Rexburg, Idaho

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Rexburg, Idaho
City
Downtown Rexburg, May 2007
Motto: "America's Family Community"[1]
Location of Rexburg, Idaho
Coordinates: 43°49′N 111°47′W / 43.817°N 111.783°W / 43.817; -111.783Coordinates: 43°49′N 111°47′W / 43.817°N 111.783°W / 43.817; -111.783
Country United States
State Idaho
County Madison
Area[2]
  Total 9.84 sq mi (25.49 km2)
  Land 9.76 sq mi (25.28 km2)
  Water 0.08 sq mi (0.21 km2)
Elevation 4,865 ft (1,483 m)
Population (2010)[3]
  Total 25,484
  Estimate (2012[4]) 25,732
  Density 2,611.1/sq mi (1,008.2/km2)
Time zone Mountain (MST) (UTC-7)
  Summer (DST) MDT (UTC-6)
ZIP codes 83440, 83441, 83460
Area code(s) 208
FIPS code 16-67420
GNIS feature ID 0374648
Website City of Rexburg, Idaho Website

Rexburg is a city in Madison County, Idaho, United States. The population was 25,484 at the 2010 census, up from 17,257 in 2000.[5] The city is the county seat of Madison County,[6] and its largest city.[7] Rexburg is the principal city of the Rexburg, ID Micropolitan Statistical Area, which includes Fremont and Madison Counties. The city is home to Brigham Young University-Idaho, a private institution operated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

History

The city takes its name from Ricks, the German form of which is "Rex", after founder Thomas Edwin Ricks. The city was incorporated in 1883.[8]

Rexburg was severely damaged by the famous Teton Dam Flood of June 1976. The Teton River flowed through northern Rexburg, and left most of the city underwater for several days after the Teton Dam ruptured. The recovery was quickened due to the cooperation of the people within the community. A museum dedicated to the Teton Dam Flood and the history of Rexburg and the area, located in the basement of the Rexburg Tabernacle, has been a major city landmark for decades.

Upon its dedication in February 2008, the Rexburg Idaho Temple made Rexburg the third city in Idaho with an LDS temple.[9]

Since the announcement of the transition from Ricks College to Brigham Young University-Idaho the population of Rexburg has grown dramatically.

Geography

Rexburg is located at 43°49′N 111°47′W / 43.817°N 111.783°W / 43.817; -111.783,[10] at an elevation of 4,865 feet (1,483 m) above sea level.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 9.84 square miles (25.49 km2), of which, 9.76 square miles (25.28 km2) is land and 0.08 square miles (0.21 km2) is water.[2]

Much of Rexburg, including BYU-Idaho and the Rexburg, Idaho LDS Temple, rests on top of a shield volcano just north of Rigby, ID. Eruptions are not expected in the near future this far south; besides Yellowstone, Island Park is the most likely setting for future volcanic activity in this area. Many different types of volcanoes exist near Rexburg, including cinder cones, spatter cones, other shield volcanoes, and volcanic fissures. There are lava fields to the west and south of Rexburg, the results of open fissure eruptions from about two thousand years ago. Nearby Craters of the Moon National Monument presents the most obvious features of this recent activity. Sediment deposits enriched by volcanism make the surrounding area famous for its production of large starch-rich potatoes.

Rexburg is close to the St. Anthony Sand Dunes, the West Entrance of Yellowstone National Park and the Teton Range.

Climate

Rexburg experiences a humid continental climate (Köppen climate classification Dfb) with cold winters and hot summers- though even in summer nights are chilly and frosts have occurred in all months of the year. The wettest year has been 1983 with 20.76 inches (527.3 mm) and the driest has been 1988 with 7.48 inches (190.0 mm) including rainless months in July and October, though the wettest month was May 1981 with 4.22 inches (107.2 mm). The average snow cover peaks at around 9 inches (22.9 cm), whilst the heaviest snowfall in one month was 43.5 inches (110.5 cm) in December 1983.

Climate data for Rexburg, Idaho
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °F (°C) 52
(11)
60
(16)
73
(23)
84
(29)
91
(33)
102
(39)
99
(37)
99
(37)
94
(34)
87
(31)
70
(21)
61
(16)
102
(39)
Average high °F (°C) 29.4
(−1.4)
33.4
(0.8)
46.3
(7.9)
57.3
(14.1)
65.9
(18.8)
74.6
(23.7)
83.5
(28.6)
84.3
(29.1)
73.9
(23.3)
60.3
(15.7)
41.4
(5.2)
30.3
(−0.9)
56.72
(13.74)
Average low °F (°C) 10.7
(−11.8)
13.8
(−10.1)
23.5
(−4.7)
30.6
(−0.8)
38.6
(3.7)
44.8
(7.1)
49.2
(9.6)
47.2
(8.4)
38.6
(3.7)
29.9
(−1.2)
20.2
(−6.6)
11.4
(−11.4)
29.87
(−1.17)
Record low °F (°C) −32
(−36)
−36
(−38)
−12
(−24)
10
(−12)
16
(−9)
29
(−2)
32
(0)
27
(−3)
14
(−10)
6
(−14)
−13
(−25)
−31
(−35)
−36
(−38)
Precipitation inches (mm) 1.11
(28.2)
1.02
(25.9)
1.07
(27.2)
1.13
(28.7)
1.89
(48)
1.44
(36.6)
0.90
(22.9)
0.72
(18.3)
0.82
(20.8)
1.07
(27.2)
1.09
(27.7)
1.06
(26.9)
13.32
(338.4)
Snowfall inches (cm) 13.5
(34.3)
10.5
(26.7)
4.0
(10.2)
2.1
(5.3)
0.5
(1.3)
0.0
(0)
0.0
(0)
0.0
(0)
0.1
(0.3)
1.0
(2.5)
7.6
(19.3)
15.3
(38.9)
54.6
(138.8)
Avg. precipitation days (≥ 0.01 inch) 10 8 8 9 11 8 6 6 5 7 8 9 95
Source: Western Regional Climate Center[11]

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop.
1890293
19001,081268.9%
19101,89375.1%
19203,56988.5%
19303,048−14.6%
19403,43712.8%
19504,25323.7%
19604,76712.1%
19708,27273.5%
198011,55939.7%
199014,30223.7%
200017,25720.7%
201025,48447.7%
source:[5][12]

City officials have contested the census figures on the grounds that many college students were out of town while census workers were counting Rexburg's population.[13]

Rexburg also has an estimated 95% LDS population.[14]

2010 census

As of the census[3] of 2010, there were 25,484 people, 7,179 households, and 4,925 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,611.1 inhabitants per square mile (1,008.2 /km2). There were 7,617 housing units at an average density of 780.4 per square mile (301.3 /km2). The racial makeup of the city was 93.8% White, 0.6% African American, 0.2% Native American, 1.2% Asian, 0.2% Pacific Islander, 2.3% from other races, and 1.7% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.6% of the population.

There were 7,179 households of which 33.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.6% were married couples living together, 4.4% had a female householder with no husband present, 1.6% had a male householder with no wife present, and 31.4% were non-families. 9.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 3.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.41 and the average family size was 3.17.

The median age in the city was 22.3 years. 20.4% of residents were under the age of 18; 49.2% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 19.9% were from 25 to 44; 7% were from 45 to 64; and 3.7% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 47.3% male and 52.7% female.

2000 census

As of the census[15] of 2000, there were 17,257 people, 4,274 households, and 2,393 families residing in the city. The population density was 3,534.4 people per square mile (1,365.4/km²). There were 4,533 housing units at an average density of 928.4 per square mile (358.6/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 95.20% White, 0.30% African American, 0.31% Native American, 0.66% Asian, 0.28% Pacific Islander, 2.23% from other races, and 1.03% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.04% of the population.

There were 4,274 households out of which 30.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.7% were married couples living together, 5.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 44.0% were non-families. 12.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 5.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.71 and the average family size was 3.45.

In the city the population was spread out with 18.3% under the age of 18, 57.3% from 18 to 24, 11.9% from 25 to 44, 7.5% from 45 to 64, and 4.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 20 years. For every 100 females there were 82.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 77.0 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $26,965, and the median income for a family was $36,047. Males had a median income of $27,280 versus $17,592 for females. The per capita income for the city was $9,173. About 13.2% of families and 44.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.7% of those under age 18 and 12.3% of those age 65 or over.

Arts and culture

Rexburg hosts the annual International Dance and Music Festival, the city's largest and most well-known single event. Each summer, dancers are invited from all over the world to perform dances and share other aspects of their cultures.

Government

Politics

Rexburg has been referred to as the "reddest place in America,"[16] owing to the area's strong conservative majority and political trends. Some political experts have considered Rexburg, Idaho the true antithesis of San Francisco, America's liberal bastion.[16] Since 1980 no Republican presidential candidate has won less than 59 percent of the county vote. In that same period Republican presidential candidates polled more than 90 percent of the county's vote on two occasions, Ronald Reagan in 1984[17] and George W. Bush in 2004.[18] John McCain came close to this level in 2008, drawing 85 percent of the vote.[19] In 2012, Mitt Romney gained 93.3% of votes.[20]

Rexburg obtained national notoriety with reports of a few children on a bus chanting "Assassinate Obama" following the election of Barack Obama in November 2008. The mayor apologized for the children's behavior.[21]

Education

Public schools

The public high school is Madison High School, which has the bobcat as its mascot.

Higher Education

Rexburg is home to Brigham Young University-Idaho, a private institution operated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The university began as a small high school-level academy in 1888 and was eventually established as Ricks College, in honor of Mormon pioneer and city founder, Thomas Edwin Ricks. On August 10, 2001 it officially became a four-year college and assumed the name Brigham Young University-Idaho.[22]

Madison Memorial Hospital

The City of Rexburg and the surrounding areas are serviced by Madison Memorial Hospital located just east of the city's downtown area. The hospital offers regular classes in an attempt to educate the community on such things as preparing for childbirth and first aid for children.[23] In 2012 the Leapfrog group announced the results of a study which indicated that Madison Memorial Hospital is the seventh worst performing hospital in the United States.[24] In 2013, Madison was ranked the healthiest county in Idaho.[25]

Media

Television

  • K13UF-D, channel 13 (translator of KPVI-DT Pocatello, ID)
  • K40KB, channel 40 (translator of KTBN Santa Ana, CA)
  • K43JD-D, channel 43 (translator of KISU-TV Pocatello, ID)
  • K51KL, channel 51

Radio

  • KBYR 91.5 FM BYU-Idaho Radio (Religious, Radio)
  • KADQ 100.5 FM (Alternative, Radio)
  • KGTM 98.1 FM (Oldies, Radio)
  • KUPI 99.1 FM (Country, Radio)
  • KBYI 94.3 FM BYU-Idaho Radio (Public Radio)
  • KCHQ 102.1 FM (Country)
  • KFTZ 103.3 FM (Top-40)
  • KTHK 105.5 FM (Country)
  • KBJX 106.3 FM (Adult Contemporary)
  • KQEO 107.1 FM (Classic Hits)
  • KID 590 AM (News/Talk)
  • KUPI 980 AM (Oldies)
  • KRXK 1230 AM (Sports)
  • KSSL 1260 AM (Talk)
  • KIGO 1400 AM (Spanish)

Newspapers

  • Rexburg Standard Journal
  • Scroll
  • Topix

Notable people

References

  1. "City of Rexburg, Idaho". City of Rexburg, Idaho. Retrieved September 2, 2012. 
  2. 2.0 2.1 "US Gazetteer files 2010". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2012-12-18. 
  3. 3.0 3.1 "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2012-12-18. 
  4. "Population Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2013-06-03. 
  5. 5.0 5.1 "Quickfacts: Rexburg, Idaho". United States Census Bureau, Population Division. 2010. Retrieved 2011-12-11. 
  6. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved 2011-06-07. 
  7. "Profile for Rexburg, Idaho, ID". ePodunk. Retrieved September 2, 2012. 
  8. "Rexburg, Idaho". City-Data.com. Retrieved September 2, 2012. 
  9. http://www.jacobsenconstruction.com/portfolio/projects.cgi?j=501
  10. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23. 
  11. REXBURG RICKS COLLEGE, IDAHO (107644). Retrieved 22 April 2013.
  12. Moffatt, Riley. Population History of Western U.S. Cities & Towns, 1850-1990. Lanham: Scarecrow, 1996, 97.
  13. http://www.rexburgstandardjournal.com/news/byu-idaho-student-count-at-root-of-rexburg-s-census/article_fc15b20a-9c3f-11e0-8d20-001cc4c002e0.html#axzz1kARsS7Rb
  14. http://www.ldschurchnews.com/articles/46189/Rexburg-unique-in-all-the-world.html
  15. "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31. 
  16. 16.0 16.1 http://www.salon.com/news/feature/2006/10/24/reddest_state/index.html
  17. Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections
  18. Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections
  19. Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections
  20. 2News TV, Boise, Idaho Online
  21. http://www.byui.edu/pr/general/byuihistory.htm
  22. http://www.madisonhospital.org/services/education-classes.html
  23. http://news.health.com/2012/12/02/25-worst-hospitals-in-the-u-s-is-yours-on-the-list/
  24. http://www.ktvb.com/news/health/Report-ranks-Madison-County-as-Idahos-healthiest-199376911.html/
  25. "Christian Jacobs". Internet Movie Database. Retrieved September 2, 2012. 
  26. "The Val G. Hemming Award". American Academy of Pediatrics. Retrieved 2013-11-03. 

External links


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