County growth stagnant, slight decline
2010 Census prelim results
By David Rauzi (editor)
Population growth for the past decade remains near stagnant to slightly down for Idaho County, based on preliminary figures released from the 2010 Census.
For 2009, Idaho County reported a total 15,461 population, which is down by 50 from 2000, according to U.S. Census statistics provided through the Idaho Department of Labor. For the decades prior, the growth rate was 1.2 percent between 1990 and 2000 when the county population total went from 13,783 to 15,511.
City population numbers for last year were not yet available, however, in comparing net growth from 2000 to 2008 only two municipalities show increases during this period. Cottonwood went from 944 in 2000 to 1,041 in 2008, and Riggins jumped by eight to 418 during the same period. Otherwise, population totals dropped: Grangeville had 3,110 people in 2008 (-118 decrease), and Kooskia had 655 (-20). Decreasing both by one were Stites, 225, and White Bird, 105. Ferdinand reported 145 in population in 2008, same as in 2000, which in the interim fluctuated between 141 to 147.
As far as demographics, Idaho County is getting older.
Available statistics up to 2008 show the median age within the county at 45.9, up from 42.3 in 2000. During this time, the population of those 45 to 64 years old increased 11 percent to 4,869, those age 65 and older went up by 422 to a total 3,066, and those 85 and older totaled 418, up 34 percent.
During that same 2000 to 2008 period, three age groups saw decreases varying between 2.3 to 25 percent: younger than 5 totaled 800 (down 19), ages 5 to 13 dropped 488 for a total 1,469, and the 14 to 17 group reduced by 277 for a total 820.
While populations of those 18 to 24 increased 40 percent, age groups of both 15 to 44 and 25 to 44 both saw decreases of 7.2 and 15.5 percent, respectively.
Overall, for 2008, Idaho County’s percentage of population by age shows the bulk lie within the 25 to 44 (19.8 percent) and 45 to 64 (31.5 percent) categories, and those 65 and older make up 19.8 percent.
Due to its relatively old populations and relatively small number of young adults, Idaho County experienced a net natural decrease — deaths exceeded births — between 2000 and 2009.
During this period the county saw a population drop of 50, of which 15 was the natural decrease between 1,455 births and 1,470 deaths.
For population density, based on a total 8,485 square miles within Idaho County, the persons per square mile in 2009 was 1.8, the same as in 2000, but up from 1.6 in 1990.
