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Boise County is a rural mountain
county A county is a geographic region of a country used for administrative or other purposes Chambers Dictionary, L. Brookes (ed.), 2005, Chambers Harrap Publishers Ltd, Edinburgh in certain modern nations. The term is derived from the Old French ...
in the U.S. state of
Idaho Idaho ( ) is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the Western United States. To the north, it shares a small portion of the Canada–United States border with the province of British Columbia. It borders the states of Montana and W ...
. As of the 2020 United States Census, the population was 7,610. The
county seat A county seat is an administrative center, seat of government, or capital city of a county or civil parish. The term is in use in Canada, China, Hungary, Romania, Taiwan, and the United States. The equivalent term shire town is used in the US ...
is historic Idaho City, which is connected through a series of paved and unpaved roads to Lowman, Centerville, Placerville, Pioneerville, Star Ranch, Crouch, Garden Valley, and Horseshoe Bend. Boise County is part of the
Boise Boise (, , ) is the capital and most populous city of the U.S. state of Idaho and is the county seat of Ada County. On the Boise River in southwestern Idaho, it is east of the Oregon border and north of the Nevada border. The downtown ...
, ID
Metropolitan Statistical Area In the United States, a metropolitan statistical area (MSA) is a geographical region with a relatively high population density at its core and close economic ties throughout the area. Such regions are neither legally Incorporated town, incorporate ...
. The Bogus Basin ski area is in the southwestern part of the county. The county's eastern area contains the central section of the Sawtooth Wilderness, the western part of the Sawtooth National Recreation Area. In 2010, the center of Idaho's population was in Boise County.


History

The county was established on February 4, 1864, with its
county seat A county seat is an administrative center, seat of government, or capital city of a county or civil parish. The term is in use in Canada, China, Hungary, Romania, Taiwan, and the United States. The equivalent term shire town is used in the US ...
at Idaho City. It was named for the Boise River, which was named by
French-Canadian French Canadians (referred to as Canadiens mainly before the twentieth century; french: Canadiens français, ; feminine form: , ), or Franco-Canadians (french: Franco-Canadiens), refers to either an ethnic group who trace their ancestry to Fren ...
explorers and trappers for the great variety of trees growing along its banks in the lower desert valley. The county is one of four Idaho counties that also existed under
Washington Territory The Territory of Washington was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from March 2, 1853, until November 11, 1889, when the territory was admitted to the Union as the State of Washington. It was created from th ...
. On January 12, 1863, The Washington territorial legislature established the county containing most of Idaho below 114° 30', excluding the territory lying west of the Payette River. They established its county seat at what later became Idaho City. The Boise Basin, which contains Idaho City, was one of the nation's richest
gold mining Gold mining is the extraction of gold resources by mining. Historically, mining gold from alluvial deposits used manual separation processes, such as gold panning. However, with the expansion of gold mining to ores that are not on the surfac ...
districts; gold was discovered in 1862, and more of it was pulled from present-day Boise County than from the entire state of
Alaska Alaska ( ; russian: Аляска, Alyaska; ale, Alax̂sxax̂; ; ems, Alas'kaaq; Yup'ik: ''Alaskaq''; tli, Anáaski) is a state located in the Western United States on the northwest extremity of North America. A semi-exclave of the U.S ...
. At its peak in the mid-1860s, Idaho City was the largest city in the
Northwest The points of the compass are a set of horizontal, radially arrayed compass directions (or azimuths) used in navigation and cartography. A compass rose is primarily composed of four cardinal directions—north, east, south, and west—each ...
, and it was this rapid population influx that led to the establishment of the Idaho Territory in 1863. The lower–elevation communities of Horseshoe Bend ( Payette River) and Boise ( Boise River) were staging areas for the Boise Basin mines. The county's boundaries changed several times during Idaho's territorial period. Owyhee County (Idaho's oldest) and a portion of Oneida County were carved from the southern and eastern portion of the county as it existed under
Washington Territory The Territory of Washington was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from March 2, 1853, until November 11, 1889, when the territory was admitted to the Union as the State of Washington. It was created from th ...
in late December 1863 and January 1864. When Idaho Territory established the county in February 1864, it contained all of present Ada,
Canyon A canyon (from ; archaic British English spelling: ''cañon''), or gorge, is a deep cleft between escarpments or cliffs resulting from weathering and the erosive activity of a river over geologic time scales. Rivers have a natural tendency to cut ...
, and Payette counties. It also included most of present Boise and
Gem A gemstone (also called a fine gem, jewel, precious stone, or semiprecious stone) is a piece of mineral crystal which, in cut and polished form, is used to make jewelry or other adornments. However, certain rocks (such as lapis lazuli, opal, a ...
Counties, the southern half of Washington County, and small portions of
Adams Adams may refer to: * For persons, see Adams (surname) Places United States *Adams, California *Adams, California, former name of Corte Madera, California *Adams, Decatur County, Indiana *Adams, Kentucky *Adams, Massachusetts, a New England town ...
, Custer, Owyhee, and
Valley A valley is an elongated low area often running between hills or mountains, which will typically contain a river or stream running from one end to the other. Most valleys are formed by erosion of the land surface by rivers or streams over ...
counties. When Ada County was created in December 1864, most of that territory was transferred to Ada County, leaving only small portions of Custer, Gem, Payette, Valley, and Washington counties together with most of present-day Boise County. The Boise River portion of the current western boundary was established by 1866. The southern boundary common to present Ada County was defined the following year. The northern boundary was most volatile Between 1873 and 1887 with the boundary shifting further north into Valley County, back south below Cascade, and then again north to include the North Fork of Payette River Basin. The county obtained its current boundary after Gem County was created in 1915 and Valley County in 1918. In March 2011, the county filed a Chapter 9 bankruptcy petition due to judgment against the county for violating the Fair Housing Act. The county's petition for Chapter 9 relief was denied.


Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has an area of , of which is land and (0.4%) is water. The highest point in the county is
Thompson Peak
at , on its eastern border in the Sawtooth Wilderness. The county's lowest point is on the Payette River, on its western border with Gem County, at approximately . The elevated central basin area rises higher than Horseshoe Bend for instance and thus receives significantly more snow during the winter. Star Ranch, Placerville, and Centerville average above sea level whereas Horseshoe Bend is lower, Garden Valley is lower, and Idaho City is lower. Snow volumes around the county are best illustrated by the county Snow Load Map. Placerville roofs must be designed to withstand 150 pounds per square foot of snow whereas Horseshoe Bend is a third of that at 52.


Adjacent counties

* Valley County - north * Custer County - east * Elmore County - south * Ada County - southwest * Gem County - northwest


National protected areas

* Boise National Forest (part) * Sawtooth National Recreation Area (part) * Sawtooth Wilderness (part)


Major highways

* - Ponderosa Pine Scenic Byway * * - Payette River Scenic Byway The county's two primary routes are scenic byways. Both are two-lane undivided highways for most of their length. The Ponderosa Pine Scenic Byway on
State Highway 21 ''For roads named A21 see ; List of A21 roads'' Route 21, or Highway 21, can refer to: International * European route E21 Australia * Chandler Highway * Toowoomba Connection Road (QLD) * - Kakadu Highway Austria * Wiener Außenring Autobahn ...
climbs northeast from Boise to Idaho City and Lowman, and ends at Stanley in Custer County, at the junction with State Highway 75. The Payette River Scenic Byway on State Highway 55 is a designated
national scenic byway A National Scenic Byway is a road recognized by the United States Department of Transportation for one or more of six "intrinsic qualities": archeological, cultural, historic, natural, recreational, and scenic. The program was established by Co ...
. It heads north from
Eagle Eagle is the common name for many large birds of prey of the family Accipitridae. Eagles belong to several groups of genera, some of which are closely related. Most of the 68 species of eagle are from Eurasia and Africa. Outside this area, j ...
to Horseshoe Bend and climbs the
whitewater Whitewater forms in a rapid context, in particular, when a river's gradient changes enough to generate so much turbulence that air is trapped within the water. This forms an unstable current that froths, making the water appear opaque and ...
of the Payette River to
Cascade Cascade, Cascades or Cascading may refer to: Science and technology Science * Cascade waterfalls, or series of waterfalls * Cascade, the CRISPR-associated complex for antiviral defense (a protein complex) * Cascade (grape), a type of fruit * B ...
and
McCall McCall is a Gaelic surname, of Irish and Scottish origin. Notable people with this surname include: * Andy McCall (footballer, born 1911) (1911–1979), Scottish footballer and manager *Andy McCall (footballer, born 1925) (1925–2014), Scottish f ...
in Valley County, and ends at New Meadows in Adams County, at the junction with US Route 95. The closest thing to a traffic signal in Boise County is a flashing red light for Highway 52 where it meets Highway 55, in Horseshoe Bend. Highway 55 has a flashing yellow. *Highway 52 & Highway 55 Horseshoe Bend


Demographics


2000 census

As of the 2000 United States Census, there were 6,670 people, 2,616 households, and 1,899 families in the county. The
population density Population density (in agriculture: Stock (disambiguation), standing stock or plant density) is a measurement of population per unit land area. It is mostly applied to humans, but sometimes to other living organisms too. It is a key geographical ...
was 3.5 people per square mile (1/km2). There were 4,349 housing units at an average density of 2 per square mile (1/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 95.23%
White White is the lightness, lightest color and is achromatic (having no hue). It is the color of objects such as snow, chalk, and milk, and is the opposite of black. White objects fully diffuse reflection, reflect and scattering, scatter all the ...
, 0.12%
Black Black is a color which results from the absence or complete absorption of visible light. It is an achromatic color, without hue, like white and grey. It is often used symbolically or figuratively to represent darkness. Black and white ha ...
or
African American African Americans (also referred to as Black Americans and Afro-Americans) are an Race and ethnicity in the United States, ethnic group consisting of Americans with partial or total ancestry from sub-Saharan Africa. The term "African American ...
, 0.93% Native American, 0.30% Asian, 0.10%
Pacific Islander Pacific Islanders, Pasifika, Pasefika, or rarely Pacificers are the peoples of the Pacific Islands. As an ethnic/racial term, it is used to describe the original peoples—inhabitants and diasporas—of any of the three major subregions of Ocea ...
, 1.30% from other races, and 2.01% from two or more races. 3.42% of the population were
Hispanic The term ''Hispanic'' ( es, hispano) refers to people, cultures, or countries related to Spain, the Spanish language, or Hispanidad. The term commonly applies to countries with a cultural and historical link to Spain and to viceroyalties for ...
or Latino of any race. 18.4% were of
German German(s) may refer to: * Germany (of or related to) **Germania (historical use) * Germans, citizens of Germany, people of German ancestry, or native speakers of the German language ** For citizens of Germany, see also German nationality law **Ger ...
, 14.8% American, 13.8% English and 9.8% Irish ancestry. There were 2,616 households, out of which 30.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.50% were
married couples Marriage, also called matrimony or wedlock, is a culturally and often legally recognized union between people called spouses. It establishes rights and obligations between them, as well as between them and their children, and between t ...
living together, 5.80% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.40% were non-families. 21.80% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.52 and the average family size was 2.93. The county population contained 26.90% under the age of 18, 4.70% from 18 to 24, 27.10% from 25 to 44, 30.30% from 45 to 64, and 11.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 105.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 106.30 males. The median income for a household in the county was $38,651, and the median income for a family was $43,138. Males had a median income of $35,802 versus $26,250 for females. The
per capita income Per capita income (PCI) or total income measures the average income earned per person in a given area (city, region, country, etc.) in a specified year. It is calculated by dividing the area's total income by its total population. Per capita i ...
for the county was $18,787. About 9.00% of families and 12.90% of the population were below the
poverty line The poverty threshold, poverty limit, poverty line or breadline is the minimum level of income deemed adequate in a particular country. The poverty line is usually calculated by estimating the total cost of one year's worth of necessities for ...
, including 16.40% of those under age 18 and 7.70% of those age 65 or over.


2010 census

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 7,028 people, 2,974 households, and 2,051 families in the county. The population density was . There were 5,292 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the county was 95.4% white, 0.8% American Indian, 0.4% Asian, 0.2% black or African American, 0.1% Pacific islander, 0.8% from other races, and 2.3% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 3.5% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 26.0% were
German German(s) may refer to: * Germany (of or related to) **Germania (historical use) * Germans, citizens of Germany, people of German ancestry, or native speakers of the German language ** For citizens of Germany, see also German nationality law **Ger ...
, 17.4% were English, 10.9% were Irish, 8.6% were American, and 6.0% were
Scottish Scottish usually refers to something of, from, or related to Scotland, including: *Scottish Gaelic, a Celtic Goidelic language of the Indo-European language family native to Scotland *Scottish English *Scottish national identity, the Scottish ide ...
. Of the 2,974 households, 24.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.5% were married couples living together, 5.6% had a female householder with no husband present, 31.0% were non-families, and 25.3% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.35 and the average family size was 2.80. The median age was 48.4 years. The median income for a household in the county was $48,789 and the median income for a family was $60,042. Males had a median income of $48,676 versus $36,919 for females. The per capita income for the county was $24,288. About 8.9% of families and 16.3% of the population were below the
poverty line The poverty threshold, poverty limit, poverty line or breadline is the minimum level of income deemed adequate in a particular country. The poverty line is usually calculated by estimating the total cost of one year's worth of necessities for ...
, including 23.4% of those under age 18 and 9.6% of those age 65 or over.


Population history

* 1863 - 16,835 (17,435) * 1864 - 15,158


Communities


Cities

* Crouch * Horseshoe Bend * Idaho City * Placerville


Census-designated places

* Banks * Garden Valley * Lowman * Robie Creek


Unincorporated communities

* Brownlee * Centerville * Gardena * Grandjean * Grimes Pass * New Centerville * Pioneerville * Quartzburg * Washington Mill


Politics

Hattie F. Noble Harriet "Hattie" Fitch Noble (December 1848 – August 21, 1930) was an American educator and politician. She represented Boise County, Idaho, Boise County in the Idaho House of Representatives from 1898 to 1899. She was an advocate for women's su ...
was the first women to represent Boise, in 1898 after Idaho gave voting rights to women in 1896. Boise County voters are reliably Republican. In only one national election since 1948 has the county selected the Democratic Party candidate.


Education

School districts include:
Text list
/ref> *
Basin School District 72 Basin may refer to: Geography and geology * Depression (geology) ** Back-arc basin, a submarine feature associated with island arcs and subduction zones ** Debris basin, designed to prevent damage from debris flow ** Drainage basin (hydrology), ...
*
Boise City Independent School District 1 The Boise School District #1 is one of 115 public school districts in Idaho. The Boise School District serves a 456 square mile area of Ada County and is headquartered in Boise, Idaho. The district was founded in 1865 under the auspices of Ida ...
*
Emmett Independent School District 221 Emmett may refer to: Places ;In the United States * Emmett, Idaho * Emmett, Kansas * Emmett, Michigan, a village in St. Clair County * Emmett Charter Township, Michigan in Calhoun County * Emmett Township, St. Clair County, Michigan * Emmett, ...
*
Garden Valley School District 71 A garden is a planned space, usually outdoors, set aside for the cultivation, display, and enjoyment of plants and other forms of nature. The single feature identifying even the wildest wild garden is ''control''. The garden can incorporate both ...
*
Horseshoe Bend School District 73 A horseshoe is a fabricated product designed to protect a horse hoof from wear. Shoes are attached on the palmar surface (ground side) of the hooves, usually nailed through the insensitive hoof wall that is anatomically akin to the human ...


See also

*
National Register of Historic Places listings in Boise County, Idaho This is a list of the National Register of Historic Places listings in Boise County, Idaho. This is intended to be a complete list of the properties and districts on the National Register of Historic Places in Boise County, Idaho, United States ...


Notes


References


External links

*
Boise County Parcel Maps
- Boise County Parcel Maps

- Boise County profile

- Thompson Peak {{authority control Populated places established in 1864 Idaho counties 1864 establishments in Idaho Territory Boise metropolitan area