County · Idaho
Gem County, Idaho
Gem County, Idaho. Gem County had 21,773 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 13.8% since 2020, faster than Idaho (+10.4%). It holds 2 places (1 city, village or borough and 1 census-designated) and 4 census tracts. GEOID 16045.
Gem County is one of the 5 counties of the Boise City, ID metropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
21,773
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 19,123 · ACS 2020-2024: 20,614
Median household income
$64,605
±$6,592 (90% margin)
Idaho: $77,800
Median home value
$428,700
±$33,169 (90% margin)
Idaho: $418,600
Median gross rent
$1,038
±$89 (90% margin)
Idaho: $1,238
How many people live in Gem County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 19,123 residents in Gem County. The Census Bureau estimates 21,773 for July 1, 2025, up 13.8% since 2020, faster than Idaho (+10.4%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 20,614 over 560 square miles of land.
| Measure | Gem County | Idaho | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 20,614 | 1,934,262 | +3,283 |
| Households | 7,643±183 | 713,005 | +960 |
| Average household size | 2.66±0.06 | 2.64 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 7,954±21 | 795,014 | +605 |
Gem County's population since 2000
From 15,181 in 2000 to 21,773 in 2025: up 43.4%. 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 Gem County?
Gem County holds 2 places: 1 city, village or borough (an incorporated place) and 1 census-designated place. The largest is Emmett with 8,900 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Emmett | 7,647 | $58,750 |
|---|---|---|
| LethaGEOID 1646450 | 161 | $85,761 |
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 Gem County?
The median resident of Gem County is 44.2 years old; 21.9% are under 18 and 23.1% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 83.5%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 9.7%. 6.2% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Gem County | Idaho | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 44.2±0.8 | 37.3 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 21.9%±0.7 pts | 24.1% | – |
| 65 years and over | 23.1%±0.5 pts | 17.0% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 9.7% | 13.6% | +1.3 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 83.5%±1.4 pts | 78.6% | −4.2 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.8%±0.5 pts | 1.3% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.7%±0.6 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.2 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 4.5%±1.5 pts | 4.2% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.8%±0.7 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 6.2%±2.6 pts | 5.9% | +3.0 pts |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 10.5%±3.3 pts | 11.0% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 9.4%±1.9 pts | 8.0% | – |
| With a disability | 16.9%±1.7 pts | 14.1% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 11.1%±2.7 pts | 9.1% | −6.2 pts |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 89.5%±1.9 pts | 91.9% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 20.7%±3.2 pts | 31.8% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 3.8%±1.2 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 Gem County earn?
Half of Gem County's 7,643 households earn less than $64,605 a year (±$6,592), against $77,800 in Idaho. In 2015-2019 it was $55,987 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 12.0% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Gem County | Idaho | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $64,605±$6,592 | $77,800 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $86,642±$8,560 | $102,747 | – |
| Per capita income | $33,907±$3,301 | $38,952 | +$6,018 |
| People below the poverty line | 12.0%±2.6 pts | 10.6% | −5.0 pts |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 17.4%±6.4 pts | 12.4% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 6.8%±2.2 pts | 7.6% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 90.2%±2.3 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 Gem County?
Owners occupy 76.0% of Gem County's occupied homes and renters 24.0%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $428,700 by its owner (±$33,169). The median renter pays $1,038 a month including utilities, and 29.6% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Gem County | Idaho | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $428,700±$33,169 | $418,600 | +$221,082 |
| Median gross rent | $1,038±$89 | $1,238 | +$121 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 29.6%±9.5 pts | 36.9% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,466±$128 | $1,687 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 76.0%±3.3 pts | 72.1% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 7,954±21 | 795,014 | +605 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.0%±0.6 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 1.6%±2.6 pts | 3.9% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 79.9%±3.7 pts | 73.8% | – |
| Mobile homes | 12.0%±2.9 pts | 6.9% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 4.6%±1.7 pts | 3.9% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 9.5%±2.8 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 Gem County building?
Builders took permits for 144 new housing units across Gem County in 2025 (144 single-family), 6.6 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 Gem County get to work?
74.9% of Gem County's workers drive alone and 11.5% work from home. The average trip to work takes 30.3 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 2.9%.
| Measure | Gem County | Idaho | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 55.4%±2.5 pts | 63.0% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 2.9%±1.8 pts | 3.7% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 74.9%±4.2 pts | 72.7% | – |
| Carpooled | 8.8%±2.6 pts | 8.9% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.3%±0.4 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Walked | 1.6%±0.9 pts | 2.6% | – |
| Worked from home | 11.5%±2.8 pts | 13.3% | no clear change |
| Mean travel time to work | 30.3 min±2.6 | 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 Gem County's census tracts?
Gem County is divided into 4 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $58,864 (Tract 9602) to $73,861 (Tract 9601).
| Tract 960116045960100 | 5,875±578 | $73,861 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 960216045960200 | 7,270±547 | $58,864 |
| Tract 9603.0116045960301 | 4,482±522 | $66,280 |
| Tract 9603.0216045960302 | 2,987±362 | $67,746 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Gem County compare with Idaho's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 19th of 44 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 8th of 44 |
| Residents per square mile | 12th of 44 |
| Median household income | 30th of 44 |
| Median home value | 8th of 44 |
| Median gross rent | 12th of 44 |
| Poverty rate | 20th of 43 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 30th of 44 |
| Median age | 14th 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 Gem 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.