Adams County, Idaho

Adams County
Adams County
County
	Adams County Courthouse
	Seal
	Location within the U.S. state of Idaho
	Idaho's location within the U.S.
	Coordinates: 44°54′N 116°27′W / 44.9°N 116.45°W
Country	United States
State	Idaho
Founded	March 3, 1911
Named for	John Adams
Seat	Council
Largest city	Council
Area
• Total	1,370 sq mi (3,500 km2)
• Land	1,363 sq mi (3,530 km2)
• Water	6.7 sq mi (17 km2) 0.5%
Population (2020)
• Total	4,379
• Density	3.2/sq mi (1.2/km2)
Time zone	UTC−7 (Mountain)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−6 (MDT)
Congressional district	1st
Website	www.co.adams.id.us

Adams County is a rural county in the state of Idaho. As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 4,379,^[1] making it the sixth-least populous county in Idaho. The county seat and largest city is Council.^[2] Established in 1911, the county was named for second U.S. President John Adams.^[3]

Adams County is home to the Brundage Mountain ski area, northeast of New Meadows, and the Little Ski Hill, just west of McCall.

Geography

The west boundary line of Adams County abuts the east line of the state of Oregon, across the Snake River.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,370 square miles (3,500 km²), of which 1,363 square miles (3,530 km²) is land and 6.7 square miles (17 km²) (0.5%) is water.^[4]

Adjacent counties

Idaho County - north
Valley County - east
Gem County - southeast
Washington County - south
Baker County, Oregon - southwest
Wallowa County, Oregon - northwest

Highways

- US 95
- SH-55 - Payette River Scenic Byway

National protected areas

Hells Canyon National Recreation Area (part)
Payette National Forest (part)

Demographics

Historical population
Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1920	2,966		—
1930	2,867		−3.3%
1940	3,407		18.8%
1950	3,347		−1.8%
1960	2,978		−11.0%
1970	2,877		−3.4%
1980	3,347		16.3%
1990	3,254		−2.8%
2000	3,476		6.8%
2010	3,976		14.4%
2020	4,379		10.1%
2023 (est.)	4,903	^[5]	12.0%
US Decennial Census^[6] 1790–1960,^[7] 1900–1990,^[8] 1990–2000,^[9] 2010–2020^[10] 2020^[1]

2000 census

As of the 2000 United States Census,^[11] there were 3,476 people, 1,421 households, and 1,031 families in the county. The population density was 2.5 people per square mile (0.97 people/km²). There were 1,982 housing units at an average density of 2 per square mile (0.77/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 96.29% White, 1.41% Native American, 0.14% Asian, 0.06% Black or African American, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.92% from other races, and 1.15% from two or more races. 1.55% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 25.6% were of American, 17.9% German, 11.8% English and 7.0% Irish ancestry.

There were 1,421 households, out of which 28.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 63.30% were married couples living together, 5.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.40% were non-families. 23.20% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.90% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.42 and the average family size was 2.83.

The county population contained 23.90% under the age of 18, 4.60% from 18 to 24, 22.60% from 25 to 44, 32.70% from 45 to 64, and 16.10% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44 years. For every 100 females, there were 105.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 102.10 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $28,423, and the median income for a family was $32,335. Males had a median income of $29,097 versus $14,408 for females. The per capita income for the county was $14,908. About 11.70% of families and 15.10% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.90% of those under age 18 and 11.70% of those age 65 or over.

2010 census

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 3,976 people, 1,748 households, and 1,185 families in the county.^[12] The population density was 2.9 inhabitants per square mile (1.1/km²). There were 2,636 housing units at an average density of 1.9 per square mile (0.73/km²).^[13] The racial makeup of the county was 96.1% white, 1.0% American Indian, 0.4% Asian, 0.1% Pacific islander, 0.1% black or African American, 0.7% from other races, and 1.7% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 2.4% of the population.^[12] In terms of ancestry, 26.3% were German, 18.0% were English, 14.6% were Irish, and 4.9% were American.^[14]

Of the 1,748 households, 22.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.6% were married couples living together, 5.8% had a female householder with no husband present, 32.2% were non-families, and 26.8% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.26 and the average family size was 2.70. The median age was 50.0 years.^[12]

The median income for a household in the county was $36,004 and the median income for a family was $45,590. Males had a median income of $31,050 versus $26,413 for females. The per capita income for the county was $22,730. About 8.8% of families and 12.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.5% of those under age 18 and 13.5% of those age 65 or over.^[15]

Communities

Cities

Unincorporated communities

Alpine^[16]
Bear
Beer Bottle Crossing^{[citation needed]}
Cuprum
Devils Ladder^[17]
Fruitvale
Glendale^[18]
Goodrich
Helena^[19]
Indian Valley
Meadows^[20]
Mesa
Pine Ridge^[21]
Starkey^[22]
Tamarack^[23] - (not Tamarack Resort in Valley Co.)
Wildhorse^[24]
Woodland^[25]

Population ranking

The population ranking of the following table is based on the 2010 census of Adams County.^[26]

† county seat

Rank	City/Town/etc.	Municipal type	Population (2010 Census)
1	† Council	City	839
2	New Meadows	City	438

Politics

United States presidential election results for Adams County, Idaho^[27]
Year	Republican		Democratic		Third party
Year	No.	%	No.	%	No.	%
2020	1,941	75.06%	591	22.85%	54	2.09%
2016	1,556	71.28%	415	19.01%	212	9.71%
2012	1,413	68.56%	577	28.00%	71	3.44%
2008	1,517	65.39%	728	31.38%	75	3.23%
2004	1,468	71.16%	555	26.90%	40	1.94%
2000	1,476	77.32%	336	17.60%	97	5.08%
1996	1,053	54.03%	537	27.55%	359	18.42%
1992	754	38.93%	457	23.59%	726	37.48%
1988	1,107	61.53%	643	35.74%	49	2.72%
1984	1,381	70.60%	540	27.61%	35	1.79%
1980	1,189	62.68%	590	31.10%	118	6.22%
1976	809	54.74%	639	43.23%	30	2.03%
1972	963	67.77%	293	20.62%	165	11.61%
1968	844	58.98%	360	25.16%	227	15.86%
1964	689	47.88%	750	52.12%	0	0.00%
1960	799	52.46%	724	47.54%	0	0.00%
1956	842	60.84%	542	39.16%	0	0.00%
1952	933	64.26%	517	35.61%	2	0.14%
1948	603	47.33%	647	50.78%	24	1.88%
1944	642	47.07%	721	52.86%	1	0.07%
1940	779	45.53%	929	54.30%	3	0.18%
1936	434	33.49%	770	59.41%	92	7.10%
1932	325	26.02%	854	68.37%	70	5.60%
1928	521	57.57%	374	41.33%	10	1.10%
1924	422	42.24%	208	20.82%	369	36.94%
1920	682	63.62%	390	36.38%	0	0.00%
1916	667	46.19%	645	44.67%	132	9.14%
1912	598	39.81%	417	27.76%	487	32.42%