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Power County, Idaho

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Power County, Idaho
County
Power County Courthouse, American Falls
Power County Courthouse, American Falls
Official seal of Power County, Idaho
Seal
Map of Idaho highlighting Power County
Location within the U.S. state of Idaho
Coordinates: 42°41′N 112°50′W / 42.69°N 112.84°W / 42.69; -112.84
Country United States
State Idaho
FoundedJanuary 30, 1913
Named afterpower plant at the American Falls Dam
SeatAmerican Falls
Largest cityAmerican Falls
Area
 • Total
1,443 sq mi (3,740 km2)
 • Land1,404 sq mi (3,640 km2)
 • Water38 sq mi (98 km2)  2.7%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
7,878
 • Estimate 
(2025)
8,246 Increase
 • Density5.611/sq mi (2.166/km2)
Time zoneUTC−7 (Mountain)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−6 (MDT)
Congressional district2nd
Websitewww.co.power.id.us

Power County is a county located in the U.S. state of Idaho. As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 7,878.[1] The county seat and largest city is American Falls.[2] The county was created by the Idaho Legislature on January 30, 1913, by a partition of Cassia County. It is named for an early hydroelectric power plant (1902) at the American Falls.[3]

Geography

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According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,443 square miles (3,740 km2), of which 1,404 square miles (3,640 km2) is land and 38 square miles (98 km2) (2.7%) is water.[4]

Adjacent counties

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Major highways

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National protected areas

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Government

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Power County, like Idaho in general, is highly conservative and supports Republican presidential candidates by large margins. The last Democrat to win the county was Lyndon Johnson in 1964.

Power County's commissioners are:[5]

  • Ronald Funk (chairman, District 1)
  • William Lasley (District 2)
  • Delane Anderson (District 3)
United States presidential election results for Power County, Idaho[6]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No. %No. %No. %
1916 1,024 47.41% 1,079 49.95% 57 2.64%
1920 1,155 67.31% 561 32.69% 0 0.00%
1924 757 43.13% 314 17.89% 684 38.97%
1928 852 56.50% 653 43.30% 3 0.20%
1932 603 34.74% 1,126 64.86% 7 0.40%
1936 708 39.07% 1,075 59.33% 29 1.60%
1940 951 50.45% 931 49.39% 3 0.16%
1944 895 52.77% 801 47.23% 0 0.00%
1948 875 52.05% 795 47.29% 11 0.65%
1952 1,308 68.45% 603 31.55% 0 0.00%
1956 1,108 59.03% 769 40.97% 0 0.00%
1960 1,065 52.59% 960 47.41% 0 0.00%
1964 966 45.42% 1,161 54.58% 0 0.00%
1968 1,222 60.26% 582 28.70% 224 11.05%
1972 1,405 64.45% 625 28.67% 150 6.88%
1976 1,374 49.96% 1,286 46.76% 90 3.27%
1980 2,235 71.11% 727 23.13% 181 5.76%
1984 2,298 76.50% 678 22.57% 28 0.93%
1988 1,838 61.66% 1,095 36.73% 48 1.61%
1992 1,352 45.41% 837 28.12% 788 26.47%
1996 1,501 51.12% 1,070 36.44% 365 12.43%
2000 1,872 69.10% 755 27.87% 82 3.03%
2004 2,105 71.16% 829 28.03% 24 0.81%
2008 1,754 61.72% 1,027 36.14% 61 2.15%
2012 1,870 64.39% 982 33.82% 52 1.79%
2016 1,666 60.41% 699 25.34% 393 14.25%
2020 2,116 68.57% 865 28.03% 105 3.40%
2024 2,146 71.04% 785 25.98% 90 2.98%

Demographics

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Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
19205,105—
19304,457−12.7%
19403,965−11.0%
19503,9880.6%
19604,1113.1%
19704,86418.3%
19806,84440.7%
19907,0863.5%
20007,5386.4%
20107,8173.7%
20207,8780.8%
2025 (est.)8,246[7] Increase4.7%
U.S. Decennial Census[8]
1790–1960,[9] 1900–1990,[10]
1990–2000,[11] 2010,[12] 2020[13]

Racial and ethnic composition

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Power County, Idaho – Racial and ethnic composition
Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.
Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic) Pop 1980[14] Pop 1990[15] Pop 2000[16] Pop 2010[17] Pop 2020[18] % 1980 % 1990 % 2000 % 2010 % 2020
White alone (NH) 6,086 5,908 5,592 5,164 4,826 88.92% 83.38% 74.18% 66.06% 61.26%
Black or African American alone (NH) 1 6 5 18 17 0.01% 0.08% 0.07% 0.23% 0.22%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) 224 198 225 161 172 3.27% 2.79% 2.98% 2.06% 2.18%
Asian alone (NH) 20 33 24 32 18 0.29% 0.47% 0.32% 0.41% 0.23%
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander alone (NH) x [19] x [20] 3 6 8 x x 0.04% 0.08% 0.10%
Other race alone (NH) 7 4 6 2 22 0.10% 0.06% 0.08% 0.03% 0.28%
Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) x [21] x [22] 45 106 191 x x 0.60% 1.36% 2.42%
Hispanic or Latino (any race) 506 937 1,638 2,328 2,624 7.39% 13.22% 21.73% 29.78% 33.31%
Total 6,844 7,086 7,538 7,817 7,878 100.00% 100.00% 100.00% 100.00% 100.00%

2020 census

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As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 7,878. The median age was 35.3 years, with 30.2% of residents under the age of 18 and 16.3% aged 65 or older. For every 100 females there were 101.9 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 104.1 males age 18 and over.[23]

The racial makeup of the county was 65.8% White, 0.3% Black or African American, 2.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% Asian, 0.1% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 21.8% from some other race, and 9.0% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 33.3% of the population.[24]

0.0% of residents lived in urban areas, while 100.0% lived in rural areas.[25]

There were 2,689 households in the county, of which 38.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 18.8% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 20.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[23]

There were 2,937 housing units, of which 8.4% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 73.9% were owner-occupied and 26.1% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.7% and the rental vacancy rate was 5.9%.[23]

2010 census

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As of the 2010 United States census, there were 7,817 people, 2,641 households, and 2,019 families living in the county.[26] The population density was 5.6 inhabitants per square mile (2.2/km2). There were 2,944 housing units at an average density of 2.1 units per square mile (0.81 units/km2).[27] The racial makeup of the county was 75.1% white, 2.3% American Indian, 0.4% Asian, 0.3% black or African American, 0.1% Pacific islander, 19.5% from other races, and 2.4% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 29.8% of the population.[26] In terms of ancestry, 16.7% were German, 16.7% were English, and 7.2% were American.[28]

Of the 2,641 households, 40.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.6% were married couples living together, 10.1% had a female householder with no husband present, 23.6% were non-families, and 19.8% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.94 and the average family size was 3.39. The median age was 33.2 years.[26]

The median income for a household in the county was $40,843 and the median income for a family was $46,391. Males had a median income of $35,674 versus $29,844 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,412. About 8.3% of families and 11.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.7% of those under age 18 and 12.3% of those age 65 or over.[29]

2000 census

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As of the census[30] of 2000, there were 7,538 people, 2,560 households, and 1,968 families living in the county. The population density was 5 people per square mile (1.9 people/km2). There were 2,844 housing units at an average density of 2 units per square mile (0.77 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 83.78% White, 0.09% Black or African American, 3.29% Native American, 0.32% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 11.10% from other races, and 1.38% from two or more races. 21.73% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 18.0% were of German, 17.6% English and 10.9% American ancestry.

There were 2,560 households, out of which 40.90% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 63.40% were married couples living together, 8.80% had a female householder with no husband present, and 23.10% were non-families. 20.30% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.80% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.92 and the average family size was 3.38.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 33.80% under the age of 18, 8.40% from 18 to 24, 25.40% from 25 to 44, 22.00% from 45 to 64, and 10.40% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females, there were 101.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 99.90 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $32,226, and the median income for a family was $36,685. Males had a median income of $29,676 versus $20,930 for females. The per capita income for the county was $14,007. About 10.80% of families and 16.10% of the population were below the poverty line, including 20.10% of those under age 18 and 12.70% of those age 65 or over.

Communities

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An aerial view of the Power County wind farm in Power County

Cities

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Census-designated place

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Unincorporated communities

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Education

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School districts include:[31]

See also

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References

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  1. ↑ 2020 Population and Housing State Data | Idaho
  2. ↑ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ↑ Idaho.gov - Power County Archived August 15, 2009, at the Wayback Machine accessed May 28, 2009
  4. ↑ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  5. ↑ "Commissioners - Power County, Idaho". Retrieved November 12, 2020.
  6. ↑ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved April 4, 2018.
  7. ↑ "County Population Totals and Components of Change: 2020-2025". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 14, 2026.
  8. ↑ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 1, 2014.
  9. ↑ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved July 1, 2014.
  10. ↑ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 1, 2014.
  11. ↑ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 27, 2010. Retrieved July 1, 2014.
  12. ↑ "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on December 22, 2015. Retrieved July 1, 2014.
  13. ↑ 2020 Population and Housing State Data| Idaho
  14. ↑ "1980 Census of Population - General Social and Economic Characteristics - Idaho - Table 15 - Persons by Race: 1980 and Table 16 - Total Persons and Spanish Origin Persons by Type of Spanish Origin and Race: 1980" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. p. 9-12. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 7, 2022 – via Wayback Machine.
  15. ↑ "1990 Census of Population - General Population Characteristics - Idaho: Table 3 - Race and Hispanic Origin" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. pp. 5–19. Archived from the original (PDF) on August 19, 2025 – via Wayback Machine.
  16. ↑ "P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Power County, Idaho". United States Census Bureau.
  17. ↑ "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Power County, Idaho". United States Census Bureau.
  18. ↑ "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Power County, Idaho". United States Census Bureau.
  19. ↑ included in the Asian category in the 1980 Census
  20. ↑ included in the Asian category in the 1990 Census
  21. ↑ not an option in the 1980 Census
  22. ↑ not an option in the 1990 Census
  23. 1 2 3 "2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved December 20, 2025.
  24. ↑ "2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved December 20, 2025.
  25. ↑ "2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)". United States Census Bureau. 2023. Retrieved December 20, 2025.
  26. 1 2 3 "DP-1 Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 9, 2016.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  27. ↑ "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 9, 2016.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  28. ↑ "DP02 SELECTED SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS IN THE UNITED STATES – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 9, 2016.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  29. ↑ "DP03 SELECTED ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 9, 2016.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  30. ↑ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  31. ↑ "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Power County, ID" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved March 13, 2024. - Text list
[edit]

42°41′N 112°50′W / 42.69°N 112.84°W / 42.69; -112.84

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