Horseshoe Bend, Idaho

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For other uses, see Horseshoe Bend.

Horseshoe Bend is a town in southwestern Idaho. It is the largest city in rural Boise County, with a population of 770 at the 2000 census. The elevation of the town is 2604 feet (793 m) above sea level and is named for its location at the horseshoe-shaped U-turn of the Payette River, whose flow direction changes from south to north before heading west to the Black Canyon Reservoir.

The area was originally settled as a gold miners' staging area, as prospectors waited along the river for snows to thaw at the higher elevations. Gold had been discovered in 1862 in the Boise Basin mountains to the east, near Idaho City.

The settlement became known as Warrinersville, after a local sawmill operator. The name was changed to Horseshoe Bend in 1867, and after the gold rush quieted, the town became a prosperous ranching and logging community. The railroad, from Emmett up to Long Valley following the Payette River (its North Fork above Banks), was completed in 1913. [1]

Horseshoe Bend is along the primary north-south route (state highway #55) out of Boise, 23 miles (37 km) to the south and accessed over the 4242 foot (1293 m) Spring Valley summit. Within an hour's drive north of Horseshoe Bend are the outdoor recreational areas of the Payette River basin, including Cascade, Tamarack Resort, and McCall. Highway #55 is designated the Payette River Scenic Byway.

Horseshoe Bend's culture is a blend of lumber, ranching, mining, and railroading. Its annual events include a banjo festival in late May, the national senior pro rodeo in June, and a fall festival in October. A scenic railroad, the Thunder Mountain Line [2], is based in town.

On September 30, 1998, the town's primary employer, Boise Cascade, closed its sawmill. [3] Horseshoe Bend has attempted to become the county seat of Boise County, replacing historic Idaho City.[4]

[edit] Geography

Horseshoe Bend is located at 43°54′46″N, 116°11′57″W (43.912740, -116.199290)^GR1.

According to the U.S. Census, the city has a total area of 1.6 km² (0.6 mi²), all land.

[edit] Demographics

As of the census^GR2 of 2000, there were 770 people, 261 households, and 192 families residing in the city. The population density was 479.5/km² (1,247.4/mi²). There were 290 housing units at an average density of 180.6/km² (469.8/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 92.34% White, 0.78% Native American, 0.13% Asian, 4.29% from other races, and 2.47% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 8.96% of the population.

There were 261 households out of which 41.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.6% were married couples living together, 10.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.4% were non-families. 21.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.79 and the average family size was 3.23.

In the city the population was spread out with 31.6% under the age of 18, 8.2% from 18 to 24, 28.6% from 25 to 44, 20.8% from 45 to 64, and 10.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females there were 109.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 116.0 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $32,125, and the median income for a family was $35,882. Males had a median income of $29,583 versus $24,063 for females. The per capita income for the city was $12,486. About 11.2% of families and 19.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.5% of those under age 18 and 13.3% of those age 65 or over.