Ada County, Idaho

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Ada County
U.S. county
James A. McClure Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse in Boise, Idaho.
James A. McClure Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse in Boise, Idaho.
Official seal of Ada County
Seal
Map of Idaho highlighting Ada County
Location within the U.S. state of Idaho
Map of the United States highlighting Idaho
Idaho's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 43°27′N 116°14′W / 43.45°N 116.24°W / 43.45; -116.24
Country United States
State Idaho
FoundedDecember 22, 1864
Named forAda Riggs
SeatBoise
Largest cityBoise
Area
 • Total1,060 sq mi (2,700 km2)
 • Land1,053 sq mi (2,730 km2)
 • Water7.9 sq mi (20 km2)  0.7%
Population
 (2010)
 • Total392,365
 • Estimate 
(2019)
481,587
 • Density370/sq mi (140/km2)
Time zoneUTC−7 (Mountain)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−6 (MDT)
Congressional districts1st, 2nd
Websitewww.adaweb.net
County Code: 1A

Ada County is located in the southwestern part of the U.S. state of Idaho. As of the 2010 United States Census, the county had a population of 392,365,[1] making it the state's most populous county, with 23.3% of the state's 2010 population. 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 just under 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 daughter of , a member of the legislature; he established the county and was 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[]

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

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[]

Historical population
Census Pop. %±
18702,675—
18804,67474.7%
18908,36879.0%
190011,55938.1%
191029,088151.6%
192035,21321.1%
193037,9257.7%
194050,40132.9%
195070,64940.2%
196093,46032.3%
1970112,23020.1%
1980173,03654.2%
1990205,77518.9%
2000300,90446.2%
2010392,36530.4%
2020494,96726.1%
US Decennial Census[6]
1790-1960[7] 1900-1990[8]
1990-2000[9] 2010-2020[1]

2000 census[]

As of the 2000 United States Census,[10] there were 300,904 people, 113,408 households, and 77,344 families 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.

The county population contained 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 in the county.[11] 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).[12] 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.[11] In terms of ancestry, 19.4% were German, 15.9% were English, 11.8% were Irish, and 8.6% were American.[13]

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.[11]

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.[14]

2016[]

In terms of ancestry, 18.2% were English, 17.6% were German, 9.7% were Irish, 5.7% were American, 3.6% were Norwegian, 3.4% were Italian, 3.4% were Scottish, 2.8% were Swedish, 2.4% were French, 2.0% were Dutch, 1.7% were Polish, 1.6% were Danish and 1.3% were Welsh.[15]

Government and politics[]

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.[16] In 2008 the presidential election in Ada County was more competitive than in previous years; John McCain defeated Barack Obama by six percentage points. In 2016, Donald Trump won the county by only a plurality due to high Third Party performance. In 2020, whereas the state of Idaho trended very strongly for Trump, he carried Ada County by a slim majority, only beating Biden by around 4 percentage points. This is the narrowest election in decades for Ada County, and the closest a Democrat has come to carrying the county since 1940.[17]

Democratic gubernatorial nominee Jerry Brady carried the county in his 2002 and 2006 races, despite losing statewide in both contests.[18][19] Another prominent Democrat, Boise mayor David H. Bieter, was elected in 2007, 2011 and 2015.[20][21]

In the Idaho Legislature, Ada County is split among nine districts, the most of any county.[22] 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.[23] Several of the Boise seats were Democratic pickups in 2006.[24]

Each party held all of their respective legislative seats the 2008 elections, but Republicans won two competitive county commission races.[25]

Ada County registered voters by political party (as of November 2, 2020)[26]
Political Party Constitution Democratic Libertarian Republican Unaffiliated Total registered voters
Number of registered voters 731 60,045 3,664 125,925 109,843 300,208
Presidential election results

County offices[]

The county government is administered by the Ada County Board of Commissioners, a three-member legislative body. Other elected officials include clerk, treasurer, sheriff, assessor, coroner, and prosecutor.[28]

County elected offices
Office Office holder Party
  Assessor[29] Robert H. McQuade Republican
  Clerk of the Circuit Court[30] Phil McGrane Republican
  County Commissioner District 1[31] Ryan Davidson Republican
  County Commissioner District 2[32] Rod Beck (Chair of the Board) Republican
  County Commissioner District 3[33] Kendra Kenyon Democratic
  Coroner[34] Dotti Owens Democratic
  Prosecutor[35] Jan M. Bennetts Republican
  Sheriff[36] Matthew Clifford Republican
  Treasurer[37] Elizabeth Mahn Republican

The Idaho Department of Correction operates the South Boise Prison Complex,[38] a correctional facility located in unincorporated Ada County, south of the Boise Airport and east of Kuna.[39]

Education[]

Public school districts[]

Communities[]

Cities[]

Census-designated places[]

Unincorporated communities[]

Population ranking[]

The population ranking of the following table is based on the 2010 census of Ada County.[44]

† county seat

Rank City/Town/etc. Municipal type Population (2010 Census)
1 † Boise City 205,671
2 Meridian City 75,092
3 Eagle City 19,908
4 Kuna City 15,210
5 Garden City City 10,972
6 Star (partially in Canyon) City 5,781 (5,793 total)
7 Hidden Springs CDP 2,280

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ Jump up to: a b "State & County QuickFacts". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on July 3, 2011. Retrieved June 28, 2014.
  2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ^ "Facts About Idaho". Idaho Department of Commerce. 2011. Archived from the original on September 3, 2011. Retrieved 10 November 2011.
  4. ^ "Ada County". Retrieved August 28, 2017.
  5. ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". US Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  6. ^ "US Decennial Census". US Census Bureau. Retrieved June 28, 2014.
  7. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved June 28, 2014.
  8. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". US Census Bureau. Retrieved June 28, 2014.
  9. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). US Census Bureau. Retrieved June 28, 2014.
  10. ^ "U.S. Census website". US Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  11. ^ Jump up to: a b c "Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved December 30, 2015.
  12. ^ "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on 13 February 2020. Retrieved December 30, 2015.
  13. ^ "Selected Social Characteristics in the US – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved December 30, 2015.
  14. ^ "Selected Economic Characteristics – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved December 30, 2015.
  15. ^ "Fact Finder 2016". Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved March 2, 2018.
  16. ^ "1964 Presidential General Election Results - Idaho". Retrieved January 2, 2018.
  17. ^ 2008 - General Election Ada County Archived March 21, 2015, at the Wayback Machine
  18. ^ November 5, 2002 General Election Results Archived August 27, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
  19. ^ November 7, 2006 General Election Results Archived August 27, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
  20. ^ Bieter beats Tibbs in Boise mayor race Archived July 14, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
  21. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved January 7, 2016.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  22. ^ Idaho Legislative District Map Archived November 17, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
  23. ^ "Idaho Legislative Districts". Archived from the original on November 10, 2008. Retrieved January 2, 2018.
  24. ^ "Baseline 08: Idaho Legislature". Ridenbaugh Press. Retrieved January 2, 2018.
  25. ^ "Election shows GOP still has the edge in Ada County". Retrieved January 2, 2018.
  26. ^ "Voter Registration Totals as of April 6, 2020". sos.idaho.gov. Retrieved June 5, 2020.
  27. ^ Leip, David. "Atlas of US Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved January 2, 2018.
  28. ^ "Ada County". Adaweb.net. Retrieved January 2, 2018.
  29. ^ "Assessor". Adacounty.id.gov. Retrieved January 2, 2018.
  30. ^ "Ada County Clerk Auditor Recorder > Home". Adacounty.id.gov. Retrieved March 14, 2019.
  31. ^ "Ryan Davidson, Dist. 1". Adacounty.id.gov. Retrieved March 22, 2021.
  32. ^ "Rick Visser, Dist. 2". Adacounty.id.gov. Retrieved January 2, 2018.
  33. ^ "Kendra Kenyon, Dist. 3". Adacounty.id.gov. Retrieved March 14, 2019.
  34. ^ "Coroner". Adacounty.id.gov. Retrieved January 2, 2018.
  35. ^ "Ada County Prosecutor". Adacounty.id.gov. Retrieved January 2, 2018.
  36. ^ "Ada County Sheriff > Home". Adasheriff.org. Retrieved January 2, 2018.
  37. ^ "Treasurer". Adacounty.id.gov. Retrieved March 14, 2019.
  38. ^ Information Technology Projects. Idaho Department of Correction. March 2011. Retrieved on June 3, 2011.
  39. ^ Locations. Idaho Department of Correction. Retrieved on June 4, 2011.
  40. ^ "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 8, 2020.
  41. ^ Mora ID Google Maps (accessed January 16, 2019)
  42. ^ Pleasant Valley ID Google Maps (accessed January 16, 2019)
  43. ^ Sonna ID Google Maps (accessed January 16, 2019)
  44. ^ "Decennial Census, 2010".

Further reading[]

External links[]

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

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