County · Idaho
Benewah County, Idaho
Benewah County, Idaho. Benewah County had 10,508 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 10.2% since 2020, in line with Idaho (+10.4%). It holds 6 places (3 cities, villages and boroughs and 3 census-designated) and 2 census tracts. GEOID 16009.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
10,508
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 9,530 · ACS 2020-2024: 10,142
Median household income
$59,794
±$5,083 (90% margin)
Idaho: $77,800
Median home value
$293,500
±$19,622 (90% margin)
Idaho: $418,600
Median gross rent
$875
±$62 (90% margin)
Idaho: $1,238
How many people live in Benewah County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 9,530 residents in Benewah County. The Census Bureau estimates 10,508 for July 1, 2025, up 10.2% since 2020, in line with Idaho (+10.4%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 10,142 over 777 square miles of land.
| Measure | Benewah County | Idaho | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 10,142 | 1,934,262 | +1,004 |
| Households | 4,072±128 | 713,005 | +654 |
| Average household size | 2.47±0.08 | 2.64 | −0.18 |
| Housing units | 4,757±28 | 795,014 | no clear change |
Benewah County's population since 2000
From 9,171 in 2000 to 10,508 in 2025: up 14.6%. 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 Benewah County?
Benewah County holds 6 places: 3 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 3 census-designated places. The largest is St. Maries with 2,457 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| St. Maries | 2,357 | $60,458 |
|---|---|---|
| Plummer | 1,015 | $54,306 |
| FernwoodGEOID 1627640 | 337 | not published |
| De SmetGEOID 1621520 | 145 | not published |
| TensedGEOID 1680200 | 84 | $19,688 |
| ParklineGEOID 1660880 | 60 | $74,417 |
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 Benewah County?
The median resident of Benewah County is 45.5 years old; 22.0% are under 18 and 23.9% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 83.6%, then non-Hispanic American Indian and Alaska Native residents at 7.2%. 0.7% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Benewah County | Idaho | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 45.5±0.4 | 37.3 | −0.7 |
| Under 18 years | 22.0% | 24.1% | – |
| 65 years and over | 23.9%±0.3 pts | 17.0% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 3.8% | 13.6% | +0.2 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 83.6%±0.5 pts | 78.6% | −1.0 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.5%±0.3 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 1.3% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 7.2%±0.7 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.3 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 4.6%±0.9 pts | 4.2% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.3%±0.2 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 0.7%±0.4 pts | 5.9% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 3.0%±1.2 pts | 11.0% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 9.8%±1.6 pts | 8.0% | – |
| With a disability | 20.3%±2.3 pts | 14.1% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 14.3%±3.6 pts | 9.1% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 87.6%±2.7 pts | 91.9% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 19.7%±3.0 pts | 31.8% | +4.5 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 6.7%±1.7 pts | 10.5% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 3.0%±1.0 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 Benewah County earn?
Half of Benewah County's 4,072 households earn less than $59,794 a year (±$5,083), against $77,800 in Idaho. In 2015-2019 it was $58,527 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 12.9% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Benewah County | Idaho | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $59,794±$5,083 | $77,800 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $77,752±$5,977 | $102,747 | – |
| Per capita income | $32,105±$2,195 | $38,952 | +$3,485 |
| People below the poverty line | 12.9%±2.4 pts | 10.6% | −4.4 pts |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 12.9%±3.8 pts | 12.4% | −13.6 pts |
| Households receiving SNAP | 10.6%±3.1 pts | 7.6% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 84.4%±2.5 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 Benewah County?
Owners occupy 73.2% of Benewah County's occupied homes and renters 26.8%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $293,500 by its owner (±$19,622). The median renter pays $875 a month including utilities, and 35.0% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Benewah County | Idaho | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $293,500±$19,622 | $418,600 | +$87,974 |
| Median gross rent | $875±$62 | $1,238 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 35.0%±9.1 pts | 36.9% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,495±$128 | $1,687 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 73.2%±4.0 pts | 72.1% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 4,757±28 | 795,014 | no clear change |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.2%±0.2 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 0.3%±0.5 pts | 3.9% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 71.0%±4.0 pts | 73.8% | – |
| Mobile homes | 17.8%±3.1 pts | 6.9% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.4%±0.3 pts | 3.9% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 12.7%±2.5 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 Benewah County building?
Builders took permits for 57 new housing units across Benewah County in 2025 (57 single-family), 5.4 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 Benewah County get to work?
77.4% of Benewah County's workers drive alone and 8.0% work from home. The average trip to work takes 23.8 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 3.7%.
| Measure | Benewah County | Idaho | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 54.1%±2.9 pts | 63.0% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 3.7%±1.4 pts | 3.7% | −4.3 pts |
| Drove alone to work | 77.4%±3.7 pts | 72.7% | – |
| Carpooled | 10.1%±2.7 pts | 8.9% | – |
| Public transportation | 1.3%±1.1 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Walked | 1.6%±0.7 pts | 2.6% | – |
| Worked from home | 8.0%±2.4 pts | 13.3% | +3.5 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 23.8 min±2.0 | 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 Benewah County's census tracts?
Benewah County is divided into 2 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $58,929 (Tract 9501) to $63,800 (Tract 9400).
| Tract 940016009940000 | 5,488±393 | $63,800 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 950116009950100 | 4,654±393 | $58,929 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Benewah County compare with Idaho's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 30th of 44 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 15th of 44 |
| Residents per square mile | 20th of 44 |
| Median household income | 37th of 44 |
| Median home value | 28th of 44 |
| Median gross rent | 27th of 44 |
| Poverty rate | 13th of 43 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 33rd of 44 |
| Median age | 11th 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 Benewah 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.