Why has Bannock/Bingham population slowed? (Pocatello, Idaho Falls: luxury, construction, salary)

[pnwguy2]

I chose the IF forum for this, as the counties seem to form a semi-metro area with Bonneville County.

While Bonneville Co. (IF) continues to grow at a good clip, growth to the south in Bingham (Blackfoot), and Bannock (Pocatello) seems to have slowed to a crawl. Anyone have any ideas why this is happening?

[cleosmom]

Not sure about the answer to this, but i was in Rexburg the other day and was surprised at the growth!

[Fish Taco64]

As a new transplant to Pocatello, if I had to speculate, it would be the relatively small number of higher paying jobs available. Most jobs postings here seem to be for minimum wage or slightly above. It took my wife about 3 months to find good paying work, luckily we had the luxury of savings and my salary to get us through those. Hopefully the new Northgate development project helps to remedy this.

[tmp4]

yes it's really all about the jobs. Idaho Falls has them, Pocatello doesn't

and it's unfair to compare Blackfoot to Idaho Falls. Ammon may soon have a higher population than Blackfoot

[Theotherdude]

Jobs in the southern i15 corridor have been slower to come in since the recession. I suspect a lack of confidence among investors. Hoku was a big time loss.The FBI expansion helps a lot. Plus the developer of the northgate project seems pretty confident about the development bringing plenty jobs. There is already a good sized medical facility planned.

For a few years already, INL has hired hundreds more employees with hundreds more planned in the near future. BYUI's expansion has already been fueling growth in Rexburg for years too.

I am sure Pocatello and Blackfoot will experience similar growth in the future based on current business developments. Just a few years behind the neighbors to the north

[pnwguy2]

Thanks for the responses. I think all these comments are right on the mark. I double posted this thread concept on the "Idaho" forum and the responses there are interesting, but somewhat more divided.

[f5fstop]

I have not posted on this forum for a long time, and really surprised I am now. However, I do stop in and read about every two months.

However, a quick answer on this thread.

The northern end of Pocatello and the city of Chubbuck will probably see a large increase in construction and jobs in the near future. The Siphon Road to I-15 interchange is supposed to be finished this fall (2018). It will not only be a connection for Siphon road through Chubbuck but also a connection to the Portneuf Wellness Center off Olympic Drive/Bench Road in Pocatello.

Already there is a large Healthcare Medical Campus to be build in Chubbuck.

Personally, I am not looking forward to it.

I'll leave now for a another year.