Boundary County, Idaho

County in Idaho, United States

County in Idaho

Boundary County

County

Boundary County Courthouse

Seal

Location within the U.S. state of Idaho

Idaho's location within the U.S.

Coordinates: 48°47′N 116°27′W﻿ / ﻿48.79°N 116.45°W﻿ / 48.79; -116.45
Country|  United States
State|  Idaho
Founded| January 23, 1915
Named after| Canada–United States border
Seat| Bonners Ferry
Largest city| Bonners Ferry
Area

• Total

| 1,278 sq mi (3,310 km2)
• Land| 1,269 sq mi (3,290 km2)
• Water| 9.3 sq mi (24 km2)  0.7%
Population

(2020)

• Total

| 12,056

• Estimate

(2024)

| 14,040
• Density| 9.4/sq mi (3.6/km2)
Time zone| UTC−8 (Pacific)
• Summer (DST)| UTC−7 (PDT)
Congressional district| 1st
Website| boundarycountyid.org

Boundary County is the northernmost county of the U.S. state of Idaho. As of the 2020 census, the population was 12,056.[1] The county seat and largest city is Bonners Ferry.[2]

Boundary County was created by the Idaho Legislature on January 23, 1915. It is so named because it borders Canada, and is therefore the only county in Idaho with an international border. It is also only one of three counties in the United States that borders two states and a foreign country, the others being Coös County, New Hampshire, and Erie County, Pennsylvania; these three counties additionally make up the entirety of the international border of their respective states, the only three counties nationwide to do so.

## History

[edit]

Boundary County was formed on January 23, 1915, from Bonner County. It was named Boundary County because it lies on the border of Canada, Washington and Montana.[3]

Boundary County has seven election precincts: Bonners Ferry, Copeland, Kootenai, Moyie, Naples, North Bonners Ferry, and Valley View. All contain part of Bonners Ferry City except Copeland, Moyie, and Naples precincts.[4][5] Moyie Springs was incorporated in 1947.[6]

Settlement of the area started with the establishment of Bonners Ferry on the Kootenai River in 1864. Settlement was limited to the ferry operation until about 1890. The town of Bonners Ferry was established in 1893. At that point settlement was still sparse with small ranching and mining operations, but an expanding timber economy.[7] By 1900, other areas started to develop with the Boulder (now Kootenai), Boundary (now Copeland), and Naples precincts first listed in the U.S. Census of that year. The Moyie precinct first appeared in the 1910 census.[8][9]

In 1980, convicted spy Christopher John Boyce found refuge in Boundary County, for a few months, after his escape from the Lompoc Federal Correctional Complex. He stayed at the home of Gloria Ann White.[10] Boyce sustained himself during his stay with a series of bank robberies in the surrounding area, allegedly with technical assistance from White.[11]

In 1992, Boundary County was the scene of the Ruby Ridge siege by 350–400 armed federal agents against Randy Weaver and his family.[12]

In April 2024, the city council of Bonners Ferry, the county seat of Boundary County, unanimously passed a resolution to continue flying the Canadian flag at its visitor center, despite state restrictions that threatened to remove all foreign flags from government properties. The resolution was seen as a symbolic gesture honoring the region’s historic and economic ties with neighboring British Columbia, especially amid growing tensions over state-level efforts to restrict certain displays of international symbols on public grounds.[13][14]

## Geography

[edit]

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,278 square miles (3,310 km2), of which 1,269 square miles (3,290 km2) is land and 9.3 square miles (24 km2) (0.7%) is water.[15]

### Adjacent counties

[edit]

* Lincoln County, Montana – east/Mountain Time Border
* Bonner County – south
* Pend Oreille County, Washington – west
* Regional District of Central Kootenay, British Columbia – north

### National protected areas

[edit]

* Pacific Northwest National Scenic Trail (part)
* Kaniksu National Forest (part)
* Kootenai National Forest (part)
* Kootenai National Wildlife Refuge

## Transportation

[edit]

### Highways

[edit]

* US 2
* US 95
* SH-1

### Airports

[edit]

Boundary County Airport is a county-owned, public-use airport located two nautical miles (3.7 km) northeast of the central business district of Bonners Ferry.[16]

## Demographics

[edit]

Historical population Census| Pop.| Note| %±

|
|
|

1920| 4,474| | —
1930| 4,555| | 1.8%
1940| 5,987| | 31.4%
1950| 5,908| | −1.3%
1960| 5,809| | −1.7%
1970| 6,371| | 9.7%
1980| 7,289| | 14.4%
1990| 8,332| | 14.3%
2000| 9,871| | 18.5%
2010| 10,972| | 11.2%
2020| 12,056| | 9.9%
2024 (est.)| 14,040| [17]| 16.5%
U.S. Decennial Census[18]
1790–1960[19] 1900–1990[20]
1990–2000[21] 2010–2020[22] 2020[1]

### 2000 census

[edit]

As of the census[23] of 2000, there were 9,871 people, 3,707 households, and 2,698 families living in the county. The population density was 8 people per square mile (3.1 people/km2). There were 4,095 housing units at an average density of 3 units per square mile (1.2 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 95.24% White, 0.16% Black or African American, 2.02% Native American, 0.58% Asian, 0.07% Pacific Islander, 0.86% from other races, and 1.07% from two or more races. 3.39% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 21.4% were of German, 12.9% American, 12.7% English, 9.9% Irish and 6.4% Norwegian ancestry.

There were 3,707 households, out of which 34.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.40% were married couples living together, 7.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.20% were non-families. 23.10% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.50% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.61 and the average family size was 3.07.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 29.20% under the age of 18, 6.90% from 18 to 24, 24.40% from 25 to 44, 26.20% from 45 to 64, and 13.40% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 101.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 100.60 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $31,250, and the median income for a family was $36,440. Males had a median income of $31,209 versus $18,682 for females. The per capita income for the county was $14,636. About 11.50% of families and 20% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.50% of those under age 18 and 11.40% of those age 65 or over.

### 2010 census

[edit]

As of the 2010 United States census, there were 10,972 people, 4,421 households, and 2,976 families living in the county.[24] The population density was 8.6 inhabitants per square mile (3.3/km2). There were 5,175 housing units at an average density of 4.1 units per square mile (1.6 units/km2).[25] The racial makeup of the county was 94.8% white, 1.7% American Indian, 0.6% Asian, 0.3% black or African American, 0.1% Pacific islander, 0.5% from other races, and 2.1% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 3.7% of the population.[24] In terms of ancestry, 22.5% were German, 12.8% were English, 11.2% were Irish, 7.4% were American, 5.9% were Norwegian, 5.4% were Dutch, and 5.1% were Scottish.[26]

Of the 4,421 households, 29.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.0% were married couples living together, 7.6% had a female householder with no husband present, 32.7% were non-families, and 27.5% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.47 and the average family size was 3.00. The median age was 42.8 years.[24]

The median income for a household in the county was $37,712 and the median income for a family was $43,562. Males had a median income of $36,125 versus $26,076 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,011. About 15.7% of families and 18.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 22.0% of those under age 18 and 13.4% of those age 65 or over.[27]

## Politics

[edit]

Like most of Idaho, Boundary County is solidly Republican. The last Democratic presidential candidate to carry the county was Lyndon B. Johnson in 1964. Boundary County is part of Idaho Legislative District 1. As of 2024, it is represented in the Idaho Legislature by Senator Jim Woodward and Representatives Mark Sauter and Cornel Rasor.[28]

United States presidential election results for Boundary County, Idaho[29] Year  | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies)

|
|
|

No.  | % | No.  | % | No.  | %
2024 | 5,794  | 81.49% | 1,145  | 16.10%  | 171  | 2.41%
2020 | 4,937  | 78.15% | 1,220  | 19.31%  | 160  | 2.53%
2016 | 3,789  | 73.39% | 933  | 18.07%  | 441  | 8.54%
2012 | 3,138  | 69.06% | 1,225  | 26.96%  | 181  | 3.98%
2008 | 3,078  | 65.02% | 1,484  | 31.35%  | 172  | 3.63%
2004 | 3,012  | 68.78% | 1,268  | 28.96%  | 99  | 2.26%
2000 | 2,797  | 72.01% | 832  | 21.42%  | 255  | 6.57%
1996 | 1,937  | 50.05% | 1,194  | 30.85%  | 739  | 19.10%
1992 | 1,479  | 39.19% | 1,095  | 29.01%  | 1,200  | 31.80%
1988 | 1,800  | 56.21% | 1,336  | 41.72%  | 66  | 2.06%
1984 | 2,159  | 63.46% | 1,158  | 34.04%  | 85  | 2.50%
1980 | 2,088  | 59.44% | 1,087  | 30.94%  | 338  | 9.62%
1976 | 1,458  | 52.15% | 1,217  | 43.53%  | 121  | 4.33%
1972 | 1,587  | 59.26% | 860  | 32.11%  | 231  | 8.63%
1968 | 1,084  | 47.19% | 883  | 38.44%  | 330  | 14.37%
1964 | 1,065  | 42.89%  | 1,418  | 57.11% | 0  | 0.00%
1960 | 1,237  | 45.18%  | 1,501  | 54.82% | 0  | 0.00%
1956 | 1,419  | 55.24% | 1,150  | 44.76%  | 0  | 0.00%
1952 | 1,641  | 60.98% | 1,040  | 38.65%  | 10  | 0.37%
1948 | 910  | 43.35%  | 1,029  | 49.02% | 160  | 7.62%
1944 | 1,064  | 49.26% | 1,053  | 48.75%  | 43  | 1.99%
1940 | 1,221  | 45.49%  | 1,393  | 51.90% | 70  | 2.61%
1936 | 732  | 33.86%  | 1,304  | 60.31% | 126  | 5.83%
1932 | 763  | 33.35%  | 1,451  | 63.42% | 74  | 3.23%
1928 | 1,015  | 61.66% | 607  | 36.88%  | 24  | 1.46%
1924 | 829  | 46.97% | 244  | 13.82%  | 692  | 39.21%
1920 | 883  | 62.71% | 525  | 37.29%  | 0  | 0.00%
1916 | 598  | 44.07%  | 653  | 48.12% | 106  | 7.81%

## Media

[edit]

### Television

[edit]

A local translator district provides broadcast television stations from Spokane, WA.

### Radio

[edit]

KBFI, 1450 AM - Bonners Ferry has been home to KBFI AM 1450 since 1983. It is owned by local licensee Radio Bonners Ferry, Inc, owned by Blue Sky Broadcasting, Inc. While licensed to Bonner's Ferry and its transmitter site is there, KBFI shares studios and offices with its sister stations (KSPT, KIBR, and KPND), at 327 Marion Avenue in Sandpoint, Idaho.

KSBF, 88.9 FM - Owned and operated by Bonners Ferry Baptist Church, KSBF began broadcasting in 2024, and is an affiliate of the Fundamental Broadcasting Network.

KQFR, 90.7 FM - On September 7, 2022, KQFR, 90.7 FM began broadcasting. Affiliated with "Cornerstone Christian School," KQFR airs a Christian format and is licensed to Moyie Springs.

### Newspapers

[edit]

Bonners Ferry is served by a single newspaper and several online news outlets. The weekly Bonners Ferry Herald, owned by Hagadone Publishing is the official paper of record.

## Communities

[edit]

### Cities

[edit]

* Bonners Ferry
* Moyie Springs

### Unincorporated communities

[edit]

* Copeland
* Eastport
* Good Grief
* Naples
* Porthill
* Curley Creek

## Education

[edit]

There is one school district in Boundary County: Boundary County School District 101.[30]

It is in the catchment area, but not the taxation zone, for North Idaho College.[31]

## See also

[edit]

* National Register of Historic Places listings in Boundary County, Idaho

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b "2020 Census Data". data.census.gov. Archived from the original on March 13, 2022. Retrieved March 13, 2022.
2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
3. ^ Idaho Atlas of Historical County Boundaries. Chicago: The Newberry Library. 2010. p. 62\. Archived from the original on June 19, 2018. Retrieved February 2, 2017.
4. ^ "P.L. 94-171 VTD/SLD REFERENCE MAP (2010 CENSUS): Boundary County, ID" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. United States Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on February 3, 2017. Retrieved February 2, 2017.
5. ^ "Boundary County, Idaho voting districts". US Census Bureau. US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 3, 2017. Retrieved February 2, 2017.
6. ^ A Report of the Seventeenth Decennial Census of the United States Census of Population: 1950. Washington: United States Government Printing Office. 1952. pp. 12–14\. Archived from the original on March 21, 2021. Retrieved February 2, 2017.
7. ^ "Bonners Ferry, Idaho". BonnersFerry.com. Archived from the original on December 1, 2016. Retrieved February 2, 2017.
8. ^ Census Reports Volume I: Twelfth Census of the United States taken in the year 1900. Washington: United States Census Office. 1901. p. 112\. Archived from the original on March 21, 2021. Retrieved February 2, 2017.
9. ^ Sixteenth Census of the United States: 1940. Washington: United States Government Printing Office. 1942. p. 272\. Archived from the original on March 21, 2021. Retrieved February 2, 2017.
10. ^ "Boundary County, Idaho, News". Archived from the original on June 10, 2015. Retrieved November 20, 2013.
11. ^ Lindsey, Robert; Times, Special To the New York (September 5, 1981). "IDAHO WOMAN IS SOUGHT AS SUSPECT IN HARBORING OF FUGITIVE SOVIET SPY". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved May 16, 2025.
12. ^ "Ruby Ridge - Idaho, Incident & Standoff". HISTORY. January 19, 2018. Retrieved May 16, 2025.
13. ^ "Bonners Ferry City Council passes resolution to continue flying Canadian flag despite state restrictions". krem.com. May 6, 2025. Retrieved May 16, 2025.
14. ^ NEWTON, NED (May 9, 2025). "Bonners Ferry rejects Idaho flag order". Bonner County Daily Bee. Retrieved May 16, 2025.
15. ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Archived from the original on August 24, 2019. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
16. ^ FAA Airport Form 5010 for 65S PDF. Federal Aviation Administration. Effective June 3, 2010.
17. ^ "County Population Totals and Components of Change: 2020-2024". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 17, 2025.
18. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on March 21, 2021. Retrieved June 28, 2014.
19. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Archived from the original on August 11, 2012. Retrieved June 28, 2014.
20. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on October 30, 2014. Retrieved June 28, 2014.
21. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on December 18, 2014. Retrieved June 28, 2014.
22. ^ "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on July 2, 2001. Retrieved June 28, 2014.
23. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on July 1, 2021. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
24. ^ a b c "DP-1 Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved January 4, 2016.
25. ^ "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 – County". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved January 4, 2016.
26. ^ "DP02 SELECTED SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS IN THE UNITED STATES – 2006–2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved January 4, 2016.
27. ^ "DP03 SELECTED ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS – 2006–2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved January 4, 2016.
28. ^ "District 1". Idaho Voter Guide. Retrieved May 16, 2025.
29. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Archived from the original on March 23, 2018. Retrieved April 4, 2018.
30. ^ "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Boundary County, ID" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved March 12, 2024. \- Text list
31. ^ "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.

## External links

[edit]

* Boundary County website
* Bonners Ferry
* Boundary County Airport
* Live Webcamera in Boundary County
* KootenaiValleyTimes.com Archived October 1, 2018, at the Wayback Machine

* v
* t
* e

Places adjacent to Boundary County, Idaho

|  | Regional District of Central Kootenay, British Columbia |

|
|

|  |
Pend Oreille County, Washington |

Boundary County

| Lincoln County, Montana
|  |
| Bonner County |

* v
* t
* e

Municipalities and communities of Boundary County, Idaho, United States

County seat: Bonners Ferry

Cities|

* Bonners Ferry
* Moyie Springs

Map of Idaho highlighting Boundary County

Unincorporated
communities|

* Copeland
* Eastport
* Good Grief
* Naples
* Porthill

Indian reservation|

* Kootenai Reservation

* Idaho portal
* United States portal

* v
* t
* e

State of Idaho

Boise (capital)

Topics|

* Index
* Geography
* Government
* Delegations
* Governors
* History
* Bibliography
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Society|

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* Politics

Regions|

* Boise metropolitan area
* Cache Valley
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* Columbia River Plateau
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* Great Basin
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* North Central Idaho
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* Palouse
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* Southwestern Idaho
* Treasure Valley
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Larger
cities|

* Boise
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Smaller
cities|

* Kuna
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Counties|

* Ada
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* Boise
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* Bonneville
* Boundary
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* Valley
* Washington

Idaho portal

Authority control databases

International|

* ISNI
* VIAF

National|

* United States
* Israel

Other|

* NARA

48°47′N 116°27′W﻿ / ﻿48.79°N 116.45°W﻿ / 48.79; -116.45
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