Largest city Rupert Time zone Mountain: UTC-7/-6 Area 1,976 km² Population 20,292 (2013) Unemployment rate 3.8% (Apr 2015) | Congressional district 2nd Website www.minidoka.id.us Founded 1913 County seat Rupert Rivers Snake River, F Main Drain | |
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Named for Dakota Sioux word meaning "a fountain or spring of water." Cities Rupert, Heyburn, Minidoka, Acequia, Paul | ||
Minidoka County is a county located in the U.S. state of Idaho. As of the 2010 census, the population was 20,069. The county seat and largest city is Rupert.
Contents
- Map of Minidoka County ID USA
- Geography
- Adjacent Counties
- National protected area
- Highways
- 2000 census
- 2010 census
- Education
- Cities
- References
Map of Minidoka County, ID, USA
Minidoka County is part of the Burley, ID Micropolitan Statistical Area.
The name Minidoka is of Dakota Sioux origin meaning "a fountain or spring of water." Minidoka was first used in 1883 as a name for the Union Pacific's Oregon Short Line, a railroad spur in the middle of the Snake River Plain. The spur later became the site of a watering station along the line. The village of Minidoka grew up next to the station. The Minidoka name was then given to a reclamation project under then President Theodore Roosevelt which included the construction of the Minidoka Dam, completed in 1904. Minidoka National Historic Site (in Jerome County) was part of the original reclamation project and hence shares the name. Minidoka County was created by the Idaho Legislature on January 28, 1913, by a partition of Lincoln County.
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 763 square miles (1,980 km2), of which 758 square miles (1,960 km2) is land and 5.3 square miles (14 km2) (0.7%) is water.
It is part of the Magic Valley region of the Snake River Plain. Irrigated farmland covers the southern part of the county, while lava beds cover the northern portion. The elevation is generally in the range of 4,200 feet (1,300 m) to 4,500 feet (1,400 m). The Snake River forms the county's southern boundary.
Adjacent Counties
National protected area
Highways
2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 20,176 people, 6,973 households, and 5,362 families residing in the county. The population density was 27 people per square mile (10/km²). There were 7,498 housing units at an average density of 10 per square mile (4/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 78.07% White, 0.26% Black or African American, 0.88% Native American, 0.42% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 17.83% from other races, and 2.52% from two or more races. 25.46% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 18.1% were of English, 12.9% German and 12.0% American ancestry according to Census 2000.
There were 6,973 households out of which 38.90% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 64.40% were married couples living together, 8.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 23.10% were non-families. 20.00% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.60% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.87 and the average family size was 3.32.
In the county, the population was spread out with 31.60% under the age of 18, 9.10% from 18 to 24, 25.20% from 25 to 44, 20.90% from 45 to 64, and 13.20% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 99.90 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.80 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $32,021, and the median income for a family was $36,500. Males had a median income of $28,977 versus $19,521 for females. The per capita income for the county was $13,813. About 11.90% of families and 14.80% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.90% of those under age 18 and 9.00% of those age 65 or over.
2010 census
As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 20,069 people, 7,170 households, and 5,315 families residing in the county. The population density was 26.5 inhabitants per square mile (10.2/km2). There were 7,665 housing units at an average density of 10.1 per square mile (3.9/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 80.2% white, 1.2% American Indian, 0.4% black or African American, 0.4% Asian, 15.3% from other races, and 2.4% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 32.4% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 19.9% were German, 16.8% were English, 10.2% were American, and 6.5% were Irish.
Of the 7,170 households, 37.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.8% were married couples living together, 9.1% had a female householder with no husband present, 25.9% were non-families, and 22.0% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.79 and the average family size was 3.27. The median age was 35.3 years.
The median income for a household in the county was $40,350 and the median income for a family was $47,079. Males had a median income of $32,895 versus $22,271 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,747. About 9.4% of families and 13.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 20.0% of those under age 18 and 7.4% of those age 65 or over.
Education
The only public high school in the county is Minico High School near Rupert.