Idaho ranks seventh in population growth

Idaho’s population increased 2.1 percent from 2000 to 2001, the seventh-highest increase in the nation, the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare reported.

By SCOTT REEVES
Staff writer COEUR d’ALENE Press

The state grew to an estimated 1,321,006 people on July 1, 2001, up from the 1,293,953 counted in the 2000 census. The only states with larger population increases are Nevada (5.4 percent), Arizona (3.4), Colorado (2.7), Florida (2.6) Georgia (2.4) and Texas (2.3).

"One of the best-kept secrets in the Northwest is being discovered," said Gov. Dirk Kempthorne. "I think the fact that companies and individuals are moving to Idaho is testament to our quality of life, pro-business climate and matchless scenic beauty."

The governor cited the recent decision of Buck Knives to move to Post Falls from San Diego as evidence that the state’s economic development program works. However, the state’s growth comes at a cost.

"With these new companies and individuals comes an even greater dependence on services that the state provides," the governor said. "We must continue to improve the quality of our education system, make sure our elderly and disabled citizens have access to health care and provide for increasing demands on our public safety agencies."

Population estimates for 2001 prepared by the U.S. Bureau of the Census show steady growth in Idaho from the actual count made in 2000 as part of the nationwide census conducted every 10 years.

The 2001 estimates were released this week. Estimates for 2002 have not yet been completed.

Idaho remains overwhelmingly white. On April 1, 2000, the U.S. Census Bureau counted 1,177,304 whites and 5,456 blacks.
The 2000 Census counted 101,690 Hispanics in Idaho, 25,609 people who list two or more races for their heritage, 17,645 Native Americans, 11,889 Asians and 1,308 Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islanders.

There are 183 blacks in Kootenai County, 40 in Bonner County, 15 in Shoshone County and 11 in Benewah County, the U.S. Census Bureau said.

Steady Growth

Idaho Counties that experienced the largest numerical increase between July 1, 2001 and April 1, 2000 are Ada, Canyon, Kootenai and Bonneville. Counties with the largest percentage increase are Teton, Canyon, Boise and Blaine. However, the small counties are a statistical quirk because the numbers are generated off a small base.

Kootenai County’s population jumped to an estimated 112,297 on July 1, 2001 from 108,685 on April 1, 2000, an increase of 3,612 or 3.3 percent. The 1990 census pegged the county’s population at 69,795.

Bonner County grew to an estimated 37,479 from 36,835, up 644 or 1.7 percent in the same period. The 1990 census counted 26,622 people. Shoshone County fell to 13,443 from 13,771, a decline of 328 or 2.4 percent. The 1990 census counted 13,931 people. Benewah County declined to 8,995 from 9,171, a loss of 176 or 1.9 percent. In 1990, the county had a population of 7,937.

Kootenai County’s 2000 population count included 53,812 males and 54,873 females. In Bonner County, there were 18,449 males and 18,386 females. Shoshone County had 6,866 males and 6,905 females.

Ada County, home to Boise and the state capital, grew 11,433 to 312,337. The county and the city are the most populous in the state.

Counties showing significant declines in population include Clark, Clearwater, Lewis, Lemhi, Minidoka and Latah.
From 1990 to 2000, the population of Rathdrum grew 140.8 percent to 4,816 while Post Falls increased 134.7 percent to 17,247. The cities are among the fastest growing in the state. In 2000, Sandpoint had a population of 6,835.

Other fast-growing cities with at least a population of 1,000 in 1990 include Meridian, up 263.9 percent by 2000 compared with 10 years ago, Eagle (233.2) and Kuna (175.3). Rapidly growing cities will less than 1,000 people in 1990 include Placerville (328.6), Victor (187.7), Star (177), Crouch (105.3) and Spencer (100).

In Kootenai County, Hayden Lake’s 2000 population showed a slight increase from the 1999 estimate while Hayden remained about the same. Dalton Gardens and Harrison showed small declines. Hauser showed a sharp increase off a small base.

Marriage, Divorce, Abortion

The number of marriages, divorces and abortions declined in Idaho between 2001 and 2000.

The number of live births to Idaho residents increased 2 percent in 2001 to 20,686 from 20,305 in 2000, an increase of 381. However, with the increased population, the birth rate remained constant at 15.7 births per 1,000 people.

The number of births to unmarried women grew 4 percent to a record high 4,561 in 2001. The percent of out-of-wedlock births increased 2 percent to 22 percent in 2001.

Marriages decreased 2 percent in 2001, dropping to 14,820 from 15,057 in 2000. The 2001 marriage rate of 11.2 per 1,000 people marks a decrease of 3 percent from the 2000 rate and is the lowest marriage rate for Idaho in the last 50 years.

Divorces decreased in 2001 to 7,025 from 7,110 in 2000. The 2001 divorce rate of 5.3 per 1,000 people represents a 4 percent decrease from the 2000 rate of 5.5. The 2001 divorce rate is the lowest Idaho has experienced since reporting began.

Induced abortions among Idaho residents fell to the lowest level since reporting out-of-state abortions began. The number of abortions declined to 1,430 from 1,509 in 2000. The rate declined to 5 from 5.4 abortions per 1,000 females aged 15 to 44, the prime childbearing years. The number of induced abortions in Idaho dropped 8 percent to 738 in 2001 from 801 in 2000, a record low.

The average life expectancy for a boy born in Idaho in 2001 was 75.7 years and 80.4 years for a girl. The nationwide average of 74.1 years for males and 79.5 years for females.
In a typical day in Idaho in 2001, there were 57 births, 27 deaths, 41 marriages and 19 divorces or annulments.

The leading causes of death in Idaho are heart disease, cancer, stroke, lower respiratory disease, accidents, diabetes, flu and pneumonia, Alzheimer’s disease, kidney disease and Septicemia, or blood disease.

U.S. mortality rates are higher than Idaho’s for heart disease, cancer, kidney disease and blood diseases. However, Idaho’s rates are higher than the national average for suicide and accidents.

Auto crashes accounted for 49 percent of Idaho’s accidental deaths for all ages in 2001. Home accidents accounted for 24 percent of the state’s deaths. Job-related accidents totaled 4 percent. Three percent of Idaho’s accidental deaths occurred in public places. The remaining 20 percent came from unknown causes.

A total of 30 people died from HIV infection in 2001 and another 22 died from AIDS, the end stage of the disease.

Rabies in animals killed 28 people and giardiasis, or "beaver fever" commonly contracted by drinking out of a mountain stream, killed 172 Idahoans. Lyme disease resulted in five deaths and tuberculosis killed nine.

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