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COUNTY · 2010 ACS

Gem County

Idaho · 16,719 residents · 559.769 sq mi
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The short version

Gem County has lower-than-average household income, with a median household income of $42,794. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. 13% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 28%. Median home value has risen by half since 2000, reaching $161,700. With a median age of 42.9, the population is older than the US median of 37.2.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $52,703
Older
median age 42.9
US median: 37.2
Less educated
13% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 28%
Less affordable
home values up 28%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $225,659
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
16,719
+10%since 2000
from 15,181 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
30 / sq mi
+10%since 2000
from 27 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 261
Median age
42.9
+14%since 2000
from 37.5 in 2000
US average: 37.2
Population, 1990 – 2024
11K14K16K19K21K1990201020202024Gem County
202421K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$42,794
−2%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $34,460 in 2000
US average: $52,703
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$20,431
+33%since 2000
from $15,340 in 2000
US average: $27,286
Households earning $100K+
22.9%
+2.8 ptssince 2009
from 20.1% in 2009
US average: 33.3%
Poverty rate
14.7%
+1.7 ptssince 2000
from 13.1% in 2000
US average: 13.8%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.409
US average: 0.461
Workforce by industry, 2010
Wholesale trade13.8%
US avg: 7.2%
Information10.6%
US avg: 11.5%
Finance & insurance9.1%
US avg: 5.1%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing7.3%
US avg: 1.9%
Other services7.2%
US avg: 7%
Professional, scientific, technical6.9%
US avg: 4.2%
Construction5.9%
US avg: 1.4%
Retail trade5.6%
US avg: 10.9%
Public administration5.2%
US avg: 4.9%
Transportation & warehousing2.8%
US avg: 3.1%
Education & health services2.2%
US avg: 0.9%
Manufacturing1.4%
US avg: 0.5%
Arts, entertainment, food0.6%
US avg: 2.4%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$161,700
+28%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $99,500 in 2000
US average: $225,659
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$666
+5%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $502 in 2000
US average: $853
Owner-occupied
50.7%
−29.1 ptssince 2000
from 79.8% in 2000
24.1% rent
Vacancy rate
7.0%
+0.7 ptssince 2009
from 6.3% in 2009
US average: 12.1%
Owner cost-burdened
30.4%
+1.0 ptssince 2009
from 29.5% in 2009
US average: 30.9%
Renter cost-burdened
43.8%
+3.0 ptssince 2009
from 40.7% in 2009
US average: 46.8%
Afford Score
3.8
+31%since 2000
from 2.9 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Gem County on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic90.7%(13,762)
Black0.1%(11)
Hispanic / Latino6.9%(1,050)
Asian0.4%(54)
Other0%
Diversity Score17.4%(2,643)
2010
White, non-Hispanic89.1%(14,898)
Black0.1%(20)
Hispanic / Latino8%(1,336)
Asian0.5%(78)
Other2.1%(359)
Diversity Score24.5%(4,104)
Diversity Score
25
+41%since 2000
from 17 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
12.6%
+1.2 ptssince 2000
from 11.4% in 2000
US average: 27.9%
High school or higher
83.5%
+4.2 ptssince 2000
from 79.4% in 2000
US average: 84.9%
Graduate degree
3.3%
+0.5 ptssince 2000
from 2.8% in 2000
US average: 10.2%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
31.4 min
+45%since 2000
from 21.7 min in 2000
US average: 25.2
Drive alone to work
73.3%
+3.0 ptssince 2009
from 70.3% in 2009
US average: 76.2%
Carpooled to work
16.7%
−2.9 ptssince 2009
from 19.6% in 2009
US average: 10.4%
Public transit
0.2%
−0.2 ptssince 2009
from 0.4% in 2009
US average: 4.7%
Worked from home
4.7%
+0.4 ptssince 2009
from 4.3% in 2009
US average: 4.1%
Walked to work
2.5%
+0.1 ptssince 2009
from 2.4% in 2009
US average: 2.8%
Biked to work
0.2%
+0.1 ptssince 2009
from 0.1% in 2009
US average: 0.5%
No vehicle available
3.1%
−0.3 ptssince 2009
from 3.4% in 2009
US average: 8.7%
Section 07

Work & employment

Self-employed
15.3%
+1.8 ptssince 2009
from 13.5% in 2009
US average: 12.9%
Management & professional
27.8%
−28.8 ptssince 2009
from 56.6% in 2009
US average: 35.2%
Section 08

People & community

Male
49.6%
−0.2 ptssince 2009
from 49.8% in 2009
Female
50.4%
+0.2 ptssince 2009
from 50.2% in 2009
Foreign born
4.8%
+0.7 ptssince 2009
from 4.1% in 2009
US average: 12.8%
Veterans
13.9%
−35.8 ptssince 2009
from 49.7% in 2009
US average: 9.9%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Gem County

Gilchrist County
Pop 20,488
Lamar County
Pop 20,941
Long County
Pop 21,557
Fayette County
Pop 20,790
Places similar to Gem County
Head to head

Compare Gem County to nearby counties

GEM COUNTY VS
Payette County
Income$67,673+58%
Home value$341,800+111%
Population27,824+28%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
GEM COUNTY VS
Washington County
Income$54,000+26%
Home value$278,100+72%
Population11,583−47%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
GEM COUNTY VS
Canyon County
Income$76,488+79%
Home value$390,000+141%
Population275,123+1164%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
GEM COUNTY VS
Boise County
Income$78,774+84%
Home value$476,100+194%
Population8,545−61%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Gem County, Idaho?

Gem County, Idaho has about 16,719 residents according to the 2010 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Gem County, Idaho?

The typical household in Gem County, Idaho earns about $42,794 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Gem County, Idaho expensive?

In Gem County, Idaho, the median home is worth about $161,700, and the typical rent is about $666 a month.

How educated are people in Gem County, Idaho?

About 12.6% of adults age 25 and over in Gem County, Idaho hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Gem County, Idaho?

About 14.7% of people in Gem County, Idaho live below the federal poverty line.

Has Gem County, Idaho grown since 1990?

Yes, Gem County, Idaho has grown since 1990. The population has added about 4,875 residents, a change of about 41 percent over that period.

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Explore from here

4 census tracts
Census Tract 9602Census Tract 9601Census Tract 9603.01Census Tract 9603.02
4 ZIP codes
ZIP 83617ZIP 83670ZIP 83657ZIP 83636
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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

How we source and harmonize this data →