Benewah County, Idaho

Geography

Benewah County lies on the west line of the state. Its west boundary line abuts the east boundary line of the state of Washington. The county has a total area of 784 sqmi, of which 777 sqmi is land and 7.3 sqmi (0.9%) is water. It is the northern part of the Palouse, a wide and rolling prairie-like region of the middle Columbia basin.

Adjacent counties

• Spokane County, Washington – northwest
• Kootenai County – north
• Shoshone County – east
• Latah County – south
• Whitman County, Washington – southwest

Major highways

• [[Image:US 95.svg|25px]] – US 95
• [[Image:ID-3.svg|25px]] – SH-3
• [[Image:ID-5.svg|25px]] – SH-5
• [[Image:ID-6.svg|25px]] – SH-6
• [[Image:ID-58.svg|25px]] – SH-58
• [[Image:ID-60.svg|25px]] – SH-60

National protected area

• St. Joe National Forest (part)

State protected areas

• Heyburn State Park
• McCroskey State Park

Demographics

|align-fn=center 1790–1960 1900–1990 1990–2000 2010–2020

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 9,530. The median age was 47.5 years. 22.0% of residents were under the age of 18 and 25.1% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 103.0 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 101.4 males age 18 and over.

The racial makeup of the county was 82.4% White, 0.1% Black or African American, 8.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% Asian, 0.2% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 1.2% from some other race, and 7.1% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 2.7% of the population.

0.0% of residents lived in urban areas, while 100.0% lived in rural areas.

There were 3,875 households in the county, of which 27.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 21.3% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 25.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

There were 4,628 housing units, of which 16.3% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 77.6% were owner-occupied and 22.4% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.2% and the rental vacancy rate was 8.4%.

2010 census

As of the 2010 United States census, there were 9,285 people, 3,837 households, and 2,571 families in the county. The population density was 12.0 PD/sqmi. There were 4,629 housing units at an average density of 6.0 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the county was 86.6% white, 8.7% Native American, 0.3% black or African American, 0.3% Asian, 0.1% Pacific islander, 0.5% from other races, and 3.6% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 2.5% of the population.

Of the 3,837 households, 29.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.8% were married couples living together, 9.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 33.0% were non-families, and 27.3% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.40 and the average family size was 2.90. The median age was 44.8 years.

The median income for a household in the county was $37,500 and the median income for a family was $41,759. Males had a median income of $37,214 versus $22,348 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,312. About 11.2% of families and 15.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.6% of those under age 18 and 5.6% of those age 65 or over.

2000 census

As of the 2000 United States census, there were 9,171 people, 3,580 households, and 2,538 families in the county. The population density was 12 /mi2. There were 4,238 housing units at an average density of 6 /mi2. The racial makeup of the county was 88.66% White, 0.12% Black or African American, 8.94% Native American, 0.15% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 0.25% from other races, and 1.82% from two or more races. 1.55% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 26.6% were of German, 11.7% English, 9.5% American and 8.6% Irish ancestry.

There were 3,580 households, out of which 31.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.40% were married couples living together, 7.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.10% were non-families. 24.00% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.40% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.52 and the average family size was 2.99.

The county population contained 26.90% under the age of 18, 6.80% from 18 to 24, 25.40% from 25 to 44, 26.60% from 45 to 64, and 14.20% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 104.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 101.10 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $31,517, and the median income for a family was $36,000. Males had a median income of $35,097 versus $20,288 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,285. About 10.50% of families and 14.10% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.20% of those under age 18 and 9.70% of those age 65 or over.

Politics

Benewah County voters tend to vote Republican in the last several decades. In only two national elections since 1968 has the county selected the Democratic Party candidate (as of 2024).

Communities

Cities

• Plummer
• St. Maries
• Tensed

Census-designated places

• De Smet
• Fernwood
• Parkline

Unincorporated communities

• Alder Creek
• Benewah
• Cardwell
• Chatcolet --
• Emida
• Flat Creek
• Hawleys Landing
• Lotus
• Mashburn
• Meadowhurst
• Miltown
• Mowry
• North South Ski Bowl
• Omega
• Pedee
• Plummer Junction
• Ramsdell
• Renfrew
• Riverdale
• Rocky Point
• Rover
• Saint Joe
• Sanders
• Santa
• Silvertip Landing
• Tyson Creek Station
• Wayland
• Willard

Education

School districts include:

• Kootenai Joint School District 274
• Plummer-Worley Joint School District 44
• St. Maries Joint School District 41

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

Images

Image:Heyburn sign.jpg|Heyburn State Park information sign Image:McCroskey map.jpg|Map of McCroskey State Park

Notes

References

1. "State & County QuickFacts". US Census Bureau.
2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties.
3. "Benewah County – Idaho.gov".
4. (February 12, 2011). "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". [[United States Census Bureau]].
5. "County Population Totals and Components of Change: 2020-2024". United States Census Bureau.
6. "US Decennial Census". US Census Bureau.
7. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library.
8. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". US Census Bureau.
9. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000". US Census Bureau.
10. (2021). "2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)".
11. (2021). "2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)".
12. (2023). "2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)".
13. "Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data". US Census Bureau.
14. "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 – County". US Census Bureau.
15. "Selected Social Characteristics in the US – 2006–2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". US Census Bureau.
16. "Selected Economic Characteristics – 2006–2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". US Census Bureau.
17. "U.S. Census website". US Census Bureau.
18. Leip, David. "Atlas of US Presidential Elections".
19. {{gnis. 396030. Alder Creek
20. "Alder Creek, Idaho 83861".
21. {{gnis. 377359. Benewah
22. "Benewah, Idaho 83861".
23. {{gnis. 396233. Cardwell
24. "Cardwell, St Maries, ID 83861".
25. {{gnis. 396629. Hawleys Landing
26. "Hawleys Landing, Idaho 83851".
27. {{gnis. 396822. Lotus
28. "Lotus, St Maries, ID 83861".
29. {{gnis. 397894. Mashburn
30. "Mashburn, Idaho 83861".
31. {{gnis. 394806. Meadowhurst
32. "Meadowhurst, Idaho 83861".
33. {{gnis. 400209. Miltown
34. "Milltown, Idaho 83861".
35. {{gnis. 396933. Mowry
36. "Mowry, Idaho 83851".
37. {{gnis. 399148. North South Ski Bowl
38. "North South Ski Bowl, Idaho 83861".
39. {{gnis. 397962. Omega
40. "Omega, Idaho 83861".
41. {{gnis. 397020. Pedee
42. "Pedee, Idaho 83851".
43. {{gnis. 397052. Plummer Junction
44. "Plummer Junction, Idaho 83851".
45. {{gnis. 397081. Ramsdell
46. "Ramsdell, Idaho 83861".
47. {{gnis. 395005. Riverdale
48. "Riverdale, Idaho 83861".
49. {{gnis. 397112. Rocky Point
50. "Rocky Point, Idaho 83851".
51. {{gnis. 397119. Rover
52. "Rover, St Maries, ID 83861".
53. {{gnis. 398093. Sanders
54. "Sanders, Idaho 83870".
55. {{gnis. 397164. Silvertip Landing
56. "Silvertip Landing, Idaho 83861".
57. {{gnis. 399244. Tyson Creek Station
58. "Tyson Creek Station, Idaho 83830".
59. {{gnis. 376185. Wayland
60. "Wayland, Idaho 83861".
61. {{gnis. 398360. Willard
62. "Willard, Idaho 83851".
63. "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Benewah County, ID". [[U.S. Census Bureau]].
64. (2016). "Legislative Budget Book". [[Idaho Legislature]].