County · Idaho
Bear Lake County, Idaho
Bear Lake County, Idaho. Bear Lake County had 6,727 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 5.7% since 2020, slower than Idaho (+10.4%). It holds 6 places (5 cities, villages and boroughs and 1 census-designated) and 2 census tracts. GEOID 16007.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
6,727
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 6,372 · ACS 2020-2024: 6,650
Median household income
$75,260
±$9,578 (90% margin)
Idaho: $77,800
Median home value
$275,000
±$21,468 (90% margin)
Idaho: $418,600
Median gross rent
$632
±$330 (90% margin)
Idaho: $1,238
How many people live in Bear Lake County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 6,372 residents in Bear Lake County. The Census Bureau estimates 6,727 for July 1, 2025, up 5.7% since 2020, slower than Idaho (+10.4%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 6,650 over 976 square miles of land.
| Measure | Bear Lake County | Idaho | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 6,650 | 1,934,262 | +650 |
| Households | 2,278±148 | 713,005 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.89±0.19 | 2.64 | +0.43 |
| Housing units | 4,020±33 | 795,014 | −98 |
Bear Lake County's population since 2000
From 6,411 in 2000 to 6,727 in 2025: up 4.9%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); PEP Vintage 2025 (CO-EST2025); 2020 Census · Check it at data.census.gov
What cities and towns are in Bear Lake County?
Bear Lake County holds 6 places: 5 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 1 census-designated place. The largest is Montpelier with 2,710 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Montpelier | 2,643 | $61,375 |
|---|---|---|
| Paris | 541 | $95,000 |
| Georgetown | 503 | $70,179 |
| BenningtonGEOID 1606670 | 236 | $84,167 |
| BloomingtonGEOID 1608560 | 199 | $79,583 |
| St. CharlesGEOID 1671110 | 161 | not published |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 place-by-county parts · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Bear Lake County?
The median resident of Bear Lake County is 40.5 years old; 27.4% are under 18 and 21.2% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 93.2%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 3.8%. 1.7% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Bear Lake County | Idaho | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 40.5±0.9 | 37.3 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 27.4%±0.6 pts | 24.1% | – |
| 65 years and over | 21.2%±0.6 pts | 17.0% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 3.8% | 13.6% | −0.5 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 93.2%±0.1 pts | 78.6% | no clear change |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.5%±0.6 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.2%±0.2 pts | 1.3% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.4%±0.5 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.5 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 1.8%±0.8 pts | 4.2% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 1.7%±0.7 pts | 5.9% | −1.4 pts |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 3.6%±1.6 pts | 11.0% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 6.3%±1.6 pts | 8.0% | – |
| With a disability | 14.0%±1.9 pts | 14.1% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 6.9%±2.0 pts | 9.1% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 92.4%±2.4 pts | 91.9% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 21.6%±3.0 pts | 31.8% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 6.0%±1.5 pts | 10.5% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 3.1%±1.3 pts | 4.6% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Bear Lake County earn?
Half of Bear Lake County's 2,278 households earn less than $75,260 a year (±$9,578), against $77,800 in Idaho. In 2015-2019 it was $66,663 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 7.0% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Bear Lake County | Idaho | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $75,260±$9,578 | $77,800 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $88,185±$5,936 | $102,747 | – |
| Per capita income | $34,260±$2,032 | $38,952 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 7.0%±1.8 pts | 10.6% | −9.8 pts |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 6.1%±3.2 pts | 12.4% | −18.7 pts |
| Households receiving SNAP | 4.7%±2.3 pts | 7.6% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 89.6%±3.5 pts | 91.9% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Bear Lake County?
Owners occupy 89.5% of Bear Lake County's occupied homes and renters 10.5%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $275,000 by its owner (±$21,468). The median renter pays $632 a month including utilities, and 23.9% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Bear Lake County | Idaho | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $275,000±$21,468 | $418,600 | +$90,642 |
| Median gross rent | $632±$330 | $1,238 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 23.9%±13.9 pts | 36.9% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,341±$132 | $1,687 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 89.5%±3.1 pts | 72.1% | +12.9 pts |
| Housing units | 4,020±33 | 795,014 | −98 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.7%±1.2 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 0.0%±12.7 pts | 3.9% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 93.1%±1.8 pts | 73.8% | – |
| Mobile homes | 3.8%±1.3 pts | 6.9% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.9%±1.0 pts | 3.9% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 25.5%±3.6 pts | 7.9% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Bear Lake County building?
Builders took permits for 128 new housing units across Bear Lake County in 2025 (128 single-family), 19.0 per 1,000 residents.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual county files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Bear Lake County get to work?
77.4% of Bear Lake County's workers drive alone and 9.2% work from home. The average trip to work takes 30.0 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 2.6%.
| Measure | Bear Lake County | Idaho | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 57.7%±2.7 pts | 63.0% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 2.6%±1.5 pts | 3.7% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 77.4%±4.5 pts | 72.7% | – |
| Carpooled | 10.2%±3.5 pts | 8.9% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.0%±1.3 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Walked | 1.6%±1.2 pts | 2.6% | – |
| Worked from home | 9.2%±2.5 pts | 13.3% | no clear change |
| Mean travel time to work | 30.0 min±3.7 | 21.6 min | no clear change |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What are Bear Lake County's census tracts?
Bear Lake County is divided into 2 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $61,573 (Tract 9501) to $88,080 (Tract 9502).
| Tract 950116007950100 | 3,595±228 | $61,573 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 950216007950200 | 3,055±228 | $88,080 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Bear Lake County compare with Idaho's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 36th of 44 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 33rd of 44 |
| Residents per square mile | 28th of 44 |
| Median household income | 11th of 44 |
| Median home value | 32nd of 44 |
| Median gross rent | 43rd of 44 |
| Poverty rate | 42nd of 43 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 26th of 44 |
| Median age | 20th of 44 |
Source: PlainCities ranks from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Bear Lake County are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' school search.