Ada County, Idaho
Encyclopedia
Ada County is a county
in the southwestern
part of the U.S. state
of Idaho
. As of the 2010 Census, the county had a population of 392,365. The county seat
and largest city is Boise
, which is also the state capital. Other cities in the county with over 10,000 residents include Meridian
, Eagle
, Kuna
, and Garden City
. Ada County is by far the state's largest in population, containing more than one quarter of the state's residents, and contains its only county highway district; the Ada County Highway District
(ACHD) has jurisdiction over all the local county and city streets, except for private roads and state roads.
Ada County is part of the Boise City-Nampa
, Idaho Metropolitan Statistical Area
.
Legislature on December 22, 1864. It is named for Ada Riggs, the first pioneer child born in the area and the daughter of H.C. Riggs, a co-founder of Boise
. Canyon County
was partitioned from western Ada County in the early 1890s.
flows through the northern portion of the county, and the northwest border is bounded by the foothills of the Boise Range mountains, the summits are in adjacent Boise County
. The southwestern border of the county is bounded by the Snake River
.
County roads and highways are maintained by the Ada County Highway District
(ACHD).
of 2000, there were 300,904 people, 113,408 households, and 77,344 families residing in the county. The population density
was 285/mi² (110/km²). There were 118,516 housing units at an average density of 112/mi² (43/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 92.86% White
, 0.65% Black
or African American
, 0.69% Native American
, 1.74% Asian
, 0.15% Pacific Islander
, 1.67% from other races
, and 2.24% from two or more races. Hispanic
or Latino
of any race were 4.48% of the population.
There were 113,408 households out of which 36.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.10% were married couples
living together, 9.40% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.80% were non-families. 23.80% of all households were made up of individuals and 6.07% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.59 and the average family size was 3.11.
In the county the population was spread out with 27.30% under the age of 18, 10.30% from 18 to 24, 32.50% from 25 to 44, 20.80% from 45 to 64, and 9.10% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females there were 100.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.9 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $46,140, and the median income for a family was $54,416. Males had a median income of $37,867 versus $26,453 for females. The per capita income
for the county was $22,519. About 5.40% of families and 7.70% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.20% of those under age 18 and 5.70% of those age 65 or over.
heads the county government. Other elected officials include clerk, treasurer, sheriff
, assessor
, coroner
, and prosecutor.
Although Ada County has traditionally been a Republican Party
stronghold, it has become more competitive in recent elections, especially in the growing Boise area. The last victory in a presidential election by a Democrat in Ada County was by Franklin D. Roosevelt
in 1936
- the last time a Democrat carried the state of Idaho was Lyndon B. Johnson
in 1964. In 2008
the presidential election in Ada County was more competitive than in previous years; John McCain
defeated Barack Obama
by only six percentage points.
Democratic
gubernatorial nominee Jerry Brady
carried the county in his 2002 and 2006
races, despite losing statewide in both contests. Another prominent Democrat, Boise mayor David H. Bieter
, was comfortably reelected in a nonpartisan race in 2007.
Ada County is represented in the Idaho Legislature
by eight districts in the House of Representatives, the most of any county. In those districts each party holds 12 of a possible 24 seats. Democrats currently control the Boise-based districts, while Republicans control the districts based in the western suburbs. Several of the Boise seats were Democratic pickups in 2006.
Each party held all of their respective legislative seats the 2008 elections, but Republicans won two competitive county commission races.
The Idaho Department of Correction
operates the South Boise Prison Complex, is a correctional complex located in unincorporated
Ada County, near Kuna
.
County (United States)
In the United States, a county is a geographic subdivision of a state , usually assigned some governmental authority. The term "county" is used in 48 of the 50 states; Louisiana is divided into parishes and Alaska into boroughs. Parishes and boroughs are called "county-equivalents" by the U.S...
in the southwestern
Southwestern Idaho
Southwestern Idaho is a geographical term for the area along the state of Idaho's borders with Oregon and Nevada. It includes the populous areas of the Boise metropolitan area, Treasure Valley and Magic Valley.-Counties:Ada |Adams |Boise |Canyon |...
part of the U.S. state
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of Idaho
Idaho
Idaho is a state in the Rocky Mountain area of the United States. The state's largest city and capital is Boise. Residents are called "Idahoans". Idaho was admitted to the Union on July 3, 1890, as the 43rd state....
. As of the 2010 Census, the county had a population of 392,365. The county seat
County seat
A county seat is an administrative center, or seat of government, for a county or civil parish. The term is primarily used in the United States....
and largest city is Boise
Boise, Idaho
Boise is the capital and most populous city of the U.S. state of Idaho, as well as the county seat of Ada County. Located on the Boise River, it anchors the Boise City-Nampa metropolitan area and is the largest city between Salt Lake City, Utah and Portland, Oregon.As of the 2010 Census Bureau,...
, which is also the state capital. Other cities in the county with over 10,000 residents include Meridian
Meridian, Idaho
-History:The town was established in 1891 on the Onweiler farm north of the present site and was called Hunter. Two years later an I.O.O.F. lodge was organized and called itself Meridian because it was located on the Boise Meridian and the town was renamed...
, Eagle
Eagle, Idaho
Eagle is a city in Ada County, Idaho, United States. The population was 19,908 at the 2010 census. Due to growth in the Boise metropolitan area, Eagle has become increasingly suburban in recent years.-Geography:...
, Kuna
Kuna, Idaho
Kuna is a city in Ada County, Idaho, United States. It is part of the Boise City–Nampa, Idaho Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 15,210 at the 2010 census...
, and Garden City
Garden City, Idaho
Garden City is a city in Ada County, Idaho, United States. The population was 10,972 at the 2010 census. Garden City is nearly surrounded by Boise but retains a separate municipal government....
. Ada County is by far the state's largest in population, containing more than one quarter of the state's residents, and contains its only county highway district; the Ada County Highway District
Ada County Highway District
The Ada County Highway District is the only countywide highway district in Idaho. Located in Garden City, Idaho, it is a Government agency established in the early 1970s as an independent government entity by a vote of the people.-Overview:...
(ACHD) has jurisdiction over all the local county and city streets, except for private roads and state roads.
Ada County is part of the Boise City-Nampa
Nampa, Idaho
Nampa is the largest and the fastest growing city in Canyon County, Idaho, USA. The population of Nampa was 81,557 at the 2010 census. Nampa is located about west of Boise along Interstate 84, and six miles west of Meridian. Nampa is part of the Boise metropolitan area...
, Idaho Metropolitan Statistical Area
Boise metropolitan area
The Boise City-Nampa, Idaho Metropolitan Statistical Area , as defined by the United States Census Bureau, is an area consisting of five counties in southwestern Idaho, anchored by the cities of Boise and Nampa...
.
History
Ada County was created by the Idaho TerritorialIdaho Territory
The Territory of Idaho was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from March 4, 1863, until July 3, 1890, when the final extent of the territory was admitted to the Union as the State of Idaho.-1860s:...
Legislature on December 22, 1864. It is named for Ada Riggs, the first pioneer child born in the area and the daughter of H.C. Riggs, a co-founder of Boise
Boise, Idaho
Boise is the capital and most populous city of the U.S. state of Idaho, as well as the county seat of Ada County. Located on the Boise River, it anchors the Boise City-Nampa metropolitan area and is the largest city between Salt Lake City, Utah and Portland, Oregon.As of the 2010 Census Bureau,...
. Canyon County
Canyon County, Idaho
Canyon County is a county located in the U.S. state of Idaho. As of the 2010 Census the county had a population of 188,923. The county seat is Caldwell, and its largest city is Nampa.. Canyon County is part of the Boise City–Nampa, Idaho Metropolitan Statistical Area.- History :The county was...
was partitioned from western Ada County in the early 1890s.
Geography
According to the 2000 census, the county has a total area of 1060.33 square miles (2,746.2 km²), of which 1054.99 square miles (2,732.4 km²) (or 99.50%) is land and 5.34 square miles (13.8 km²) (or 0.50%) is water. The Boise RiverBoise River
The Boise River is a tributary of the Snake River in the northwestern United States. It drains a rugged portion of the Sawtooth Range in southwestern Idaho northeast of Boise, as well as part of the western Snake River Plain...
flows through the northern portion of the county, and the northwest border is bounded by the foothills of the Boise Range mountains, the summits are in adjacent Boise County
Boise County, Idaho
Boise County is a rural mountain county in the U.S. state of Idaho. The population was 6,670 at the 2000 census; it was estimated at 7,571 in 2007...
. The southwestern border of the county is bounded by the Snake River
Snake River
The Snake is a major river of the greater Pacific Northwest in the United States. At long, it is the largest tributary of the Columbia River, the largest North American river that empties into the Pacific Ocean...
.
Adjacent counties
- Boise CountyBoise County, IdahoBoise County is a rural mountain county in the U.S. state of Idaho. The population was 6,670 at the 2000 census; it was estimated at 7,571 in 2007...
- northeast - Elmore CountyElmore County, IdahoElmore County is a county located in the U.S. state of Idaho. As of the 2010 Census the county had a population of 27,038, down 7.2% from 29,130 in 2000. The largest city and county seat is Mountain Home....
- east - Owyhee CountyOwyhee County, IdahoOwyhee County is a county located in the southwestern corner of the U.S. state of Idaho. In area it is the second largest county in Idaho, behind Idaho County. As of the 2000 Census, Owyhee County had a population of 10,644...
- south - Canyon CountyCanyon County, IdahoCanyon County is a county located in the U.S. state of Idaho. As of the 2010 Census the county had a population of 188,923. The county seat is Caldwell, and its largest city is Nampa.. Canyon County is part of the Boise City–Nampa, Idaho Metropolitan Statistical Area.- History :The county was...
- west - Gem CountyGem County, IdahoGem County is a county in the U.S. state of Idaho. The population was 15,181 at the 2000 census; it was estimated at 16,496 in 2007. The county seat is Emmett.Gem County is home to the Idaho ground squirrel....
- northwest
National protected areas
- Boise National ForestBoise National ForestThe Boise National Forest is a US national forest located north and east of the city of Boise, Idaho. It is about 2,612,000 acres in size, ranging in elevation from 2,600 to 9,800 feet . The mountainous landscape developed through uplifting, faulting, and stream cutting...
(part) - Snake River Birds of Prey National Conservation AreaSnake River Birds of Prey National Conservation AreaThe Snake River Birds of Prey National Conservation Area has one of the densest populations of nesting raptors. The National Conservation Area is located south of Boise, Idaho along of the Snake River, and is managed by the Bureau of Land Management. The NCA covers...
(part)
Highways
|
 - SH-16Idaho State Highway 16 State Highway 16 is a 14 mile route connecting State Highway 44 and Star with Emmett.-Route description:Also known as the Emmett Highway, Highway 16 begins at the junction of State Highway 44 near Star and Eagle. The highway continues north through Jackass Gulch and descends over 500 vertical feet...  - SH-21Idaho State Highway 21 Idaho State Highway 21 is the Ponderosa Pine Scenic Byway, primarily a two-lane highway from Boise to Stanley. With two-thirds of its length in Boise County, it passes by historic Idaho City and the village of Lowman to the western edge of the Sawtooth Mountains, then along their northern... - Ponderosa Pine Scenic Byway  - SH-44Idaho State Highway 44 State Highway 44 is a road that travels through the Treasure Valley from Interstate 84 to Garden City, Idaho.-Route description:State Highway 44 starts at the junction of Interstate 84 north of Caldwell at Exit 25. The highway heads eastward staying mostly to the north of the Boise River. The...  - SH-55Idaho State Highway 55 State Highway 55 is an Idaho highway from Marsing to New Meadows, connecting with US-95 at both ends.From Marsing it travels east to Nampa, Meridian, and Eagle, then north to Horseshoe Bend. SH-55 then climbs the Payette River to Banks, then its north fork to the Long Valley, through the towns of... - Payette River Scenic Byway  - SH-69Idaho State Highway 69 Idaho State Highway 69 is a short highway from Kuna to Interstate 84, in Meridian.-Route description:State Highway 69 starts at its southern junction and terminus in Kuna... |
- 
- 
- US 20
- US 26
- US 30County roads and highways are maintained by the Ada County Highway District
Ada County Highway District
The Ada County Highway District is the only countywide highway district in Idaho. Located in Garden City, Idaho, it is a Government agency established in the early 1970s as an independent government entity by a vote of the people.-Overview:...
(ACHD).
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 300,904 people, 113,408 households, and 77,344 families residing in the county. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 285/mi² (110/km²). There were 118,516 housing units at an average density of 112/mi² (43/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 92.86% White
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.65% Black
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
or African American
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.69% Native American
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 1.74% Asian
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.15% Pacific Islander
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 1.67% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 2.24% from two or more races. Hispanic
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
or Latino
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
of any race were 4.48% of the population.
There were 113,408 households out of which 36.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.10% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 9.40% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.80% were non-families. 23.80% of all households were made up of individuals and 6.07% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.59 and the average family size was 3.11.
In the county the population was spread out with 27.30% under the age of 18, 10.30% from 18 to 24, 32.50% from 25 to 44, 20.80% from 45 to 64, and 9.10% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females there were 100.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.9 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $46,140, and the median income for a family was $54,416. Males had a median income of $37,867 versus $26,453 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the county was $22,519. About 5.40% of families and 7.70% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.20% of those under age 18 and 5.70% of those age 65 or over.
Government and politics
Similar to other Idaho counties, an elected three-member county commissionCounty commission
A county commission is a group of elected officials charged with administering the county government in local government in some states of the United States. County commissions are usually made up of three or more individuals...
heads the county government. Other elected officials include clerk, treasurer, sheriff
Sheriff
A sheriff is in principle a legal official with responsibility for a county. In practice, the specific combination of legal, political, and ceremonial duties of a sheriff varies greatly from country to country....
, assessor
Assessor (property)
An assessor is a specialist who calculates the value of property. The value calculated by the assessor is then used as the basis for determining the amounts to be paid or assessed for tax or insurance purposes....
, coroner
Coroner
A coroner is a government official who* Investigates human deaths* Determines cause of death* Issues death certificates* Maintains death records* Responds to deaths in mass disasters* Identifies unknown dead* Other functions depending on local laws...
, and prosecutor.
Although Ada County has traditionally been a Republican Party
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
stronghold, it has become more competitive in recent elections, especially in the growing Boise area. The last victory in a presidential election by a Democrat in Ada County was by Franklin D. Roosevelt
Franklin D. Roosevelt
Franklin Delano Roosevelt , also known by his initials, FDR, was the 32nd President of the United States and a central figure in world events during the mid-20th century, leading the United States during a time of worldwide economic crisis and world war...
in 1936
United States presidential election, 1936
The United States presidential election of 1936 was the most lopsided presidential election in the history of the United States in terms of electoral votes. In terms of the popular vote, it was the third biggest victory since the election of 1820, which was not seriously contested.The election took...
- the last time a Democrat carried the state of Idaho was Lyndon B. Johnson
Lyndon B. Johnson
Lyndon Baines Johnson , often referred to as LBJ, was the 36th President of the United States after his service as the 37th Vice President of the United States...
in 1964. In 2008
United States presidential election, 2008
The United States presidential election of 2008 was the 56th quadrennial presidential election. It was held on November 4, 2008. Democrat Barack Obama, then the junior United States Senator from Illinois, defeated Republican John McCain, the senior U.S. Senator from Arizona. Obama received 365...
the presidential election in Ada County was more competitive than in previous years; John McCain
John McCain
John Sidney McCain III is the senior United States Senator from Arizona. He was the Republican nominee for president in the 2008 United States election....
defeated Barack Obama
Barack Obama
Barack Hussein Obama II is the 44th and current President of the United States. He is the first African American to hold the office. Obama previously served as a United States Senator from Illinois, from January 2005 until he resigned following his victory in the 2008 presidential election.Born in...
by only six percentage points.
Democratic
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
gubernatorial nominee Jerry Brady
Jerry Brady
Jerry Michael Brady is an Idaho politician and owns a newspaper that is distributed in southeast Idaho...
carried the county in his 2002 and 2006
Idaho gubernatorial election, 2006
The Idaho gubernatorial election of 2006 was held on November 7, 2006. Incumbent Governor Jim Risch succeeded Dirk Kempthorne, who resigned May 26 to become Secretary of the Interior. Risch served as Governor until the end of the term, but had committed to a reelection campaign for Lieutenant...
races, despite losing statewide in both contests. Another prominent Democrat, Boise mayor David H. Bieter
David H. Bieter
David H. Bieter has served as mayor of Boise, Idaho since 2004.-Biography:Bieter was born in Boise and graduated from Bishop Kelly High School in 1978. Bieter earned a bachelor's degree in international studies from University of St...
, was comfortably reelected in a nonpartisan race in 2007.
Ada County is represented in the Idaho Legislature
Idaho Legislature
The Idaho Legislature is the state legislature of the U.S. state of Idaho. It consists of the upper Idaho Senate and the lower Idaho House of Representatives. The Idaho Senate contains 35 Senators, who are elected from 35 districts...
by eight districts in the House of Representatives, the most of any county. In those districts each party holds 12 of a possible 24 seats. Democrats currently control the Boise-based districts, while Republicans control the districts based in the western suburbs. Several of the Boise seats were Democratic pickups in 2006.
Each party held all of their respective legislative seats the 2008 elections, but Republicans won two competitive county commission races.
The Idaho Department of Correction
Idaho Department of Correction
The Idaho Department of Corrections mission is to Protect Idaho through Safety, Accountability, Partnerships and Opportunities for Offender Change. IDOC is responsible for the incarceration and community supervision of felony offenders in Idaho. The department operates eight prisons, five...
operates the South Boise Prison Complex, is a correctional complex located in unincorporated
Unincorporated area
In law, an unincorporated area is a region of land that is not a part of any municipality.To "incorporate" in this context means to form a municipal corporation, a city, town, or village with its own government. An unincorporated community is usually not subject to or taxed by a municipal government...
Ada County, near Kuna
Kuna, Idaho
Kuna is a city in Ada County, Idaho, United States. It is part of the Boise City–Nampa, Idaho Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 15,210 at the 2010 census...
.
Cities
|
Kuna, Idaho Kuna is a city in Ada County, Idaho, United States. It is part of the Boise City–Nampa, Idaho Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 15,210 at the 2010 census... Meridian, Idaho -History:The town was established in 1891 on the Onweiler farm north of the present site and was called Hunter. Two years later an I.O.O.F. lodge was organized and called itself Meridian because it was located on the Boise Meridian and the town was renamed... Star, Idaho Star is a city in northwestern Ada County, Idaho, United States. The population was 1,795 at the 2000 census. It was named in the 19th century by travelers on their way to Middleton and Boise who used the star on the school house to find east and west. The name stuck and it became Star, Idaho... |
See also
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Ada County, IdahoNational Register of Historic Places listings in Ada County, IdahoThis is a list of the National Register of Historic Places listings in Ada County, Idaho.This is intended to be a complete list of the properties and districts on the National Register of Historic Places in Ada County, Idaho, United States...