Editing Caribou County, Idaho

{{short description|County in Idaho, United States}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}}

{{Infobox U.S. county
 | county               = Caribou County
 | state                = Idaho
 | seal                 = Caribou_County_ID_Seal.PNG
 | coordinates          = {{coord|42.76|-111.55|display=inline,title|type:adm2nd_region:US-ID_source:UScensus1990}}
 | founded year         = 1919
 | founded date         = February 11
 | seat wl              = Soda Springs
 | largest city wl      = Soda Springs
 | area_total_sq_mi     = 1799
 | area_land_sq_mi      = 1764
 | area_water_sq_mi     = 34
 | area percentage      = 1.9
 | population_as_of     = 2020
 | population_total     = 7027 {{increase}}
 | pop_est_as_of        = 
 | population_est       = 
 | population_density_sq_mi = 3.9
 | time zone            = Mountain
 | district             = 2nd
 | footnotes            = 
 | web                  = http://www.cariboucounty.us/
 | named for            = [[Caribou Range]]
 | ex image             = Caribou County Courthouse, Soda Springs, Idaho.jpg
 | ex image cap         = Caribou County Courthouse, Soda Springs 
}}

'''Caribou County''' is a [[County (United States)|county]] located in the [[U.S. state]] of [[Idaho]]. As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 Census]] the county had a population of 7,027.<ref name="QF">{{cite web|title=State & County QuickFacts|url=http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/16/16029.html|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=September 17, 2022|archive-date=July 17, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110717015629/http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/16/16029.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> The [[county seat]] and largest city is [[Soda Springs, Idaho|Soda Springs]].<ref name="GR6">{{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/20110531210815/http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |archive-date=May 31, 2011 }}</ref>

==History==
Robert Stuart explored the area of Soda Springs in 1812. [[Donald McKenzie (explorer)|Donald McKenzie]] also explored the area in 1819. The explorers were followed by trappers, missionaries, and emigrants that would travel through on the [[Oregon Trail]]. Soda Springs' namesake springs were an attraction for the trappers who met there to socialize on November 10, 1833. Missionaries and emigrant journal entries describing the springs date back to John K. Townsend's journal entry of July 8, 1834.<ref>{{cite web|title=Idaho State Historical Society Reference Series: Soda Springs|url=https://history.idaho.gov/sites/default/files/uploads/reference-series/0182.pdf|website=Idaho State Historical Society|publisher=Idaho State Historical Society|access-date=February 6, 2017|ref=182|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170209024243/https://history.idaho.gov/sites/default/files/uploads/reference-series/0182.pdf|archive-date=February 9, 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In May 1863, members of the [[Church of the Firstborn (Morrisite)|Morrisite]] religious sect took refuge at the junction of Soda Creek and Bear River where they formed Morristown. At the direction of General [[Patrick Edward Connor|Patrick E. Conner]], a fort was constructed in the fall of 1863 for their protection. Soda Springs was established as the county seat of Oneida County when it was created January 22, 1864, serving as the county seat until 1866. The 1870 census lists a population of 144 for Soda Springs. Settlement of the present town of Soda Springs occurred in May 1871 when [[Brigham Young]] and other Mormons purchased land at the present site of Soda Springs. Young would often recreate on his property holdings there.<ref>{{cite book|title=Encyclopedic History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints|date=1941|publisher=Deseret News|location=Salt Lake City|pages=541, 806–807|url=http://contentdm.lib.byu.edu/cdm/ref/collection/BYUIBooks/id/2694|access-date=February 6, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=Laws of the Territory of Idaho, First Session: An Act Creating the County of Oneida|date=1864|publisher=James A. Glascock, Territorial Printer|location=Lewiston|page=625|url=https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=nyp.33433086640533;view=1up;seq=629|access-date=February 6, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=Laws of the Territory of Idaho, Third Session: An Act to Remove the County Seat of Oneida County, in Idaho Territory|date=1866|publisher=Frank Kenyon, Territorial Printer|location=Boise City|page=182}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=Ninth Census-Volume I: The Statistics of the Population of the United States|date=1872|publisher=Government Printing Office|location=Washington|page=108|url=http://www2.census.gov/prod2/decennial/documents/1870a-01.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051108174045/http://www2.census.gov/prod2/decennial/documents/1870a-01.pdf |archive-date=November 8, 2005 |url-status=live|access-date=February 6, 2017}}</ref>

Settlement in the western portion of the county from Thatcher to Chesterfield was primarily ranching and farming operations up until 1880. Chester Call, Chesterfield's namesake arrived in 1880, bring his family in 1881. The towns of Chesterfield and Squaw Creek Station were settled in 1882. Squaw Creek Station was the initial name for Bancroft that was established when the railroad was built. It was renamed Bancroft on July 23, 1898. Settlement at the town of Grace commenced in 1893. Chesterfield declined in population while Grace and Bancroft endured.<ref>{{cite book|title=Encyclopedic History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints |date=1941|publisher=Desert News|location=Salt Lake City |pages=40–41, 135, 293 |url=http://contentdm.lib.byu.edu/cdm/ref/collection/BYUIBooks/id/2694|access-date=February 6, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=BANCROFT & CHESTERFIELD |url=http://www.graceidaho.com/html/bancchester.html|website=graceidaho.com|publisher=Grace Idaho Chamber of Commerce|access-date=February 7, 2017}}</ref>

All of present Caribou County became a part of Bingham County when it was created on January 13, 1885.<ref>{{cite book|title=Idaho Atlas of Historical County Boundaries|date=2010|publisher=The Newberry Library|location=Chicago|page=27}}</ref> The 1890 census lists four precincts of Chesterfield, Gentile Valley (now Thatcher), Little Blackfoot (now Henry), and Soda Springs with a combined population of 1,722. The Caribou precinct with 342 residents also contained residents within present-day Caribou County, but also included territory now in Bonneville County.<ref>{{cite book|title=Report on the Population of the United States at the Eleventh Census: 1890|date=1895|publisher=Government Printing Office|location=Washington|page=99|url=http://www2.census.gov/prod2/decennial/documents/1890a_v1-07.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050124075117/http://www2.census.gov/prod2/decennial/documents/1890a_v1-07.pdf |archive-date=January 24, 2005 |url-status=live|access-date=February 7, 2017}}</ref>

Bannock County was established on March 6, 1893. Bancroft, Chesterfield, Chubb Springs (now Henry), Gentile Valley (now Thatcher), Salt River (now Freedom), and Soda Springs were in existence at the 1900 census with a combined population of 3,430.<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=110|url=http://www2.census.gov/prod2/decennial/documents/33405927v1ch05.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060514133129/http://www2.census.gov/prod2/decennial/documents/33405927v1ch05.pdf |archive-date=May 14, 2006 |url-status=live}}</ref>

When the legislature formed Caribou County on February 11, 1919, [[Bannock County, Idaho|Bannock County]] retained the Gem, Gentile Valley, and Upper Portneuf valleys. The retained area contained 4,486 residents at the 1920 Census, declining to 3,572 residents by the 1940 Census. On January 11, 1948, the residents of this area voted to become part of Caribou County.<ref>{{cite book|title=Idaho Atlas of Historical County Boundaries|date=2010|publisher=The Newberry Library|location=Chicago|pages=23, 69}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=Fourteenth Census of the United States, Taken in the Year 1920|date=1921|publisher=Government Printing Office|location=Washington|pages=389|url=http://www2.census.gov/prod2/decennial/documents/41084484v1ch3.pdf|access-date=February 7, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=Sixteenth Census of the United States: 1940|date=1942|publisher=Government Printing Office|page=280|url=http://www2.census.gov/prod2/decennial/documents/41084484v1ch3.pdf}}</ref>

==Geography==
According to the [[United States Census Bureau|U.S. Census Bureau]], the county has a total area of {{convert|1799|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|1764|sqmi}} is land and {{convert|34|sqmi}} (1.9%) is water.<ref name="GR1">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/geographies/reference-files/time-series/geo/gazetteer-files.html|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=April 23, 2011|date=February 12, 2011|title=US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990}}</ref> The county's highpoint is [[Meade Peak]] at {{convert|9,963|ft|m|abbr=on}} above sea level.

===Adjacent counties===
* [[Bonneville County, Idaho|Bonneville County]] - north
* [[Lincoln County, Wyoming|Lincoln County]], [[Wyoming]] - east
* [[Bear Lake County, Idaho|Bear Lake County]] - south
* [[Franklin County, Idaho|Franklin County]] - south
* [[Bannock County, Idaho|Bannock County]] - west
* [[Bingham County, Idaho|Bingham County]] - northwest

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

===Major highways===
* [[Image:US 30.svg|20px]] [[U.S. Route 30 in Idaho|US 30]]
* [[Image:ID-34.svg|20px]] [[Idaho State Highway 34|SH-34]]

==Demographics==
{{US Census population|align=left
|1920= 2191
|1930= 2121
|1940= 2284
|1950= 5576
|1960= 5976
|1970= 6534
|1980= 8695
|1990= 6963
|2000= 7304
|2010= 6963
|2020= 7027
|estyear=2024
|estimate=7239
|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|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=U.S. Decennial Census|publisher=United States 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=United States 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=United States Census Bureau|access-date=June 28, 2014}}</ref> 2010–2020<ref name="QF"/> 2020<ref>[https://www.census.gov/library/visualizations/interactive/2020-population-and-housing-state-data.html 2020 Population and Housing State Data | Utah]</ref>
}}

===2000 census===
As of the [[census]]<ref name="GR2">{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=January 31, 2008 |title=U.S. Census website }}</ref> of 2000, there were 7,304 people, 2,560 households, and 1,978 families living in the county. The [[population density]] was {{convert|4|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|people&nbsp;|people}}. There were 3,188 housing units at an average density of {{convert|2|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|units&nbsp;|units|}}. The racial makeup of the county was 96.14% [[Race (United States census)|White]], 0.05% [[Race (United States census)|Black]] or [[Race (United States census)|African American]], 0.21% [[Race (United States census)|Native American]], 0.08% [[Race (United States census)|Asian]], 0.12% [[Race (United States census)|Pacific Islander]], 2.20% from [[Race (United States census)|other races]], and 1.19% from two or more races. 3.96% of the population were [[Race (United States census)|Hispanic]] or [[Race (United States census)|Latino]] of any race. 29.7% were of [[English Americans|English]], 12.2% [[German Americans|German]], 11.0% [[American ancestry|American]], 8.2% [[Danish Americans|Danish]] and 5.5% [[Irish Americans|Irish]] ancestry.

There were 2,560 households, out of which 39.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 69.30% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 5.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 22.70% were non-families. 20.40% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.30% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.83 and the average family size was 3.29.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 31.70% under the age of 18, 8.20% from 18 to 24, 24.50% from 25 to 44, 22.00% from 45 to 64, and 13.60% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 99.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.60 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $37,609, and the median income for a family was $42,630. Males had a median income of $38,575 versus $20,085 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the county was $15,179. About 7.00% of families and 9.60% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 10.60% of those under age 18 and 9.90% of those age 65 or over.

===2010 census===
As of the [[2010 United States census]], there were 6,963 people, 2,606 households, and 1,936 families living in the county.<ref name="census-dp1">{{cite web
  |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/DPDP1/0500000US16029
  |title=DP-1 Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data
  |access-date=January 9, 2016
|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]
  |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213014800/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/DPDP1/0500000US16029
  |archive-date=February 13, 2020
|url-status=dead
  }}</ref> The population density was {{convert|3.9|PD/sqmi}}. There were 3,226 housing units at an average density of {{convert|1.8|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|units&nbsp;|units|}}.<ref name="census-density">{{cite web
  |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/GCTPH1.CY07/0500000US16029
  |access-date=January 9, 2016
|title=Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County
  |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]
  |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213190656/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/GCTPH1.CY07/0500000US16029
  |archive-date=February 13, 2020
|url-status=dead
  }}</ref> The racial makeup of the county was 95.3% white, 0.3% American Indian, 0.2% Pacific islander, 0.2% Asian, 0.1% black or African American, 2.3% from other races, and 1.5% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 4.8% of the population.<ref name="census-dp1"/> In terms of ancestry, 27.5% were [[English Americans|English]], 17.0% were [[German Americans|German]], 7.2% were [[Swedish Americans|Swedish]], 7.0% were [[Danish Americans|Danish]], 5.0% were [[Irish Americans|Irish]], and 4.3% were [[American ancestry|American]].<ref name="census-dp2">{{cite web
  |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP02/0500000US16029
  |title=DP02 SELECTED SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS IN THE UNITED STATES – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates
  |access-date=January 9, 2016
|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]
  |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213021438/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP02/0500000US16029
  |archive-date=February 13, 2020
|url-status=dead
  }}</ref>

Of the 2,606 households, 35.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 64.3% were married couples living together, 6.1% had a female householder with no husband present, 25.7% were non-families, and 22.9% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.64 and the average family size was 3.12. The median age was 37.7 years.<ref name="census-dp1"/>

The median income for a household in the county was $44,958 and the median income for a family was $53,615. Males had a median income of $45,904 versus $23,837 for females. The per capita income for the county was $20,637. About 4.2% of families and 8.4% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 10.4% of those under age 18 and 5.0% of those age 65 or over.<ref name="census-dp3">{{cite web
  |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP03/0500000US16029
  |title=DP03 SELECTED ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates
  |access-date=January 9, 2016
|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]
  |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213031220/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP03/0500000US16029
  |archive-date=February 13, 2020
|url-status=dead
  }}</ref>

==Communities==

===Cities===
*[[Bancroft, Idaho|Bancroft]]
*[[Grace, Idaho|Grace]]
*[[Soda Springs, Idaho|Soda Springs]]

===Unincorporated communities===
*[[Conda, Idaho|Conda]]
*[[Freedom, Idaho and Wyoming|Freedom]]
*Henry
*[[Wayan, Idaho|Wayan]]

==Politics==
Similar to [[Boise County]], Caribou County is a reliable state bellwether, having voted for Idaho's statewide winner in every presidential election since its creation in 1919. Like all of archconservative LDS southeastern Idaho, Caribou County has been overwhelmingly Republican since the middle 1960s. The last Democrat to carry the county was [[Lyndon B. Johnson]] in 1964. In fact, in no presidential election subsequent to that landslide has any Democratic nominee cracked one-third of the county's vote.
{{PresHead|place=Caribou County, Idaho|source=<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS|title=Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. 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|2,906|445|105|Idaho}}
{{PresRow|2020|Republican|2,906|431|79|Idaho}}
{{PresRow|2016|Republican|2,275|271|489|Idaho}} 
{{PresRow|2012|Republican|2,608|386|58|Idaho}} 
{{PresRow|2008|Republican|2,656|553|93|Idaho}} 
{{PresRow|2004|Republican|2,753|491|37|Idaho}} 
{{PresRow|2000|Republican|2,601|475|101|Idaho}} 
{{PresRow|1996|Republican|1,740|841|539|Idaho}} 
{{PresRow|1992|Republican|1,350|562|1,324|Idaho}} 
{{PresRow|1988|Republican|2,239|867|38|Idaho}} 
{{PresRow|1984|Republican|3,032|535|30|Idaho}} 
{{PresRow|1980|Republican|3,234|481|177|Idaho}} 
{{PresRow|1976|Republican|2,253|1,110|112|Idaho}} 
{{PresRow|1972|Republican|2,069|614|275|Idaho}} 
{{PresRow|1968|Republican|1,731|727|327|Idaho}} 
{{PresRow|1964|Democratic|1,303|1,422|0|Idaho}} 
{{PresRow|1960|Republican|1,544|1,293|0|Idaho}} 
{{PresRow|1956|Republican|1,668|950|0|Idaho}} 
{{PresRow|1952|Republican|1,788|809|1|Idaho}} 
{{PresRow|1948|Democratic|447|475|8|Idaho}} 
{{PresRow|1944|Democratic|462|516|0|Idaho}} 
{{PresRow|1940|Democratic|390|658|1|Idaho}} 
{{PresRow|1936|Democratic|321|640|1|Idaho}} 
{{PresRow|1932|Democratic|409|499|12|Idaho}} 
{{PresRow|1928|Republican|471|291|4|Idaho}} 
{{PresRow|1924|Republican|508|148|208|Idaho}} 
{{PresFoot|1920|Republican|541|181|0|Idaho}}

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

==References==
{{reflist|22em}}

==External links==
{{commons category|Caribou County, Idaho}}
* {{official|http://www.cariboucounty.us/}}


{{Geographic Location
|Centre    = Caribou County, Idaho
|North     = [[Bonneville County, Idaho|Bonneville County]]
|Northeast = 
|East      = [[Lincoln County, Wyoming|Lincoln County]], [[Wyoming]]
|Southeast = 
|South     = [[Bear Lake County, Idaho|Bear Lake County]] and [[Franklin County, Idaho|Franklin County]]
|Southwest = 
|West      = [[Bannock County, Idaho|Bannock County]]
|Northwest = [[Bingham County, Idaho|Bingham County]]
}} 
{{Caribou County, Idaho}}
{{Idaho}}

{{authority control}}


[[Category:Caribou County, Idaho| ]]
[[Category:Idaho placenames of Native American origin]]
[[Category:1919 establishments in Idaho]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1919]]
[[Category:Idaho counties]]