Idaho is officially known as the “Gem State” due to the abundance of gems found across the state. It is also referred to as the “Spud State” because of its production of potatoes, and the "Gem of the Mountains" due to several high mountain ranges.[1] Idaho is the 14th largest state by land area in the United States, covering approximately 83,574 square miles or 216,443 square kilometers.[2] As of 2022, the population of Idaho was approximately 1,939,0336. The state is ranked 38th in terms of total population among the 50 United States.[3]
In 2023, Idaho’s gross state product was $117.1 billion, and the state’s per capita income was $34,919.[4] The state’s economy ranks 39th in size among states and Washington, DC.[5] Idaho’s economy is growing, with high-tech products leading the way. Since the late 1970s, Boise has emerged as a center for semiconductor manufacturing.[6]
Idaho is an important agricultural state, producing nearly one-third of the potatoes grown in the United States. All three varieties of wheat —dark northern spring, hard red, and soft white—are grown in the state.[7] Idaho also ranks first in the U.S. for production of certified organic hay and second nationally in the production of sugar beets.[7]
Idaho is known for its stunning landscapes and outdoor recreational opportunities. Some of the state’s most attractive features include the Boise River, Craters of the Moon National Monument, and various hot springs. The state’s capital and largest city, Boise, is home to attractions like the Boise greenbelt.
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History of IdahoHistory of Idaho
Humans may have been present on the land that became Idaho for 16,600 years. Recent findings in Cooper’s Ferry[8] along the Salmon River in western Idaho near the town of Cottonwood have unearthed stone tools and animal bone fragments in what may be the oldest evidence of humans in North America.[9] Native American tribes predominant in the area in historic times included the Nez Perce and the Coeur d’Alene in the north; and the Northern and Western Shoshone and Bannock peoples in the south.[10]
The Lewis and Clark expedition entered present-day Idaho on August 12, 1805, at Lemhi Pass.[11] It is believed that the first “European descent” expedition to enter southern Idaho was by a group led in 1811 and 1812 by Wilson Price Hunt, which navigated the Snake River while attempting to blaze an all-water trail westward from St. Louis, Missouri, to Astoria, Oregon.[12]
Fur trading led to the first significant incursion of Europeans in the region. Andrew Henry of the Missouri Fur Company first entered the Snake River plateau in 1810. He built Fort Henry on Henry’s Fork on the upper Snake River, near modern St. Anthony, Idaho.[12] No permanent settlements were established until about 1860 at Franklin in the Cache Valley. Mormon pioneers reached areas near the current-day Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming and established most of the historic and modern communities in Southeastern Idaho.[13]
At the start of the Civil War, modern-day Idaho was part of the Washington Territory. On March 3, 1863, the Idaho Territory was formed, consisting of the entirety of modern-day Idaho, Montana, and all but southwest Wyoming.[14] During this time, the soldiers who served in Idaho protected traffic on the Oregon Trail, gold fields, and the telegraph lines. Although no battles were fought in Idaho between the Union and the Confederacy, these Indian war battles fought during the period were considered by the Union army to be Civil War battles.[15]
Idaho proved to be one of the more receptive states to the progressive agenda of the late 19th century and early 20th century.[16] The state embraced progressive policies such as women’s suffrage (1896) and prohibition (1916) before they became federal law.[17] The state’s economy saw significant development during this period, with the discovery of gold attracting a large number of settlers. This led to the establishment of numerous towns and cities, and the development of farming and other industries.[18]
Demographics of IdahoDemographics of Idaho
The demographic distribution of the Idaho population is as follows:[19]
- White: 86.54%
- Two or more races: 5.7%
- Other race: 4.3%
- Asian: 1.36%
- Native American: 1.26%
- Black or African American: 0.68%
- Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander: 0.17%
Most common surnames in IdahoMost common surnames in Idaho
Researching family history in IdahoResearching family history in Idaho
The National Archives in Seattle maintain a collection of federal government documents from Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Alaska. The Idaho State Historical Society preserves Idaho's historical collections including historical records. The Idaho Genealogical Society aids in preserving Idaho specific records. The Mountain West Digital Library provides a central search portal for digital collections about the Mountain West region.
Idaho county listIdaho county list
There are 44 counties in Idaho.
| Ada | Adams | Bannock | Bear Lake |
| Benewah | Bingham | Blaine | Boise |
| Bonner | Bonneville | Boundary | Butte |
| Camas | Canyon | Caribou | Cassia |
| Clark | Clearwater | Custer | Elmore |
| Franklin | Fremont | Gem | Gooding |
| Idaho | Jefferson | Jerome | Kootenai |
| Latah | Lemhi | Lewis | Lincoln |
| Madison | Minidoka | Nez Perce | Oneida |
| Owyhee | Payette | Power | Shoshone |
| Teton | Twin Falls | Valley | Washington |
See alsoSee also
Explore more about IdahoExplore more about Idaho
The MyHeritage.com website has 20 genealogically valuable collections of records from Idaho including the Western United States, Marriage Index, 1838-2016, Idaho, Voter Registrations, Idaho, Deaths and Stillbirths, and Idaho Newspapers, 1894-2009. There are additional important collections in the Idaho Collections Catalog.
References
- ↑ 8 Nicknames for Idaho and the History Behind Them
- ↑ 50 States in Square Miles from NETSTATE.COM
- ↑ Idaho Population 2024 (Demographics, Maps, Graphs)
- ↑ Overview of Idaho
- ↑ Economy of Idaho Statistics and Data Trends: GDP ranking, unemployment rate, and economic growth
- ↑ What Is Idaho'S Biggest Industry?
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Idaho's biggest exports and products
- ↑ Idaho Site Shows Humans Were in North America 16,000 Years Ago
- ↑ Idaho Site Shows Humans Were in North America 16,000 Years Ago
- ↑ Native Americans in Idaho
- ↑ Governor’s Lewis and Clark Trail Committee
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 Grand Teton NP: A Place Called Jackson Hole (Chapter 3)
- ↑ Mormon Settlement of Southeastern Idaho
- ↑ Legacy Of Hate: Mapping The Confederate And Union Footprint In Idaho
- ↑ All Known Battles & Skirmishes During the American Civil War - Idaho Territory
- ↑ Idaho History: 1850-1899
- ↑ Idaho History Timeline: Idaho Important Dates and Events
- ↑ Reference Series
- ↑ Idaho Population 2024 (Demographics, Maps, Graphs)
- ↑ Most Common Surnames in Idaho, With Meanings