Idaho Information and Facts

Official Website: http://www.state.id.us/

Income

The population of Idaho in 2002 was 1,343,124. Its rank was 39th in the nation. (The District of Columbia is included for ranking purposes.)

Per Capita Personal Income

In 2002 Idaho had a per capita personal income of $25,476. This per capita personal income ranked 44th in the United States and was 82 percent of the national average, $30,906. The 2002 per capita personal income reflected an increase of 2.1 percent from 2001. The 2001-2002 national change was 1.2 percent. In 1992 the per capita personal income of Idaho was $17,093 and ranked 43rd in the United States. The 1992-2002 average annual growth rate of per capita personal income was 4.1 percent. The average annual growth rate for the nation was 4.0 percent.

Total Personal Income

In 2002 Idaho had a total personal income of $34,217,217. This total personal income ranked 42nd in the United States. In 1992 the total personal income of Idaho was $18,317,981 and ranked 43rd in the United States. The 2002 total personal income reflected an increase of 3.8 percent from 2001. The 2001-2002 national change was 2.3 percent. The 1992-2002 average annual growth rate of total personal income was 6.4 percent. The average annual growth rate for the nation was 5.2 percent.

Components of Personal Income

Total personal income includes net earnings by place of residence; dividends, interest, and rent; and total personal current transfer receipts received by the residents of Idaho. In 2002 net earnings accounted for 67.0 percent of total personal income (compared with 68.3 in 1992); dividends, interest, and rent were 18.4 percent (compared with 18.2 in 1992); and personal current transfer receipts were 14.5 percent (compared with 13.4 in 1992). From 2001 to 2002 net earnings increased 3.1 percent; dividends, interest, and rent increased 2.1 percent; and personal current transfer receipts increased 9.5 percent. From 1992 to 2002 net earnings increased on average 6.2 percent each year; dividends, interest, and rent increased on average 6.6 percent; and personal current transfer receipts increased on average 7.3 percent.

Employment Earnings

Earnings of persons employed in Idaho increased from $24,452,482 in 2001 to $25,224,302 in 2002, an increase of 3.2 percent. The 2001-2002 national change was 1.5 percent. The average annual growth rate from the 1992 estimate of $13,939,789 to the 2002 estimate was 6.1 percent. The average annual growth rate for the nation was 5.3 percent.

Area - Idaho, the 14th largest state in the Union, has an area of 216,456 sq km (83,574 sq mi) including 2132 sq km (823 sq mi) of inland water. In shape, Idaho consists of a broad rectangular area in the south, based on the line of latitude 42° north, and a long narrow strip in the north that is known as the Panhandle. The state has a maximum length from north to south of 777 km (483 mi), and it varies in width from 496 km (308 mi) along its southern border to only 72 km (45 mi) in the Panhandle. The mean elevation is about 1500 m (5000 ft). In the mid-1990s 63 percent of Idaho's total land area was controlled by the federal government.

Climate - The plains, basins, and valleys of Idaho generally have a dry climate, with cold winters and hot summers. Cooler and generally wetter conditions prevail in the mountains throughout the year. In winter, temperatures in western Idaho are generally higher than those in eastern Idaho. Average January temperatures in southern Idaho range from -2° C (29° F) at Boise to about -8° C (about 18° F) at the eastern end of the Snake River Plain. In the mountains of the southeast, near Yellowstone National Park, the January average is only about -11° C (about 12° F). Temperatures of extreme cold rarely occur in Idaho because the high mountains along the eastern border protect the state from the icy blasts of Arctic air that frequently bring bitterly cold weather to the lands east of the Rockies. In summer southwestern Idaho is the warmest part of the state, with average July temperatures of more than 23° C (74° F) at many places. Lower summer temperatures prevail in the mountains and in most of the Panhandle. In the valleys and plains of Idaho, daytime highs sometimes are in the upper 30°s C (lower 100°s F). Precipitation (rainfall and snowfall) varies greatly from place to place. It averages between about 200 and 500 mm (about 8 to 20 in) in most valley and plain areas. The high mountains in central Idaho and the Panhandle are the wettest sections, receiving as much as 1300 mm (50 in) of precipitation a year. Most precipitation falls in the winter months, mainly in the form of snow. Snowfall is especially heavy in the mountains, and the remote areas of the state may be inaccessible for months. The snow melts quickly in western Idaho, but in the colder areas of the state it often lies on the ground for the entire winter.

State Flag

State Flower - Syringa

State Capitol - Boise
Idaho's constitution was approved by the voters in November 1889, eight months before statehood. Amendments may be proposed by a two-thirds majority in each house of the state legislature or by a constitutional convention. To become law, all amendments must be approved by a majority of the voters.

Famous People

Carol R. Brink author
Ezra Pound poet, Hailey
Frank Steunenberg governor
Gutzon Borglum Mt. Rushmore sculptor, Bear Lake
Harmon Killebrew baseball player, Payette
Henry Spalding missionary, Lapwai Valley
J. R. Simplot industrialist
Joe Albertson grocery chain founder
Lana Turner actress, Wallace
Picabo Street skier, Triumph
T. H. Bell educator
Vardis Fisher author, Annis