Bannock County, Idaho

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,147 square miles (2,970 km²), of which 1,112 square miles (2,880 km²) is land and 35 square miles (91 km²) (3.1%) is water. The Portneuf River flows through the county, meeting the Snake River (the American Falls Reservoir) at the county's lowest point, its northwestern corner. Bonneville Peak, on the eastern border in the Portneuf Range, is the county's highest point at 9,271 feet (2825 m); on its western slopes is the Pebble Creek ski area.

Adjacent counties

Highways

National protected area

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 75,565 people, 27,192 households, and 19,224 families residing in the county. The population density was 68 people per square mile (26/km²). There were 29,102 housing units at an average density of 26 per square mile (10/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 91.29% White, 0.59% Black or African American, 2.91% Native American, 0.99% Asian, 0.16% Pacific Islander, 2.08% from other races, and 1.98% from two or more races. 4.68% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 23.1% were of English, 14.2% German, 11.1% American and 7.4% Irish ancestry according to Census 2000.

There were 27,192 households out of which 36.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.70% were married couples living together, 10.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.30% were non-families. 22.80% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.60% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.69 and the average family size was 3.20.

In the county, the population was spread out with 28.10% under the age of 18, 14.60% from 18 to 24, 27.20% from 25 to 44, 20.00% from 45 to 64, and 10.10% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 30 years. For every 100 females there were 97.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.40 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $36,683, and the median income for a family was $44,192. Males had a median income of $36,056 versus $23,595 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,148. About 9.80% of families and 13.90% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.60% of those under age 18 and 7.60% of those age 65 or over.

2010 census

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 82,839 people, 30,682 households, and 20,836 families residing in the county. The population density was 74.5 inhabitants per square mile (28.8/km²). There were 33,191 housing units at an average density of 29.8 per square mile (11.5/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 89.8% white, 3.2% American Indian, 1.3% Asian, 0.8% black or African American, 0.2% Pacific islander, 2.1% from other races, and 2.7% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 6.7% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 23.4% were English, 16.9% were German, 9.3% were Irish, and 7.0% were American.

Of the 30,682 households, 35.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.2% were married couples living together, 10.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 32.1% were non-families, and 24.9% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.64 and the average family size was 3.17. The median age was 31.4 years.

The median income for a household in the county was $44,848 and the median income for a family was $54,650. Males had a median income of $43,538 versus $28,870 for females. The per capita income for the county was $21,275. About 10.6% of families and 14.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.6% of those under age 18 and 4.2% of those age 65 or over.

Government and politics

Similar to other Idaho counties, an elected three-member county commission heads the county government. Other elected officials include clerk, treasurer, sheriff, assessor, coroner, and prosecutor.

Like other eastern Idaho counties, Bannock County has a significant Mormon population which strongly tends to vote Republican. However, a substantial trade union presence in the county - as well as the Idaho State University community - often gives Democrats an overall advantage, especially in local races. Bannock County routinely elects more Democrats than Republicans to county-level offices.

The last Democratic candidate for President to win the county was Lyndon B. Johnson in 1964, although subsequent Republican victories have been by smaller margins than those in neighboring counties.

At the state level Bannock County is located in Legislative Districts 29 and 30. Democrats currently control three of these six seats in the Idaho Legislature.

Idaho Department of Correction operates the Pocatello Women's Correctional Center (PWCC) in Pocatello and in Bannock County.

Census-designated places

Unincorporated communities