Caribou County, Idaho

County in Idaho, United States

County in Idaho

Caribou County

County

Caribou County Courthouse, Soda Springs

Seal

Location within the U.S. state of Idaho

Idaho's location within the U.S.

Coordinates: 42°46′N 111°33′W﻿ / ﻿42.76°N 111.55°W﻿ / 42.76; -111.55
Country|  United States
State|  Idaho
Founded| February 11, 1919
Named after| Caribou Range
Seat| Soda Springs
Largest city| Soda Springs
Area

• Total

| 1,799 sq mi (4,660 km2)
• Land| 1,764 sq mi (4,570 km2)
• Water| 34 sq mi (90 km2)  1.9%
Population

(2020)

• Total

| 7,027
• Density| 3.9/sq mi (1.5/km2)
Time zone| UTC−7 (Mountain)
• Summer (DST)| UTC−6 (MDT)
Congressional district| 2nd
Website| www.cariboucounty.us

Caribou County is a county located in the U.S. state of Idaho. As of the 2020 Census the county had a population of 7,027.[1] The county seat and largest city is Soda Springs.[2]

## History

[edit]

Robert Stuart explored the area of Soda Springs in 1812. Donald McKenzie also explored the area in 1819. The explorers were followed by trappers, missionaries, and emigrants that would travel through on the Oregon Trail. Soda Springs' namesake springs were an attraction for the trappers who met there to socialize on November 10, 1833. Missionaries and emigrant journal entries describing the springs date back to John K. Townsend's journal entry of July 8, 1834.[3]

In May 1863, members of the Morrisite religious sect took refuge at the junction of Soda Creek and Bear River where they formed Morristown. At the direction of General Patrick E. Conner, a fort was constructed in the fall of 1863 for their protection. Soda Springs was established as the county seat of Oneida County when it was created January 22, 1864, serving as the county seat until 1866. The 1870 census lists a population of 144 for Soda Springs. Settlement of the present town of Soda Springs occurred in May 1871 when Brigham Young and other Mormons purchased land at the present site of Soda Springs. Young would often recreate on his property holdings there.[4][5][6][7]

Settlement in the western portion of the county from Thatcher to Chesterfield was primarily ranching and farming operations up until 1880. Chester Call, Chesterfield's namesake arrived in 1880, bring his family in 1881. The towns of Chesterfield and Squaw Creek Station were settled in 1882. Squaw Creek Station was the initial name for Bancroft that was established when the railroad was built. It was renamed Bancroft on July 23, 1898. Settlement at the town of Grace commenced in 1893. Chesterfield declined in population while Grace and Bancroft endured.[8][9]

All of present Caribou County became a part of Bingham County when it was created on January 13, 1885.[10] The 1890 census lists four precincts of Chesterfield, Gentile Valley (now Thatcher), Little Blackfoot (now Henry), and Soda Springs with a combined population of 1,722. The Caribou precinct with 342 residents also contained residents within present-day Caribou County, but also included territory now in Bonneville County.[11]

Bannock County was established on March 6, 1893. Bancroft, Chesterfield, Chubb Springs (now Henry), Gentile Valley (now Thatcher), Salt River (now Freedom), and Soda Springs were in existence at the 1900 census with a combined population of 3,430.[12]

When the legislature formed Caribou County on February 11, 1919, Bannock County retained the Gem, Gentile Valley, and Upper Portneuf valleys. The retained area contained 4,486 residents at the 1920 Census, declining to 3,572 residents by the 1940 Census. On January 11, 1948, the residents of this area voted to become part of Caribou County.[13][14][15]

## Geography

[edit]

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,799 square miles (4,660 km2), of which 1,764 square miles (4,570 km2) is land and 34 square miles (88 km2) (1.9%) is water.[16] The county's highpoint is Meade Peak at 9,963 ft (3,037 m) above sea level.

### Adjacent counties

[edit]

* Bonneville County \- north
* Lincoln County, Wyoming \- east
* Bear Lake County \- south
* Franklin County \- south
* Bannock County \- west
* Bingham County \- northwest

### National protected areas

[edit]

* Cache National Forest (part)
* Caribou National Forest (part)
* Grays Lake National Wildlife Refuge (part)

### Major highways

[edit]

* US 30
* SH-34

## Demographics

[edit]

Historical population Census| Pop.| Note| %±

|
|
|

1920| 2,191| | —
1930| 2,121| | −3.2%
1940| 2,284| | 7.7%
1950| 5,576| | 144.1%
1960| 5,976| | 7.2%
1970| 6,534| | 9.3%
1980| 8,695| | 33.1%
1990| 6,963| | −19.9%
2000| 7,304| | 4.9%
2010| 6,963| | −4.7%
2020| 7,027| | 0.9%
2024 (est.)| 7,239| [17]| 3.0%
U.S. Decennial Census[18]
1790–1960,[19] 1900–1990,[20]
1990–2000,[21] 2010–2020[1] 2020[22]

### 2000 census

[edit]

As of the census[23] of 2000, there were 7,304 people, 2,560 households, and 1,978 families living in the county. The population density was 4 people per square mile (1.5 people/km2). There were 3,188 housing units at an average density of 2 units per square mile (0.77 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 96.14% White, 0.05% Black or African American, 0.21% Native American, 0.08% Asian, 0.12% Pacific Islander, 2.20% from other races, and 1.19% from two or more races. 3.96% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 29.7% were of English, 12.2% German, 11.0% American, 8.2% Danish and 5.5% Irish ancestry.

There were 2,560 households, out of which 39.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 69.30% were married couples living together, 5.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 22.70% were non-families. 20.40% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.30% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.83 and the average family size was 3.29.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 31.70% under the age of 18, 8.20% from 18 to 24, 24.50% from 25 to 44, 22.00% from 45 to 64, and 13.60% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 99.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.60 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $37,609, and the median income for a family was $42,630. Males had a median income of $38,575 versus $20,085 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,179. About 7.00% of families and 9.60% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.60% of those under age 18 and 9.90% of those age 65 or over.

### 2010 census

[edit]

As of the 2010 United States census, there were 6,963 people, 2,606 households, and 1,936 families living in the county.[24] The population density was 3.9 inhabitants per square mile (1.5/km2). There were 3,226 housing units at an average density of 1.8 units per square mile (0.69 units/km2).[25] The racial makeup of the county was 95.3% white, 0.3% American Indian, 0.2% Pacific islander, 0.2% Asian, 0.1% black or African American, 2.3% from other races, and 1.5% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 4.8% of the population.[24] In terms of ancestry, 27.5% were English, 17.0% were German, 7.2% were Swedish, 7.0% were Danish, 5.0% were Irish, and 4.3% were American.[26]

Of the 2,606 households, 35.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 64.3% were married couples living together, 6.1% had a female householder with no husband present, 25.7% were non-families, and 22.9% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.64 and the average family size was 3.12. The median age was 37.7 years.[24]

The median income for a household in the county was $44,958 and the median income for a family was $53,615. Males had a median income of $45,904 versus $23,837 for females. The per capita income for the county was $20,637. About 4.2% of families and 8.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.4% of those under age 18 and 5.0% of those age 65 or over.[27]

## Communities

[edit]

### Cities

[edit]

* Bancroft
* Grace
* Soda Springs

### Unincorporated communities

[edit]

* Conda
* Freedom
* Henry
* Wayan

## Politics

[edit]

Similar to Boise County, Caribou County is a reliable state bellwether, having voted for Idaho's statewide winner in every presidential election since its creation in 1919. Like all of archconservative LDS southeastern Idaho, Caribou County has been overwhelmingly Republican since the middle 1960s. The last Democrat to carry the county was Lyndon B. Johnson in 1964. In fact, in no presidential election subsequent to that landslide has any Democratic nominee cracked one-third of the county's vote.

United States presidential election results for Caribou County, Idaho[28] Year  | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies)

|
|
|

No.  | % | No.  | % | No.  | %
2024 | 2,906  | 84.09% | 445  | 12.88%  | 105  | 3.04%
2020 | 2,906  | 85.07% | 431  | 12.62%  | 79  | 2.31%
2016 | 2,275  | 74.96% | 271  | 8.93%  | 489  | 16.11%
2012 | 2,608  | 85.45% | 386  | 12.65%  | 58  | 1.90%
2008 | 2,656  | 80.44% | 553  | 16.75%  | 93  | 2.82%
2004 | 2,753  | 83.91% | 491  | 14.96%  | 37  | 1.13%
2000 | 2,601  | 81.87% | 475  | 14.95%  | 101  | 3.18%
1996 | 1,740  | 55.77% | 841  | 26.96%  | 539  | 17.28%
1992 | 1,350  | 41.72% | 562  | 17.37%  | 1,324  | 40.91%
1988 | 2,239  | 71.22% | 867  | 27.58%  | 38  | 1.21%
1984 | 3,032  | 84.29% | 535  | 14.87%  | 30  | 0.83%
1980 | 3,234  | 83.09% | 481  | 12.36%  | 177  | 4.55%
1976 | 2,253  | 64.83% | 1,110  | 31.94%  | 112  | 3.22%
1972 | 2,069  | 69.95% | 614  | 20.76%  | 275  | 9.30%
1968 | 1,731  | 62.15% | 727  | 26.10%  | 327  | 11.74%
1964 | 1,303  | 47.82%  | 1,422  | 52.18% | 0  | 0.00%
1960 | 1,544  | 54.42% | 1,293  | 45.58%  | 0  | 0.00%
1956 | 1,668  | 63.71% | 950  | 36.29%  | 0  | 0.00%
1952 | 1,788  | 68.82% | 809  | 31.14%  | 1  | 0.04%
1948 | 447  | 48.06%  | 475  | 51.08% | 8  | 0.86%
1944 | 462  | 47.24%  | 516  | 52.76% | 0  | 0.00%
1940 | 390  | 37.18%  | 658  | 62.73% | 1  | 0.10%
1936 | 321  | 33.37%  | 640  | 66.53% | 1  | 0.10%
1932 | 409  | 44.46%  | 499  | 54.24% | 12  | 1.30%
1928 | 471  | 61.49% | 291  | 37.99%  | 4  | 0.52%
1924 | 508  | 58.80% | 148  | 17.13%  | 208  | 24.07%
1920 | 541  | 74.93% | 181  | 25.07%  | 0  | 0.00%

## See also

[edit]

* National Register of Historic Places listings in Caribou County, Idaho
* County Parcel Map

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on July 17, 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. ^ "Idaho State Historical Society Reference Series: Soda Springs" (PDF). Idaho State Historical Society. Idaho State Historical Society. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 9, 2017. Retrieved February 6, 2017.
4. ^ Encyclopedic History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Salt Lake City: Deseret News. 1941. pp. 541, 806–807. Retrieved February 6, 2017.
5. ^ Laws of the Territory of Idaho, First Session: An Act Creating the County of Oneida. Lewiston: James A. Glascock, Territorial Printer. 1864. p. 625. Retrieved February 6, 2017.
6. ^ Laws of the Territory of Idaho, Third Session: An Act to Remove the County Seat of Oneida County, in Idaho Territory. Boise City: Frank Kenyon, Territorial Printer. 1866. p. 182.
7. ^ Ninth Census-Volume I: The Statistics of the Population of the United States (PDF). Washington: Government Printing Office. 1872. p. 108\. Archived (PDF) from the original on November 8, 2005. Retrieved February 6, 2017.
8. ^ Encyclopedic History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Salt Lake City: Desert News. 1941. pp. 40–41, 135, 293. Retrieved February 6, 2017.
9. ^ "BANCROFT & CHESTERFIELD". graceidaho.com. Grace Idaho Chamber of Commerce. Retrieved February 7, 2017.
10. ^ Idaho Atlas of Historical County Boundaries. Chicago: The Newberry Library. 2010. p. 27.
11. ^ Report on the Population of the United States at the Eleventh Census: 1890 (PDF). Washington: Government Printing Office. 1895. p. 99\. Archived (PDF) from the original on January 24, 2005. Retrieved February 7, 2017.
12. ^ Census Reports Volume I: Twelfth Census of the United States, Taken in the Year 1900 (PDF). Washington: United States Census Office. 1901. p. 110\. Archived (PDF) from the original on May 14, 2006.
13. ^ Idaho Atlas of Historical County Boundaries. Chicago: The Newberry Library. 2010. pp. 23, 69.
14. ^ Fourteenth Census of the United States, Taken in the Year 1920 (PDF). Washington: Government Printing Office. 1921. p. 389. Retrieved February 7, 2017.
15. ^ Sixteenth Census of the United States: 1940 (PDF). Government Printing Office. 1942. p. 280.
16. ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
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. Retrieved June 28, 2014.
19. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved June 28, 2014.
20. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. 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 March 27, 2010. Retrieved June 28, 2014.
22. ^ 2020 Population and Housing State Data | Utah
23. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. 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 9, 2016.
25. ^ "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved January 9, 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 9, 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 9, 2016.
28. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved April 4, 2018.

## External links

[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Caribou County, Idaho.

* Official website

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Places adjacent to Caribou County, Idaho

| Bingham County | Bonneville County |

|
|

|  |
Bannock County |

Caribou County, Idaho

| Lincoln County, Wyoming
|  |
| Bear Lake County and Franklin County |

* v
* t
* e

Municipalities and communities of Caribou County, Idaho, United States

County seat: Soda Springs

Cities|

* Bancroft
* Grace
* Soda Springs

Map of Idaho highlighting Caribou County

Unincorporated
communities|

* Bench
* Conda
* Freedom‡
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Indian reservation|

* Fort Hall Indian Reservation‡‡

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* Chesterfield

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