Teton County, Idaho

County in Idaho, United States

Not to be confused with Teton, Idaho.

County in Idaho

Teton County

County

Teton County Courthouse

Seal

Location within the U.S. state of Idaho

Idaho's location within the U.S.

Coordinates: 43°45′N 111°13′W﻿ / ﻿43.75°N 111.21°W﻿ / 43.75; -111.21
Country|  United States
State|  Idaho
Founded| January 26, 1915
Named after| The Teton Mountains
Seat| Driggs
Largest city| Victor
Area

• Total

| 451 sq mi (1,170 km2)
• Land| 449 sq mi (1,160 km2)
• Water| 1.1 sq mi (3 km2)  0.2%
Population

(2020)

• Total

| 11,630

• Estimate

(2024)

| 12,932
• Density| 26/sq mi (10.0/km2)
Time zone| UTC−7 (Mountain)
• Summer (DST)| UTC−6 (MDT)
Congressional district| 2nd
Website| tetoncountyidaho.gov

Teton County is a county located in the U.S. state of Idaho. As of the 2020 census, the population was 11,630.[1] The county seat is Driggs,[2] and the largest city is Victor. The county was established in 1915 and was named after the Teton Mountains to the east.[3] Teton County is part of the Jackson, WY-ID Micropolitan Statistical Area.

The Teton Valley was discovered by explored John Colter in 1808, a member of the Lewis and Clark Expedition (1804-06). It became known as Pierre's Hole, and it hosted the well-attended 1832 Rendezvous, which was followed by the Battle of Pierre's Hole.

## Geography

[edit]

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 451 square miles (1,170 km2), of which 449 square miles (1,160 km2) is land and 1.1 square miles (2.8 km2) (0.2%) is water.[4] It is the second-smallest county in Idaho by area.

### Adjacent counties

[edit]

* Fremont County \- north
* Madison County \- west
* Bonneville County \- south
* Teton County, Wyoming \- east

### Major highways

[edit]

* SH-31
* SH-32
* SH-33

### National protected area

[edit]

* Targhee National Forest (part)

## Demographics

[edit]

Historical population Census| Pop.| Note| %±

|
|
|

1920| 3,921| | —
1930| 3,573| | −8.9%
1940| 3,601| | 0.8%
1950| 3,204| | −11.0%
1960| 2,639| | −17.6%
1970| 2,351| | −10.9%
1980| 2,897| | 23.2%
1990| 3,439| | 18.7%
2000| 5,999| | 74.4%
2010| 10,170| | 69.5%
2020| 11,630| | 14.4%
2024 (est.)| 12,932| [5]| 11.2%
U.S. Decennial Census[6]
1790–1960,[7] 1900–1990,[8]
1990–2000,[9] 2010–2020[10] 2020[1]

### 2000 census

[edit]

As of the census[11] of 2000, there were 5,999 people, 2,078 households, and 1,464 families living in the county. The population density was 13 people per square mile (5.0 people/km2). There were 2,632 housing units at an average density of 6 units per square mile (2.3 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 91.32% White, 0.17% Black or African American, 0.55% Native American, 0.18% Asian, 0.23% Pacific Islander, 6.73% from other races, and 0.82% from two or more races. 11.75% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 25.5% were of English, 15.8% German, 7.6% American and 5.1% Irish ancestry.

There were 2,078 households, out of which 39.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.30% were married couples living together, 5.80% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.50% were non-families. 21.30% of all households were made up of individuals, and 5.30% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.87 and the average family size was 3.43.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 31.80% under the age of 18, 8.10% from 18 to 24, 33.80% from 25 to 44, 18.90% from 45 to 64, and 7.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 31 years. For every 100 females, there were 112.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 114.50 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $41,968, and the median income for a family was $45,848. Males had a median income of $32,309 versus $22,243 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,778. About 9.70% of families and 12.90% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.10% of those under age 18 and 7.90% of those age 65 or over.

### 2010 census

[edit]

As of the 2010 United States census, there were 10,170 people, 3,651 households, and 2,509 families living in the county.[12] The population density was 22.6 inhabitants per square mile (8.7/km2). There were 5,478 housing units at an average density of 12.2 units per square mile (4.7 units/km2).[13] The racial makeup of the county was 85.6% white, 0.5% Asian, 0.3% American Indian, 0.2% black or African American, 0.1% Pacific islander, 11.7% from other races, and 1.5% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 16.9% of the population.[12] In terms of ancestry, 29.9% were English, 20.3% were German, 13.0% were Irish, and 4.2% were American.[14]

Of the 3,651 households, 39.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.9% were married couples living together, 5.9% had a female householder with no husband present, 31.3% were non-families, and 21.9% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.78 and the average family size was 3.33. The median age was 33.2 years.[12]

The median income for a household in the county was $53,364 and the median income for a family was $56,791. Males had a median income of $39,865 versus $31,966 for females. The per capita income for the county was $23,633. About 5.4% of families and 7.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.8% of those under age 18 and 2.2% of those age 65 or over.[15]

## Government and politics

[edit]

Similar to other Idaho counties, an elected three-member county commission heads the county government. Other elected officials include clerk, treasurer, sheriff, assessor, coroner, and prosecutor.[16]

Until quite recently Teton County voted Republican along with most other Eastern Idaho counties. However, since 2004, the county has strongly trended towards toss-up status. In 2008, it was one of three Idaho counties to favor Barack Obama,[17] despite giving George W. Bush a 23-point victory only four years earlier.[18] The margin was narrow (39 votes) and Obama lost the county to Mitt Romney in 2012 by over five hundred votes; Donald Trump outpolled Hillary Clinton by just eight votes in 2016, the smallest numerical margin in the country. Teton backed Democrat Joe Biden in the 2020 election; he won by 7.3 percentage points, garnering the highest vote share for any Democrat since 1948. In 2024, the margin narrowed, though the county still voted Democratic by a decisive majority.

Teton County is one of only thirteen counties to have voted for Obama in 2008, Romney in 2012, Trump in 2016, and Biden in 2020.[a]

At the state level, Teton County is in District 32 of the Idaho Legislature.[19] As neighboring counties are still strongly Republican, the district is not competitive.[20] In Idaho gubernatorial elections, the county had voted for the Democratic nominee in every election from 2006 until 2022, when incumbent Republican Gov. Brad Little won the county in his bid for reelection .

United States presidential election results for Teton County, Idaho[21] Year  | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies)

|
|
|

No. | % | No. | % | No. | %
2024 | 3,005  | 44.86%  | 3,463  | 51.70% | 230  | 3.43%
2020 | 2,858  | 44.92%  | 3,318  | 52.15% | 186  | 2.92%
2016 | 2,167  | 43.55% | 2,159  | 43.39%  | 650  | 13.06%
2012 | 2,458  | 54.34% | 1,926  | 42.58%  | 139  | 3.07%
2008 | 2,263  | 48.57%  | 2,302  | 49.41% | 94  | 2.02%
2004 | 2,235  | 60.57% | 1,416  | 38.37%  | 39  | 1.06%
2000 | 1,745  | 65.33% | 720  | 26.96%  | 206  | 7.71%
1996 | 1,251  | 50.28% | 866  | 34.81%  | 371  | 14.91%
1992 | 762  | 39.73% | 472  | 24.61%  | 684  | 35.66%
1988 | 982  | 64.31% | 531  | 34.77%  | 14  | 0.92%
1984 | 1,242  | 76.48% | 370  | 22.78%  | 12  | 0.74%
1980 | 1,227  | 72.78% | 360  | 21.35%  | 99  | 5.87%
1976 | 904  | 63.04% | 514  | 35.84%  | 16  | 1.12%
1972 | 932  | 68.58% | 298  | 21.93%  | 129  | 9.49%
1968 | 694  | 57.93% | 376  | 31.39%  | 128  | 10.68%
1964 | 675  | 53.02% | 598  | 46.98%  | 0  | 0.00%
1960 | 714  | 55.65% | 569  | 44.35%  | 0  | 0.00%
1956 | 842  | 65.12% | 451  | 34.88%  | 0  | 0.00%
1952 | 964  | 66.25% | 491  | 33.75%  | 0  | 0.00%
1948 | 593  | 46.62%  | 672  | 52.83% | 7  | 0.55%
1944 | 552  | 46.27%  | 641  | 53.73% | 0  | 0.00%
1940 | 667  | 44.14%  | 844  | 55.86% | 0  | 0.00%
1936 | 542  | 38.47%  | 834  | 59.19% | 33  | 2.34%
1932 | 674  | 43.74%  | 860  | 55.81% | 7  | 0.45%
1928 | 753  | 68.27% | 348  | 31.55%  | 2  | 0.18%
1924 | 665  | 55.70% | 186  | 15.58%  | 343  | 28.73%
1920 | 906  | 68.90% | 409  | 31.10%  | 0  | 0.00%
1916 | 650  | 46.43%  | 726  | 51.86% | 24  | 1.71%

## Education

[edit]

The public schools are operated by Teton County School District 401, the sole school district in the county.[22] The county's only traditional high school, Teton High School, is in Driggs.

The College of Eastern Idaho includes Teton County in its catchment zone; however, the county is not in the College's taxation zone.[23]

## Communities

[edit]

### Cities

[edit]

* Driggs (county seat)
* Tetonia
* Victor

### Unincorporated communities

[edit]

* Bates
* Felt
* Clementsville
* Cache
* Darby

## See also

[edit]

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

## Notes

[edit]

1. ^ The other twelve are Butte County, California; Kendall County, Illinois; McLean County, Illinois; Tippecanoe County, Indiana; Kent County, Maryland; Kent County, Michigan; Leelanau County, Michigan; Carroll County, New Hampshire; Rockingham County, New Hampshire; Marion County, Oregon; Grand County, Utah; and Albany County, Wyoming.

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b "2020 Census Data". data.census.gov.
2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
3. ^ "Teton County". State of Idaho. Archived from the original on August 15, 2009. Retrieved May 29, 2009.
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. ^ Teton County Idaho
17. ^ 2008 - General Election Teton CountyArchived November 6, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
18. ^ 2004 Presidential General Election Data Graphs - Idaho
19. ^ Idaho Legislative District Map Archived November 17, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
20. ^ Idaho Legislative Districts Archived November 10, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
21. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved April 4, 2018.
22. ^ "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Teton County, ID" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 12, 2024. \- Text list
23. ^ "Community Colleges" (PDF). Budget Hearing. Idaho Legislature. 2020. pp. 1–73 (PDF p. 8/14). Retrieved March 12, 2024.

## External links

[edit]

* Official website
* Teton Valley Chamber of Commerce
* Teton School District #401

Places adjacent to Teton County, Idaho

|  | Fremont County |

|
|

|  |
Madison County |

Teton County, Idaho

| Teton County, Wyoming
|  |
| Bonneville County |

* v
* t
* e

Municipalities and communities of Teton County, Idaho, United States

County seat: Driggs

Cities|

* Driggs
* Tetonia
* Victor

Map of Idaho highlighting Teton County

Unincorporated
communities|

* Cache
* Chapin
* Clawson
* Clementsville
* Darby
* Felt

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* Haden

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43°45′N 111°13′W﻿ / ﻿43.75°N 111.21°W﻿ / 43.75; -111.21
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