Adams County, Idaho

County in Idaho, United States

County in Idaho

Adams County

County

Adams County Courthouse

Seal

Location within the U.S. state of Idaho

Idaho's location within the U.S.

Coordinates: 44°54′N 116°27′W﻿ / ﻿44.9°N 116.45°W﻿ / 44.9; -116.45
Country|  United States
State|  Idaho
Founded| March 3, 1911
Named after| John Adams
Seat| Council
Largest city| Council
Area

• Total

| 1,370 sq mi (3,500 km2)
• Land| 1,363 sq mi (3,530 km2)
• Water| 6.7 sq mi (17 km2)  0.5%
Population

(2020)

• Total

| 4,379

• Estimate

(2024)

| 4,998
• Density| 3.2/sq mi (1.2/km2)
Time zone| UTC−7 (Mountain)
• Summer (DST)| UTC−6 (MDT)
Congressional district| 1st
Website| www.co.adams.id.us

Adams County is a rural county in the state of Idaho. As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 4,379,[1] making it the sixth-least populous county in Idaho. The county seat and largest city is Council.[2] Established in 1911, the county was named for second U.S. President John Adams.[3] Adams County is home to the Brundage Mountain ski area, northeast of New Meadows, and the Little Ski Hill, just west of McCall.

## Geography

[edit]

The west boundary line of Adams County abuts the east line of the state of Oregon, across the Snake River.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,370 square miles (3,500 km2), of which 1,363 square miles (3,530 km2) is land and 6.7 square miles (17 km2) (0.5%) is water.[4]

### Adjacent counties

[edit]

* Idaho County \- north
* Valley County \- east
* Gem County \- southeast
* Washington County \- south
* Baker County, Oregon \- southwest
* Wallowa County, Oregon \- northwest

### Highways

[edit]

* \- US 95
* \- SH-55 \- Payette River Scenic Byway

### National protected areas

[edit]

* Hells Canyon National Recreation Area (part)
* Payette National Forest (part)

## Demographics

[edit]

Historical population Census| Pop.| Note| %±

|
|
|

1920| 2,966| | —
1930| 2,867| | −3.3%
1940| 3,407| | 18.8%
1950| 3,347| | −1.8%
1960| 2,978| | −11.0%
1970| 2,877| | −3.4%
1980| 3,347| | 16.3%
1990| 3,254| | −2.8%
2000| 3,476| | 6.8%
2010| 3,976| | 14.4%
2020| 4,379| | 10.1%
2024 (est.)| 4,998| [5]| 14.1%
US Decennial Census[6]
1790–1960,[7] 1900–1990,[8]
1990–2000,[9] 2010–2020[10] 2020[1]

### 2000 census

[edit]

As of the 2000 United States census,[11] there were 3,476 people, 1,421 households, and 1,031 families in the county. The population density was 2.5 people per square mile (0.97 people/km2). There were 1,982 housing units at an average density of 2 per square mile (0.77/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 96.29% White, 1.41% Native American, 0.14% Asian, 0.06% Black or African American, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.92% from other races, and 1.15% from two or more races. 1.55% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 25.6% were of American, 17.9% German, 11.8% English and 7.0% Irish ancestry.

There were 1,421 households, out of which 28.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 63.30% were married couples living together, 5.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.40% were non-families. 23.20% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.90% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.42 and the average family size was 2.83.

The county population contained 23.90% under the age of 18, 4.60% from 18 to 24, 22.60% from 25 to 44, 32.70% from 45 to 64, and 16.10% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44 years. For every 100 females, there were 105.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 102.10 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $28,423, and the median income for a family was $32,335. Males had a median income of $29,097 versus $14,408 for females. The per capita income for the county was $14,908. About 11.70% of families and 15.10% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.90% of those under age 18 and 11.70% of those age 65 or over.

### 2010 census

[edit]

As of the 2010 United States census, there were 3,976 people, 1,748 households, and 1,185 families in the county.[12] The population density was 2.9 inhabitants per square mile (1.1/km2). There were 2,636 housing units at an average density of 1.9 per square mile (0.73/km2).[13] The racial makeup of the county was 96.1% white, 1.0% American Indian, 0.4% Asian, 0.1% Pacific islander, 0.1% black or African American, 0.7% from other races, and 1.7% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 2.4% of the population.[12] In terms of ancestry, 26.3% were German, 18.0% were English, 14.6% were Irish, and 4.9% were American.[14]

Of the 1,748 households, 22.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.6% were married couples living together, 5.8% had a female householder with no husband present, 32.2% were non-families, and 26.8% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.26 and the average family size was 2.70. The median age was 50.0 years.[12]

The median income for a household in the county was $36,004 and the median income for a family was $45,590. Males had a median income of $31,050 versus $26,413 for females. The per capita income for the county was $22,730. About 8.8% of families and 12.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.5% of those under age 18 and 13.5% of those age 65 or over.[15]

## Communities

[edit]

### Cities

[edit]

* Council
* New Meadows

### Unincorporated communities

[edit]

* Alpine[16]
* Bear
* Beer Bottle Crossing[citation needed]
* Cuprum
* Devils Ladder[17]
* Fruitvale
* Glendale[18]
* Goodrich
* Helena[19]
* Indian Valley
* Meadows[20]
* Mesa
* Pine Ridge[21]
* Starkey[22]
* Tamarack[23]
* Wildhorse[24]
* Woodland[25]

### Population ranking

[edit]

The population ranking of the following table is based on the 2010 census of Adams County.[26]

† county seat

Rank | City/Town/etc. | Municipal type | Population (2010 Census)

|
|
|

1 | † Council | City | 839
2 | New Meadows | City | 438

## Politics

[edit]

United States presidential election results for Adams County, Idaho[27] Year  | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies)

|
|
|

No.  | % | No.  | % | No.  | %
2024 | 2,037  | 75.98% | 577  | 21.52%  | 67  | 2.50%
2020 | 1,941  | 75.06% | 591  | 22.85%  | 54  | 2.09%
2016 | 1,556  | 71.28% | 415  | 19.01%  | 212  | 9.71%
2012 | 1,413  | 68.56% | 577  | 28.00%  | 71  | 3.44%
2008 | 1,517  | 65.39% | 728  | 31.38%  | 75  | 3.23%
2004 | 1,468  | 71.16% | 555  | 26.90%  | 40  | 1.94%
2000 | 1,476  | 77.32% | 336  | 17.60%  | 97  | 5.08%
1996 | 1,053  | 54.03% | 537  | 27.55%  | 359  | 18.42%
1992 | 754  | 38.93% | 457  | 23.59%  | 726  | 37.48%
1988 | 1,107  | 61.53% | 643  | 35.74%  | 49  | 2.72%
1984 | 1,381  | 70.60% | 540  | 27.61%  | 35  | 1.79%
1980 | 1,189  | 62.68% | 590  | 31.10%  | 118  | 6.22%
1976 | 809  | 54.74% | 639  | 43.23%  | 30  | 2.03%
1972 | 963  | 67.77% | 293  | 20.62%  | 165  | 11.61%
1968 | 844  | 58.98% | 360  | 25.16%  | 227  | 15.86%
1964 | 689  | 47.88%  | 750  | 52.12% | 0  | 0.00%
1960 | 799  | 52.46% | 724  | 47.54%  | 0  | 0.00%
1956 | 842  | 60.84% | 542  | 39.16%  | 0  | 0.00%
1952 | 933  | 64.26% | 517  | 35.61%  | 2  | 0.14%
1948 | 603  | 47.33%  | 647  | 50.78% | 24  | 1.88%
1944 | 642  | 47.07%  | 721  | 52.86% | 1  | 0.07%
1940 | 779  | 45.53%  | 929  | 54.30% | 3  | 0.18%
1936 | 434  | 33.49%  | 770  | 59.41% | 92  | 7.10%
1932 | 325  | 26.02%  | 854  | 68.37% | 70  | 5.60%
1928 | 521  | 57.57% | 374  | 41.33%  | 10  | 1.10%
1924 | 422  | 42.24% | 208  | 20.82%  | 369  | 36.94%
1920 | 682  | 63.62% | 390  | 36.38%  | 0  | 0.00%
1916 | 667  | 46.19% | 645  | 44.67%  | 132  | 9.14%
1912 | 598  | 39.81% | 417  | 27.76%  | 487  | 32.42%

## Education

[edit]

School districts include:[28]

* Cambridge Joint School District 432
* Council School District 13
* McCall-Donnelly Joint School District 421
* Meadows Valley School District 11
* Salmon River School District 243

Residents are in the area (but not the taxation zone) for College of Western Idaho.[29]

## Healthcare

[edit]

The county is served by the Southwest Idaho Health District.[30]

## See also

[edit]

* Idaho portal

* National Register of Historic Places listings in Adams County, Idaho
* Rock Flat Placer
* Rock Flat Mine

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b "2020 Census Data". data.census.gov.
2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
3. ^ Idaho.gov - Adams County Archived August 10, 2009, at the Wayback Machine \- accessed June 5, 2009
4. ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". US Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
5. ^ "County Population Totals and Components of Change: 2020-2024". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 17, 2025.
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. Retrieved June 28, 2014.
10. ^ "State & County QuickFacts". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on July 17, 2011. Retrieved June 28, 2014.
11. ^ "U.S. Census website". US Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
12. ^ a b c "Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved January 4, 2016.
13. ^ "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved January 4, 2016.
14. ^ "Selected Social Characteristics in the US – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved January 4, 2016.
15. ^ "Selected Economic Characteristics – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved January 4, 2016.
16. ^ Alpine ID Google Maps (accessed January 16, 2019)
17. ^ Devils Ladder ID Google Maps (accessed January 16, 2019)
18. ^ Glendale ID Google Maps (accessed January 16, 2019)
19. ^ Helena ID Google Maps (accessed January 16, 2019)
20. ^ Meadows ID Google Maps (accessed January 16, 2019)
21. ^ Pine Ridge ID Google Maps (accessed January 16, 2019)
22. ^ Starkey ID Google Maps (accessed January 16, 2019)
23. ^ Tamarack ID Google Maps (accessed January 16, 2019)
24. ^ Wildhorse ID Google Maps (accessed January 16, 2019)
25. ^ Woodland ID Google Maps (accessed January 16, 2019)
26. ^ "Decennial Census, 2010".
27. ^ Leip, David. "Atlas of US Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved April 4, 2018.
28. ^ "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Adams County, ID" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved March 12, 2024. \- Text list
29. ^ "College of Western Idaho, pg. 1-77" (PDF). Idaho Legislature. January 26, 2022. Retrieved March 12, 2024. \- See the map. Also see area 3 in: "TITLE 33 EDUCATION CHAPTER 21 JUNIOR COLLEGES". Idaho Legislature. Retrieved March 12, 2024.
30. ^ Luchetta, Julie; Oppie, Troy (October 23, 2024). "Southwest Idaho Health District Board pulls COVID vaccines from its clinics". Boise State Public Radio. Retrieved October 27, 2024.

## External links

[edit]

* Adams County official website
* Adams County Assessor Parcel Map
* The Adams County Record \- local newspaper
* Brundage Mountain ski area

* v
* t
* e

Places adjacent to Adams County, Idaho

| Wallowa County, Oregon | Idaho County |

|
|

|  |

Adams County, Idaho

| Valley County
|  |
Baker County, Oregon | Washington County | Gem County

* v
* t
* e

Municipalities and communities of Adams County, Idaho, United States

County seat: Council

Cities|

* Council
* New Meadows

Map of Idaho highlighting Adams County

Unincorporated
communities|

* Bear
* Cuprum
* Fruitvale
* Goodrich
* Indian Valley
* Mesa

* Idaho portal
* United States portal

* v
* t
* e

County seats of Idaho

* Ada
* Adams
* Bannock
* Bear Lake
* Benewah
* Bingham
* Blaine
* Boise
* Bonner
* Boundary
* Butte
* Camas
* Canyon
* Caribou
* Cassia
* Clark
* Clearwater
* Custer
* Elmore
* Franklin
* Fremont
* Gem
* Gooding
* Idaho
* Jefferson
* Jerome
* Kootenai
* Latah
* Lemhi
* Lewis
* Lincoln
* Madison
* Minidoka
* Nez Perce
* Oneida
* Owyhee
* Payette
* Power
* Shoshone
* Teton
* Twin Falls
* Valley
* Washington

* v
* t
* e

Properties on the National Register of Historic Places in Idaho

* Ada
* Adams
* Bannock
* Bear Lake
* Benewah
* Bingham
* Blaine
* Boise
* Bonner
* Bonneville
* Boundary
* Butte
* Camas
* Canyon
* Caribou
* Cassia
* Clark
* Clearwater
* Custer
* Elmore
* Franklin
* Fremont
* Gem
* Gooding
* Idaho
* Jefferson
* Jerome
* Kootenai
* Latah
* Lemhi
* Lewis
* Lincoln
* Madison
* Minidoka
* Nez Perce
* Oneida
* Owyhee
* Payette
* Power
* Shoshone
* Teton
* Twin Falls
* Valley
* Washington

* v
* t
* e

State of Idaho

Boise (capital)

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Counties|

* Ada
* Adams
* Bannock
* Bear Lake
* Benewah
* Bingham
* Blaine
* Boise
* Bonner
* Bonneville
* Boundary
* Butte
* Camas
* Canyon
* Caribou
* Cassia
* Clark
* Clearwater
* Custer
* Elmore
* Franklin
* Fremont
* Gem
* Gooding
* Idaho
* Jefferson
* Jerome
* Kootenai
* Latah
* Lemhi
* Lewis
* Lincoln
* Madison
* Minidoka
* Nez Perce
* Oneida
* Owyhee
* Payette
* Power
* Shoshone
* Teton
* Twin Falls
* Valley
* Washington

Idaho portal

44°54′N 116°27′W﻿ / ﻿44.90°N 116.45°W﻿ / 44.90; -116.45

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