County · Idaho
Clearwater County, Idaho
Clearwater County, Idaho. Clearwater County had 9,118 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 4.4% since 2020, slower than Idaho (+10.4%). It holds 4 places (4 cities, villages and boroughs) and 3 census tracts. GEOID 16035.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
9,118
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 8,734 · ACS 2020-2024: 9,012
Median household income
$60,000
±$5,019 (90% margin)
Idaho: $77,800
Median home value
$268,200
±$29,285 (90% margin)
Idaho: $418,600
Median gross rent
$875
±$43 (90% margin)
Idaho: $1,238
How many people live in Clearwater County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 8,734 residents in Clearwater County. The Census Bureau estimates 9,118 for July 1, 2025, up 4.4% since 2020, slower than Idaho (+10.4%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 9,012 over 2,457 square miles of land.
| Measure | Clearwater County | Idaho | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 9,012 | 1,934,262 | +339 |
| Households | 3,636±129 | 713,005 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.27±0.08 | 2.64 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 4,626±39 | 795,014 | no clear change |
Clearwater County's population since 2000
From 8,930 in 2000 to 9,118 in 2025: up 2.1%. 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 Clearwater County?
Clearwater County holds 4 places: 4 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places). The largest is Orofino with 3,259 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
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 Clearwater County?
The median resident of Clearwater County is 52.2 years old; 14.9% are under 18 and 29.0% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 87.6%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 4.6%. 2.1% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Clearwater County | Idaho | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 52.2±0.3 | 37.3 | +1.8 |
| Under 18 years | 14.9%±0.5 pts | 24.1% | – |
| 65 years and over | 29.0%±0.5 pts | 17.0% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 4.6% | 13.6% | +0.4 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 87.6%±0.8 pts | 78.6% | −2.6 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.2%±0.2 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 1.0%±0.2 pts | 1.3% | +0.6 pts |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 1.5%±0.7 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 4.6%±1.0 pts | 4.2% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.5%±0.5 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 2.1%±1.1 pts | 5.9% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 2.6%±0.8 pts | 11.0% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 11.6%±1.5 pts | 8.0% | – |
| With a disability | 24.0%±2.1 pts | 14.1% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 11.2%±2.9 pts | 9.1% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 92.0%±1.2 pts | 91.9% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 17.5%±2.4 pts | 31.8% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 5.7%±1.4 pts | 10.5% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 3.3%±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 Clearwater County earn?
Half of Clearwater County's 3,636 households earn less than $60,000 a year (±$5,019), against $77,800 in Idaho. In 2015-2019 it was $54,046 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 13.2% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Clearwater County | Idaho | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $60,000±$5,019 | $77,800 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $77,216±$5,317 | $102,747 | – |
| Per capita income | $34,062±$2,384 | $38,952 | +$5,249 |
| People below the poverty line | 13.2%±2.1 pts | 10.6% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 16.6%±5.7 pts | 12.4% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 8.4%±2.1 pts | 7.6% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 83.6%±3.0 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 Clearwater County?
Owners occupy 82.9% of Clearwater County's occupied homes and renters 17.1%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $268,200 by its owner (±$29,285). The median renter pays $875 a month including utilities, and 39.3% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Clearwater County | Idaho | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $268,200±$29,285 | $418,600 | +$76,335 |
| Median gross rent | $875±$43 | $1,238 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 39.3%±9.5 pts | 36.9% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,464±$103 | $1,687 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 82.9%±2.2 pts | 72.1% | +4.8 pts |
| Housing units | 4,626±39 | 795,014 | no clear change |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.1%±0.2 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 13.6%±5.3 pts | 3.9% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 73.0%±3.2 pts | 73.8% | – |
| Mobile homes | 20.5%±2.9 pts | 6.9% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 1.8%±1.0 pts | 3.9% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 8.9%±1.9 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 Clearwater County building?
Builders took permits for 38 new housing units across Clearwater County in 2025 (38 single-family), 4.2 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 Clearwater County get to work?
75.5% of Clearwater County's workers drive alone and 10.1% work from home. The average trip to work takes 22.5 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 4.5%.
| Measure | Clearwater County | Idaho | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 47.8%±2.1 pts | 63.0% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 4.5%±2.0 pts | 3.7% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 75.5%±4.4 pts | 72.7% | – |
| Carpooled | 9.8%±3.6 pts | 8.9% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.0%±1.0 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Walked | 2.9%±1.5 pts | 2.6% | – |
| Worked from home | 10.1%±2.6 pts | 13.3% | +4.2 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 22.5 min±2.4 | 21.6 min | −7.0 min |
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 Clearwater County's census tracts?
Clearwater County is divided into 3 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $52,917 (Tract 9400.02) to $76,528 (Tract 9400.01).
| Tract 9400.0116035940001 | 2,025±133 | $76,528 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 9400.0216035940002 | 3,829±222 | $52,917 |
| Tract 970116035970100 | 3,158±232 | $60,288 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Clearwater County compare with Idaho's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 31st of 44 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 39th of 44 |
| Residents per square mile | 35th of 44 |
| Median household income | 36th of 44 |
| Median home value | 35th of 44 |
| Median gross rent | 27th of 44 |
| Poverty rate | 10th of 43 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 34th of 44 |
| Median age | 5th 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 Clearwater 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.