City profile · Idaho · Census ACS 2023

Ponderay, ID

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for Ponderay - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

1,456
Residents
$50,119
Median income
$391,700
Median home
$1,257
Median rent (state)

Ponderay - the verdict

Nationally, Ponderay sits in the 20th percentile for household income and the 86th percentile for safety among US cities with a population of 1,000 or more. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

20th
percentile, household income
77th
percentile, home value
41st
percentile, median rent
86th
percentile, safety
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: Ponderay, ID

1,456 people live in Ponderay, Idaho - a small town by U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. Median household income here is $50,119 per year, in the lower quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 9.8%. Ponderay's housing stock carries a median value of $391,700, and the median resident age is 39.9 years. About 9.4% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, while 58.9% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

The Census Building Permit Survey recorded 6 residential units authorized here in 2024 (Building Boom), up 500% from five years earlier. Ponderay reports a comparatively low crime rate: the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program logs 490.6 total incidents per 100,000 residents here, below the national average (agency reporting is voluntary, so this measures reporting activity, not a definitive danger score).

Living costs in Idaho run below the national norm: the state registers 95.5 on a 100-equals-national-average index (Below Average) per BEA Regional Price Parities 2024. Statewide, HUD pegs Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom unit at $1,257 monthly. Monthly utility costs average around $170 across Idaho, per EIA 2023 residential energy estimates. On FEMA's National Risk Index, this area rates 77.3 out of 100 for natural-hazard exposure (High).

Population

1,456 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Idaho

Median Household Income

$50,119 /yr

Poverty 9.8%

Cost of Living Index (state)

95.5 (US=100)

Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Idaho average

How does Ponderay compare to other US cities?

Where Ponderay sits among all US cities (population 1,000+) on each measure, computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 20% higher than other cities
Home value 77% pricier than other cities
Median rent 41% pricier than other cities
Safety 86% safer than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

A national percentile can hide a lot of local variation: narrowed to Idaho alone, Ponderay ranks #10 of 53 Idaho cities by lowest crime rate - a different, more locally useful comparison than stacking it against the entire country.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

Each percentile compares Ponderay against every qualifying US city; each in-state rank narrows that to Idaho only. Full formula and direction notes: methodology.

Idaho-relative analysis

Bachelor's Degree or Higher places Ponderay toward the bottom of Idaho's cities

Among the 215 Idaho cities PlainCities tracks with reported bachelor's degree or higher data, Ponderay ranks #184 - the 14th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Ponderay only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#163 of 206
21st percentile in Idaho
Median Gross Rent
#62 of 215
67th percentile in Idaho
Median Home Value
#30 of 204
85th percentile in Idaho
Poverty Rate
#87 of 215
59th percentile in Idaho
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#184 of 215
14th percentile in Idaho

Ranked by raw value (highest first); a higher rank is not automatically "better" for every measure, see each metric's own context above. This is a comparison within Idaho only, not a livability score. See the methodology for the source and calculation.

20thIncome percentile
86thSafety percentile

20th percentile nationally for median household income · 86th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Ponderay's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Ponderay's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown. 3-axis radar comparing 1 series across Income, Affordability, Safety. IncomeAffordabilitySafety 49 Avg. percentile National median
Ponderay's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown.

How Ponderay's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$391,700 23rd percentile more affordable than 23% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Below this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Below this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Below this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Below this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). This entry sits in this band. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. Ponderay $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - Ponderay, ID Ponderay, ID's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Ponderay, ID-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution Ponderay, ID median $50,119/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
Ponderay, ID's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for Ponderay, ID. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 9.4%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 9.8%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 58.9%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
1,456
Median Income
$50,119
Median Home Value
$391,700
Median Age
39.9
Poverty Rate
9.8%
Labor force participation
58.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
9.4%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
490.6
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
44.6
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
446.0
per 100,000 residents

Reflects incidents reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program — agency participation is voluntary and reporting completeness varies by jurisdiction and year, so this reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score. Not adjusted for tourism, commuter, or daytime population.

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
1,000 residents1,500 residents2,000 residents2,500 residents 202020212022202320242025 1,303 residents 2,024 residents ▲ +55.3%
Ponderay's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

Census Bureau Building Permits Survey (BPS) - annual residential permits authorized

📈 Building Boom
Total Permits (2024)
6
housing units authorized
Single-Family
6
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
4.1
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 1
2020 57
2021 47
2022 164
2023 6
2024 6

Permit volume increased 500% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
65.0%
Carpool
11.8%
Public Transit
6.2%
Walk
11.8%
Work from Home
4.5%
Other
0.7%

Based on 709 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for Idaho - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$80
avg/month
Natural Gas
$50
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$40
avg/month
Total Utilities
$170
estimated/month

Estimates reflect Idaho state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a Idaho state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Ponderay sits in

Cost of Living Index
95.5
Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,257/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
77.3 / 100
High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Idaho

Glenns Ferry
1,443 people
Tyhee
1,475 people
Moyie Springs
1,420 people
Hansen
1,414 people
Moreland
1,386 people
Sun Valley
1,383 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Ponderay's 1,456 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Redfield, AR
1,456 people
Pierson, FL
1,456 people
Hartford, IL
1,456 people
Waverly, IL
1,456 people
Thunder Mountain, NM
1,456 people
Garrison, ND
1,456 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Ponderay's $50,119 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Bean Station, TN
$50,114 median income
North La Junta, CO
$50,125 median income
Cedar Rapids, NE
$50,125 median income
Booneville, MS
$50,112 median income
Daytona Beach, FL
$50,130 median income
Arial, SC
$50,132 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Ponderay, ID Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition Ponderay, ID - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 86.1% 6.0% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 6.2% White 86.1% Black or African American 6.0% Asian 1.4% American Indian 0.0% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 1.6% Two or more races 4.9% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How Ponderay compares to nearby Idaho cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
Ponderay (this city) 1,456 $50,119
Glenns Ferry 1,443 $51,625
Tyhee 1,475 $89,500
Moyie Springs 1,420 $61,783
Census ACS 5-year FIPS ID FBI UCR Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Ponderay, ID?

What is the population of Ponderay, ID? +

The population of Ponderay, ID stands at 1,456 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Ponderay, ID? +

The median household income in Ponderay is $50,119 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Ponderay? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Ponderay; the closest available measure is the Idaho state average, a cost of living index of 95.5 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Below Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within Idaho vary by metro area.

Is Ponderay, ID safe? +

Ponderay has a total crime rate of 490.6 per 100,000 residents, which is below the national average. This reflects incidents reported to the FBI UCR program, not a definitive safety score -- agency reporting is voluntary and completeness varies by jurisdiction.

What is the median home value in Ponderay, ID? +

Homes in Ponderay carry a median value of $391,700, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, Census BPS 2024, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities

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Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.