Jump to content

Benewah County, Idaho

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Benewah County, Idaho
County
Benewah County Courthouse
Benewah County Courthouse
Official seal of Benewah County, Idaho
Seal
Map of Idaho highlighting Benewah County
Location within the U.S. state of Idaho
Coordinates: 47°13′N 116°40′W / 47.22°N 116.66°W / 47.22; -116.66
Country United States
State Idaho
FoundedJanuary 23, 1915
SeatSt. Maries
Largest citySt. Maries
Area
 • Total
784 sq mi (2,030 km2)
 • Land777 sq mi (2,010 km2)
 • Water7.3 sq mi (19 km2)  0.9%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
9,530
 • Estimate 
(2025)
10,508 Increase
 • Density12.3/sq mi (4.74/km2)
Time zoneUTC−8 (Pacific)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−7 (PDT)
Congressional district1st
Websitehttps://www.benewahcountyid.gov/

Benewah County (/ˈbɛnəˌwɑː/) is a county located in the northwest part of the U.S. state of Idaho. As of the 2020 United States census the county had a population of 9,530.[1] The county seat and largest city is St. Maries, which has some area inside the Coeur d'Alene Reservation.[2] The county was established on January 23, 1915, of land partitioned from Kootenai County. It was named for a chief of the Coeur d'Alene Tribe.[3] The federally recognized Coeur d'Alene Tribe is based on the Coeur d'Alene Reservation in this and neighboring Kootenai County.

Geography

[edit]

Benewah County lies on the west line of the state. Its west boundary line abuts the east boundary line of the state of Washington. The county has a total area of 784 square miles (2,030 km2), of which 777 square miles (2,010 km2) is land and 7.3 square miles (19 km2) (0.9%) is water.[4] It is the northern part of the Palouse, a wide and rolling prairie-like region of the middle Columbia basin.

Adjacent counties

[edit]

Major highways

[edit]

National protected area

[edit]

State protected areas

[edit]

Demographics

[edit]
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
19206,997—
19306,371−8.9%
19407,33215.1%
19506,173−15.8%
19606,036−2.2%
19706,2303.2%
19808,29233.1%
19907,937−4.3%
20009,17115.5%
20109,2851.2%
20209,5302.6%
2025 (est.)10,508[5] Increase10.3%
US Decennial Census[6]
1790–1960[7] 1900–1990[8]
1990–2000[9] 2010–2020[1]

Racial and ethnic composition

[edit]
Benewah County, Idaho – Racial and ethnic composition
Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.
Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic) Pop 1980[10] Pop 1990[11] Pop 2000[12] Pop 2010[13] Pop 2020[14] % 1980 % 1990 % 2000 % 2010 % 2020
White alone (NH) 7,735 7,194 8,055 7,919 7,773 93.28% 90.64% 87.83% 85.29% 81.56%
Black or African American alone (NH) 4 3 11 25 8 0.05% 0.04% 0.12% 0.27% 0.08%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) 442 583 788 765 796 5.33% 7.35% 8.59% 8.24% 8.35%
Asian alone (NH) 22 28 13 27 30 0.27% 0.35% 0.14% 0.29% 0.31%
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander alone (NH) x [15] x [16] 5 6 15 x x 0.05% 0.06% 0.16%
Other race alone (NH) 16 5 2 4 70 0.19% 0.06% 0.02% 0.04% 0.73%
Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) x [17] x [18] 155 304 584 x x 1.69% 3.27% 6.13%
Hispanic or Latino (any race) 73 124 142 235 254 0.88% 1.56% 1.55% 2.53% 2.67%
Total 8,292 7,937 9,171 9,285 9,530 100.00% 100.00% 100.00% 100.00% 100.00%


2020 census

[edit]

As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 9,530. The median age was 47.5 years. 22.0% of residents were under the age of 18 and 25.1% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 103.0 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 101.4 males age 18 and over.[19]

The racial makeup of the county was 82.4% White, 0.1% Black or African American, 8.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% Asian, 0.2% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 1.2% from some other race, and 7.1% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 2.7% of the population.[20]

0.0% of residents lived in urban areas, while 100.0% lived in rural areas.[21]

There were 3,875 households in the county, of which 27.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 21.3% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 25.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[19]

There were 4,628 housing units, of which 16.3% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 77.6% were owner-occupied and 22.4% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.2% and the rental vacancy rate was 8.4%.[19]

2010 census

[edit]

As of the 2010 United States census, there were 9,285 people, 3,837 households, and 2,571 families in the county.[22] The population density was 12.0 inhabitants per square mile (4.6/km2). There were 4,629 housing units at an average density of 6.0 per square mile (2.3/km2).[23] The racial makeup of the county was 86.6% white, 8.7% Native American, 0.3% black or African American, 0.3% Asian, 0.1% Pacific islander, 0.5% from other races, and 3.6% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 2.5% of the population.[22] In terms of European ancestry, 23.7% were German, 17.5% were Irish, 14.6% were English, 7.1% were Norwegian, and 3.4% were American.[24]

Of the 3,837 households, 29.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.8% were married couples living together, 9.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 33.0% were non-families, and 27.3% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.40 and the average family size was 2.90. The median age was 44.8 years.[22]

The median income for a household in the county was $37,500 and the median income for a family was $41,759. Males had a median income of $37,214 versus $22,348 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,312. About 11.2% of families and 15.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.6% of those under age 18 and 5.6% of those age 65 or over.[25]

2000 census

[edit]

As of the 2000 United States census,[26] there were 9,171 people, 3,580 households, and 2,538 families in the county. The population density was 12 people per square mile (4.6 people/km2). There were 4,238 housing units at an average density of 6 per square mile (2.3/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 88.66% White, 0.12% Black or African American, 8.94% Native American, 0.15% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 0.25% from other races, and 1.82% from two or more races. 1.55% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 26.6% were of German, 11.7% English, 9.5% American and 8.6% Irish ancestry.

There were 3,580 households, out of which 31.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.40% were married couples living together, 7.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.10% were non-families. 24.00% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.40% 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 2.99.

The county population contained 26.90% under the age of 18, 6.80% from 18 to 24, 25.40% from 25 to 44, 26.60% from 45 to 64, and 14.20% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 104.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 101.10 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $31,517, and the median income for a family was $36,000. Males had a median income of $35,097 versus $20,288 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,285. About 10.50% of families and 14.10% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.20% of those under age 18 and 9.70% of those age 65 or over.

Politics

[edit]

Benewah County voters tend to vote Republican in the last several decades. In only two national elections since 1968 has the county selected the Democratic Party candidate (as of 2024).

United States presidential election results for Benewah County, Idaho[27]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No. %No. %No. %
1916 935 35.06% 1,374 51.52% 358 13.42%
1920 1,351 62.98% 794 37.02% 0 0.00%
1924 1,158 46.98% 318 12.90% 989 40.12%
1928 1,343 57.44% 958 40.98% 37 1.58%
1932 949 35.28% 1,602 59.55% 139 5.17%
1936 897 30.92% 1,906 65.70% 98 3.38%
1940 1,304 40.12% 1,924 59.20% 22 0.68%
1944 1,173 44.38% 1,446 54.71% 24 0.91%
1948 1,038 38.01% 1,590 58.22% 103 3.77%
1952 1,568 52.08% 1,436 47.69% 7 0.23%
1956 1,460 50.31% 1,442 49.69% 0 0.00%
1960 1,274 42.05% 1,756 57.95% 0 0.00%
1964 981 35.33% 1,796 64.67% 0 0.00%
1968 1,125 44.41% 1,160 45.80% 248 9.79%
1972 1,494 55.54% 1,062 39.48% 134 4.98%
1976 1,458 47.58% 1,549 50.55% 57 1.86%
1980 2,111 54.89% 1,361 35.39% 374 9.72%
1984 2,039 57.70% 1,447 40.95% 48 1.36%
1988 1,650 50.96% 1,518 46.88% 70 2.16%
1992 1,223 33.03% 1,270 34.30% 1,210 32.68%
1996 1,667 42.54% 1,488 37.97% 764 19.49%
2000 2,606 70.68% 895 24.27% 186 5.04%
2004 2,823 69.70% 1,148 28.35% 79 1.95%
2008 2,646 63.54% 1,407 33.79% 111 2.67%
2012 2,596 66.82% 1,164 29.96% 125 3.22%
2016 3,103 74.15% 770 18.40% 312 7.46%
2020 3,878 77.95% 977 19.64% 120 2.41%
2024 4,094 79.57% 935 18.17% 116 2.25%

Communities

[edit]

Cities

[edit]

Census-designated places

[edit]

Unincorporated communities

[edit]

Education

[edit]

School districts include:[72]

It is in the catchment area, but not the taxation zone, for North Idaho College.[73]

Images

[edit]

See also

[edit]

Notes

[edit]
  1. 1 2 "State & County QuickFacts". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 6, 2011. Retrieved September 17, 2022.
  2. ↑ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ↑ "Benewah County – Idaho.gov". Archived from the original on February 5, 2015. Retrieved February 5, 2015.
  4. ↑ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  5. ↑ "County Population Totals and Components of Change: 2020-2025". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 14, 2026.
  6. ↑ "US Decennial Census". US Census Bureau. Retrieved June 28, 2014.
  7. ↑ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved June 28, 2014.
  8. ↑ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". US Census Bureau. Retrieved June 28, 2014.
  9. ↑ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). US Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 27, 2010. Retrieved June 28, 2014.
  10. ↑ "1980 Census of Population - General Social and Economic Characteristics - Idaho - Table 15 - Persons by Race: 1980 and Table 16 - Total Persons and Spanish Origin Persons by Type of Spanish Origin and Race: 1980" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. p. 9-12. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 7, 2022 – via Wayback Machine.
  11. ↑ "1990 Census of Population - General Population Characteristics - Idaho: Table 3 - Race and Hispanic Origin" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. pp. 5–19. Archived from the original (PDF) on August 19, 2025 – via Wayback Machine.
  12. ↑ "P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Benewah County, Idaho". United States Census Bureau.
  13. ↑ "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Benewah County, Idaho". United States Census Bureau.
  14. ↑ "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Benewah County, Idaho". United States Census Bureau.
  15. ↑ included in the Asian category in the 1980 Census
  16. ↑ included in the Asian category in the 1990 Census
  17. ↑ not an option in the 1980 Census
  18. ↑ not an option in the 1990 Census
  19. 1 2 3 "2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved December 20, 2025.
  20. ↑ "2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved December 20, 2025.
  21. ↑ "2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)". United States Census Bureau. 2023. Retrieved December 20, 2025.
  22. 1 2 3 "Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data". US Census Bureau. Retrieved January 4, 2016.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  23. ↑ "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 – County". US Census Bureau. Retrieved January 4, 2016.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  24. ↑ "Selected Social Characteristics in the US – 2006–2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". US Census Bureau. Retrieved January 4, 2016.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  25. ↑ "Selected Economic Characteristics – 2006–2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". US Census Bureau. Retrieved January 4, 2016.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  26. ↑ "U.S. Census website". US Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  27. ↑ Leip, David. "Atlas of US Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved April 4, 2018.
  28. ↑ U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Alder Creek
  29. ↑ "Alder Creek, Idaho 83861" (Map). Google Maps. Retrieved June 10, 2019.
  30. ↑ U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Benewah
  31. ↑ "Benewah, Idaho 83861" (Map). Google Maps. Retrieved June 10, 2019.
  32. ↑ U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Cardwell
  33. ↑ "Cardwell, St Maries, ID 83861" (Map). Google Maps. Retrieved June 10, 2019.
  34. ↑ U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Hawleys Landing
  35. ↑ "Hawleys Landing, Idaho 83851" (Map). Google Maps. Retrieved June 10, 2019.
  36. ↑ U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Lotus
  37. ↑ "Lotus, St Maries, ID 83861" (Map). Google Maps. Retrieved June 10, 2019.
  38. ↑ U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Mashburn
  39. ↑ "Mashburn, Idaho 83861" (Map). Google Maps. Retrieved June 10, 2019.
  40. ↑ U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Meadowhurst
  41. ↑ "Meadowhurst, Idaho 83861" (Map). Google Maps. Retrieved June 10, 2019.
  42. ↑ U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Miltown
  43. ↑ "Milltown, Idaho 83861" (Map). Google Maps. Retrieved June 10, 2019.
  44. ↑ U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Mowry
  45. ↑ "Mowry, Idaho 83851" (Map). Google Maps. Retrieved June 10, 2019.
  46. ↑ U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: North South Ski Bowl
  47. ↑ "North South Ski Bowl, Idaho 83861" (Map). Google Maps. Retrieved June 10, 2019.
  48. ↑ U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Omega
  49. ↑ "Omega, Idaho 83861" (Map). Google Maps. Retrieved June 10, 2019.
  50. ↑ U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Pedee
  51. ↑ "Pedee, Idaho 83851" (Map). Google Maps. Retrieved June 10, 2019.
  52. ↑ U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Plummer Junction
  53. ↑ "Plummer Junction, Idaho 83851" (Map). Google Maps. Retrieved June 10, 2019.
  54. ↑ U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Ramsdell
  55. ↑ "Ramsdell, Idaho 83861" (Map). Google Maps. Retrieved June 10, 2019.
  56. ↑ U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Riverdale
  57. ↑ "Riverdale, Idaho 83861" (Map). Google Maps. Retrieved June 10, 2019.
  58. ↑ U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Rocky Point
  59. ↑ "Rocky Point, Idaho 83851" (Map). Google Maps. Retrieved June 10, 2019.
  60. ↑ U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Rover
  61. ↑ "Rover, St Maries, ID 83861" (Map). Google Maps. Retrieved June 10, 2019.
  62. ↑ U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Sanders
  63. ↑ "Sanders, Idaho 83870" (Map). Google Maps. Retrieved June 10, 2019.
  64. ↑ U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Silvertip Landing
  65. ↑ "Silvertip Landing, Idaho 83861" (Map). Google Maps. Retrieved June 10, 2019.
  66. ↑ U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Tyson Creek Station
  67. ↑ "Tyson Creek Station, Idaho 83830" (Map). Google Maps. Retrieved June 10, 2019.
  68. ↑ U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Wayland
  69. ↑ "Wayland, Idaho 83861" (Map). Google Maps. Retrieved June 10, 2019.
  70. ↑ U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Willard
  71. ↑ "Willard, Idaho 83851" (Map). Google Maps. Retrieved June 10, 2019.
  72. ↑ "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Benewah County, ID" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved March 12, 2024. - Text list
  73. ↑ "Community Colleges" (PDF). Legislative Budget Book. Idaho Legislature. 2016. pp. 1–81 (PDF p. 3/9). - See area 1 in: "TITLE 33 EDUCATION CHAPTER 21 JUNIOR COLLEGES". Idaho Legislature. Retrieved March 12, 2024.

47°13′N 116°40′W / 47.22°N 116.66°W / 47.22; -116.66

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Benewah_County,_Idaho&oldid=1375158850"