Rupert, Idaho

Rupert is the county seat and largest city of Minidoka County, Idaho,. It is part of the Burley Micropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 5,554 at the 2010 census.quickfacts.census.gov Rupert, Idaho
, U.S. Census Bureau, 2010. Accessed 2011-12-11.

Rupert, founded in 1906, sprung up after the announcement of the Minidoka Reclamation Project, which provided irrigation and electricity following the completion of the Minidoka Dam in 1906. After the dam was built, Rupert became one of the first cities in the world to have its streets lit by electricity.

Geography

Rupert is located at an elevation of above sea level. It is part of the agricultural region of the Snake River Plain known as Magic Valley, and is a few miles north of the Snake River. Interstate 84 passes a few miles to the south, and before its construction, U.S. Route 30 passed through Rupert. Acequia lies about northeast of Rupert and Paul is about the same distance to the west.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all of it land.

Climate

These data are from the Western Regional Climate Center, compiled over the years 1906 to 2002.

Demographics

2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 5,554 people, 2,026 households, and 1,397 families living in the city. The population density was . There were 2,186 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the city was 75.0% White, 0.3% African American, 1.6% Native American, 0.4% Asian, 20.1% from other races, and 2.6% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 42.9% of the population.

There were 2,026 households, of which 38.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.0% were married couples living together, 14.1% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.8% had a male householder with no wife present, and 31.0% were non-families. 26.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.71 and the average family size was 3.30.

The median age in the city was 33.3 years. 30.4% of residents were under the age of 18; 9.6% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 23.2% were from 25 to 44; 21.8% were from 45 to 64; and 15% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 49.0% male and 51.0% female.

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 5,645 people, 2,024 households, and 1,443 families living in the city. The population density was . There were 2,204 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the city was 72.65% White, 0.37% African American, 1.17% Native American, 0.32% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 22.69% from other races, and 2.78% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 35.39% of the population.

There were 2,024 households, out of which 38.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.5% were married couples living together, 12.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.7% were non-families. 25.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.75 and the average family size was 3.31.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 31.2% under the age of 18, 10.6% from 18 to 24, 25.0% from 25 to 44, 18.8% from 45 to 64, and 14.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females, there were 90.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.7 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $25,105, and the median income for a family was $29,423. Males had a median income of $28,070 versus $16,779 for females. The per capita income for the city was $12,253. About 18.9% of families and 21.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 29.2% of those under age 18 and 11.7% of those age 65 or over.

Education

Rupert is served by the Minidoka County Schools system.

Children are zoned to:
* Rupert Elementary School (Rupert - Grades K-5)
* Paul Elementary School (Paul - Grades K-5)
* Acequia Elementary School (Acequia - Grades K-5)
* Heyburn Elementary School (Heyburn - Grades K-5)
* East Minico Middle School (Rupert - grades 6-8)
* West Minico Middle School (Paul - grades 6-8)
* Minico High School (unincorporated Minidoka County, grades 9-12), midway between Paul and Rupert
* Mt. Harrison High School (Heyburn - grades 9-12, alternative high school)

Notable people

* Boyd Coddington, hot rod shop-owner and television show host
* Lou Dobbs, television anchor and pundit
* Bill Fagerbakke, actor
* Richard D. Hansen, archaeologist of Mayan ruins
* Dusty Kline, first football coach at Boise Junior College (now Boise State University)
* John Norby, former NFL running back

References

External links

* - City of Rupert

Chamber of Commerce
- Minidoka & Cassia counties

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Cities in Minidoka County, Idaho
Cities in Idaho
County seats in Idaho
Burley, Idaho micropolitan area
Populated places established in 1906
1906 establishments in Idaho