Editing Minidoka County, Idaho

{{short description|County in Idaho, United States}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox U.S. county
 | county               = Minidoka County
 | state                = Idaho
 | seal                 = Minidoka County, Idaho seal.png
 | founded year         = 1913 
 | founded date         = January 28
 | seat wl              = Rupert
 | largest city wl      = Rupert
 | area_total_sq_mi     = 763
 | area_land_sq_mi      = 758
 | area_water_sq_mi     = 5.3
 | area percentage      = 0.7
 | population_as_of     = 2020
 | population_total     = 21613
 | pop_est_as_of        = 
 | population_est       = 
 | population_density_sq_mi = auto
 | time zone            = Mountain
 | district             = 2nd
 | footnotes            = 
 | web                  = www.minidoka.id.us
 | named for            = [[Lakota language|Dakota Sioux]] word meaning "a fountain or spring of water."
 | ex image             = Minidoka County Courthouse, Rupert, Idaho.jpg
 | ex image size        = 250
 | ex image cap         = Minidoka County Courthouse
}}
'''Minidoka County''' is a [[County (United States)|county]] located in the [[U.S. state]] of [[Idaho]]. As of the [[2010 United States Census|2020 census]], the population was 21,613.<ref name="QF">{{cite web|title=State & County QuickFacts |url=http://census.gov/quickfacts/minidokacountyidaho |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=April 9, 2022 }}</ref> The [[county seat]] and largest city is [[Rupert, Idaho|Rupert]].<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}}</ref>

Minidoka County is part of the [[Burley, Idaho|Burley]], ID [[Burley micropolitan area|Micropolitan Statistical Area]].

The name Minidoka is of [[Lakota language|Dakota Sioux]] origin meaning "a fountain or spring of water."<ref>[http://idahohistory.net/Reference%20Series/0034.pdf Idaho History.net reference series, page #34]</ref> 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, Idaho|Minidoka]] grew up next to the station. The Minidoka name was then given to a [[United States Bureau of Reclamation|reclamation project]] under then [[President of the United States|President]] [[Theodore Roosevelt]] which included the construction of the [[Minidoka Dam]], completed in 1904. [[Minidoka National Historic Site]] (in adjacent [[Hunt, Idaho|Hunt]] of [[Jerome County, Idaho|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, Idaho|Lincoln County]].<ref>[http://www.state.id.us/aboutidaho/county/minidoka.html Idaho.gov - Minidoka County] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090803151411/http://www.state.id.us/aboutidaho/county/minidoka.html |date=August 3, 2009}} accessed May 29, 2009</ref>

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

==Geography==
According to the [[United States Census Bureau|U.S. Census Bureau]], the county has a total area of {{convert|763|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|758|sqmi}} is land and {{convert|5.3|sqmi}} (0.7%) 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>

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 {{convert|4200|to|4500|ft|m}}. The [[Snake River]] forms the county's southern boundary.

==Adjacent Counties==
* [[Cassia County, Idaho|Cassia County]] - south
* [[Jerome County, Idaho|Jerome County]] - west
* [[Lincoln County, Idaho|Lincoln County]] - west
* [[Blaine County, Idaho|Blaine County]] - north, east

===National protected area===
* [[Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve]] (part)
* [[Minidoka National Wildlife Refuge]] (part)

===Highways===
*[[Image:I-84.svg|20px]] [[Interstate 84 in Idaho|Interstate 84]]
*[[Image:US 30.svg|20px]] [[U.S. Route 30 in Idaho|US 30]]
*[[Image:ID-24.svg|20px]] [[Idaho State Highway 24|SH-24]]
*[[Image:ID-25.svg|20px]] [[Idaho State Highway 25|SH-25]]
*[[Image:ID-27.svg|20px]] [[Idaho State Highway 27|SH-27]]

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1920= 9035
|1930= 8403
|1940= 9870
|1950= 9785
|1960= 14394
|1970= 15731
|1980= 19718
|1990= 19361
|2000= 20174
|2010= 20069
|2020= 21613
|estyear=2024
|estimate=22691
|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=July 1, 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=July 1, 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=July 1, 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=July 1, 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===
At the [[2000 United States Census|2000 census]] there were 20,176 people, 6,973 households, and 5,362 families in the county. The population density was {{convert|27|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 7,498 housing units at an average density of {{convert|10|/mi2|/km2}}. The [[Race and ethnicity in the United States Census#2000 census|racial makeup]] of the county was 78.07% [[Race (United States Census)|White]], 0.26% [[Race (United States Census)|Black]] or [[Race (United States Census)|African American]], 0.88% [[Race (United States Census)|Native American]], 0.42% [[Race (United States Census)|Asian]], 0.02% [[Race (United States Census)|Pacific Islander]], 17.83% from other races, and 2.52% from two or more races. 25.46%.<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> were [[Race (United States Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Race (United States Census)|Latino]] of any race. 18.1% were of [[English Americans|English]], 12.9% [[German Americans|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 United States Census|2010 census]], there were 20,069 people, 7,170 households, and 5,315 families in the county.<ref name="census-dp1">{{cite web
  |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/DPDP1/0500000US16067
  |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/20200213032943/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/DPDP1/0500000US16067
  |archive-date=February 13, 2020
|url-status=dead
  }}</ref> The population density was {{convert|26.5|PD/sqmi}}. There were 7,665 housing units at an average density of {{convert|10.1|/sqmi}}.<ref name="census-density">{{cite web
  |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/GCTPH1.CY07/0500000US16067
  |access-date=January 9, 2016
|title=Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County
  |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]
  |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213191603/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/GCTPH1.CY07/0500000US16067
  |archive-date=February 13, 2020
|url-status=dead
  }}</ref> The [[Race and ethnicity in the United States Census#2010 census|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.<ref name="census-dp1"/> In terms of ancestry, 19.9% were [[German Americans|German]], 16.8% were [[English Americans|English]], 10.2% were [[American ancestry|American]], and 6.5% were [[Irish Americans|Irish]].<ref name="census-dp2">{{cite web
  |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP02/0500000US16067
  |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/20200213032535/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP02/0500000US16067
  |archive-date=February 13, 2020
|url-status=dead
  }}</ref>

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.<ref name="census-dp1"/>

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.<ref name="census-dp3">{{cite web
  |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP03/0500000US16067
  |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/20200213023235/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP03/0500000US16067
  |archive-date=February 13, 2020
|url-status=dead
  }}</ref>

==Education==
There is one school district in the county: [[Minidoka County Joint School District 331]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st16_id/schooldistrict_maps/c16067_minidoka/DC20SD_C16067.pdf|title=2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Minidoka County, ID|publisher=[[U.S. Census Bureau]]|access-date=March 12, 2024}} - [https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st16_id/schooldistrict_maps/c16067_minidoka/DC20SD_C16067_SD2MS.txt Text list]</ref> The only public high school in the county is [[Minico High School]] near Rupert.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://nces.ed.gov/ccd/schoolsearch/school_list.asp?Search=1&DistrictID=1602190|title=MINIDOKA COUNTY JOINT DISTRICT schools for this district|publisher=[[National Center for Education Statistics]]|access-date=March 12, 2024}}</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|url=https://legislature.idaho.gov/statutesrules/idstat/Title33/T33CH21/SECT33-2101/|title=TITLE 33 EDUCATION CHAPTER 21 JUNIOR COLLEGES|publisher=[[Idaho Legislature]]|access-date=March 12, 2024}}</ref>

==Communities==

===Cities===
*[[Acequia, Idaho|Acequia]]
*[[Burley, Idaho|Burley]] (part)
*[[Heyburn, Idaho|Heyburn]]
*[[Minidoka, Idaho|Minidoka]]
*[[Paul, Idaho|Paul]]
*[[Rupert, Idaho|Rupert]]

===Unincorporated communities===
*[[Jackson, Idaho|Jackson]] (Extends into) [[Cassia County, Idaho|Cassia County]]
*[[Kimama, Idaho|Kimama]] (Extends into) [[Lincoln County, Idaho|Lincoln County]]

===Ghost Towns===
*[[Alturas, Idaho]] (Mostly in Blaine County)

==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. In the 2024 election, Donald Trump gained more support than any other Republican presidential candidate in county history.
{{PresHead|place=Minidoka 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|6,401|1,373|174|Idaho}}
{{PresRow|2020|Republican|6,265|1,550|178|Idaho}}
{{PresRow|2016|Republican|4,887|1,167|817|Idaho}} 
{{PresRow|2012|Republican|5,442|1,390|141|Idaho}} 
{{PresRow|2008|Republican|5,087|1,630|173|Idaho}} 
{{PresRow|2004|Republican|5,797|1,331|73|Idaho}} 
{{PresRow|2000|Republican|4,907|1,344|267|Idaho}} 
{{PresRow|1996|Republican|4,008|1,977|1,070|Idaho}} 
{{PresRow|1992|Republican|3,304|1,815|2,298|Idaho}} 
{{PresRow|1988|Republican|4,623|2,290|120|Idaho}} 
{{PresRow|1984|Republican|5,938|1,398|84|Idaho}} 
{{PresRow|1980|Republican|6,035|1,689|407|Idaho}} 
{{PresRow|1976|Republican|3,600|2,441|337|Idaho}} 
{{PresRow|1972|Republican|4,097|1,423|447|Idaho}} 
{{PresRow|1968|Republican|3,182|1,332|1,140|Idaho}} 
{{PresRow|1964|Republican|3,111|2,827|0|Idaho}} 
{{PresRow|1960|Republican|3,360|2,467|0|Idaho}} 
{{PresRow|1956|Republican|2,954|1,692|0|Idaho}} 
{{PresRow|1952|Republican|3,128|1,253|0|Idaho}} 
{{PresRow|1948|Democratic|1,654|1,668|110|Idaho}} 
{{PresRow|1944|Republican|1,781|1,635|8|Idaho}} 
{{PresRow|1940|Democratic|1,979|1,982|13|Idaho}} 
{{PresRow|1936|Democratic|948|2,095|54|Idaho}} 
{{PresRow|1932|Democratic|1,130|2,164|73|Idaho}} 
{{PresRow|1928|Republican|1,832|1,132|32|Idaho}} 
{{PresRow|1924|Progressive|1,046|204|1,370|Idaho}} 
{{PresRow|1920|Republican|1,622|1,107|16|Idaho}} 
{{PresFoot|1916|Democratic|963|1,135|561|Idaho}}

==See also==
*[[National Register of Historic Places listings in Minidoka County, Idaho]]

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

==External links==
*[http://www.minidoka.id.us County website]
*[http://minidoka.idahoparcels.us County Parcel Maps]
{{Geographic Location
|Centre    = Minidoka County, Idaho
|North     = [[Blaine County, Idaho]]
|East      = [[Blaine County, Idaho]]
|Southeast = 
|South     = [[Cassia County, Idaho|Cassia County]]
|Southwest = 
|West      = [[Jerome County, Idaho|Jerome County]] and [[Lincoln County, Idaho|Lincoln County]]
|Northwest = 
}} 
{{Minidoka County, Idaho}}
{{Idaho}}
{{authority control}}
{{coord|42.85|-113.64|display=title|type:adm2nd_region:US-ID_source:UScensus1990}}

[[Category:Minidoka County, Idaho| ]]
[[Category:Idaho counties]]
[[Category:Idaho placenames of Native American origin]]
[[Category:1913 establishments in Idaho]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1913]]
[[Category:Burley, Idaho micropolitan area]]