Gem County, Idaho (ID)

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County population in July 2007: 16,496 (55% urban, 45% rural)
County owner-occupied houses and condos: 4,423
Renter-occupied apartments: 1,116

% of renters here:	20%
State:	28%

Land area: 563 sq. mi.
Water area: 3.2 sq. mi.

Population density: 29 people per square mile

(low).

2008 cost of living index in Gem County: 87.7 (less than average, U.S. average is 100)

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Industries providing employment: Manufacturing (19.2%), Educational,health and social services (17.7%).

Type of workers:

Private wage or salary: 72%
Government: 16%
Self-employed, not incorporated: 12%
Unpaid family work: 1%

Gem County, Idaho business data: stores, dealers, real estate agents, wholesalers, restaurants...

Races in Gem County, Idaho:

White Non-Hispanic (90.7%)
Hispanic (6.9%)
Other race (3.2%)
Two or more races (1.8%)
American Indian (1.6%)

(Total can be greater than 100% because Hispanics could be counted in other races)

Median resident age:	37.5 years
Idaho median age:	33.2 years

Males: 7,541	(49.7%)
Females: 7,640	(50.3%)

Average wage per job in 2003: $20,864
County population in 2003: 15,783
Jobs in 2003: 3,321

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Total labor force in 2004: 7,109
Unemployment rate in 2004: 5.4%

Average household size:

Gem County:	2.7 people
Idaho:	2.7 people

Estimated median household income in 2007: $42,421 ($34,460 in 1999)

This county:	$42,421
Idaho:	$46,253

Median contract rent in 2007 for apartments: $548 (lower quartile is $399, upper quartile is $660)

This county:	$548
State:	$564

Estimated median house or condo value in 2007: $175,656 (it was $99,500 in 2000)

Gem County:	$175,656
Idaho:	$178,100

Lower value quartile - upper value quartile: $118,032 - $252,475

Mean price in 2007:

Detached houses: $225,096
Here: $225,096
State: $251,224

Townhouses or other attached units: $124,237
Here: $124,237
State: $186,487

In 2-unit structures: $123,551
Here: $123,551
State: $340,461

In 3-to-4-unit structures: $1,024,832
Here: $1,024,832
State: $305,789

Mobile homes: $82,121
Here: $82,121
State: $52,209

Occupied boats, RVs, vans, etc.: $31,667
Here: $31,667
State: $37,997

Median monthly housing costs for homes and condos with a mortgage: $1,004
Median monthly housing costs for units without a mortgage: $284

Institutionalized population: 144

Crime in 2005 (reported by the sheriff's office or county police, not the county total):

Murders: 0
Rapes: 2
Robberies: 0
Assaults: 10
Burglaries: 6
Thefts: 11
Auto thefts: 3

Crime in 2004 (reported by the sheriff's office or county police, not the county total):

Murders: 0
Rapes: 2
Robberies: 0
Assaults: 6
Burglaries: 8
Thefts: 12
Auto thefts: 9

Gem County races chart

Single-family new house construction building permits:

2004: 131 buildings, average cost: $149,200
2005: 213 buildings, average cost: $143,800
2006: 165 buildings, average cost: $145,000

2004 Presidential Election results in Gem County Idaho:

Bush/Cheney (Republican): 75.9%
Kerry/Edwards (Democratic): 22.8%

Median real estate property taxes paid for housing units in 2000: $795 (0.8%)

Gem County household income distribution in 2007

Gem County contract rent distribution in 2007

Residents with income below the poverty level in 2007:

This county:	13.1%
Whole state:	11.8%

Residents with income below 50% of the poverty level in 2007:

This county:	4.4%
Whole state:	4.6%

Fair market rent in 2006 for a 1-bedroom apartment in Gem County is $509 a month.
Fair market rent for a 2-bedroom apartment is $566 a month.
Fair market rent for a 3-bedroom apartment is $823 a month.

Cities in this county include: Emmett, Emmett Bench, Emmett Valley, Sweet.

2005 air pollution in Gem County:

Particulate Matter (PM_2.5) Annual (standard limit: 15.0 µg/m³): 9.5 µg/m³. Near U.S. average.
Particulate Matter (PM_2.5) 24-hour (standard limit: 35 µg/m³): 33 µg/m³. Near U.S. average.

Neighboring counties: Ada County , Adams County , Boise County , Canyon County , Payette County , Valley County , Washington County .

Click to draw/clear county borders

Notable locations in this county outside city limits:

Notable locations in Gem County: Airport Pond Public Fishing Area (A), Antelope Campground (B), Plaza Road Bridge Access Area (C), Hollywood Point Campground (D), Van Duesan Ranch (E), Butte Ranch (F), Sage Hen Dam Recreation Site (G), Cooper School (H), Eastside Campground (I), Star Lane Pond Public Fishing Area (J), Sage Hen Campground (K), Third Fork Project Camp (L), Third Fork Guard Station (M), Indian Jakes (N). Display/hide their locations on the map

Cemeteries: Sweet Cemetery (1), Emmett Cemetery (2). Display/hide their locations on the map

Lakes and reservoirs: Beech Lake (A), Gabes Bathtub (B), Black Canyon Reservoir (C), Sage Hen Reservoir (D). Display/hide their locations on the map

Streams, rivers, and creeks: Anderson Creek (A), Antelope Creek (B), Sucker Creek (C), Bear Creek (D), Bent Creek (E), Bissel Creek (F), Timber Creek (G), Timber Flat Creek (H), Bristol Creek (I). Display/hide their locations on the map

Unemployment in May 2009:

Here:	10.2%
Idaho:	7.3%

Unemployment by year (%)

County total employment by year

County average yearly wages by year ($)

Current college students: 417
People 25 years of age or older with a high school degree or higher: 79.4%
People 25 years of age or older with a bachelor's degree or higher: 11.4%

Number of foreign born residents: 751 (30% naturalized citizens)

Gem County:	4.9%
Whole state:	5.0%

Year of entry for the foreign-born population
	1995 to March 2000: 171 1990 to 1994: 162 1985 to 1989: 157 1980 to 1984: 71 1975 to 1979: 30 1970 to 1974: 19 1970 to 1974: 36 1965 to 1969: 105

Mean travel time to work: 26.9 minutes

Percentage of county residents living and working in this county: 55.5%

Housing units in structures:

One, detached: 4,624
One, attached: 92
Two: 113
3 or 4: 84
5 to 9: 94
10 to 19: 15
20 or more: 23
Mobile homes: 822
Boats, RVs, vans, etc.: 21

Housing units in Gem County with a mortgage: 2,076 (251 second mortgage, 285 home equity loan, 0 both second mortgage and home equity loan)
Houses without a mortgage: 1,029

Here:	66.9% with mortgage
State:	73.2% with mortgage

Religion statistics

Total adherents: 5,343
Total congregations: 23

Adherents

Name	Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints	Catholic Church	Lutheran Church	Christian Churches and Churches of Christ	International Church of the Foursquare Gospel
Adherents	2,461 (46.1%)	574 (10.7%)	307 (5.7%)	305 (5.7%)	255 (4.8%)
Congregations	6 (26.1%)	1 (4.3%)	1 (4.3%)	1 (4.3%)	1 (4.3%)

Name	American Baptist Churches in the USA	Church of the Nazarene	United Methodist Church	Southern Baptist Convention	Other
Adherents	227 (4.2%)	196 (3.7%)	178 (3.3%)	178 (3.3%)	662 (12.4%)
Congregations	1 (4.3%)	1 (4.3%)	2 (8.7%)	1 (4.3%)	8 (34.8%)

Source: Jones, Dale E., et al. 2002. Congregations and Membership in the United States 2000. Nashville, TN: Glenmary Research Center.

Religions in Gem County - Emmett, Emmett Bench, Emmett Valley, Sweet

Agriculture in Gem County
Average size of farms: 276 acres
Average value of agricultural products sold per farm: $34248
Average value of crops sold per acre for harvested cropland: $366.22
The value of livestock, poultry, and their products as a percentage of the total market value of agricultural products sold: 67.82%
Average total farm production expenses per farm: $36483
Harvested cropland as a percentage of land in farms: 10.91%
Irrigated harvested cropland as a percentage of land in farms: 91.51%
Average market value of all machinery and equipment per farm: $36071
The percentage of farms operated by a family or individual: 93.64%
Average age of principal farm operators: 54 years
Average number of cattle and calves per 100 acres of all land in farms: 12.38
Milk cows as a percentage of all cattle and calves: 8.40%
Corn for grain: 1765 harvested acres
All wheat for grain: 1892 harvested acres
Vegetables: 24 harvested acres
Land in orchards: 591 acres

Gem County historical area-adjusted tornado activity is above Idaho state average. It is 8.6 times below overall U.S. average.

Gem County-area historical earthquake activity is below Idaho state average. It is 1% greater than the overall U.S. average.

On 1/28/1995 at 06:26:21, a magnitude 4.7 (4.3 MB, 4.6 ML, 4.7 MD, Depth: 3.1 mi, Class: Light, Intensity: IV - V) earthquake occurred 90.4 miles away from Gem County center
On 11/10/1993 at 14:54:24, a magnitude 4.6 (3.6 MB, 4.3 ML, 4.6 ML, Depth: 6.2 mi) earthquake occurred 85.8 miles away from the county center
On 2/17/1992 at 16:52:40, a magnitude 4.3 (4.3 ML, Depth: 3.1 mi) earthquake occurred 91.0 miles away from the county center
On 4/11/1995 at 12:20:55, a magnitude 4.2 (4.0 ML, 4.2 ML, Depth: 3.1 mi) earthquake occurred 75.6 miles away from Gem County center
On 11/30/2002 at 09:29:25, a magnitude 4.1 (4.1 ML, Depth: 6.2 mi) earthquake occurred 72.1 miles away from the county center
On 10/27/1994 at 03:35:53, a magnitude 4.0 (3.6 ML, 4.0 ML, Depth: 6.2 mi) earthquake occurred 64.4 miles away from Gem County center
Magnitude types: body-wave magnitude (MB), duration magnitude (MD), local magnitude (ML)

Class of Workers

Most common industries for males (%):

Construction (15%)
Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting (11%)
Wood products (8%)
Computer and electronic products (6%)
Public administration (6%)
Truck transportation (4%)
Repair and maintenance (4%)

Most common industries for females (%):

Health care (19%)
Educational services (11%)
Accommodation and food services (8%)
Food and beverage stores (5%)
Finance and insurance (5%)
Public administration (5%)
Wood products (4%)

Most common occupations for males (%)

Other production occupations including supervisors (7%)
Electrical equipment mechanics and other installation, maintenance, and repair occupations including supervisors (5%)
Agricultural workers including supervisors (5%)
Driver/sales workers and truck drivers (5%)
Vehicle and mobile equipment mechanics, installers, and repairers (4%)
Farmers and farm managers (4%)
Other management occupations except farmers and farm managers (3%)

Most common occupations for females (%)

Secretaries and administrative assistants (7%)
Cooks and food preparation workers (5%)
Nursing, psychiatric, and home health aides (5%)
Other office and administrative support workers including supervisors (5%)
Building and grounds cleaning and maintenance occupations (4%)
Information and record clerks except customer service representatives (4%)
Cashiers (4%)

Most common places of birth for the foreign-born residents (%):

Mexico (73%)
Germany (3%)
China, excluding Hong Kong and Taiwan (3%)
Canada (3%)
United Kingdom (2%)
Spain (2%)
Philippines (2%)

Most common first ancestries reported in Gem County (%):

United States or American (19%)
German (17%)
English (13%)
Irish (7%)
Norwegian (4%)
Scottish (3%)
Scotch-Irish (2%)

Gem County mode of transportation to work chart

Means of transportation to work

Drove a car alone: 4,772 (77%)
Carpooled: 839 (13%)
Taxi: 6 (0%)
Bicycle: 9 (0%)
Walked: 167 (3%)
Other means: 50 (1%)
Worked at home: 384 (6%)

Owners and renters by unit type in %

Breakdown of mean house values by ages of householders

People in group quarters in Gem County, Idaho

103 people in nursing homes
53 people in other noninstitutional group quarters
24 people in local jails and other confinement facilities (including police lockups)
11 people in residential treatment centers for emotionally disturbed children
6 people in training schools for juvenile delinquents
2 people in homes for the mentally ill

Average gross adjusted income of non-migrant taxpayers in this county in 2005 was $35,001.

9.47% of this county's 2006 resident taxpayers lived in other counties in 2005 ($40,833 average adjusted gross income)

Here:	9.47%
Idaho average:	9.61%

10 or fewer of this county's residents moved from foreign countries.
5.03% relocated from other counties in Idaho ($20,411 average AGI)
4.44% relocated from other states ($20,421 average AGI)
Gem County: 4.44%
Idaho average: 5.54%

Percentage of residents relocating from other counties or countries

Top counties from which taxpayers relocated into this county between 2005 and 2006:

from Ada County, ID	2.46% ($45,396 average AGI)
from Canyon County, ID	1.10% ($39,417)
from Payette County, ID	0.33% ($33,222)
from Boise County, ID	0.24% ($30,538)
from Valley County, ID	0.22% ($20,583)

8.75% of this county's 2005 resident taxpayers moved to other counties in 2006 ($33,742 average adjusted gross income)

Here:	8.75%
Idaho average:	8.30%

10 or fewer of this county's residents moved to foreign countries.
6.29% relocated to other counties in Idaho ($26,222 average AGI)
2.46% relocated to other states ($7,518 average AGI)
Gem County: 2.46%
Idaho average: 4.23%

Percentage of residents relocating to other counties or countries

Top counties to which taxpayers relocated from this county between 2005 and 2006:

to Ada County, ID	3.37% ($28,181 average AGI)
to Canyon County, ID	1.55% ($26,202)
to Payette County, ID	0.54% ($33,207)

Births per 1000 population from 1990 to 1999: 13.4
Births per 1000 population from 2000 to 2003: 12.7

Births per 1000 population in Gem County

Deaths per 1000 population from 1990 to 1999: 10.6
Deaths per 1000 population from 2000 to 2003: 11.0

Deaths per 1000 population in Gem County

Infant deaths per 1000 live births from 1990 to 1999: 11.9
Infant deaths per 1000 live births from 2000 to 2003: 5.1

Infant deaths per 1000 live births in Gem County

Persons enrolled in hospital insurance and/or supplemental medical insurance (Medicare) in July 1, 2003: 2,692 (2,400 aged, 292 disabled)
Population without health insurance coverage in 2000: 18%
Children under 18 without health insurance coverage in 2000: 17%

Short term general hospitals per 100,000 population in 2004: 6.26
Short term general hospital admissions per 100,000 population in 2004: 3057.070
Short term general hospital beds per 100,000 population in 2004: 100.230
Emergency room visits per 100,000 population in 2004: 25602.96

General practice office based MDs per 100,000 population in 2005: 1216.740
Medical specialist MDs per 100,000 population in 2005: 1198.300

Total births per 100,000 population, July 2005 - July 2006 : 13.5
Total deaths per 100,000 population, July 2005 - July 2006: 61.45

Limited-service eating places per 100,000 population in 2005 : 18.44

EPA green book nonattainment status in 2004-2006: 1

Household type by relationship

Households: 14,982

In family households: 13,368 (3,549 male householders, 625 female householders)
3,572 spouses, 4,802 children (4,255 natural, 136 adopted, 411 stepchildren), 264 grandchildren, 54 brothers or sisters, 69 parents, 204 other relatives, 229 non-relatives
In nonfamily households: 1,614 (590 male householders (477 living alone)), 766 female householders (677 living alone)), 258 nonrelatives
In group quarters: 199 (140 institutionalized population)

Size of family households: 1,873 2-persons, 824 3-persons, 776 4-persons, 380 5-persons, 205 6-persons, 116 7-or-more-persons.

Size of nonfamily households: 1,154 1-person, 162 2-persons, 25 3-persons, 15 4-persons.

92.8% of residents of Gem County speak English at home.
5.7% of residents speak Spanish at home (48% speak English very well, 29% speak English well, 16% speak English not well, 7% don't speak English at all).
0.8% of residents speak other Indo-European language at home (48% speak English very well, 19% speak English well, 28% speak English not well, 6% don't speak English at all).
0.5% of residents speak Asian or Pacific Island language at home (60% speak English very well, 17% speak English well, 23% speak English not well).
0.2% of residents speak other language at home (42% speak English very well, 58% speak English well).

In fiscal year 2004:
Federal Government expenditure: $82,263,000 ($5153 per capita)
Department of Defense expenditure: $3,740,000
Federal direct payments to individuals for retirement and disability: $44,316,000
Federal other direct payments to individuals: $14,612,000
Federal direct payments not to individuals: $427,000
Federal grants: $16,076,000
Federal procurement contracts: $1,120,000 ($0,000 Department of Defense)
Federal salaries and wages: $5,711,000 ($1,020,000 Department of Defense)
Federal Government direct loans: $3,334,000
Federal guaranteed/insured loans: $17,733,000
Federal Government insurance: $4,966,000

Population change from April 1, 2000 to July 1, 2005:
Births: 1,046

Here:	64 per 1000 residents
State:	78 per 1000 residents

Deaths: 895

Here:	55 per 1000 residents
State:	37 per 1000 residents

Net international migration: +136

Here:	+8 per 1000 residents
State:	+10 per 1000 residents

Net internal migration: +829

Here:	+51 per 1000 residents
State:	+43 per 1000 residents

Population growth in Gem County

Total withdrawal of fresh water for public supply: 1.07 millions of gallons per day (all from ground)

Median number of rooms in houses and condos:

Here:	5.8
State:	6.1

Median number of rooms in apartments:

Here:	4.4
State:	4.1

Year house built:

1999 to March 2000: 136
1995 to 1998: 747
1990 to 1994: 516
1980 to 1989: 538
1970 to 1979: 1,545
1960 to 1969: 682
1950 to 1959: 353
1940 to 1949: 447
1939 or earlier: 924

Rooms in owner-occupied houses in Gem County, Idaho:
	1 room: 14 2 rooms: 61 3 rooms: 150 4 rooms: 481 5 rooms: 1,191 6 rooms: 1,161 7 rooms: 620 8 rooms: 336 9+ rooms: 409

Rooms in renter-occupied apartments in Gem County, Idaho:
	1 room: 10 2 rooms: 126 3 rooms: 117 4 rooms: 328 5 rooms: 310 6 rooms: 142 7 rooms: 62 8 rooms: 16 9+ rooms: 5

Bedrooms in owner-occupied houses and condos in Gem County:
	no bedroom: 33 1 bedroom: 197 2 bedrooms: 1,131 3 bedrooms: 2,280 4 bedrooms: 552 5+ bedrooms: 230

Bedrooms in renter-occupied apartments in Gem County:
	no bedroom: 46 1 bedroom: 182 2 bedrooms: 493 3 bedrooms: 340 4 bedrooms: 48 5+ bedrooms: 7

Cars and other vehicles available in Gem County in owner-occupied houses/condos:
	no vehicle: 116 1 vehicle: 928 2 vehicles: 1,893 3 vehicles: 940 4 vehicles: 401 5+ vehicles: 145

Cars and other vehicles available in Gem County in renter-occupied apartments
	no vehicle: 96 1 vehicle: 517 2 vehicles: 374 3 vehicles: 108 4 vehicles: 8 5+ vehicles: 13

56% of Gem County residents lived in the same house 5 years ago.
Out of people who lived in different houses, 45% lived in this county.
Out of people who lived in different counties, 53% lived in Idaho.

Gem County:	56.3%
State average:	50.5%

Place of birth for U.S.-born residents:

This state: 7437
Northeast: 256
Midwest: 1473
South: 763
West: 4425

Median price asked for vacant for-sale houses in 2000: $66,800

Housing units lacking complete plumbing facilities: 1%

Housing units lacking complete kitchen facilities: 1%

Year Householders Moved Into Unit:

Most commonly used house heating fuel in houses and condos:
	Electricity (42.7%) Utility gas (26.5%) Wood (15.0%) Bottled, tank, or LP gas (9.4%) Fuel oil, kerosene, etc. (3.9%) Other fuel (1.9%) Coal or coke (0.6%)

Most commonly used house heating fuel in apartments:
	Electricity (40.7%) Utility gas (36.1%) Wood (9.9%) Fuel oil, kerosene, etc. (6.8%) Bottled, tank, or LP gas (6.5%)

Private vs. public school enrollment:
Students in private schools in grades 1 to 8 (elementary and middle school): 76

Here:	3.9%
Idaho:	7.2%

Students in private schools in grades 9 to 12 (high school): 57

Here:	5.5%
Idaho:	5.7%

Students in private undergraduate colleges: 66

Here:	20.7%
Idaho:	22.0%

Educational Attainment

School Enrollment by Level of School

Age and Sex of Sensory-Disabled Residents (Noninstitutionalized)

Age and Sex of Physically-Disabled Residents (Noninstitutionalized)

Age and Sex of Mentally-Disabled Residents (Noninstitutionalized)

Age and Sex of Self-Care Disabled Residents (Noninstitutionalized)

Age and Sex of Go-Outside-Home Disabled Residents (Noninstitutionalized)

Age and Sex of Residents with Employment Disability (Noninst.)

Gem County government finances in 2004:

Bond Fund - Cash & Deposits: $4,504,000
Charges - Hospital Public: $6,565,000
Solid Waste Management: $71,000

Parks & Recreation: $10,000

Housing & Community Development: $3,000
Construction - Own Hospitals: $434,000
Current Operations - Own Hospitals: $6,207,000
Corrections - Other: $2,373,000

Police Protection: $1,459,000

Regular Highways: $1,281,000

Central Staff Services: $578,000

Judicial and Legal Services: $521,000

Financial Administration: $445,000

General - Other: $404,000

Solid Waste Management: $254,000

Health Services - Other: $230,000

Natural Resources - Other: $195,000

Welfare, Vendor Payments for Medical Care: $169,000

Parks & Recreation: $116,000

General Public Buildings: $95,000

Housing & Community Development: $49,000

Welfare, Vendor Payments for Other Purposes: $14,000

Welfare - Other: $12,000
Federal Intergovernmental - General Support: $137,000
Highways: $68,000
General - Interest on Debt: $29,000
Long Term Debt Beginning Outstanding, NEC: $488,000
Long Term Debt Issue, Unspecified - Other NEC: $4,987,000
Long Term Debt Outstanding Nonguaranteed - Other, NEC: $5,335,000
Long Term Debt Retired Unspecified - Other, NEC: $140,000
Miscellaneous - General Revenue, NEC: $109,000
Interest Earnings: $105,000
Other Capital Outlay - Regular Highways: $248,000
Own Hospitals: $83,000

Police Protection: $76,000

Health - Other: $40,000

Solid Waste Management: $21,000

Central Staff: $11,000

Financial Administration: $7,000

Natural Resource - Other: $6,000

Judicial: $4,000

Parks & Recreation: $4,000

General - Other: $2,000

General Public Building: $1,000
Other Funds - Cash & Deposits: $3,246,000
Sinking Fund - Cash & Deposits: $500,000
State Intergovernmental - Highways: $1,226,000
General Support: $855,000
Tax - Property: $2,437,000
NEC: $159,000

Motor Vehicle License: $79,000
Total Salaries & Wages: $4,343,000

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) - Total Number Of Recipients

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) - Number of aged recipients

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) - Number of blind and disabled recipients

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) - Number of recipients under 18

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) - Number of recipients between 18 and 64

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) - Number of recipients older than 64

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) - Number of recipients also receiving OASDI

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) - Amount of payments (thousands of dollars)

Gem County Fatal accident statistics for 1975 - 2008:

Fatal accident count (per 100,000 population)

Vehicles involved in fatal accidents (per 100,000 population)

Fatal accidents caused by drunken drivers (per 100,000 population)

Fatalities (per 100,000 population)

Persons involved in fatal accidents (per 100,000 population)

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