# Payette County, Idaho

Payette County is a county located in Idaho in the United States of America. As of the 2020 census, the population was 25,386. The county seat and largest city is Payette.
Payette County is part of the Ontario micropolitan area.

## History

The county was established in 1917, partitioned from Canyon County. It was named after the Payette River, which was named after French-Canadian François Payette. Originally a fur trapper with the North West Company, Payette was the first white man in the area in 1818.
Payette County is one of the few counties in Idaho to be the home to the endangered Idaho ground squirrel.

## Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 410 square miles (1,100 km$^2$), of which 407 square miles (1,050 km$^2$) is land and 3.4 square miles (8.8 km$^2$) (0.8%) is water. It is the smallest county in Idaho by area.

### Adjacent counties

* Washington County - north
* Gem County - east
* Canyon County - south
* Malheur County, Oregon - west

### National protected area

* Deer Flat National Wildlife Refuge (part)

### Rivers

* Snake River
* Payette River

### Highways

* I 84
* US 30
* US 95
* SH-52
* SH-72

## Demographics
### 2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 20,578 people, 7,371 households, and 5,572 families living in the county. The population density was 50 inhabitants per square mile (19/km$^2$). There were 7,949 housing units at an average density of 20 per square mile (7.7/km$^2$). The racial makeup of the county was 90.25% White, 0.87% Native American, 0.85% Asian, 0.10% Black or African American, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 5.57% from other races, and 2.33% from two or more races. 11.92% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 19.5% were of German, 13.5% English, 12.3% American and 8.3% Irish ancestry.
There were 7,371 households, out of which 37.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.00% were married couples living together, 9.30% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.40% were non-families. 20.60% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.50% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.78 and the average family size was 3.21.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 30.60% under the age of 18, 7.90% from 18 to 24, 26.60% from 25 to 44, 21.70% from 45 to 64, and 13.20% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 98.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.80 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $33,046, and the median income for a family was $37,430. Males had a median income of $30,641 versus $21,421 for females. The per capita income for the county was $14,924. About 9.70% of families and 13.20% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.70% of those under age 18 and 12.20% of those age 65 or over.

### 2010 census

As of the 2010 United States census, there were 22,623 people, 8,262 households, and 6,017 families living in the county. The population density was 55.6 inhabitants per square mile (21.5/km$^2$). There were 8,945 housing units at an average density of 22.0 per square mile (8.5/km$^2$). The racial makeup of the county was 88.6% white, 1.1% American Indian, 0.8% Asian, 0.2% black or African American, 0.1% Pacific islander, 6.3% from other races, and 2.8% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 14.9% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 18.9% were American, 16.8% were German, 13.2% were English, and 10.5% were Irish.
Of the 8,262 households, 37.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.4% were married couples living together, 10.4% had a female householder with no husband present, 27.2% were non-families, and 22.1% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.73 and the average family size was 3.19. The median age was 37.2 years.
The median income for a household in the county was $43,559 and the median income for a family was $50,323. Males had a median income of $38,582 versus $25,826 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,814. About 12.0% of families and 15.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 22.6% of those under age 18 and 9.3% of those age 65 or over.

### 2020 census

Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos can be of any race.
Payette County racial composition (NH = Non-Hispanic) :
| Race | Pop 2010 | Pop 2020 | % 2010 | % 2020 |
| White (NH) | 18,388 | 19,240 | 81.28% | 75.79% |
| Black or African American (NH) | 41 | 52 | 0.18% | 0.2% |
| Native American or Alaska Native (NH) | 185 | 163 | 0.82% | 0.64% |
| Asian (NH) | 187 | 207 | 0.83% | 0.82% |
| Pacific Islander (NH) | 15 | 31 | 0.07% | 0.12% |
| Some Other Race (NH) | 15 | 133 | 0.07% | 0.52% |
| Mixed/Multi-Racial (NH) | 429 | 1,292 | 1.9% | 5.09% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 3,363 | 4,268 | 14.87% | 16.81% |
| Total | 22,623 | 25,386 | | |
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 25,386 people, 9,086 households, and 6,275 families residing in the county.

## Education

The county is served by three school districts:
* Fruitland School District 373
* New Plymouth School District 372
* Payette Joint School District 371

### Payette Joint District 371

* Payette High School
* McCain Middle School
* Payette Primary School
* Westside Elementary School
* Payette Night School

### New Plymouth District 372

* New Plymouth High School
* New Plymouth Middle School
* New Plymouth Elementary School

### Fruitland District 373

* Fruitland High School
* Fruitland Middle School
* Fruitland Elementary School
* Fruitland Alternative School
Residents are in the area (but not the taxation zone) for College of Western Idaho.

## Communities
### Cities

* Fruitland
* New Plymouth
* Payette

### Unincorporated community

* Hamilton Corner

## Politics

Like most of Idaho, Payette County voters are overwhelmingly Republican. In no presidential election since 1936 has the county selected the Democratic candidate, and Jimmy Carter in 1976 was the last Democrat to crack one third of the county's vote.
United States presidential election results for Payette County, Idaho :
| Year | Republican | Republican | Democratic | Democratic | Third party(ies) | Third party(ies) |
| Year | No. | % | No. | % | No. | % |
| 2024 | 9,458 | 80.42% | 2,064 | 17.55% | 239 | 2.03% |
| 2020 | 8,862 | 78.47% | 2,161 | 19.14% | 270 | 2.39% |
| 2016 | 6,489 | 74.55% | 1,507 | 17.31% | 708 | 8.13% |
| 2012 | 6,004 | 70.68% | 2,271 | 26.73% | 220 | 2.59% |
| 2008 | 5,988 | 68.88% | 2,415 | 27.78% | 290 | 3.34% |
| 2004 | 6,256 | 76.47% | 1,848 | 22.59% | 77 | 0.94% |
| 2000 | 4,961 | 72.34% | 1,643 | 23.96% | 254 | 3.70% |
| 1996 | 3,901 | 55.59% | 2,119 | 30.19% | 998 | 14.22% |
| 1992 | 2,895 | 42.92% | 1,656 | 24.55% | 2,194 | 32.53% |
| 1988 | 3,786 | 65.17% | 1,900 | 32.71% | 123 | 2.12% |
| 1984 | 4,605 | 75.23% | 1,410 | 23.04% | 106 | 1.73% |
| 1980 | 4,508 | 67.14% | 1,828 | 27.23% | 378 | 5.63% |
| 1976 | 3,115 | 57.44% | 2,195 | 40.48% | 113 | 2.08% |
| 1972 | 3,577 | 67.85% | 1,113 | 21.11% | 582 | 11.04% |
| 1968 | 3,032 | 61.18% | 1,216 | 24.54% | 708 | 14.29% |
| 1964 | 2,764 | 52.43% | 2,508 | 47.57% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1960 | 3,472 | 61.94% | 2,133 | 38.06% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1956 | 3,342 | 65.41% | 1,767 | 34.59% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1952 | 3,936 | 72.37% | 1,491 | 27.41% | 12 | 0.22% |
| 1948 | 2,430 | 59.54% | 1,568 | 38.42% | 83 | 2.03% |
| 1944 | 2,485 | 63.96% | 1,382 | 35.57% | 18 | 0.46% |
| 1940 | 2,554 | 58.52% | 1,790 | 41.02% | 20 | 0.46% |
| 1936 | 1,524 | 41.61% | 1,677 | 45.78% | 462 | 12.61% |
| 1932 | 1,529 | 42.63% | 1,836 | 51.18% | 222 | 6.19% |
| 1928 | 2,203 | 76.23% | 621 | 21.49% | 66 | 2.28% |
| 1924 | 1,160 | 47.39% | 401 | 16.38% | 887 | 36.23% |
| 1920 | 1,690 | 68.04% | 785 | 31.60% | 9 | 0.36% |

## Healthcare

The county is served by the Southwest Idaho Health District.