Twin Falls County, Idaho

Twin Falls County, Idaho
Seal of Twin Falls County, Idaho Seal
Location in the U.S. state of Idaho
Idaho's location in the U.S.
Founded	February 21, 1907
Named for	Snake River waterfall
Seat	Twin Falls
Largest city	Twin Falls
Area
• Total	1,928 sq mi (4,993 km2)
• Land	1,921 sq mi (4,975 km2)
• Water	7.1 sq mi (18 km2), 0.4%
Population
• (2010)	77,230
• Density	40/sq mi (15/km²)
Congressional district	2nd
Time zone	Mountain: UTC-7/-6
Website	www.twinfallscounty.org

Twin Falls County is a county in the south central part of the U.S. state of Idaho. As of the 2010 Census, the county had a population of 77,230. The county seat and largest city is Twin Falls.

Twin Falls County is part of the Twin Falls, ID Micropolitan Statistical Area.

Prior to the 1860s, the Twin Falls County area was an unorganized part of Shoshone lands, then as part of the Oregon Country. The area was first organized as part of the original Owyhee County in 1864 as part of Idaho Territory. In 1879 it was partitioned away from Owyhee County to form part of Cassia County. The county is named for a split waterfall on the Snake River of the same name. The Snake River is the county's northern boundary.

Even after Idaho became a state in 1890, the Twin Falls area was very sparsely populated and without significant settlements. That changed after the city of Twin Falls was founded in 1904 and Milner Dam was completed in 1905. Most of the county's other towns were established during this period as well. In response to local government needs for these new communities, which were as much as 80 miles (130 km) away from Cassia County's seat at Albion, Twin Falls County was created by the Idaho Legislature on February 21, 1907.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,928 square miles (4,990 km²), of which 1,921 square miles (4,980 km²) is land and 7.1 square miles (18 km²) (0.4%) is water.

Adjacent counties

• Gooding County - north
• Jerome County - northeast
• Cassia County - east
• Elko County, Nevada - south
• Owyhee County - west
• Elmore County - northwest

Major highways

• US 30
• US 93
• SH-50
• 20px SH-74

National protected areas

• Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument
• Sawtooth National Forest (part)

Demographics

Historical population
Census	Pop.		%±
1910	13,543		—
1920	28,398		109.7%
1930	29,828		5.0%
1940	36,403		22.0%
1950	40,979		12.6%
1960	41,842		2.1%
1970	41,807		−0.1%
1980	52,927		26.6%
1990	53,580		1.2%
2000	64,284		20.0%
2010	77,230		20.1%
Est. 2014	80,914		4.8%
U.S. Decennial Census 1790-1960 1900-1990 1990-2000 2010-2014

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 64,284 people, 23,853 households, and 16,959 families residing in the county. The population density was 33 people per square mile (13/km²). There were 25,595 housing units at an average density of 13 per square mile (5/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 92.47% White, 0.19% Black or African American, 0.71% Native American, 0.76% Asian, 0.08% Pacific Islander, 3.77% from other races, and 2.02% from two or more races. 9.37% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 17.9% were of German, 17.7% English, 10.9% American and 7.3% Irish ancestry according to Census 2000.

There were 23,853 households out of which 34.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.00% were married couples living together, 9.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.90% were non-families. 23.60% 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 2.64 and the average family size was 3.13.

In the county the population was spread out with 27.90% under the age of 18, 10.40% from 18 to 24, 26.00% from 25 to 44, 21.50% from 45 to 64, and 14.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 96.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.70 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $34,506, and the median income for a family was $39,886. Males had a median income of $30,058 versus $20,825 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,678. About 9.10% of families and 12.70% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.00% of those under age 18 and 9.30% of those age 65 or over.

2010 census

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 77,230 people, 28,760 households, and 19,954 families residing in the county. The population density was 40.2 inhabitants per square mile (15.5/km²). There were 31,072 housing units at an average density of 16.2 per square mile (6.3/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 88.9% white, 1.2% Asian, 0.8% American Indian, 0.4% black or African American, 0.1% Pacific islander, 6.3% from other races, and 2.3% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 13.7% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 20.2% were German, 14.5% were English, 10.8% were Irish, and 7.0% were American.

Of the 28,760 households, 35.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.1% were married couples living together, 10.5% had a female householder with no husband present, 30.6% were non-families, and 24.3% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.65 and the average family size was 3.16. The median age was 34.4 years.

The median income for a household in the county was $42,455 and the median income for a family was $49,188. Males had a median income of $35,777 versus $26,257 for females. The per capita income for the county was $19,892. About 10.6% of families and 13.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.9% of those under age 18 and 10.7% of those age 65 or over.

Communities

• Buhl
• Castleford
• Filer
• Hansen
• Hollister
• Kimberly
• Murtaugh
• Rogerson
• Twin Falls

See also

• National Register of Historic Places listings in Twin Falls County, Idaho

External links

• County website