Moving to Idaho

Idaho, otherwise known as ‘The Gem State’, is a wonderful state to work and live. If you are moving or relocating to ID, we have compiled a detailed list of some important facts and useful tidbits to help make your move an easy transition.

Geography

Located in the Mountain Region of the country, Idaho is bordered by Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington and Wyoming. With a total land area of over 83,570.08 Square Miles, it comes in as the 14th largest state.

Population

Currently, the population of ID is 1,683,140 making it the 11th least populated state in the union and the 5th least densely populated. The state capital, Boise, has a population of 190122. which is the 20th largest capital in the country.

Notable Idahoans

Idaho is home to many famous and some infamous citizens such as, Joe Albertson a notable grocery chain founder is from and T H Bell a notable educator is from . Others include people like Gutzon Borglum a Mt Rushmore sculptor and Carol R Brink a author .

Climate

Idaho’s northerly latitude and location in the interior of North America gives it a climate with large seasonal differences in temperature, from cold winters to pleasantly warm summers. The low elevation areas of southern Idaho are shielded by mountains to the east and west, reducing the amount of moisture that can penetrate the area and resulting in generally low amounts of precipitation. The higher elevations of northern and central Idaho receive up to four times the amount of rain and snow compared to the southern portion of the state. The majority of precipitation occurs during the cool season (November-May), with the state being reliant on mountain snowpack for water storage.

Crime Statistics

Safety and security should always be an important factor when relocating to a new state. A state’s crime rate affects more than just the safety of its resident, it intensely affects property value, economics and the overall quality of life. Based on the last FBI Crime Statistics, Idaho’s violent crime rate is 21 per 10k residents which is less than the national average of 37.3. In addition, the state’s property crime rate is 185per 10k residents which is less than the national average of 248.7.

Idaho ranks #43 in the US for violent crime and #45 for property crime.

Schools & Education

Whether you are a student, have children, or neither, a state’s educational system is not only important to those attending, it’s vital to the overall quality of life, culture and economics of the state. Based on data from multiple public and private sources, we were able to rank Idaho’s educational system.

Overall Grade: D+

Idaho spends on average $8066.00 per pupil, which is less than the national average ($11,900). ID ranks #47 in the US compared to the rest of the country. While ID ranks #47 in spending, the latest graduation rate is 78.90%%.

Another important factor is the percentage of families that enroll their young children (ages 3-4) in an accredited pre-school program. Idaho ranks #50 with over 29.60% of children attending a early educational program.

Taxes

The current income tax rate for Idaho is 7.40% which ranks 37th favorable amongst other states. If you are purchasing property, you may want to consider the the property tax burden rate. This is the amount you pay in taxes per $1000 earned. ID’s rate is $25.68 which ranks 16th in the US.

Currently, ID sales tax is $23.27 for which it comes in as 26th compared to other states.

Sports

Unfortunately Idaho does’nt have any major league teams.

Utility Companies

Before you move to Idaho, it’s advised that you know who your utility companies are. We have an extensive list of both public and private utility companies in ID.

Other Resources

For more information about moving to Idaho, visit their website at http://www.state.id.us/