Lewis County, Idaho
Encyclopedia
Lewis County is a county located in the U.S. state
of Idaho
. Established in 1911, it was named after the explorer Meriwether Lewis
. The population was 3,821 at the 2010 census. The county seat
is Nezperce
, and Kamiah
is the county's largest city.
, a wide and rolling prairie-like region of the middle Columbia basin
.
of 2000, there were 3,747 people, 1,554 households, and 1,050 families residing in the county. The population density
was 8 people per square mile (3/km²). There were 1,795 housing units at an average density of 4 per square mile (1/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 92.21% White
, 0.35% Black
or African American
, 3.84% Native American
, 0.43% Asian
, 0.08% Pacific Islander
, 0.93% from other races
, and 2.16% from two or more races. 1.89% of the population were Hispanic
or Latino
of any race. 30.6% were of German
, 17.5% American
, 10.6% English
and 8.7% Irish
ancestry according to Census 2000.
There were 1,554 households out of which 27.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.80% were married couples
living together, and 32.40% were non-families. 28.10% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.50% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.39 and the average family size was 2.92.
In the county the population was spread out with 25.40% under the age of 18, 5.30% from 18 to 24, 23.80% from 25 to 44, 27.10% from 45 to 64, and 18.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 101.90 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.20 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $31,413, and the median income for a family was $37,336. Males had a median income of $31,021 versus $22,538 for females. The per capita income
for the county was $15,942. About 8.70% of families and 12.00% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.90% of those under age 18 and 9.00% of those age 65 or over.
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....
. Established in 1911, it was named after the explorer Meriwether Lewis
Meriwether Lewis
Meriwether Lewis was an American explorer, soldier, and public administrator, best known for his role as the leader of the Lewis and Clark Expedition also known as the Corps of Discovery, with William Clark...
. The population was 3,821 at the 2010 census. 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....
is Nezperce
Nezperce, Idaho
Nezperce is a city in and the county seat of Lewis County, Idaho, United States. The population was 523 at the 2000 census. Nezperce is named for the local Nez Perce tribe of Native Americans Indians. -Geography:Nezperce is located at...
, and Kamiah
Kamiah, Idaho
Kamiah is a city in Idaho and Lewis counties in the U.S. state of Idaho. The largest city in Lewis County, it extends only a small distance into Idaho County. The population was 1,160 at the 2000 census...
is the county's largest city.
Geography
According to the 2000 census, the county has a total area of 479.81 square miles (1,242.7 km²), of which 479.04 square miles (1,240.7 km²) (or 99.84%) is land and 0.77 square miles (2 km²) (or 0.16%) is water. It is part of the PalousePalouse
The Palouse is a region of the northwestern United States, encompassing parts of southeastern Washington, north central Idaho and, in some definitions, extending south into northeast Oregon. It is a major agricultural area, primarily producing wheat and legumes...
, a wide and rolling prairie-like region of the middle Columbia basin
Columbia River
The Columbia River is the largest river in the Pacific Northwest region of North America. The river rises in the Rocky Mountains of British Columbia, Canada, flows northwest and then south into the U.S. state of Washington, then turns west to form most of the border between Washington and the state...
.
Adjacent counties
- Nez Perce CountyNez Perce County, IdahoNez Perce County [Eng. pron. Nezz Purse] is a county located in the U.S. state of Idaho. The population was 39,265 at the 2010 Census. The county seat is Lewiston. The county is named for the Nez Percé tribe....
- north, west - Idaho CountyIdaho County, IdahoIdaho County is a county located in the U.S. state of Idaho. As of the 2010 Census the county had a population of 16,267. The county seat is Grangeville...
- south, east - Clearwater CountyClearwater County, IdahoClearwater County is a county located in the U.S. state of Idaho. Established in 1911, the county was named after the Clearwater River. As of the 2000 Census the county had a population of 8,930 . The county seat is Orofino....
- northeast
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 3,747 people, 1,554 households, and 1,050 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 8 people per square mile (3/km²). There were 1,795 housing units at an average density of 4 per square mile (1/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 92.21% 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...
, 0.35% 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...
, 3.84% 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...
, 0.43% 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...
, 0.08% 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...
, 0.93% 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 2.16% from two or more races. 1.89% of the population were 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. 30.6% were of German
Germans
The Germans are a Germanic ethnic group native to Central Europe. The English term Germans has referred to the German-speaking population of the Holy Roman Empire since the Late Middle Ages....
, 17.5% American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, 10.6% English
English people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
and 8.7% Irish
Irish people
The Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...
ancestry according to Census 2000.
There were 1,554 households out of which 27.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.80% 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, and 32.40% were non-families. 28.10% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.50% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.39 and the average family size was 2.92.
In the county the population was spread out with 25.40% under the age of 18, 5.30% from 18 to 24, 23.80% from 25 to 44, 27.10% from 45 to 64, and 18.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 101.90 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.20 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $31,413, and the median income for a family was $37,336. Males had a median income of $31,021 versus $22,538 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 $15,942. About 8.70% of families and 12.00% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.90% of those under age 18 and 9.00% of those age 65 or over.
Cities
- CraigmontCraigmont, IdahoCraigmont is a city in Lewis County, Idaho. The population was 501 at the 2010 census.-History:The city is named for Colonel William Craig , a mountain man and Idaho's first permanent white settler in Lapwai in 1838. A town named "Chicago", one mile west of the current Craigmont, was founded in 1898...
- KamiahKamiah, IdahoKamiah is a city in Idaho and Lewis counties in the U.S. state of Idaho. The largest city in Lewis County, it extends only a small distance into Idaho County. The population was 1,160 at the 2000 census...
- NezperceNezperce, IdahoNezperce is a city in and the county seat of Lewis County, Idaho, United States. The population was 523 at the 2000 census. Nezperce is named for the local Nez Perce tribe of Native Americans Indians. -Geography:Nezperce is located at...
- ReubensReubens, IdahoReubens is a city in Lewis County, Idaho, United States, on the camas prairie. The population was 72 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Reubens is located at ....
- WinchesterWinchester, IdahoWinchester is a city in Lewis County, Idaho, United States. The population was 340 at the 2010 census.-History:The city was named in 1900 during a meeting to establish a school district. While considering the possibilities, an individual looked at the stack of Winchester rifles at the door and...