Tag Archives: Population

Idaho’s key labor market indicators continue to outperform the nation

Idaho’s labor market has long stood out for its relatively high level of workforce participation and low unemployment.

While the national labor market has cooled from the exceptionally tight conditions seen after the COVID-19 pandemic, Idaho’s current and projected demographic makeup indicates workforce advantages to its labor market that the nation lacks.

Idaho has a larger share of its population in the labor force

The labor force consists of people who are either employed or actively looking for work. The labor force participation rate measures this group as a share of the civilian non-institutional population age 16 and older. Continue reading →

Idaho’s median age remains below U.S. average, household income increases in 2025

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Nov. 3, 2026
Media Contact: Will.Hoenike@labor.idaho.gov

Idaho continued to have a high population of young people, experienced rising household income and saw a smaller share of cost burdened households in 2025, according to recently released data from the U.S. Census Bureau.

Idaho increases slightly in median age but remains seventh youngest state

Nationally, the median age of U.S. residents increased by 0.3 years to 39.5 years in 2025. Idaho’s median age increased by a smaller 0.1 year to 37.9, ranking as the seventh youngest in the U.S. (Utah was the youngest at 32.6 years.) When comparing Idaho’s median age in urban versus rural areas, urban areas were just under 36 years while rural areas were more than six years older at just over 42.

Idaho’s share of households with at least one member under the age of 18 was 31% in 2025 — higher than the U.S. average of 28% and fourth highest in the nation. Although this average was relatively high for Idaho overall, it varied from nearly 32% within metropolitan or micropolitan areas to 24% outside of these designated areas. Even within metropolitan areas, this average ranged from a high of nearly 42% in Idaho Falls to a low of under 24% in Lewiston. Continue reading →

Idaho’s population younger than national average, metro areas growing quickly

Idaho ranked second in the nation for population growth from 2024-2025, behind only South Carolina, according to recently released estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau. The state’s total population rose by 28,861, or 1.4%, to 2,029,733 people during this time.

Now at the halfway point between the decennial censuses of 2020 and 2030, the 2025 population and age characteristic estimates provide an opportunity to take the pulse of Idaho’s demographic growth over the decade so far.

Since 2020, Idaho has been the fastest growing state on aggregate with a net growth of 9.8%, followed by Florida and South Carolina in second and third place respectively. Continue reading →

More than half of Idaho’s cities gain population in 2025

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: May 15, 2026
Media Contact: Will.Hoenike@labor.idaho.gov

Idaho’s statewide population increased 1.4% in 2025, led by gains of 1.8% in incorporated places (established cities) and 0.5% growth outside of these areas. Of Idaho’s 198 cities, 110 (56%) reported population growth — the remaining 88 cities (44%) either remained constant or declined compared with 2024.

From 2020-2025, nearly 91% (180 of 198) of Idaho’s cities experienced positive population growth. The state also claimed three of the top 100 U.S. cities by population growth rate over this time period — Star, Moyie Springs and Ponderay — with a cumulative growth exceeding 70% and a combined 10,000 net new residents. Continue reading →

Census release shows most of Idaho’s counties grew in population in 2025

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: March 31, 2026
Media Contact: Will.Hoenike@labor.idaho.gov

Thirty-six of Idaho’s 44 counties grew in population in 2025, with 20 growing faster than in 2024, according to annual U.S. Census Bureau population estimates. This translates to 80% of Idaho’s counties growing in population — much higher than the nation’s share of 60%.

Five of Idaho’s urban counties — Ada, Canyon, Kootenai, Bonneville and Twin Falls — added at least 1,000 new residents in 2025. The three most populous counties of Ada, Canyon and Kootenai collectively accounted for more than 75% of the state’s annual population growth and over 22,000 new residents.

Annual population growth rates ranged from a low of -1% in Franklin and Fremont counties to a high of 2.9% in Canyon. Ada had the highest total increase of over 10,000 new residents while Blaine had the largest decline of 184.

Continue reading →

Idaho’s population growth rate second in nation for 2025

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Jan. 30, 2026
Media Contact: Will.Hoenike@labor.idaho.gov

Idaho’s population continued its pattern of growth in 2025 with an over-the-year growth rate of 1.4%, ranking second nationally, according to the U.S. Census Bureau’s recent population estimate data. From April 1, 2020, to July 1, 2025, Idaho grew the fastest in the nation at 10.4% growth, adding 190,610 new residents for a total of 2,029,733 people.

Idaho’s over-the-year population growth rate has bounced between 1.4% and 1.5% over the past three years, significantly lower than the growth rates seen in 2021 and 2022 (3% and 2% respectively). However, the state’s growth in 2025 was still higher than the nation’s growth of 0.5% and that of its contiguous states, including:

  • Utah (1%)
  • Nevada (0.9%)
  • Washington (0.9%)
  • Montana (0.6%)
  • Wyoming (0.3%)
  • Oregon (0.2%)

Continue reading →

Despite an aging population, Idaho’s labor force is getting younger

Idaho was one of the fastest growing states over the past decade, cresting 2 million residents in 2024. While the state’s average age increased from 35.9 in 2014 to 37.8 in 2024, this was still relatively younger than the national average of 39.1.1

From 2014-2024, the population of Idahoans age 16+ increased by 27.5% — more than triple the national rate of 8.3%. Similarly, the state’s labor force increased by 30.5%, as compared with the 7.8% increase nationwide.2

The changing demographics of Idaho’s general population have impacted its labor force and labor force-eligible population (defined as those over the age of 16 who are not a full-time student, member of the military or incarcerated). The effects of in-migration, the displacement of older workers and an increased participation among women and youth can be seen in the age and gender breakdown of the data.

Continue reading →

Several Idaho cities rank in national top 100 list for population growth for 2020-2024

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: May 16, 2025
Media Contact: Jan.Roeser@labor.idaho.gov or
Will.Hoenike@labor.idaho.gov

The cumulative population growth of five Idaho cities from 2020-2024 ranked in the top 100 nationally — Caldwell was in 51st place at 21.5%, followed by Kuna in 54th (21%), Post Falls in 70th (18.6%), Meridian in 71st (18.6%) and Nampa in 91st (16.8%), according to recently released data from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The combined population of Idaho’s 202 incorporated* cities grew by 1.8% from 2023-2024, outpacing the state’s overall growth of 1.5%. Continue reading →

Labor economists to discuss changes in Idaho’s rural demographics at webinar March 25

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: March 19, 2025
Media Contact: Craig.Shaul@labor.idaho.gov

Idaho Department of Labor Research Analyst Supervisor Craig Shaul and Labor Economists Jan Roeser and Seth Harrington will discuss changes over the past 20 years in the state’s rural demographics at a webinar Tuesday, March 25. The webinar takes place from 11 a.m. to noon MT over Zoom.

“Idaho has experienced impressive growth in the last 20 years,” Shaul said. “This webinar will take a detailed look at how the demographics of rural Idaho have changed during this time.”

Continue reading →

Idaho’s most populated counties drive state’s growth

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: March 14, 2025
Media Contact: Jan.Roeser@labor.idaho.gov

Idaho’s 44 counties grew by 1.5%, or over 30,497 new residents, between July 2023 and July 2024, according to recent U.S. Census population estimates. Higher population counties experienced more growth than rural areas, in line with a nationwide trend of metro areas seeing a resurgence after the COVID-19 pandemic.

During the pandemic, Idaho’s growth was more evenly dispersed across less populated rural counties and more populated urban counties.

“The COVID-19 pandemic brought a rush of new residents to Idaho, particularly impacting rural areas of low population density that offered outdoor recreation,” said Labor Economist Jan Roeser. Continue reading →