County · Idaho
Lemhi County, Idaho
Lemhi County, Idaho. Lemhi County had 8,474 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 6.3% since 2020, slower than Idaho (+10.4%). It holds 2 places (2 cities, villages and boroughs) and 3 census tracts. GEOID 16059.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
8,474
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 7,974 · ACS 2020-2024: 8,249
Median household income
$53,202
±$4,428 (90% margin)
Idaho: $77,800
Median home value
$326,100
±$31,635 (90% margin)
Idaho: $418,600
Median gross rent
$754
±$186 (90% margin)
Idaho: $1,238
How many people live in Lemhi County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 7,974 residents in Lemhi County. The Census Bureau estimates 8,474 for July 1, 2025, up 6.3% since 2020, slower than Idaho (+10.4%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 8,249 over 4,564 square miles of land.
| Measure | Lemhi County | Idaho | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 8,249 | 1,934,262 | +402 |
| Households | 3,458±181 | 713,005 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.34±0.12 | 2.64 | +0.21 |
| Housing units | 4,676±16 | 795,014 | −201 |
Lemhi County's population since 2000
From 7,806 in 2000 to 8,474 in 2025: up 8.6%. 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 Lemhi County?
Lemhi County holds 2 places: 2 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places). The largest is Salmon with 3,286 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Salmon | 3,119 | $42,844 |
|---|---|---|
| LeadoreGEOID 1645910 | 98 | $30,568 |
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 Lemhi County?
The median resident of Lemhi County is 53.3 years old; 17.0% are under 18 and 30.9% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 91.5%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 3.9%.
| Measure | Lemhi County | Idaho | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 53.3±1.0 | 37.3 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 17.0%±0.1 pts | 24.1% | – |
| 65 years and over | 30.9%±0.9 pts | 17.0% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 3.9% | 13.6% | +0.5 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 91.5%±1.1 pts | 78.6% | −1.8 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.2 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 1.3% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.4%±0.4 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.2 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 3.5%±0.9 pts | 4.2% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.5%±0.7 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 0.6%±0.4 pts | 5.9% | – |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 2.4%±1.5 pts | 11.0% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 8.4%±2.2 pts | 8.0% | – |
| With a disability | 23.7%±3.7 pts | 14.1% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 6.1%±2.8 pts | 9.1% | −5.6 pts |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 90.8%±3.2 pts | 91.9% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 24.1%±3.7 pts | 31.8% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 8.6%±2.3 pts | 10.5% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 2.7%±1.8 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 Lemhi County earn?
Half of Lemhi County's 3,458 households earn less than $53,202 a year (±$4,428), against $77,800 in Idaho. In 2015-2019 it was $48,396 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 12.8% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Lemhi County | Idaho | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $53,202±$4,428 | $77,800 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $74,280±$8,008 | $102,747 | – |
| Per capita income | $34,545±$3,796 | $38,952 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 12.8%±3.1 pts | 10.6% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 8.4%±4.7 pts | 12.4% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 10.0%±4.0 pts | 7.6% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 88.8%±4.4 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 Lemhi County?
Owners occupy 79.3% of Lemhi County's occupied homes and renters 20.7%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $326,100 by its owner (±$31,635). The median renter pays $754 a month including utilities, and 46.2% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Lemhi County | Idaho | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $326,100±$31,635 | $418,600 | +$108,267 |
| Median gross rent | $754±$186 | $1,238 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 46.2%±15.5 pts | 36.9% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,397±$74 | $1,687 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 79.3%±5.2 pts | 72.1% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 4,676±16 | 795,014 | −201 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 1.8%±2.0 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 1.8%±2.8 pts | 3.9% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 74.0%±4.1 pts | 73.8% | – |
| Mobile homes | 15.6%±4.0 pts | 6.9% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 1.7%±1.5 pts | 3.9% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 11.1%±3.1 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 Lemhi County building?
Builders took permits for 49 new housing units across Lemhi County in 2025 (47 single-family), 5.8 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 Lemhi County get to work?
70.1% of Lemhi County's workers drive alone and 11.8% work from home. The average trip to work takes 15.5 minutes.
| Measure | Lemhi County | Idaho | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 52.8%±3.8 pts | 63.0% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 2.0%±1.6 pts | 3.7% | – |
| Drove alone to work | 70.1%±5.4 pts | 72.7% | – |
| Carpooled | 10.5%±3.7 pts | 8.9% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.0%±1.0 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Walked | 6.6%±2.6 pts | 2.6% | – |
| Worked from home | 11.8%±3.9 pts | 13.3% | no clear change |
| Mean travel time to work | 15.5 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 Lemhi County's census tracts?
Lemhi County is divided into 3 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $30,541 (Tract 9702) to $64,141 (Tract 9703).
| Tract 970116059970100 | 2,934±350 | $59,554 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 970216059970200 | 2,567±383 | $30,541 |
| Tract 970316059970300 | 2,748±346 | $64,141 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Lemhi County compare with Idaho's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 33rd of 44 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 28th of 44 |
| Residents per square mile | 39th of 44 |
| Median household income | 42nd of 44 |
| Median home value | 22nd of 44 |
| Median gross rent | 40th of 44 |
| Poverty rate | 14th of 43 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17th of 44 |
| Median age | 4th 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 Lemhi 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.