Idaho City, Idaho

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Idaho City is a city in Boise County, Idaho located about 36 miles northeast of the City of Boise. It is the county seat of Boise County^GR6. The population was 458 at the 2000 census.

Idaho City was founded near the confluence of Elk and Mores Creeks as Bannock (sometimes given as West Bannock) in December 1862 amidst the Boise Basin gold rush. As its population swelled, the Idaho legislature changed the town's name to Idaho City to avoid confusion with Bannock, Montana.

In 1863, St. Joseph's Catholic Church was established; it was the first Roman Catholic parish in the territory.

Idaho City is an important location in local Masonic history. The Grand Lodge of Idaho was founded in Idaho City in 1867. Idaho Lodge No. 1 was originally located in Idaho City, but is now located in Boise.

At its peak, Idaho City's population numbered in the tens of thousands, but most departed once mining declined. The modern economy relies mainly on hunting and fishing tourism and visits to the many historic buildings which remain in town.

[edit] Geography

Idaho City is located at 43°49′43″N, 115°49′56″W (43.828513, -115.832175)^GR1.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 1.8 km² (0.7 mi²), all land. The city also hosts a school which has about 400 students

[edit] Demographics

As of the census^GR2 of 2000, there were 458 people, 191 households, and 119 families residing in the city. The population density was 252.6/km² (652.5/mi²). There were 257 housing units at an average density of 141.8/km² (366.2/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 92.36% White, 3.06% Native American, 0.87% Asian, 0.66% from other races, and 3.06% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.53% of the population.

There were 191 households out of which 34.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.1% were married couples living together, 12.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.2% were non-families. 30.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 5.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.38 and the average family size was 3.00.

In the city the population was spread out with 29.3% under the age of 18, 6.1% from 18 to 24, 28.4% from 25 to 44, 28.4% from 45 to 64, and 7.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 97.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.2 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $28,068, and the median income for a family was $33,295. Males had a median income of $25,750 versus $20,000 for females. The per capita income for the city was $13,370. About 17.3% of families and 19.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 28.7% of those under age 18 and 5.9% of those age 65 or over.