Idaho
“The Gem State”
What Makes Idaho Beautiful
Idaho is a hidden treasure of rugged wilderness, where the Sawtooth Mountains rise like jagged teeth above alpine lakes, the Salmon River carves North America's deepest gorge, and Shoshone Falls thunders wider and higher than Niagara. Vast forests, hot springs, and dark starlit skies make it a sanctuary for the adventurous.
Key Metrics
2M
Population
$105.6B
GDP
+9.2%
GDP Growth (5yr)
$67.1K
Median Income
7.8%
Tax Burden
History
Lewis and Clark expedition crosses Idaho on their westward journey
Gold discovered at Pierce, triggering Idaho's gold rush
Admitted as the 43rd state
First usable nuclear electricity generated at Idaho National Laboratory
Teton Dam collapses, causing catastrophic flooding
Top Cities
Boise
240K
State capital; fastest-growing metro in the US
Meridian
130K
Booming Boise suburb; family-friendly community
Nampa
110K
Agricultural hub; wine country
Idaho Falls
66K
Gateway to Yellowstone; Idaho National Laboratory
Coeur d'Alene
55K
Lake resort city; outdoor recreation destination
Economy & Industry
Core Industries
Natural Resources
Energy Portfolio
Budget & Fiscal Health
$12.8B
State Budget
$12.4B
State Revenue
$-0.4B
Fiscal Balance
Social Indicators
10.1%
Poverty Rate
29.7%
College Degree
9.1%
Uninsured
222/100K
Crime Rate
Where is Idaho Headed?
GDP Projections ($B)
| Scenario | 1yr | 5yr | 10yr | 25yr | 50yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Optimistic | $108B | $119B | $134B | $191B | $344B |
| Baseline | $108B | $116B | $127B | $167B | $263B |
| Pessimistic | $107B | $112B | $118B | $139B | $183B |
Political Landscape
R+20