Census Data: Idaho Fastest Growing, Washington Adds Fourth Most People
Listen
Northwest states are among the fastest growing in the country. And according to the latest census figures, it’s gaining people more than twice as fast as the national average.
Migration to the region—rather than births—made up the bulk of population growth.
Last year, Idaho was the smallest state in the region with just under 1.7 million people. So when approximately 36,917 babies and newcomers landed in the state, it gave Idaho’s population a big boost.
And, according to new Census numbers, all those new people made the state’s growth rate the fastest in the country since July 2016.
Clark Krause is with the Boise Valley Economic Partnership, which works to attract business and workers to the area. He said Idaho is home to some major employers.
“We have a nice tech cluster that is started here and of course that is anchored by Hewlett Packard and Micron who have huge units here,” he said.
Krause also said Boise’s access to the outdoors is a selling point.
Washington and Oregon had their share of newcomers too. In fact, Washington was No. 4 in overall population growth in the country. In all, the region added more than 200,000 people from July 2016 to July 2017.
Related Stories:
Homicides in Clearwater, Nez Perce Counties possibly tied to Boise inmate escape
This image provided by Boise Police Department shows Nicholas Umphenour (left), who has been identified by police as the man suspected of shooting corrections officers at a Boise hospital in… Continue Reading Homicides in Clearwater, Nez Perce Counties possibly tied to Boise inmate escape
Spring snowpack levels in North Idaho lowest in 40 years
Erin Whorton, a hydrologist for the Natural Resources Conservation Service, measures snow on South Cascade Glacier in Washington. (Credit: Erin Whorton / NRCS) Listen (Runtime :58) Read The snowpack in… Continue Reading Spring snowpack levels in North Idaho lowest in 40 years
Public health conducting needs survey for north central Idaho
Residents in north central Idaho have the chance to influence what health and social service programs are available in their community through the end of March. Continue Reading Public health conducting needs survey for north central Idaho