Editing Owyhee County, Idaho

{{short description|County in Idaho, United States}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox U.S. county
 | county        = Owyhee County
 | state                = Idaho
 | seal                 = Owyhee County, Idaho seal.png
 | founded year         = 1863
 | founded date    = December 31
 | seat wl              = Murphy 
 | largest city wl    = Homedale
 | area_total_sq_mi     = 7697
 | area_land_sq_mi      = 7666
 | area_water_sq_mi     = 31
 | area percentage      = 0.4
 | census yr            = 2020
 | pop                  = 11913
 | pop_est_as_of        = 2024
 | population_est       = 12748 {{gain}} 
 | density_sq_mi        = auto
 | time zone          = Mountain
 | district             = 1st
 | footnotes            = 
 | web        = owyheecounty.net
 | named for            = lost Hawaiian trappers
 | ex image             = Owyhee Mountains.jpg
 | ex image cap         = Reynolds Creek Experimental Watershed in the Owyhee Mountains about 50 miles southwest of [[Boise, Idaho|Boise]].  }}

'''Owyhee County''' ({{IPAc-en|oʊ|ˈ|w|aɪ|.|h|iː}} {{respell|oh|WYE|hee}}) is a [[County (United States)|county]] in the southwestern corner of the [[U.S. state]] of [[Idaho]]. As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], the population was 11,913.<ref>{{cite web|title=Owyhee County, Idaho|url=https://data.census.gov/profile/Owyhee_County,_Idaho?g=050XX00US16073|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=June 25, 2023}}</ref> The county seat is [[Murphy, Idaho|Murphy]],<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> and its largest city is [[Homedale, Idaho|Homedale]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://cityofhomedale.com/history_of_homedale.htm |title=Historic Homedale |access-date=December 13, 2009 |archive-date=March 1, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120301161235/http://cityofhomedale.com/history_of_homedale.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref> In area it is the second-largest county in Idaho,<ref name=lmtevshc>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=dcZeAAAAIBAJ&sjid=LDIMAAAAIBAJ&pg=3486%2C111402 |work=Lewiston Morning Tribune |location=(Idaho) |last=Colley |first=Evelyn Shaw |title=Rich ore made Owyhee County boom |date=March 1, 1962 |page=13}}</ref> behind [[Idaho County, Idaho|Idaho County]]. Owyhee County is part of the [[Boise metropolitan area]] and contains slightly more than half of the [[Duck Valley Indian Reservation]], which extends over the [[Nevada]] border, into [[Elko County, Nevada|Elko County]]. The majority of the federally recognized [[Shoshone]]-[[Paiute]] Tribe that is associated with this reservation lives on the Nevada side; its tribal center is in [[Owyhee, Nevada]].

==History==
This area was the territory of [[Western Shoshone]], [[Northern Paiute people|Northern Paiute]], and [[Bannock people|Bannock]] peoples and their ancestors for thousands of years prior to the arrival of European settlers. Settler interests in securing land and resources spurred conflict and led to the indigenous peoples being forced onto reservations.

On December 31, 1863, Owyhee County became the first county organized by the [[Idaho Territory]] Legislature. While [[Boise County, Idaho|Boise]], Idaho, [[Nez Perce County, Idaho|Nez Perce]], and [[Shoshone County, Idaho|Shoshone]] counties were organized under the laws of [[Washington Territory]], they were not recognized by the [[Idaho Territory]] until February 1864.<ref>General Laws of Washington Territory, 1861 p.3-4</ref><ref>General Laws of Washington Territory: 1863 p.4</ref><ref>"An Act Defining the Boundary Lines of Counties west of the Rocky Mountains", Session Laws of Idaho Territory: 1863–1864, p. 628-630</ref> The original county seat at [[Ruby City, Idaho|Ruby City]] was moved to nearby [[Silver City, Idaho|Silver City]] in 1867.<ref>[http://www.ghosttowns.com/states/id/rubycity.html Ruby City – Idaho Ghost Town] (accessed January 3, 2012)</ref>

Owyhee County's original boundary was the portion of Idaho Territory south of the [[Snake River]] and west of the [[Rocky Mountains]].<ref>"An Act to Organize the County of Owyhee", Session Laws of Idaho Territory: 1863–1864, p. 624</ref> Less than a month after the creation of Owyhee County, [[Oneida County, Idaho|Oneida County]] was formed in January 1864 from the eastern portion of the county. The formation of [[Cassia County, Idaho|Cassia County]] in 1879 took further territory in the east.

Owyhee County's history is closely linked to the mining boom that dominated Idaho Territory in the second half of the 19th century.<ref name=lmtevshc/> [[Silver City, Idaho|Silver City]] and [[Ruby City, Idaho|Ruby City]] developed as boom towns. At its height in the 1880s, Owyhee County was among the most populous places in Idaho. Today it is among the least populous, at {{convert|1.4|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|persons&nbsp;|persons}}.

Because of pressure from miners and settlers, the federal government made a treaty in 1877 with the Western Shoshone to cede land, and established what is now known as the [[Duck Valley Indian Reservation]] in this county and across the border in [[Elko County, Nevada]]. The reservation was expanded in 1886 to accommodate people of the Northern Paiute. In the 20th century, the tribes combined and are federally recognized as a single government; the majority of the people live on the Nevada side of the reservation.

There were two railroad lines extending into Owyhee County, the first was the Boise Nampa & Owyhee Railroad which built starting in 1896 from Nampa, Idaho south towards Melba, Idaho and eventually across the Snake River into Owyhee County in 1897, whereupon it crossed Rabbit Creek before arriving in Murphy, Idaho. The first train into Murphy occurred in 1899. The Boise, Nampa & Owyhee Railroad was acquired by the Idaho Northern Railroad in 1907; the line was taken over by the Oregon Short Line Railroad in 1913 following their purchase of the Idaho Northern Railroad, after which it became known as the Murphy Branch line. Daily passenger service to Murphy was discontinued in 1942. By 1947, shipping animals out of Murphy was no longer profitable for the railroad. The Murphy portion of the line was abandoned in 1947. In the 1950s, trucks and highways became the dominant mode of transportation. The last train left Melba in 1994, and all rails were torn out in that same year.

The second railroad line was the Oregon Shortline Railroad which built south from Nyssa Oregon beginning in 1911, passing through Adrian Oregon the line ended after 25 miles in Homedale Idaho, in 1922 it was extended Marsing Idaho to accommodate additional agricultural traffic. In 1970, the Marsing and Homedale depots were closed by Union Pacific. In 1987, with declining carload, Union Pacific offered the line for sale but no buyers were found. Following the closure of the lumber mill in Homedale in the early 1990s, the Homedale branch (now reduced to the status of an "industrial lead") generated a total of 49 carloads in 1995 and 42 in 1996. In 1997, Union Pacific filed for permission to abandon the Idaho portion of the line and received no formal protest, the tracks were ripped up the following year.<ref>The Idaho Northern Railway, 2010 by Don dopf,</ref><ref>union pacific rails to the mines: The Boise, Nampa & Owyhee railway, by Thornton Waite.</ref>

Owyhee County gained its present boundaries in 1930 after an election approved moving a portion of it near [[Glenns Ferry, Idaho|Glenns Ferry]] and [[King Hill, Idaho|King Hill]] to neighboring [[Elmore County, Idaho|Elmore County]].<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=82pQAAAAYAAJ&dq=%22Owyhee+County%22+%22Glenns+Ferry%22+%221930%22&pg=PA282 Sixteenth census of the United ... – United States. Bureau of the Census – Google Books] (accessed January 3, 2010)</ref> In 1934, the county seat was moved from the nearly abandoned Silver City to its present location in Murphy. In the 21st century, both Silver City and Ruby City are ghost towns, remnant of the mining boom.

==Etymology==
The name "Owyhee" derives from an early [[Anglicisation|anglicization]] of the [[Hawaiian language|Hawaiian]] term "[[Hawaii]]". When [[James Cook]] encountered what he named the [[Hawaiian Islands|Sandwich Islands]] (now the Hawaiian Islands) in 1778, he found them inhabited by [[Native Hawaiians]], whom the Anglo-Americans referred to as "Owyhees". Noted for their hardy physique and maritime skills, numerous Native Hawaiians were hired as crew members aboard European and American vessels. Many Native Hawaiians sailed to the American Northwest coast and found employment along the Columbia River, where they joined trapping expeditions or worked at some of the [[North American fur trade|fur trading]] posts.

In 1819, three Native Hawaiians joined [[Donald Mackenzie (explorer)|Donald Mackenzie]]'s Snake expedition, which went out annually into the Snake country for the [[North West Company]], a [[Montreal]]-based organization of Canadian fur traders. The three Hawaiians left the main party during the winter of 1819–1820 to explore the then unknown terrain of what since has been called the [[Owyhee River]] and mountains. They disappeared and were presumed dead; no further information regarding their whereabouts has been found. In memory of these Native Hawaiians, British fur trappers started to call the region "Owyhee" and the name stuck.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Name Owyhee|url=http://www.history.idaho.gov/sites/default/files/uploads/reference-series/0036.pdf|publisher=Idaho State Historical Society|access-date=January 1, 2015|date=August 1964|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140816231420/http://history.idaho.gov/sites/default/files/uploads/reference-series/0036.pdf|archive-date=August 16, 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.3rd1000.com/history3/events/owyhee.htm|title=The Name "Owyhee"|website=www.3rd1000.com|access-date=April 4, 2018}}</ref>

==Geography==
According to the [[United States Census Bureau|U.S. Census Bureau]], the county has a total area of {{convert|7697|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|7666|sqmi}} is land and {{convert|31|sqmi}} (0.4%) 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 the second-largest county in Idaho by area.

Nearly all of the county is high intermountain desert, with plentiful [[sagebrush]] and [[basalt]] canyons. The Owyhee Mountains in the west dominate the landscape, with Hayden Peak reaching {{convert|8403|ft}} above [[sea level]]. The lowest [[elevation]] is at the county's northwest corner, where the [[Snake River]] is just above {{convert|2000|ft}} at the [[Oregon]] border. The Snake forms most of the county's northern border from Oregon to just west of [[Glenns Ferry, Idaho|Glenns Ferry]] in [[Elmore County, Idaho|Elmore County]]. A tributary of the Snake is the [[Bruneau River]], which flows north from [[Nevada]] through the eastern section of the county. The [[Owyhee River]] starts in the southwestern part of the county and flows westward into Oregon; it eventually enters the Snake at the state border, south of [[Nyssa, Oregon|Nyssa]].

===Adjacent counties===
* [[Canyon County, Idaho|Canyon County]] – north
* [[Ada County, Idaho|Ada County]] – north
* [[Elmore County, Idaho|Elmore County]] – north
* [[Twin Falls County, Idaho|Twin Falls County]] – east
* [[Elko County, Nevada|Elko County]], [[Nevada]] – south/Pacific Time Border
* [[Humboldt County, Nevada|Humboldt County]], [[Nevada]] – southwest/Pacific Time Border
* [[Malheur County, Oregon|Malheur County]], [[Oregon]] – west

===National protected areas===
* [[Big Jacks Creek Wilderness]]
* [[Bruneau - Jarbidge Rivers Wilderness]]
* [[Deer Flat National Wildlife Refuge]] (part)
* [[Little Jacks Creek Wilderness]]
* [[North Fork Owyhee Wilderness]]
* [[Owyhee River Wilderness]]
* [[Pole Creek Wilderness]]
* [[Snake River Birds of Prey National Conservation Area]] (part)

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1870= 1713
|1880= 1426
|1890= 2021
|1900= 3804
|1910= 4044
|1920= 4694
|1930= 4103
|1940= 5652
|1950= 6307
|1960= 6375
|1970= 6422
|1980= 8272
|1990= 8392
|2000= 10644
|2010= 11526
|2020= 11913
|estyear=2024
|estimate=12748
|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,<ref name="QF">{{cite web|title=State & County QuickFacts|url=http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/16/16073.html|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=July 1, 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110717020136/http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/16/16073.html|archive-date=July 17, 2011}}</ref> 2020
}}

===2000 census===
As of the [[2000 United States census|2000 U.S. 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> there were 10,644 people, 3,710 households, and 2,756 families living in the county. The [[population density]] was {{convert|1.4|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|person&nbsp;|person}}. There were 4,452 housing units at an average density of {{convert|1|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|units&nbsp;|units|}}. The racial makeup of the county was 76.87% [[White Americans|White]], 0.15% [[African Americans|Black or African American]], 3.21% [[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]], 0.47% [[Asian Americans|Asian]], 0.08% [[Pacific Islander Americans|Pacific Islander]], 16.50% from [[Multiracial people|other races]], and 2.72% from two or more races. 23.10% of the population were [[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic or Latino]] of any race. 14.3% were of [[United States|American]], 12.5% [[Germans|German]], 10.4% [[English people|English]], and 8.1% [[Irish people|Irish]] ancestry.

There were 3,710 households, out of which 37.80% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.20% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 8.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.70% were non-families. 21.80% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.50% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.85 and the average family size was 3.35.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 31.90% under the age of 18, 8.50% from 18 to 24, 26.50% from 25 to 44, 20.90% from 45 to 64, and 12.10% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females, there were 109.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 107.60 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $28,339, and the median income for a family was $32,856. Males had a median income of $25,146 versus $20,718 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the county was $13,405. About 14.20% of families and 16.90% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 20.80% of those under age 18 and 12.10% of those age 65 or over.

===2010 census===
As of the [[2010 United States census|2010 U.S. census]], there were 11,526 people, 4,076 households, and 2,954 families living in the county.<ref name="census-dp1">{{cite web|url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/DPDP1/0500000US16073|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/20200213014238/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/DPDP1/0500000US16073|archive-date=February 13, 2020|url-status=dead}}</ref> The population density was {{convert|1.5|PD/sqmi}}. There were 4,781 housing units at an average density of {{convert|0.6|/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.CY07/0500000US16073|access-date=January 9, 2016|title=Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 – County|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213234309/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/GCTPH1.CY07/0500000US16073|archive-date=February 13, 2020|url-status=dead}}</ref> The racial makeup of the county was 76.0% white, 4.3% American Indian, 0.5% Asian, 0.2% black or African American, 16.6% from other races, and 2.4% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 25.8% of the population.<ref name="census-dp1"/> In terms of ancestry, 19.6% were [[Americans|American]], 13.8% were German, 9.5% were English, and 9.4% were Irish.<ref name="census-dp2">{{cite web|url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP02/0500000US16073|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/20200213021755/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP02/0500000US16073|archive-date=February 13, 2020|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Of the 4,076 households, 36.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.3% were married couples living together, 9.6% had a female householder with no husband present, 27.5% were non-families, and 23.0% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.79 and the average family size was 3.29. The median age was 36.0 years.<ref name="census-dp1"/>

The median income for a household in the county was $33,441 and the median income for a family was $36,405. Males had a median income of $31,404 versus $29,167 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,373. About 18.0% of families and 22.2% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 33.9% of those under age 18 and 10.8% 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/DP03/0500000US16073|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/20200213035113/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP03/0500000US16073|archive-date=February 13, 2020|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Media==
* [[The Owyhee Avalanche]] [http://www.owyheepublishing.com County newspaper]

==Communities==

===Cities===
* [[Grand View, Idaho|Grand View]]
* [[Homedale, Idaho|Homedale]]
* [[Marsing, Idaho|Marsing]]

===Census-designated places===
* [[Bruneau, Idaho|Bruneau]]
* [[Murphy, Idaho|Murphy]]

===Unincorporated communities===
* [[Claytonia, Idaho|Claytonia]]
* [[Murphy Hot Springs, Idaho|Murphy Hot Springs]]
* [[Oreana, Idaho|Oreana]]
* [[Reynolds, Idaho|Reynolds]]
* [[Riddle, Idaho|Riddle]]

===Ghost towns===
* [[De Lamar, Idaho|De Lamar]]
* [[Dewey, Idaho|Dewey]]
* [[Grasmere, Idaho|Grasmere]]
* [[Ruby City, Idaho|Ruby City]]
* [[Silver City, Idaho|Silver City]]
* [[Wickahoney, Idaho|Wickahoney]]

==Politics==
Although Owyhee County was amongst the most Democratic in the state in its early history, it has like most of Idaho gradually turned overwhelmingly Republican. In no presidential election since 1940 has the county selected the Democratic candidate, and no Democrat since [[Jimmy Carter]] in 1976 has won more than one-third of the county's vote.{{Citation needed|date=December 2019}}
{{PresHead|place=Owyhee 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|4,101|756|93|Idaho}}
{{PresRow|2020|Republican|3,819|816|108|Idaho}}
{{PresRow|2016|Republican|3,052|591|282|Idaho}} 
{{PresRow|2012|Republican|2,794|833|97|Idaho}} 
{{PresRow|2008|Republican|3,024|944|90|Idaho}} 
{{PresRow|2004|Republican|2,859|685|46|Idaho}} 
{{PresRow|2000|Republican|2,450|623|115|Idaho}} 
{{PresRow|1996|Republican|2,033|895|395|Idaho}} 
{{PresRow|1992|Republican|1,469|686|917|Idaho}} 
{{PresRow|1988|Republican|1,707|848|79|Idaho}} 
{{PresRow|1984|Republican|2,141|574|40|Idaho}} 
{{PresRow|1980|Republican|2,257|732|151|Idaho}} 
{{PresRow|1976|Republican|1,519|1,054|68|Idaho}} 
{{PresRow|1972|Republican|1,630|463|231|Idaho}} 
{{PresRow|1968|Republican|1,385|562|376|Idaho}} 
{{PresRow|1964|Republican|1,216|1,168|0|Idaho}} 
{{PresRow|1960|Republican|1,500|1,129|0|Idaho}} 
{{PresRow|1956|Republican|1,468|864|0|Idaho}} 
{{PresRow|1952|Republican|1,813|759|3|Idaho}} 
{{PresRow|1948|Republican|969|925|43|Idaho}} 
{{PresRow|1944|Republican|983|824|12|Idaho}} 
{{PresRow|1940|Democratic|1,031|1,160|14|Idaho}} 
{{PresRow|1936|Democratic|500|1,106|122|Idaho}} 
{{PresRow|1932|Democratic|583|959|68|Idaho}} 
{{PresRow|1928|Republican|918|533|25|Idaho}} 
{{PresRow|1924|Progressive|564|309|671|Idaho}} 
{{PresRow|1920|Republican|971|515|0|Idaho}} 
{{PresRow|1916|Democratic|594|775|100|Idaho}} 
{{PresRow|1912|Democratic|515|567|440|Idaho}} 
{{PresRow|1908|Democratic|604|650|86|Idaho}} 
{{PresRow|1904|Republican|663|393|149|Idaho}} 
{{PresRow|1900|Democratic|584|884|0|Idaho}}
{{PresRow|1896|Democratic|97|1,140|0|Idaho}}
{{PresFoot|1892|Populist|337|0|346|Idaho}}

==Education==
[[School districts]] include:<ref>{{cite map|author=Geography Division|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st16_id/schooldistrict_maps/c16073_owyhee/DC20SD_C16073.pdf|title=2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Owyhee County, ID|publisher=[[U.S. Census Bureau]]|date= December 23, 2020|accessdate=March 12, 2024}} - [https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st16_id/schooldistrict_maps/c16073_owyhee/DC20SD_C16073_SD2MS.txt Text list]</ref>
* [[Bruneau-Grand View Joint School District 365]]
* [[Castleford School District 417]]
* [[Glenns Ferry Joint School District 192]]
* [[Homedale Joint School District 370]]
* [[Marsing Joint School District 363]]
* [[Melba Joint School District 136]]
* [[Pleasant Valley Elementary School District 364]]
* [[Three Creek Joint Elementary School District 416]]

Residents in a portion of the county are in the area (but not the taxation zone) for [[College of Western Idaho]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://legislature.idaho.gov/wp-content/uploads/budget/committee/jfac/2022/C3.Wednesday,%20January%2026/03.College%20of%20Western%20Idaho.pdf|title=College of Western Idaho, pg. 1-77|publisher=[[Idaho Legislature]]|date=January 26, 2022|access-date=March 12, 2024}} - See the map. Also see area 3 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> In the remainder, it is in the 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|pages=1–81 (PDF p. 3/9)}} - For details on the portions of Elmore and Owyhee counties, see area 4 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>

==Healthcare==
The county is served by the Southwest Idaho Health District.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Luchetta |first=Julie |last2=Oppie |first2=Troy |date=2024-10-23 |title=Southwest Idaho Health District Board pulls COVID vaccines from its clinics |url=https://www.boisestatepublicradio.org/health/2024-10-23/southwest-idaho-health-district-covid-vaccines |access-date=2024-10-27 |work=Boise State Public Radio |language=en}}</ref>

==Gallery==
<gallery>
Image:Wildhorsesowyhee.jpg|Wild Horses of Saylor Creek
Image:Birds-of-prey-nca-snake-id.png|Snake River Birds of Prey National Conservation Area
</gallery>

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

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Further reading==
*[https://archive.org/details/historicaldescri00silv A historical, descriptive and commercial directory of Owyhee County, Idaho, January 1898 (1898)]

==External links==
* [http://www.owyheecounty.net Owyhee County website]
* [http://owyhee.idahoparcels.us Owyhee County Parcel Maps]
* [http://www.nationalregisterofhistoricplaces.com/id/Owyhee/state.html National Register of Historic Places for Owyhee County]
* [http://www.owyheemuseum.org Owyhee County Historical Society]
* [http://www.owyheepublishing.com County newspaper: The Owyhee Avalanche]
{{Geographic Location
|Centre    = Owyhee County, Idaho
|North     = [[Canyon County, Idaho|Canyon County]], [[Ada County, Idaho|Ada County]], and [[Elmore County, Idaho|Elmore County]]
|Northeast = 
|East      = [[Twin Falls County, Idaho|Twin Falls County]]
|Southeast = 
|South     = [[Elko County, Nevada|Elko County]], [[Nevada]]
|Southwest = [[Humboldt County, Nevada|Humboldt County]], [[Nevada]]
|West      = [[Malheur County, Oregon|Malheur County]], [[Oregon]]
|Northwest = 
}} 
{{Owyhee County, Idaho}}
{{Idaho}}
{{authority control}}
{{coord|42.56|-116.17|display=title|type:adm2nd_region:US-ID_source:UScensus1990}}

[[Category:Owyhee County, Idaho| ]]
[[Category:Idaho counties]]
[[Category:Idaho placenames of Native American origin]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1863]]
[[Category:Boise metropolitan area]]
[[Category:1863 establishments in Idaho Territory]]