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Lava Hot Springs

Idaho · 374 residents (2025 est.) · 0.688 sq mi
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The short version

Population has fallen 58% since 2000, a loss of 303 residents. 18% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 36%. Median home value has more than tripled since 2000, reaching $316,700. With a median age of 55.7, the population is older than the US median of 38.9.

At a glance
Older
median age 55.7
US median: 38.9
Less educated
18% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 108%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
218
−58%since 2000
from 521 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
317 / sq mi
−58%since 2000
from 757 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
55.7
+38%since 2000
from 40.3 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:374 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
1882793704605511990201020202024Lava Hot Springs
2024218
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Per capita income
$39,696
+144%since 2000
from $16,242 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
48.0%
+40.0 ptssince 2009
from 8.1% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
12.5%
−12.6 ptssince 2000
from 25.1% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.452
+4%since 2010
from 0.433 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Retail trade16.7%
US avg: 9.9%
Other services13.1%
US avg: 6.7%
Transportation & warehousing11.9%
US avg: 2.2%
Public administration9.5%
US avg: 4.8%
Wholesale trade8.3%
US avg: 6.9%
Finance & insurance7.1%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical7.1%
US avg: 5.1%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction0%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
Information0%
US avg: 10.8%
Education & health services0%
US avg: 0.9%
Arts, entertainment, food0%
US avg: 1.9%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$316,700
+108%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $83,600 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$870
+15%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $416 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
67.6%
+5.6 ptssince 2000
from 62.1% in 2000
32.4% rent
Vacancy rate
49.5%
+19.0 ptssince 2009
from 30.5% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
11.6%
−15.7 ptssince 2009
from 27.3% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
45.5%
−14.5 ptssince 2009
from 60.0% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
RELATED:See current rent listings in Lava Hot Springs on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic96.4%(502)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino2.3%(12)
Asian0.2%(1)
Other0%
Diversity Score6.2%(32)
2024
White, non-Hispanic93.1%(203)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino2.8%(6)
Asian0%(0)
Other4.1%(9)
Diversity Score16.3%(36)
Diversity Score
16
+165%since 2000
from 6 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
18.4%
+6.2 ptssince 2000
from 12.3% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
94.7%
+6.4 ptssince 2000
from 88.3% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
4.4%
+2.4 ptssince 2000
from 2.0% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
31.4 min
+51%since 2000
from 20.8 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
68.8%
+9.3 ptssince 2009
from 59.5% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
2.5%
−25.0 ptssince 2009
from 27.5% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
28.7%
+25.7 ptssince 2009
from 3.0% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
0.0%
−10.0 ptssince 2009
from 10.0% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
2.9%
−3.6 ptssince 2009
from 6.6% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
16.0%
+10.5 ptssince 2011
from 5.5% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
45.9%
−23.3 ptssince 2011
from 69.2% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
4.8%
+1.8 ptssince 2009
from 2.9% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
36.9%
−23.8 ptssince 2009
from 60.7% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
58.7%
+22.5 ptssince 2009
from 36.2% in 2009
Female
41.3%
−22.5 ptssince 2009
from 63.8% in 2009
Foreign born
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
2.3%
−32.5 ptssince 2009
from 34.8% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
22.1%
+13.2 ptssince 2012
from 8.9% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
11.1%
−67.3 ptssince 2013
from 78.4% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
94.1%
+22.4 ptssince 2017
from 71.7% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
95.9%
−2.9 ptssince 2016
from 98.8% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
2.8%
+2.1 ptssince 2016
from 0.6% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
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Compare Lava Hot Springs to nearby cities

LAVA HOT SPRINGS VS
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Home value$271,000−14%
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LAVA HOT SPRINGS VS
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LAVA HOT SPRINGS VS
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LAVA HOT SPRINGS VS
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Population15,153+3952%
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Lava Hot Springs, Idaho?

Lava Hot Springs, Idaho has about 218 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

Is Lava Hot Springs, Idaho expensive?

In Lava Hot Springs, Idaho, the median home is worth about $316,700, and the typical rent is about $870 a month.

How educated are people in Lava Hot Springs, Idaho?

About 18.4% of adults age 25 and over in Lava Hot Springs, Idaho hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Lava Hot Springs, Idaho?

About 12.5% of people in Lava Hot Springs, Idaho live below the federal poverty line.

Has Lava Hot Springs, Idaho grown since 1990?

Yes, Lava Hot Springs, Idaho has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 129 residents, a change of about -37 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

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