Most rural counties in Idaho

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July 25, 2022
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Most rural counties in Idaho

A surprising number of U.S. counties have 100% rural land-702, in fact. compiled a list of the most rural counties in Idaho using data from the . Counties are ranked by the percent of land area that is rural, as of the 2010 Census, with ties broken by residents per square mile, according to 2020 5-year population estimates.

According to the Census Bureau, rural land encompasses any land that isn't an urban area. To be considered an urban area, a place has to have a densely settled core of census tracts or blocks and count at least 2,500 people, at least 1,500 of whom must be residents of non-institutional buildings. Areas with 50,000 people or more are considered urbanized areas, while areas with between 2,500 and 50,000 people are considered urban clusters.

#44. Ada County

- Rural area: 86.4% (910 square miles)
- Urban area: 13.6% (143 square miles)
- Total land area: 1,053 square miles
--- #31 largest county in state, #619 nationwide

- Population density: 446.0 people / square mile (469,473 residents)
--- #44 lowest density county in state, #2,855 nationwide

#43. Canyon County

- Rural area: 88.2% (518 square miles)
- Urban area: 11.8% (69 square miles)
- Total land area: 587 square miles
--- #39 largest county in state, #1,671 nationwide

- Population density: 381.2 people / square mile (223,890 residents)
--- #43 lowest density county in state, #2,803 nationwide

#42. Kootenai County

- Rural area: 96.0% (1,194 square miles)
- Urban area: 4.0% (50 square miles)
- Total land area: 1,244 square miles
--- #24 largest county in state, #488 nationwide

- Population density: 130.0 people / square mile (161,676 residents)
--- #42 lowest density county in state, #2,397 nationwide

#41. Bannock County

- Rural area: 97.2% (1,081 square miles)
- Urban area: 2.8% (31 square miles)
- Total land area: 1,112 square miles
--- #27 largest county in state, #567 nationwide

- Population density: 78.0 people / square mile (86,742 residents)
--- #40 lowest density county in state, #2,073 nationwide

#40. Bonneville County

- Rural area: 97.6% (1,822 square miles)
- Urban area: 2.4% (45 square miles)
- Total land area: 1,866 square miles
--- #15 largest county in state, #310 nationwide

- Population density: 62.7 people / square mile (116,970 residents)
--- #39 lowest density county in state, #1,878 nationwide

#39. Nez Perce County

- Rural area: 98.1% (832 square miles)
- Urban area: 1.9% (16 square miles)
- Total land area: 848 square miles
--- #33 largest county in state, #982 nationwide

- Population density: 47.7 people / square mile (40,468 residents)
--- #37 lowest density county in state, #1,642 nationwide

#38. Payette County

- Rural area: 98.4% (400 square miles)
- Urban area: 1.6% (6 square miles)
- Total land area: 407 square miles
--- #44 largest county in state, #2,488 nationwide

- Population density: 58.3 people / square mile (23,705 residents)
--- #38 lowest density county in state, #1,820 nationwide

#37. Madison County

- Rural area: 98.5% (462 square miles)
- Urban area: 1.5% (7 square miles)
- Total land area: 469 square miles
--- #42 largest county in state, #2,196 nationwide

- Population density: 84.7 people / square mile (39,725 residents)
--- #41 lowest density county in state, #2,133 nationwide

#36. Twin Falls County

- Rural area: 98.9% (1,900 square miles)
- Urban area: 1.1% (21 square miles)
- Total land area: 1,921 square miles
--- #13 largest county in state, #297 nationwide

- Population density: 44.9 people / square mile (86,198 residents)
--- #36 lowest density county in state, #1,573 nationwide

#35. Gem County

- Rural area: 99.0% (555 square miles)
- Urban area: 1.0% (6 square miles)
- Total land area: 561 square miles
--- #40 largest county in state, #1,851 nationwide

- Population density: 31.7 people / square mile (17,771 residents)
--- #33 lowest density county in state, #1,262 nationwide

#34. Minidoka County

- Rural area: 99.1% (751 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.9% (7 square miles)
- Total land area: 758 square miles
--- #35 largest county in state, #1,161 nationwide

- Population density: 27.5 people / square mile (20,817 residents)
--- #32 lowest density county in state, #1,134 nationwide

#33. Jefferson County

- Rural area: 99.2% (1,085 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.8% (8 square miles)
- Total land area: 1,094 square miles
--- #28 largest county in state, #585 nationwide

- Population density: 26.7 people / square mile (29,238 residents)
--- #31 lowest density county in state, #1,119 nationwide

#32. Jerome County

- Rural area: 99.3% (593 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.7% (4 square miles)
- Total land area: 597 square miles
--- #38 largest county in state, #1,638 nationwide

- Population density: 40.3 people / square mile (24,074 residents)
--- #35 lowest density county in state, #1,478 nationwide

#31. Bingham County

- Rural area: 99.3% (2,080 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.7% (14 square miles)
- Total land area: 2,094 square miles
--- #12 largest county in state, #268 nationwide

- Population density: 22.1 people / square mile (46,246 residents)
--- #28 lowest density county in state, #967 nationwide

#30. Latah County

- Rural area: 99.5% (1,070 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.6% (6 square miles)
- Total land area: 1,076 square miles
--- #29 largest county in state, #592 nationwide

- Population density: 37.2 people / square mile (40,052 residents)
--- #34 lowest density county in state, #1,405 nationwide

#29. Elmore County

- Rural area: 99.5% (3,060 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.5% (15 square miles)
- Total land area: 3,075 square miles
--- #6 largest county in state, #168 nationwide

- Population density: 8.8 people / square mile (27,043 residents)
--- #22 lowest density county in state, #528 nationwide

#28. Bonner County

- Rural area: 99.5% (1,726 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.5% (8 square miles)
- Total land area: 1,735 square miles
--- #19 largest county in state, #344 nationwide

- Population density: 25.8 people / square mile (44,688 residents)
--- #29 lowest density county in state, #1,091 nationwide

#27. Franklin County

- Rural area: 99.6% (661 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.5% (3 square miles)
- Total land area: 664 square miles
--- #37 largest county in state, #1,416 nationwide

- Population density: 20.7 people / square mile (13,736 residents)
--- #26 lowest density county in state, #912 nationwide

#26. Blaine County

- Rural area: 99.7% (2,634 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.4% (9 square miles)
- Total land area: 2,644 square miles
--- #7 largest county in state, #198 nationwide

- Population density: 8.6 people / square mile (22,729 residents)
--- #21 lowest density county in state, #519 nationwide

#25. Gooding County

- Rural area: 99.7% (727 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.3% (2 square miles)
- Total land area: 729 square miles
--- #36 largest county in state, #1,217 nationwide

- Population density: 21.0 people / square mile (15,280 residents)
--- #27 lowest density county in state, #927 nationwide

#24. Cassia County

- Rural area: 99.8% (2,559 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.2% (6 square miles)
- Total land area: 2,565 square miles
--- #9 largest county in state, #210 nationwide

- Population density: 9.3 people / square mile (23,847 residents)
--- #23 lowest density county in state, #549 nationwide

#23. Benewah County

- Rural area: 99.8% (775 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.2% (1 square miles)
- Total land area: 777 square miles
--- #34 largest county in state, #1,117 nationwide

- Population density: 11.9 people / square mile (9,231 residents)
--- #25 lowest density county in state, #633 nationwide

#22. Washington County

- Rural area: 99.8% (1,451 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.2% (2 square miles)
- Total land area: 1,453 square miles
--- #20 largest county in state, #412 nationwide

- Population density: 7.0 people / square mile (10,128 residents)
--- #18 lowest density county in state, #454 nationwide

#21. Boundary County

- Rural area: 99.8% (1,267 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.2% (2 square miles)
- Total land area: 1,269 square miles
--- #23 largest county in state, #477 nationwide

- Population density: 9.6 people / square mile (12,156 residents)
--- #24 lowest density county in state, #561 nationwide

#20. Caribou County

- Rural area: 99.9% (1,762 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.1% (2 square miles)
- Total land area: 1,764 square miles
--- #18 largest county in state, #339 nationwide

- Population density: 4.0 people / square mile (7,028 residents)
--- #12 lowest density county in state, #310 nationwide

#19. Shoshone County

- Rural area: 99.9% (2,626 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.1% (3 square miles)
- Total land area: 2,630 square miles
--- #8 largest county in state, #202 nationwide

- Population density: 4.8 people / square mile (12,700 residents)
--- #15 lowest density county in state, #361 nationwide

#18. Fremont County

- Rural area: 99.9% (1,862 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.1% (2 square miles)
- Total land area: 1,864 square miles
--- #16 largest county in state, #312 nationwide

- Population density: 7.0 people / square mile (13,111 residents)
--- #19 lowest density county in state, #456 nationwide

#17. Power County

- Rural area: 99.9% (1,403 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.1% (1 square miles)
- Total land area: 1,404 square miles
--- #21 largest county in state, #429 nationwide

- Population density: 5.4 people / square mile (7,635 residents)
--- #16 lowest density county in state, #389 nationwide

#16. Clearwater County

- Rural area: 99.9% (2,455 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.1% (2 square miles)
- Total land area: 2,457 square miles
--- #10 largest county in state, #222 nationwide

- Population density: 3.6 people / square mile (8,735 residents)
--- #10 lowest density county in state, #276 nationwide

#15. Lemhi County

- Rural area: 100.0% (4,561 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (2 square miles)
- Total land area: 4,563 square miles
--- #4 largest county in state, #95 nationwide

- Population density: 1.7 people / square mile (7,929 residents)
--- #6 lowest density county in state, #131 nationwide

#14. Idaho County

- Rural area: 100.0% (8,476 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (2 square miles)
- Total land area: 8,477 square miles
--- #1 largest county in state, #32 nationwide

- Population density: 1.9 people / square mile (16,511 residents)
--- #7 lowest density county in state, #149 nationwide

#13. Owyhee County

- Rural area: 100.0% (7,665 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (1 square miles)
- Total land area: 7,666 square miles
--- #2 largest county in state, #39 nationwide

- Population density: 1.5 people / square mile (11,724 residents)
--- #5 lowest density county in state, #113 nationwide

#12. Teton County

- Rural area: 100.0% (449 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 449 square miles
--- #43 largest county in state, #2,274 nationwide

- Population density: 26.2 people / square mile (11,776 residents)
--- #30 lowest density county in state, #1,104 nationwide

#11. Lewis County

- Rural area: 100.0% (479 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 479 square miles
--- #41 largest county in state, #2,159 nationwide

- Population density: 8.0 people / square mile (3,850 residents)
--- #20 lowest density county in state, #499 nationwide

#10. Bear Lake County

- Rural area: 100.0% (975 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 975 square miles
--- #32 largest county in state, #712 nationwide

- Population density: 6.2 people / square mile (6,054 residents)
--- #17 lowest density county in state, #421 nationwide

#9. Lincoln County

- Rural area: 100.0% (1,201 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 1,201 square miles
--- #25 largest county in state, #510 nationwide

- Population density: 4.4 people / square mile (5,342 residents)
--- #14 lowest density county in state, #346 nationwide

#8. Boise County

- Rural area: 100.0% (1,899 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 1,899 square miles
--- #14 largest county in state, #302 nationwide

- Population density: 4.0 people / square mile (7,625 residents)
--- #13 lowest density county in state, #313 nationwide

#7. Oneida County

- Rural area: 100.0% (1,200 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 1,200 square miles
--- #26 largest county in state, #511 nationwide

- Population density: 3.7 people / square mile (4,429 residents)
--- #11 lowest density county in state, #288 nationwide

#6. Adams County

- Rural area: 100.0% (1,363 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 1,363 square miles
--- #22 largest county in state, #440 nationwide

- Population density: 3.1 people / square mile (4,200 residents)
--- #9 lowest density county in state, #244 nationwide

#5. Valley County

- Rural area: 100.0% (3,665 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 3,665 square miles
--- #5 largest county in state, #138 nationwide

- Population density: 3.0 people / square mile (11,085 residents)
--- #8 lowest density county in state, #238 nationwide

#4. Butte County

- Rural area: 100.0% (2,232 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 2,232 square miles
--- #11 largest county in state, #251 nationwide

- Population density: 1.2 people / square mile (2,603 residents)
--- #4 lowest density county in state, #85 nationwide

#3. Camas County

- Rural area: 100.0% (1,074 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 1,074 square miles
--- #30 largest county in state, #596 nationwide

- Population density: 1.0 people / square mile (1,069 residents)
--- #3 lowest density county in state, #68 nationwide

#2. Custer County

- Rural area: 100.0% (4,921 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 4,921 square miles
--- #3 largest county in state, #81 nationwide

- Population density: 0.9 people / square mile (4,193 residents)
--- #2 lowest density county in state, #55 nationwide

#1. Clark County

- Rural area: 100.0% (1,764 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 1,764 square miles
--- #17 largest county in state, #338 nationwide

- Population density: 0.5 people / square mile (885 residents)
--- #1 lowest density county in state, #29 nationwide

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