Moving to Eastern Idaho? Consider These 16 Counties
Vibrant communities neighbor some of the world’s most beautiful mountains in Eastern Idaho. If you are thinking about moving to Eastern Idaho, here is a snapshot of the region’s 16 diverse counties and all they have to offer:
In This Article
1. Bannock County
POPULATION: 90,400
Bannock County offers a rich supply of entertainment both indoors and outdoors. For fans of music and the theater, Portneuf Health Trust Amphitheatre, The Palace Theatre and the Stephens Performing Arts Center are particularly appealing. Outdoor enthusiasts can’t get enough of the natural hot springs, mountain bike routes and ski destinations.
2. Bear Lake County
POPULATION: 6,766
Bear Lake County’s borders touch both Utah and Wyoming, as it’s positioned in the furthest southeast corner of Idaho. There are plenty of fun activities here, including driving on the north and east beaches at Bear Lake, exploring Minnetonka Cave, hiking in Logan Canyon and visiting the Butch Cassidy Museum.
3. Bingham County
POPULATION: 50,395
Bingham County blends agricultural heritage with modern-day appeal. In Blackfoot, explore the quirky Idaho Potato Museum, enjoy live performances at the Nuart Theatre or cast a line in the Snake River. In September, the Eastern Idaho State Fair takes place at the Bingham County Fairgrounds.
4. Bonneville County
POPULATION: 131,366
As the county with the largest population in Eastern Idaho, Bonneville is also home to the largest city in the region – Idaho Falls. Idaho Falls has a thriving downtown scene and offers big-city amenities, including Mountain America Center, which attracts A-list national performers. Also, the Idaho Falls Chukars baseball team plays its Pioneer League games at Melaleuca Field from May through September. Meanwhile, the Melaleuca Freedom Celebration is a popular event that celebrated its 33rd anniversary in 2024.
5. Butte County
POPULATION: 2,758
Butte County’s city of Arco has a unique claim to fame: It was the first community in the world to be lit by electricity solely generated by atomic power. Granted, this accomplishment occurred in 1955 and lasted for just an hour, but it’s still a pretty cool accomplishment. Today, an Experimental Breeder Reactor Atomic Museum has become a national landmark and opens during the summer months, with guided tours.
6. Caribou County
POPULATION: 7,219
Caribou County is home to Soda Springs, an up-and-coming city with plenty of amenities. Residents enjoy five well-maintained parks, an 18-hole disc golf course, Caribou Medical Center and a great educational system with high graduation rates. Geyser Park in Soda Springs is open to the public year-round, and there is no admission fee.
7. Clark County
POPULATION: 801
This rural county has the smallest population of any county in Idaho, making it a quaint little piece of paradise. The main town in Clark County is Dubois, and as you might imagine, it’s a place where everybody knows everybody. Popular dining stops include places like Opal Country Café and Spencer Grill.
8. Custer County
POPULATION: 4,523
Agriculture and forestry account for about 20% of the jobs in the workforce of Custer County, and education, health care and tourism provide a significant number of jobs as well. Natural attractions include the Land of the Yankee Fork State Park, Salmon River Scenic Byway and Challis Hot Springs.
9. Franklin County
POPULATION: 15,494
Within Franklin County, you’ll find the uniquely gorgeous Bear River Hot Springs. In addition, a drive along Pioneer Historic Byway provides great views of the Bear River Mountains, and parts of Cache National Forest and Caribou National Forest grace the Franklin County landscape. The county also has 10 sites listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
10. Fremont County
POPULATION: 14,196
For fans of golfing, it doesn’t get much better than Fremont County. Home to two pristine courses, the Fremont County Golf Course and Timberline Golf, you can spend hours indulging in your favorite sport while enjoying the great Idaho outdoors. This might explain the county’s recent uptick in residents 65 and older – how else better to enjoy your retirement?
11. Jefferson County
POPULATION: 34,198
Jefferson County continues to experience steady growth, with a nearly 10% increase in population over the last three years. It’s a place that appeals to young people. In fact, 33.7% of Jefferson County’s population is aged between 18 and 44. One of the county’s most popular hot spots is Jefferson County Lake, a haven for outdoor enthusiasts.
12. Lemhi County
POPULATION: 8,441
Lemhi County is a great place to live, especially if you’re pursuing a career in health care or education. Nearly 20% of the available jobs fall under these two career categories. For entertainment, Lemhi County has the Sacajawea Center, whitewater rafting opportunities and annual community celebrations that include Salmon River Days and the Lemhi County Fair.
13. Madison County
POPULATION: 54,547
Madison County claims the city of Rexburg, where the Brigham Young University-Idaho (BYU-I) campus is located. As such, it has a very youthful and exuberant energy, as you’d expect from a college town. An annual Whoopee Days Rodeo occurs in late June at Madison County Fairgrounds, and the fairgrounds also hosts an annual Madison County Fair in mid-August.
14. Oneida County
POPULATION: 4,953
Oneida County consists of just one city, Malad City, named for the nearby Malad River. One of Eastern Idaho’s most unique and popular events takes place here: the Malad Valley Welsh Festival. It’s a celebration of the region’s early settlers and features music, art, food and more. Oneida County also offers several reservoirs for fishing.
15. Power County
POPULATION: 7,878
Outdoor recreation is king in Power County, where hunting, fishing, birdwatching, boating, kayaking and camping reign supreme. This is largely due to the many parks and natural areas in the county, such as Massacre Rocks State Park, the American Falls Reservoir and the Snake River.
16. Teton County
POPULATION: 12,549
If you love living by the mountains, Teton County might be the place for you. The Teton, Big Hole and Snake River Mountain Ranges surround this area and offer breathtaking scenery – not to mention all the outdoor recreation that comes with it. The towns in Teton County are on the smaller side and provide a real sense of tight-knit community.
Get to Know Eastern Idaho
Want to learn more about living and working in Idaho Falls and Eastern Idaho? Check out the latest edition of Livability Eastern Idaho.