Idaho

The Gem State

Idaho Flag

Basic Information

Idaho, known as the Gem State, is famous for its stunning natural landscapes and abundant outdoor recreation.

Capital

  • Boise

Largest City

  • Boise

Area

  • 83,569 sq mi

Population

  • 1.9 million (2020)

Demographics

Idaho's population is predominantly white, with a growing Hispanic population and a relatively small minority presence.

Ethnic Composition

  • White:82.5%
  • Hispanic:13.0%
  • Native American:1.5%
  • Asian:1.4%
  • African American:1.1%

Languages

  • English:Dominant
  • Spanish:Significant minority language

Age Distribution

  • Under 18:25.1%
  • 18-64:59.9%
  • 65+:15.0%

Population Growth

  • Annual Rate:~2.1%
  • Natural Increase:Varies
  • Migration:Significant growth due to domestic migration

Economy

Idaho's economy is diverse, with strong sectors in agriculture, technology, and tourism.

GDP

  • $89 billion (2022)

Major Industries

  • Agriculture
  • Technology
  • Tourism
  • Mining

Employment Rate

  • Employed:Varies
  • Unemployment:Varies

Major Companies

  • Micron Technology
  • Albertsons
  • Simplot

Climate

Idaho's climate varies significantly across its regions, from hot summers in the south to snowy winters in the mountains.

Northern Idaho

  • Avg. Summer:75°F
  • Avg. Winter:25°F
  • Rainfall:Higher precipitation

Southern Idaho

  • Avg. Summer:90°F
  • Avg. Winter:30°F
  • Rainfall:Lower precipitation

Mountain Regions

  • Avg. Summer:70°F
  • Avg. Winter:20°F
  • Snowfall:Significant snowfall

Visiting Idaho

Idaho offers a wide range of outdoor activities and scenic attractions for visitors.

Best Time to Visit

  • Summer:June-August (outdoor activities)
  • Winter:December-February (skiing)

Transportation

  • Major Airports:Boise Airport (BOI)
  • Interstate Highways
  • Rental Cars

Accommodation

  • Hotels, Lodges, Camping
  • Average Hotel Rate:Varies

Tourist Information

  • Idaho Tourism
  • Visitor Centers across the state

Popular Attractions

Idaho's diverse attractions range from natural wonders to historical sites.

Natural Landmarks

  • Yellowstone National Park
  • Sawtooth National Recreation Area
  • Hells Canyon
  • Shoshone Falls
  • Craters of the Moon National Monument

Outdoor Activities

  • Skiing (Sun Valley)
  • Whitewater Rafting
  • Hiking and Camping
  • Fishing

Historical Sites

  • Old Idaho Penitentiary
  • Nez Perce National Historical Park
  • Wallace Mining District

Cities

  • Boise
  • Coeur d'Alene
  • Idaho Falls
  • Twin Falls

History

Idaho's history includes Native American settlements, the Oregon Trail, the Gold Rush, and its development as an agricultural and mining state.

Early History

  • Native American Tribes:Thousands of years
  • Lewis and Clark Expedition:1805-1806

19th Century

  • Oregon Trail:1840s-1880s
  • Gold Rush:1860s
  • Statehood:1890

20th Century

  • Agricultural Development
  • Mining Industry Growth
  • Development of National Parks

Recent History

  • Tech Industry Growth
  • Population Increase
  • Outdoor Recreation Focus

State Symbols

Idaho has adopted various official state symbols that represent its cultural heritage and natural diversity.

State Animals

  • State Animal:
    Appaloosa Horse
  • State Bird:
    Mountain Bluebird
  • State Raptor:
    Peregrine Falcon
  • State Insect:
    Monarch Butterfly

State Plants

  • State Flower:
    Syringa
  • State Tree:
    Western White Pine
  • State Shrub:
    Mock Orange

Cultural Symbols

  • State Song:
    "Here We Have Idaho"

Other Symbols

  • State Gem:
    Star Garnet
  • State Fossil:
    Hagerman Horse Fossil
  • State Fish:
    Cutthroat Trout

State Facts

Interesting and unique facts about Idaho that showcase its distinctive character and achievements.

Geographic Facts

  • Home to Hells Canyon, deepest river gorge in North America
  • Over 100 mountain ranges
  • Significant portions of Yellowstone National Park within Idaho

Records & Rankings

  • Largest potato producer in the U.S.
  • Significant mining history
  • Extensive wilderness areas

Unique Features

  • Diverse landscapes from desert to alpine forests
  • Abundant outdoor recreation opportunities
  • Growing technology industry

Government & Politics

Idaho has a republican dominated political landscape with a constitutionally mandated structure encompassing Executive, Legislative, and Judicial branches.

Governor

  • Brad Little (as of 2023)

Legislature

  • Bicameral:State Senate and State House of Representatives

Political Trends

  • Historically Republican

Key Political Issues

  • Education Funding
  • Land and Resource Management
  • Growth and Development
  • Healthcare Access

Time Zones

Idaho observes two time zones: Pacific Time Zone (PT) in the north and Mountain Time Zone (MT) in the south.

Pacific Time Zone

  • Northern Idaho (PST, UTC -8 / PDT, UTC -7)

Mountain Time Zone

  • Southern Idaho (MST, UTC -7 / MDT, UTC -6)

Education

Idaho's education system includes public schools, private institutions, and a variety of colleges and universities.

Major Public Systems

  • University of Idaho
  • Boise State University
  • Idaho State University

Notable Private Institutions

  • Northwest Nazarene University
  • College of Idaho

K-12 System

  • Public and private schools across the state

Key Educational Initiatives

  • STEM Education
  • Rural Education Support
  • Addressing Educational Disparities

Culture & Festivals

Idaho's culture is a blend of western traditions and outdoor activities, celebrated through various festivals and events.

Major Festivals

  • Idaho Shakespeare Festival
  • Coeur d'Alene Street Fair
  • Western Idaho Fair
  • Sun Valley Film Festival

Cultural Traditions

  • Rodeo
  • Outdoor Recreation
  • Local Arts and Crafts

Regional Traditions

  • Basque Cultural Celebrations (Boise)
  • Native American Cultural Events

Sports & Teams

Idaho has a vibrant sports culture, with popular activities including skiing, whitewater rafting, and college sports.

Popular Sports

  • Skiing
  • Whitewater Rafting
  • Hiking
  • Fishing

University Teams

  • Boise State Broncos
  • University of Idaho Vandals
  • Idaho State Bengals

Notable Sporting Events

  • Skiing Competitions in Sun Valley
  • Rodeo Events

Cuisine & Local Specialties

Idaho's cuisine is influenced by its agricultural products, with potatoes being a staple, along with game meats and local produce.

Signature Dishes

  • Idaho Potatoes
  • Trout
  • Huckleberry Products
  • Game Meats (Elk, Deer)

Agricultural Products

  • Potatoes
  • Wheat
  • Dairy Products
  • Fruits (Apples, Cherries)

Local Markets

  • Boise Farmers Market
  • Local farm stands and produce markets

Infrastructure

Idaho's infrastructure supports its growing population and industries, with a focus on transportation and resource management.

Highways

  • Interstate Highways (I-84, I-86, I-90)

Airports

  • Boise Airport (BOI)
  • Regional airports

Railroads

  • Freight rail lines

Energy

  • Hydroelectric power
  • Growing renewable energy sources

Notable Historical Figures

Idaho has produced influential figures in politics, industry, and culture.

Historical Leaders

  • Frank Steunenberg (Governor)
  • William Borah (Senator)

Industry Pioneers

  • J.R. Simplot (Agriculture)
  • Philo T. Farnsworth (Television Inventor)

Cultural Figures

  • Ernest Hemingway (Author, lived in Ketchum)
  • Marilynne Robinson (Author)

State Government Services

Idaho provides essential services to its residents through various state agencies.

Health Services

  • Idaho Department of Health and Welfare

Education

  • Idaho Department of Education

Transportation

  • Idaho Transportation Department

Natural Resources

  • Idaho Department of Lands
  • Idaho Department of Fish and Game

Key Historical Documents & Landmarks

Idaho's history is documented through significant historical documents and landmarks.

State Constitution

  • Idaho State Constitution (1890)
  • Previous Territorial Documents

Historic Sites & Landmarks

  • Old Idaho Penitentiary
  • Nez Perce National Historical Park
  • Cataldo Mission

Archival Repositories

  • Idaho State Archives
  • Idaho State Historical Society
  • University of Idaho Library Special Collections

Environmental Initiatives

Idaho places a strong emphasis on preserving its natural resources and promoting outdoor recreation.

Wilderness Preservation

  • Extensive wilderness areas
  • Efforts to protect natural habitats

Water Management

  • Protection of rivers and watersheds
  • Irrigation and water rights

Forestry

  • Sustainable forestry practices
  • Fire management

Wildlife Conservation

  • Protection of endangered species
  • Hunting and fishing regulations

Major Events & Conferences

Idaho hosts a variety of events that highlight its culture, sports, and natural beauty.

Cultural Events

  • Idaho Shakespeare Festival
  • Coeur d'Alene Street Fair
  • Western Idaho Fair
  • Sun Valley Film Festival

Sports Events

  • Skiing Competitions in Sun Valley
  • Rodeo Events
  • Boise River Festival

Outdoor Recreation Events

  • Whitewater Rafting Competitions
  • Hiking and Biking Events

Agricultural Events

  • County Fairs
  • Livestock Shows

Compare States

Discover how Idaho compares to other states across key metrics including population, economy, climate, and more.

Compare key metrics including: Population • Geography • Economy • Climate • Education • Quality of Life