Ada County, Idaho

Ada County, Idaho
Seal
Location in the state of Idaho
Idaho's location in the U.S.
Founded	December 22, 1864
Named for	Ada Riggs, first pioneer child born in county
Seat	Boise
Largest city	Boise
Area
• Total	1,060 sq mi (2,745 km2)
• Land	1,053 sq mi (2,727 km2)
• Water	7.9 sq mi (20 km2), 0.7%
Population
• (2010)	392,365
• Density	373/sq mi (144/km²)
Congressional districts	1st, 2nd
Time zone	Mountain: UTC-7/-6
Website	www.adaweb.net

Ada County is a county in the southwestern part of the U.S. state of Idaho. As of the 2010 Census, the county had a population of 392,365,^[1] making it the most populous county in Idaho. The county seat and largest city is Boise,^[2] which is also the state capital.^[3]

Ada County is included in the Boise, ID Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Ada County is by far the state's largest in population, containing more than one quarter of the state's residents, and contains its only county highway district; the Ada County Highway District (ACHD) has jurisdiction over all the local county and city streets, except for private roads and state roads. In the interior Northwest east of the Cascade Range, Ada County ranks second in population behind only Spokane County, Washington.

History

Ada County was created by the Idaho Territorial Legislature on December 22, 1864, partitioned from Boise County. It is named for Ada Riggs, the first pioneer child born in the area and the daughter of H.C. Riggs, a co-founder of Boise.^[4] Canyon County, which originally included Payette County and most of Gem County, was partitioned from western Ada County in 1891.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,060 square miles (2,700 km²), of which 1,053 square miles (2,730 km²) is land and 7.9 square miles (20 km²) (0.7%) is water.^[5] The Boise River flows through the northern portion of the county, and the northwest border is bounded by the foothills of the Boise Range mountains, the summits are in adjacent Boise County. The southwestern border of the county is bounded by the Snake River.

Adjacent counties

• Boise County - northeast
• Elmore County - east
• Owyhee County - south
• Canyon County - west
• Gem County - northwest

Major highways

County roads and highways are maintained by the Ada County Highway District (ACHD).

National protected areas

• Boise National Forest (part)
• Snake River Birds of Prey National Conservation Area (part)

Demographics

2000 census

As of the census^[11] of 2000, there were 300,904 people, 113,408 households, and 77,344 families residing in the county. The population density was 285/mi² (110/km²). There were 118,516 housing units at an average density of 112/mi² (43/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 92.86% White, 0.65% Black or African American, 0.69% Native American, 1.74% Asian, 0.15% Pacific Islander, 1.67% from other races, and 2.24% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.48% of the population.

There were 113,408 households out of which 36.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.10% were married couples living together, 9.40% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.80% were non-families. 23.80% of all households were made up of individuals and 6.07% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.59 and the average family size was 3.11.

In the county the population was spread out with 27.30% under the age of 18, 10.30% from 18 to 24, 32.50% from 25 to 44, 20.80% from 45 to 64, and 9.10% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females there were 100.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.9 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $46,140, and the median income for a family was $54,416. Males had a median income of $37,867 versus $26,453 for females. The per capita income for the county was $22,519. About 5.40% of families and 7.70% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.20% of those under age 18 and 5.70% of those age 65 or over.

2010 census

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 392,365 people, 148,445 households, and 99,282 families residing in the county.^[12] The population density was 372.8 inhabitants per square mile (143.9/km²). There were 159,471 housing units at an average density of 151.5 per square mile (58.5/km²).^[13] The racial makeup of the county was 90.3% white, 2.4% Asian, 1.1% black or African American, 0.7% American Indian, 0.2% Pacific islander, 2.4% from other races, and 2.8% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 7.1% of the population.^[12] In terms of ancestry, 19.4% were German, 15.9% were English, 11.8% were Irish, and 8.6% were American.^[14]

Of the 148,445 households, 35.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.4% were married couples living together, 10.0% had a female householder with no husband present, 33.1% were non-families, and 25.0% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.58 and the average family size was 3.11. The median age was 34.8 years.^[12]

The median income for a household in the county was $55,835 and the median income for a family was $67,519. Males had a median income of $48,290 versus $34,875 for females. The per capita income for the county was $27,915. About 6.9% of families and 10.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.8% of those under age 18 and 6.8% of those age 65 or over.^[15]

Government and politics

Similar to other Idaho counties, an elected three-member county commission heads the county government. Other elected officials include clerk, treasurer, sheriff, assessor, coroner, and prosecutor.^[16]

Ada County has traditionally been a Republican Party stronghold. The last victory in a presidential election by a Democrat in Ada County was by Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1936 - the last time a Democrat carried the state of Idaho was Lyndon B. Johnson in 1964.^[17] In 2008 the presidential election in Ada County was more competitive than in previous years; John McCain defeated Barack Obama by six percentage points.^[18]

Democratic gubernatorial nominee Jerry Brady carried the county in his 2002 and 2006 races, despite losing statewide in both contests.^[19][20] Another prominent Democrat, Boise mayor David H. Bieter, was reelected in 2007, 2011 and 2015.^[21][22]

In the Idaho Legislature, Ada County is split between nine districts, the most of any county.^[23] In the state house, Republicans hold ten seats and Democrats hold eight. In the state senate, Republicans hold five seats and Democrats hold four. Generally, Democratic strength is concentrated in Boise itself, while Republican strength is concentrated in the western suburbs.^[24] Several of the Boise seats were Democratic pickups in 2006.^[25]

Each party held all of their respective legislative seats the 2008 elections, but Republicans won two competitive county commission races.^[26]

The Idaho Department of Correction operates the South Boise Prison Complex,^[27] is a correctional facility located in unincorporated Ada County, south of the Boise Airport and east of Kuna.^[28]

Education

Public school districts

• Boise School District
• West Ada School District
• Kuna School District
• Meridian School District

Communities

Cities

• Boise
• Eagle
• Garden City
• Kuna
• Meridian
• Star

Census-designated place

• Hidden Spring

See also

• National Register of Historic Places listings in Ada County, Idaho

References

Further reading

• "Ada County". State website. Retrieved 2005-09-20. 

External links

• Official website

	Gem County		Boise County
	Canyon County		Elmore County
		Ada County, Idaho
		Owyhee County

Municipalities and communities of Ada County, Idaho, United States County seat: Boise Cities Boise Eagle Garden City Kuna Meridian Star CDP Hidden Spring

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Coordinates: 43°27′N 116°14′W / 43.45°N 116.24°W / 43.45; -116.24