Idaho is a state in the northwestern United States. Its capital is Boise, and it joined the Union on July 3, 1890, as the 43rd state.[1][8] Known as the Gem State, Idaho takes its nickname from the variety of gemstones found within its borders.[2]
Idaho borders six U.S. states and the Canadian province of British Columbia. Its landscapes include mountain ranges, river canyons, and the volcanic Snake River Plain.[4][5] The U.S. Census Bureau estimated its population at 2,029,733 on July 1, 2025.[3]
Agriculture and ranching sit alongside manufacturing, food processing, technology, energy, and tourism in the state’s economy.[11][12]
Geography
Idaho shares borders with Washington and Oregon to the west, Nevada and Utah to the south, and Montana and Wyoming to the east. British Columbia lies to the north. Portions of the western boundary follow the Snake River, while mountain divides shape much of the boundary with Montana.[4]
The Snake River Plain extends roughly 400 miles across the state. Its eastern portion preserves a record of volcanic activity associated with the Yellowstone hotspot’s track; Craters of the Moon contains younger lava fields within this landscape.[5] Idaho.gov lists Mount Borah as the state’s highest point at 12,662 feet.[1]
History
Indigenous peoples
Idaho’s history begins long before territorial boundaries and statehood. Five federally recognized tribes retain ancestral homelands in the region: the Coeur d’Alene Tribe, Kootenai Tribe of Idaho, Nez Perce Tribe, Shoshone-Bannock Tribes, and Shoshone-Paiute Tribes. The Shoshone-Paiute homeland and reservation cross the present Idaho–Nevada border. These are living communities with distinct histories and governments.[6]
Territory and statehood
Lewis and Clark crossed into the region at Lemhi Pass in 1805. Fur trading, missionary activity, and migration through the region followed. President Abraham Lincoln signed the act creating Idaho Territory on March 4, 1863.[7] Idaho became a state on July 3, 1890.[1][8]
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1890 | Idaho enters the Union as the 43rd state. |
| 1910 | The “Big Blowup” fires affect northern Idaho. |
| 1936 | The first ski chairlift opens in Idaho. |
| 1951 | Experimental Breeder Reactor I produces electricity from nuclear energy. |
| 1976 | The Teton Dam collapses. |
| 2009 | Idaho hosts the Special Olympics World Winter Games. |
Population
The 2020 census counted 1,839,106 Idaho residents. The Census Bureau’s July 1, 2025 estimate was 2,029,733, a 10.4% increase from its adjusted April 1, 2020 estimates base. That base differs slightly from the original census count.[3]
| Reference date | Population | Measure |
|---|---|---|
| April 1, 2010 | 1,567,582 | Census count |
| April 1, 2020 | 1,839,106 | Census count |
| July 1, 2025 | 2,029,733 | Population estimate (Vintage 2025) |
Government
Idaho’s state government has three branches: executive, legislative, and judicial. The governor leads the executive branch; the legislature includes a Senate and a House of Representatives; and the judiciary administers the state court system.[9]
As verified on September 25, 2026, the governor is Brad Little. USAGov’s Idaho directory connects residents to state agencies, elected officials, local governments, and services such as education, elections, motor vehicles, and health and welfare.[10] Official information is available through Idaho.gov.
Economy and natural resources
Idaho Commerce identifies food processing, manufacturing, semiconductors, technology, aerospace, energy, outdoor recreation, and tourism among the state’s key industry sectors. This mix connects agricultural production with industrial and technical activity.[11]
Agriculture, ranching, forests, and water are central to Idaho’s natural-resource economy. State programs address food safety, soil and water conservation, forest management, environmental quality, and energy and mineral resources. Idaho.gov’s natural-resources directory brings these agencies and programs together.[12]
Top Businesses
Selected Idaho businesses and institutions span technology, health care, grocery retail, higher education, agriculture, and energy.
| Organization | Overview and Idaho connection |
|---|---|
| Micron Technology | Semiconductors and technology. Founded in Boise in 1978, Micron develops memory and storage products used in computers, mobile devices, and data centers.[15] |
| St. Luke’s Health System | Health care. An Idaho-based nonprofit health system that provides care through a connected network of hospitals, clinics, and health professionals.[16] |
| Albertsons Companies | Grocery retail. A grocery business with roots in Boise, where the first Albertsons store opened at 16th and State streets.[17] |
| Boise State University | Higher education and research. Located in Idaho’s capital, Boise State provides undergraduate and graduate education, research, and community programs.[18] |
| J.R. Simplot Company | Food and agriculture. The family-owned Simplot business is headquartered in Boise, with operations including food processing, farming, ranching, and fertilizer manufacturing.[19] |
| Idaho Power (IDACORP) | Electric utility. Headquartered in Boise, Idaho Power supplies electricity in Idaho and Oregon. It is the primary subsidiary of IDACORP, its publicly traded parent company.[20] |
Education
Idaho’s education system includes public schools, colleges and universities, community colleges, and career and technical programs. The Department of Education supports K–12 education, while the State Board of Education coordinates statewide education policy, including higher education.[13]
State resources include school data, college directories, scholarships, financial aid, and career planning. The Idaho.gov education directory provides a starting point for students and families.[13]
Parks and recreation
Idaho’s outdoor destinations include Hells Canyon, Shoshone Falls, Sun Valley, and Craters of the Moon. River recreation, skiing, wildlife observation, and camping are among the activities highlighted by the state’s official website.[2]
Craters of the Moon offers an example of the state’s volcanic landscape, with lava flows and volcanic features on the Snake River Plain.[5] The Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation and Visit Idaho provide park and visitor information.
State symbols
Idaho’s official symbols reflect its plants, wildlife, and mineral resources. Its flag, adopted in 1907, places the state seal on a blue field above a banner bearing the state’s name.[1]
| Symbol | Designation |
|---|---|
| Bird | Mountain bluebird |
| Flower | Syringa |
| Tree | Western white pine |
| Fruit | Wild huckleberry |
| Fish | Cutthroat trout |
| Gem | Star garnet |
International connections
The Department of State’s 2017–2021 archived Idaho profile describes international exchange programs, university partnerships, salmon-resource cooperation with Canada, and export activity. It reports approximately $4 billion in goods exports in 2018 and 86,038 passports issued in fiscal year 2018. These are historical figures from the archive, not present-day totals.[14]
References
Sources checked September 25, 2026. Statistical reference years are stated beside the figures.
- ↑ Idaho.gov. Facts & Symbols. Capital, statehood date, motto, elevation, state symbols, and flag.
- ↑ State of Idaho. Official state website. State nickname, elected officials, and recreation highlights.
- ↑ U.S. Census Bureau. QuickFacts: Idaho. July 1, 2025 population estimate; 2010 and 2020 censuses; 2020 land area.
- ↑ Idaho Transportation Department. Historic Survey of Roads in Idaho, Volume 1. Geographic boundaries; see Section 2, Geography. PDF.
- ↑ National Park Service. Geodiversity Atlas: Craters of the Moon. Snake River Plain and volcanic landscapes.
- ↑ Idaho Department of Education. Indian Education. The five federally recognized tribes with ancestral homelands in Idaho.
- ↑ Library of Congress. Today in History: March 4 — Idaho. Lewis and Clark, migration, and the creation of Idaho Territory.
- ↑ Idaho.gov. History. Statehood and selected historical milestones.
- ↑ Idaho.gov. Government Organization & Structure. Executive, legislative, and judicial branches.
- ↑ USAGov. Idaho. Governor and directory of government agencies and services.
- ↑ Idaho Commerce. Key Industries. Manufacturing, food processing, technology, energy, and other industry sectors.
- ↑ Idaho.gov. Natural Resources. Agriculture, ranching, forests, water, and environmental agencies.
- ↑ Idaho.gov. Education. Schools, higher education, technical education, and student resources.
- ↑ U.S. Department of State. Idaho — 2017–2021 archive. Historical international partnerships, 2018 exports, and FY2018 passport figures. Archived; not current statistics.
- ↑ Micron Technology. About Micron. Memory and storage technology and the company’s origins in Boise.
- ↑ St. Luke’s Health System. About St. Luke’s. Idaho-based nonprofit health system and its hospitals and clinics.
- ↑ Albertsons. About Us. Grocery retail and the first Albertsons store in Boise.
- ↑ Boise State University. About Boise State. University location, academic programs, research, and community engagement.
- ↑ Simplot Company. About the Simplot Company. Boise headquarters and food and agriculture operations.
- ↑ IDACORP. At a Glance. Idaho Power’s relationship to IDACORP and its Idaho and Oregon service area.