Payette County, Idaho

County in Idaho, United States

County in Idaho

Payette County

County

Historic Payette City Hall and Courthouse

Seal

Location within the U.S. state of Idaho

Idaho's location within the U.S.

Coordinates: 44°01′N 116°46′W﻿ / ﻿44.01°N 116.76°W﻿ / 44.01; -116.76
Country|  United States
State|  Idaho
Founded| February 28, 1917
Named after| Francois Payette
Seat| Payette
Largest city| Payette
Area

• Total

| 410 sq mi (1,100 km2)
• Land| 407 sq mi (1,050 km2)
• Water| 3.4 sq mi (9 km2)  0.65%
Population

(2020)

• Total

| 25,386
• Density| 62/sq mi (24/km2)
Time zone| UTC−7 (Mountain)
• Summer (DST)| UTC−6 (MDT)
Congressional district| 1st
Website| www.payettecounty.org

Payette County is a county located in Idaho in the United States of America. As of the 2020 census, the population was 25,386.[1] The county seat and largest city is Payette.[2]

Payette County is part of the Ontario micropolitan area.

## History

[edit]

The county was established in 1917, partitioned from Canyon County. It was named after the Payette River, which was named after French-Canadian François Payette.[3] Originally a fur trapper with the North West Company, Payette was the first white man in the area in 1818.

Payette County is one of the few counties in Idaho to be the home to the endangered Idaho ground squirrel.

## Geography

[edit]

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 410 square miles (1,100 km2), of which 407 square miles (1,050 km2) is land and 3.4 square miles (8.8 km2) (0.8%) is water.[4] It is the smallest county in Idaho by area.

### Adjacent counties

[edit]

* Washington County \- north
* Gem County \- east
* Canyon County \- south
* Malheur County, Oregon \- west

### National protected area

[edit]

* Deer Flat National Wildlife Refuge (part)

### Rivers

[edit]

* Snake River
* Payette River

### Highways

[edit]

* I 84
* US 30
* US 95
* SH-52
* SH-72

## Demographics

[edit]

Historical population Census| Pop.| Note| %±

|
|
|

1920| 7,021| | —
1930| 7,318| | 4.2%
1940| 9,511| | 30.0%
1950| 11,921| | 25.3%
1960| 12,363| | 3.7%
1970| 12,401| | 0.3%
1980| 15,722| | 26.8%
1990| 16,434| | 4.5%
2000| 20,578| | 25.2%
2010| 22,623| | 9.9%
2020| 25,386| | 12.2%
2024 (est.)| 27,662| [5]| 9.0%
U.S. Decennial Census[6]
1790–1960,[7] 1900–1990,[8]
1990–2000,[9] 2010,[10]

### 2000 census

[edit]

As of the census[11] of 2000, there were 20,578 people, 7,371 households, and 5,572 families living in the county. The population density was 50 inhabitants per square mile (19/km2). There were 7,949 housing units at an average density of 20 per square mile (7.7/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 90.25% White, 0.87% Native American, 0.85% Asian, 0.10% Black or African American, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 5.57% from other races, and 2.33% from two or more races. 11.92% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 19.5% were of German, 13.5% English, 12.3% American and 8.3% Irish ancestry.

There were 7,371 households, out of which 37.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.00% were married couples living together, 9.30% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.40% were non-families. 20.60% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.50% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.78 and the average family size was 3.21.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 30.60% under the age of 18, 7.90% from 18 to 24, 26.60% from 25 to 44, 21.70% from 45 to 64, and 13.20% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 98.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.80 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $33,046, and the median income for a family was $37,430. Males had a median income of $30,641 versus $21,421 for females. The per capita income for the county was $14,924. About 9.70% of families and 13.20% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.70% of those under age 18 and 12.20% of those age 65 or over.

### 2010 census

[edit]

As of the 2010 United States census, there were 22,623 people, 8,262 households, and 6,017 families living in the county.[12] The population density was 55.6 inhabitants per square mile (21.5/km2). There were 8,945 housing units at an average density of 22.0 per square mile (8.5/km2).[13] The racial makeup of the county was 88.6% white, 1.1% American Indian, 0.8% Asian, 0.2% black or African American, 0.1% Pacific islander, 6.3% from other races, and 2.8% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 14.9% of the population.[12] In terms of ancestry, 18.9% were American, 16.8% were German, 13.2% were English, and 10.5% were Irish.[14]

Of the 8,262 households, 37.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.4% were married couples living together, 10.4% had a female householder with no husband present, 27.2% were non-families, and 22.1% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.73 and the average family size was 3.19. The median age was 37.2 years.[12]

The median income for a household in the county was $43,559 and the median income for a family was $50,323. Males had a median income of $38,582 versus $25,826 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,814. About 12.0% of families and 15.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 22.6% of those under age 18 and 9.3% of those age 65 or over.[15]

### 2020 census

[edit]

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 can be of any race.

Payette County racial composition
(NH = Non-Hispanic)[16][17] Race  | Pop 2010  | Pop 2020  | % 2010  | % 2020

|
|
|
|

White (NH)  | 18,388  | 19,240  | 81.28%  | 75.79%
Black or African American (NH)  | 41  | 52  | 0.18%  | 0.2%
Native American or Alaska Native (NH)  | 185  | 163  | 0.82%  | 0.64%
Asian (NH)  | 187  | 207  | 0.83%  | 0.82%
Pacific Islander (NH)  | 15  | 31  | 0.07%  | 0.12%
Some Other Race (NH)  | 15  | 133  | 0.07%  | 0.52%
Mixed/Multi-Racial (NH)  | 429  | 1,292  | 1.9%  | 5.09%
Hispanic or Latino | 3,363  | 4,268  | 14.87%  | 16.81%
Total | 22,623 | 25,386 |  |

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 25,386 people, 9,086 households, and 6,275 families residing in the county.

## Education

[edit]

The county is served by three school districts:[18]

* Fruitland School District 373
* New Plymouth School District 372
* Payette Joint School District 371

Payette Joint District 371

* Payette High School
* McCain Middle School
* Payette Primary School
* Westside Elementary School
* Payette Night School

New Plymouth District 372

* New Plymouth High School
* New Plymouth Middle School
* New Plymouth Elementary School

Fruitland District 373

* Fruitland High School
* Fruitland Middle School
* Fruitland Elementary School
* Fruitland Alternative School

Residents are in the area (but not the taxation zone) for College of Western Idaho.[19]

## Communities

[edit]

### Cities

[edit]

* Fruitland
* New Plymouth
* Payette

### Unincorporated community

[edit]

* Hamilton Corner

## Politics

[edit]

Like most of Idaho, Payette County voters are overwhelmingly Republican. In no presidential election since 1936 has the county selected the Democratic candidate, and Jimmy Carter in 1976 was the last Democrat to crack one third of the county's vote.

United States presidential election results for Payette County, Idaho[20] Year  | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies)

|
|
|

No.  | % | No.  | % | No.  | %
2024 | 9,458  | 80.42% | 2,064  | 17.55%  | 239  | 2.03%
2020 | 8,862  | 78.47% | 2,161  | 19.14%  | 270  | 2.39%
2016 | 6,489  | 74.55% | 1,507  | 17.31%  | 708  | 8.13%
2012 | 6,004  | 70.68% | 2,271  | 26.73%  | 220  | 2.59%
2008 | 5,988  | 68.88% | 2,415  | 27.78%  | 290  | 3.34%
2004 | 6,256  | 76.47% | 1,848  | 22.59%  | 77  | 0.94%
2000 | 4,961  | 72.34% | 1,643  | 23.96%  | 254  | 3.70%
1996 | 3,901  | 55.59% | 2,119  | 30.19%  | 998  | 14.22%
1992 | 2,895  | 42.92% | 1,656  | 24.55%  | 2,194  | 32.53%
1988 | 3,786  | 65.17% | 1,900  | 32.71%  | 123  | 2.12%
1984 | 4,605  | 75.23% | 1,410  | 23.04%  | 106  | 1.73%
1980 | 4,508  | 67.14% | 1,828  | 27.23%  | 378  | 5.63%
1976 | 3,115  | 57.44% | 2,195  | 40.48%  | 113  | 2.08%
1972 | 3,577  | 67.85% | 1,113  | 21.11%  | 582  | 11.04%
1968 | 3,032  | 61.18% | 1,216  | 24.54%  | 708  | 14.29%
1964 | 2,764  | 52.43% | 2,508  | 47.57%  | 0  | 0.00%
1960 | 3,472  | 61.94% | 2,133  | 38.06%  | 0  | 0.00%
1956 | 3,342  | 65.41% | 1,767  | 34.59%  | 0  | 0.00%
1952 | 3,936  | 72.37% | 1,491  | 27.41%  | 12  | 0.22%
1948 | 2,430  | 59.54% | 1,568  | 38.42%  | 83  | 2.03%
1944 | 2,485  | 63.96% | 1,382  | 35.57%  | 18  | 0.46%
1940 | 2,554  | 58.52% | 1,790  | 41.02%  | 20  | 0.46%
1936 | 1,524  | 41.61%  | 1,677  | 45.78% | 462  | 12.61%
1932 | 1,529  | 42.63%  | 1,836  | 51.18% | 222  | 6.19%
1928 | 2,203  | 76.23% | 621  | 21.49%  | 66  | 2.28%
1924 | 1,160  | 47.39% | 401  | 16.38%  | 887  | 36.23%
1920 | 1,690  | 68.04% | 785  | 31.60%  | 9  | 0.36%

## Healthcare

[edit]

The county is served by the Southwest Idaho Health District.[21]

## See also

[edit]

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

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "Payette County, Idaho". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 25, 2023.
2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
3. ^ Gilmore, May (May 10, 1962). "Payette's land is rich with history". Lewiston Morning Tribune. (Idaho). p. 8, section2.
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: 2020-2024". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 17, 2025.
6. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 1, 2014.
7. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved July 1, 2014.
8. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 1, 2014.
9. ^ "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 July 1, 2014.
10. ^ "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on July 17, 2011. Retrieved July 1, 2014.
11. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
12. ^ 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.
13. ^ "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved January 9, 2016.
14. ^ "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.
15. ^ "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.
16. ^ "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved March 26, 2022.
17. ^ "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved March 26, 2022.
18. ^ "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Payette County, ID" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved March 12, 2024. \- Text list
19. ^ "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.
20. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved April 4, 2018.
21. ^ 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.

* http://www.sde.idaho.gov/site/edu_directory/docs/Educational Directory.pdf

## External links

[edit]

* Payette County from the Idaho Museum of Natural History
* County website
* State profile of Payette County
* University of Idaho Extension for Payette County
* Payette County USGenWeb

* v
* t
* e

Places adjacent to Payette County, Idaho

|  | Washington County |

|
|

|  |
Malheur County, Oregon |

Payette County, Idaho

| Gem County
|  |
| Canyon County |

* v
* t
* e

Municipalities and communities of Payette County, Idaho, United States

County seat: Payette

Cities|

* Fruitland
* New Plymouth
* Payette

Map of Idaho highlighting Payette County

Unincorporated
communities|

* Fort Wilson
* French Corner
* Hamilton Corner
* Palisades Corner
* Sand Hollow‡

Footnotes|

‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties

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44°01′N 116°46′W﻿ / ﻿44.01°N 116.76°W﻿ / 44.01; -116.76

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