According to Countryaah, Bingham County, located in Eastern Idaho, is a vibrant and diverse county with a population of 45,607 according to the 2019 Census. It is home to three cities: Blackfoot (the county seat), Shelley, and Firth. The county’s economy is largely based on agriculture and energy production. Other major employers include manufacturing, retail stores, and government services.
The demographics of Bingham County are quite diverse; according to the 2019 Census, the population is made up of White (87.7%), Hispanic or Latino (5.9%), Asian (2.5%), African American/Black (1%) and Native American/Alaskan Native/Hawaiian/Pacific Islander (0.9%). In addition to these racial backgrounds, there are also a variety of religious affiliations represented in the county including Catholic, Mormon, Baptist, Lutheran and more.
Bingham County is known for its stunning natural beauty; it offers a wide variety of outdoor activities such as fishing in the Snake River or hiking in the nearby mountains. There are also many historic sites throughout the area that offer visitors an opportunity to learn more about local history and culture.
In terms of education, Bingham County has several public schools serving students from Kindergarten through 12th grade as well as numerous private schools and institutions offering higher education options such as Idaho State University-Idaho Falls campus and Brigham Young University-Idaho campus located in Rexburg just outside of Bingham County borders. Public transportation is available through Intermountain Express which provides bus service to many towns within Bingham County as well as neighboring counties like Madison and Fremont Counties.
Bingham County has much to offer its residents whether they are looking for recreational activities or educational opportunities; it provides a safe environment for families while also providing plenty of economic opportunities for those looking for work or starting businesses. With its vibrant communities filled with friendly people, great schools, beautiful scenery, and diverse culture, Bingham County truly offers something for everyone.
History of Bingham County, Idaho
Bingham County, Idaho is located in the southeastern part of the state and is part of the Snake River Plain. It was established in 1885 and named after Henry Harlow Bingham, an early settler. Prior to European settlement, the area was home to several Native American tribes including the Shoshone, Bannock, and Paiute. During the 1800s, it became a popular destination for fur trappers and miners due to its abundance of resources.
The first settlers arrived in Bingham County in 1864 when Charles C. Rich established a Mormon settlement near present-day Shelley. The county was officially organized in 1885 with its county seat located in Blackfoot. During this time, large-scale agricultural production began as settlers planted wheat and potatoes on their farms. In addition to farming, many settlers also worked as miners or ranchers while others opened businesses such as general stores or saloons.
In addition to agriculture and mining, Bingham County also played an important role in transportation development during the late 19th century with two major railway systems coming through the area—the Oregon Short Line Railroad (OSL) and Union Pacific (UP). These railways connected Bingham County to other cities throughout Idaho as well as Wyoming and Utah. In 1903, construction began on a new railroad line called the Yellowstone Park Line which ran from St Anthony (now Rexburg) to Yellowstone National Park. This line was especially important for tourism development as it allowed visitors easy access to one of America’s most popular national parks from Bingham County.
Throughout the 20th century, Bingham County has continued to grow both economically and culturally as new industries have come into play such as energy production and manufacturing while tourism has also become an important part of its economy due to its proximity to Yellowstone National Park. Today, Bingham County is home to a diverse population with many different racial backgrounds represented among its citizens along with a variety of religious affiliations including Catholic, Mormon, Baptist, Lutheran and more. It is known for its stunning natural beauty which offers visitors numerous outdoor activities such as fishing in the Snake River or hiking through nearby mountains while those looking for educational opportunities can find them at public schools serving students from Kindergarten through 12th grade or at institutions offering higher education options like Idaho State University-Idaho Falls campus or Brigham Young University-Idaho campus located just outside of Bingham County borders. With its vibrant communities filled with friendly people great schools beautiful scenery diverse culture and plenty of economic opportunities; there is truly something for everyone here.
Major cities and towns in Bingham County, Idaho
The largest city in Bingham County is Blackfoot, Idaho. It is the county seat and has a population of about 11,000 people. Blackfoot is located at the intersection of Interstate 15 and U.S. Route 91. It is known for its potato farming and the Idaho Potato Museum, which celebrates the region’s agricultural history. Blackfoot also has a rich western heritage that can be explored through its historic downtown district, which features several shops and restaurants.
Another major city in Bingham County is Shelley, Idaho, located just south of Blackfoot on Interstate 15. Shelley has a population of about 6,000 people and is known for its annual potato festival in August that brings thousands of visitors to town each year. The festival includes live music, carnival rides, potato-themed activities and contests, as well as a parade down Main Street that features local businesses and organizations from around the county.
Firth is another smaller town located in Bingham County with a population just over 1,000 people. Firth was founded in 1879 by members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) who were looking for an area to settle down away from Salt Lake City—the church’s headquarters at the time—and named it after Firth Park in England. Firth hosts an annual rodeo during Memorial Day weekend that draws crowds from around the region to watch local cowboys compete in bull riding and other events.
Basin City is also located in Bingham County with a population of about 500 people. Basin City was established as an irrigation project by settlers who wanted to take advantage of the Snake River’s water resources for farming purposes during the late 1800s. Today, it serves as a quiet community surrounded by farmland where residents enjoy small-town living at its best while still being close enough to larger cities like Blackfoot or Shelley for easy access to amenities like shopping centers and medical facilities if needed.
Population in Bingham County, Idaho
According to existingcountries.com, Bingham County, Idaho is home to a diverse population of approximately 21,500 people. Located in the southeastern corner of the state, it is bordered by Bonneville and Jefferson counties to the north and Power County to the east. The county seat is Blackfoot, which has a population of about 11,000 people. Other major cities in Bingham County include Shelley (population 6,000) and Firth (population 1,000). Smaller towns include Basin City (population 500).
The racial makeup of Bingham County is predominantly Caucasian (89.7%), with smaller percentages of Native American (3.3%), Hispanic or Latino (2.4%), Asian (1.6%), and African American/Black (.5%) populations. Over one-third of the population identifies as being of two or more races. In terms of religious affiliation, over half of the county’s residents identify as Mormon/LDS; other denominations include Baptist (.9%) and Catholic (.5%).
The median household income in Bingham County is $50,218 compared to the national average of $60,293; however, there are significant disparities between incomes based on race/ethnicity with Caucasian households earning an average annual income $54,831 while African Americans earn an average annual income $24,902 per year—an almost 50% difference in median incomes between these two groups alone. The poverty rate in Bingham County stands at 16%, with 15% living below the federal poverty line—a figure slightly higher than both state and national averages.
In terms of education level attainment among adults 25 years or older living in Bingham County: 27% have earned a bachelor’s degree or higher; 23% have some college but no degree; 28% only have a high school diploma or equivalent; and 22% have less than a high school diploma/GED certificate.
Bingham County is made up primarily by Caucasians who identify as Mormon/LDS with an income level slightly lower than both state and national averages but with greater disparities between races/ethnicities when it comes to median household incomes—an issue that will need to be addressed if this county wants to continue thriving economically into the future.
