0|Idaho}}
{{PresRow|1952|Republican|425|224|1|Idaho}}
{{PresRow|1948|Republican|289|278|8|Idaho}}
{{PresRow|1944|Democratic|301|317|0|Idaho}}
{{PresRow|1940|Democratic|367|381|0|Idaho}}
{{PresRow|1936|Democratic|274|442|15|Idaho}}
{{PresRow|1932|Democratic|234|441|15|Idaho}}
{{PresRow|1928|Republican|413|230|10|Idaho}}
{{PresRow|1924|Progressive|226|113|302|Idaho}}
{{PresFoot|1920|Republican|400|276|1|Idaho}}

==Transportation==
[[U.S. Route 20#Idaho|U.S. Highway 20]] runs east–west through the county's center, at [[elevation]]s just over {{convert|5000|ft|-1}} above [[sea level]], connecting west to [[Mountain Home, Idaho|Mountain Home]] in [[Elmore County, Idaho|Elmore County]]; to the east it intersects [[Idaho State Highway 75|State Highway 75]] in [[Blaine County, Idaho|Blaine County]]. The northern terminus of [[Idaho State Highway 46|State Highway 46]] is at US-20, {{convert|4|mi|spell=in}} east of Fairfield; it runs south over the Mount Bennett Hills into [[Gooding County, Idaho|Gooding County]] and on to [[Gooding, Idaho|Gooding]].

==Recreation==
The [[Soldier Mountain]] [[ski area]], opened {{Time ago|1948}} in 1948, is {{convert|12|mi|-1|spell=in}} north of Fairfield, in the [[Soldier Mountains]] of the [[Sawtooth National Forest]].

==Education==
There is one school district in the county: [[Camas County School District 121]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Camas County, ID |url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st16_id/schooldistrict_maps/c16025_camas/DC20SD_C16025.pdf |access-date=March 11, 2024 |publisher=[[U.S. Census Bureau]]}} - [https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st16_id/schooldistrict_maps/c16025_camas/DC20SD_C16025_SD2MS.txt Text list]</ref>

The county is in the catchment area, but not the taxation zone, for [[College of Southern Idaho]].<ref>{{cite book|chapter-url=https://legislature.idaho.gov/wp-content/uploads/budget/publications/Legislative-Budget-Book/2016/1.Education/1-079.Community%20Colleges.pdf|chapter=Community Colleges|title=Legislative Budget Book|publisher=[[Idaho Legislature]]|year=2016|page=1-81 (PDF p. 3/9)}} - See area 1 in: {{Cite web |title=TITLE 33 EDUCATION CHAPTER 21 JUNIOR COLLEGES |url=https://legislature.idaho.gov/statutesrules/idstat/Title33/T33CH21/SECT33-2101/ |access-date=March 12, 2024 |publisher=[[Idaho Legislature]]}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[National Register of Historic Places listings in Camas County, Idaho]]
* [http://camas.idahoparcels.us County Assessor Parcel Map]

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

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

{{Geographic Location
|Centre    = Camas County, Idaho
|North     = 
|Northeast = 
|East      = [[Blaine County, Idaho|Blaine County]]
|Southeast = [[Lincoln County, Idaho|Lincoln County]]
|South     = [[Gooding County, Idaho|Gooding County]]
|Southwest = 
|West      = [[Elmore County, Idaho|Elmore County]]
|Northwest =
}} 
{{Camas County, Idaho}}
{{Idaho}}
{{authority control}}
{{coord|43.47|-114.81|display=title|type:adm2nd_region:US-ID_source:UScensus1990}}

[[Category:Camas County, Idaho| ]]
[[Category:1917 establishments in Idaho]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1917]]