Clarkia, Idaho

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Clarkia, Idaho
Clarkia in North Central Idaho
Clarkia in North Central Idaho
Country United States
State Idaho
County Shoshone
Area [1]
 - Total 116.7 km² (45.07 sq mi)
 - Land 116.7 km² (45.07 sq mi)
 - Water 0 km² (0 sq mi)
Elevation [2] 862 m (2,828 ft)
Population (2000)
 - Total 97
 - Density 0.8/km² (2.15/sq mi)
Time zone Pacific Time Zone (UTC-8)
ZIP code 83812
Area code(s) 208

Clarkia is a small unincorporated town in the southwestern corner of Shoshone County, Idaho United States. It is surrounded by publicly and privately managed forest lands of Douglas-fir, Ponderosa Pine, and Western Larch. Located just to the east of State Highway 3, the town is in the drainage area of the West Fork of the St. Maries River.

A view to the north of Clarkia from Poplar St.
A view to the north of Clarkia from Poplar St.

Contents

[edit] History

The Coeur d’Alene people inhabited this area for thousands of years prior to the coming of white settlers. The native name of the area is Chatnna or Meadow. [3] The first residents of the town of Clarkia harvested the Western White Pine in the area for lumber. [4]

[edit] Demographics

The 2000 census recorded a population of 97 with an average household income of $39,375. The median age in Clarkia is 37.8 and the average household size is 2.68. In 2000 the agriculture industry made up 40.5% of the jobs in the area, while educational, health and social services jobs accounted for the next largest segment at 21.4%. Workers for government agencies are the largest class of worker at 47.6%.[5] The city shares a K-8 school district with the communities of Avery and Calder. Currently, all students attend school in the St. Maries district.[6]

[edit] Physical geography

The confluence of the St. Maries River branches near Clarkia, Idaho
The confluence of the St. Maries River branches near Clarkia, Idaho

Clarkia is located in a flat meadow area which was created by the Miocene Epoch Lake Clarkia.[7] The West and Middle Forks of the St. Maries River join near Clarkia and run parallel to State Highway 3 in a northwesterly direction to St. Maries. The area is on the eastern edge of the Columbia River Plateau and is to the west of the Bitterroot Mountains.

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ The large area represents the Avery-Clarkia CCD and not the actual area of the city.
  2. ^ USGS GNIS: USGS Place names
  3. ^ Coeur d'Alene Tribe GIS Program
  4. ^ Conley, Cort (1982). Idaho for the Curious. Cambridge, Idaho: Backeddy Books, p.10. ISBN 0-903566-3-0. 
  5. ^ United States Census Bureau, 2000 Census of Population, <http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/SAFFFacts?_event=Search&geo_id=&_geoContext=&_street=&_county=83812&_cityTown=83812&_state=&_zip=83812&_lang=en&_sse=on&pctxt=fph&pgsl=010&show_2003_tab=&redirect=Y>. Retrieved on 7 March 2007 
  6. ^ Avery School District #394, District website, <http://www.sd394.com/clarkia.htm>. Retrieved on 9 March 2007 
  7. ^ Smiley, Charles J.; Jane Gray, L. Maurice Huggins (Sep 1975). "Preservation of Miocene Fossils in Unoxidized Lake Deposits, Clarkia, Idaho". Journal of Paleontology 49 (5): pp. 833–844. ISSN 0022-3360. 

Coordinates: 47°00′39″N, 116°15′11″W