Idaho Falls, Idaho facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Idaho Falls, Idaho
City
City of Idaho Falls
Downtown Idaho Falls
Seal
Location within Bonneville County
Idaho Falls, Idaho Location in Idaho Show map of Idaho Idaho Falls, Idaho Location in the United States Show map of the United States
Country	United States
State	Idaho
County	Bonneville
Founded	1864
Incorporated	1891
Area
• City	24.55 sq mi (63.59 km2)
• Land	24.00 sq mi (62.16 km2)
• Water	0.56 sq mi (1.44 km2)
Elevation	4,705 ft (1,434 m)
Population  (2010)
• City	56,813
• Estimate  (2019)	62,888
• Rank	US: 613th
• Density	2,620.44/sq mi (1,011.75/km2)
• Urban	90,733 (US: 321st)
• Metro	145,643 (US: 286th)
• CSA	243,805 (US: 124th)
Time zone	UTC−7 (Mountain)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−6 (Mountain)
ZIP Code	83401-83406, 83415
Area code(s)	208, 986
FIPS code	16-39700
GNIS feature ID	396684
Interstate
U.S. Highway(s)
State Highway

Idaho Falls (Shoshoni: Dembimbosaage) is a city in and the county seat of Bonneville County, Idaho, United States. It is the state's largest city outside the Boise metropolitan area. As of the 2010 census, the population of Idaho Falls was 56,813 (2019 estimate: 62,888), with a metro population of 133,265.

Idaho Falls serves as the commercial, cultural, and healthcare hub for Eastern Idaho, as well as parts of western Wyoming and southern Montana. It is served by the Idaho Falls Regional Airport and is home to the College of Eastern Idaho, Museum of Idaho, and the Idaho Falls Chukars minor league baseball team. It is the principal city of the Idaho Falls Metropolitan Statistical Area and the Idaho Falls–Blackfoot-Rexburg, Idaho Combined Statistical Area.

History

Taylor's Bridge, c.1870

Montana Trail origins

What became Idaho Falls was the site of Taylor’s Crossing on the Montana Trail which was a timber frame bridge built across the Snake River. The 1865 bridge was built by Matt Taylor who was a Montana Trail freighter who built a toll bridge across a narrow black basaltic gorge of the river that succeeded a ferry seven miles upstream by several years. Taylor’s bridge served the new tide of westward migration and travel in the region that followed the military suppression of Shoshone resistance at the Bear River Massacre near Preston, Idaho in 1863. The bridge improved travel for settlers moving north and west and also for miners, freighters, and others seeking riches in the gold fields of Idaho and Montana and especially the boom towns of Bannack and Virginia City in western Montana.

Eagle Rock

Utah & Northern Bridge, c.1880, looking north, or upriver, with railroad shops in background.

Idaho Falls on the Snake River with the Idaho Falls Idaho Temple in the background

Mail service postmarks indicate that by 1866 the emerging town had become known as Eagle Rock. The name was derived from an isolated basalt island in the Snake River, 7 miles (11 km) upstream at 43°36.112′N 112°3.528′W / 43.601867°N 112.058800°W / 43.601867; -112.058800 in the Snake River that was the nesting site for approximately twenty eagles. Previous to Taylor's bridge, in 1864, Harry Rickets built and operated a ferry at this location and so this area of crossing at the Snake River was already known as Eagle Rock to those who did business or that traveled on the Montana Trail. A private bank (the fourth in Idaho), a small hotel, a livery stable, and an eating house also developed at the bridge in 1865 along with the post office and a stage station.

There had been a few cattle and sheep ranchers in the area for years. In 1874 water rights were established on nearby Willow Creek and the first grain harvested. Settlement was sparse and consisted of only a couple of families and small irrigation ditches. The first child of European descent was born at Eagle Rock being delivered in 1874.

The winds of change arrived in the form of the Utah and Northern Railway (U&NR) that came north from Utah through Eagle Rock and crossed the Snake River at the same narrow gorge as the wooden bridge. The U&NR was building its road to the large new copper mines at Butte, Montana and had the backing of robber baron Jay Gould as Union Pacific Railroad had purchased the U&NR a few years prior. Grading crews reached Eagle Rock in late 1878 and by early 1879 a wild camp-town with dozens of tents and shanties moved to Eagle Rock with the typical collection of saloons, dancehalls, and gambling halls. The railroad company had 16 locomotives and 300 train cars working between Logan, Utah at the once quiet stage stop. A new iron railroad bridge was fabricated in Athens, Pennsylvania at a cost of $30,000 and was shipped, by rail, to the site and erected in April and May 1879. The bridge was 800 feet (240 m) long and in two spans with an island in the center. The camp-town moved on but Eagle Rock, the little town at the wooden bridge, now had regular train service and was the site of several of the railroad’s buildings, shops, and facilities which were expanding and completely transforming the town.

As soon as the railroad came through settlers began homesteading the Upper Snake River Valley. The first of the new settlers carved out homesteads to the north at Egin (near present-day Parker) and at Pooles Island (near present-day Menan). Large scale settlement ensued and in a decade there appeared roads, bridges, dams as well as irrigation canals which brought most of the Upper Snake River Valley under cultivation. In 1887, following the construction of the Oregon Short Line, most of the railroad facilities were removed to Pocatello where the new line branched off the U&NR but Eagle Rock was fast becoming the commercial center of an agricultural empire.

In 1891 the town voted to change its name to Idaho Falls, in reference to the rapids that existed below the bridge. Some years later, the construction of a retaining wall for a hydroelectric power plant enhanced the rapids into falls. In 1895 the largest irrigation canal in the world at that time, the Great Feeder, began diverting water from the Snake River and aided in converting tens of thousands of acres of desert into green farmland in the vicinity of Idaho Falls. The area grew sugar beets, potatoes, peas, grains, and alfalfa and became one of the most productive regions of the United States.

Nuclear reactors

This image of the SL-1 core served as a sober reminder of the death and damage that a nuclear meltdown can cause.

In 1949, the Atomic Energy Commission opened the National Reactor Testing Station in the desert west of the city, and on Dec. 20, 1951, a nuclear reactor produced useful electricity for the first time in history. There have been more than 50 unique nuclear reactors built at the facility for testing. All but three are shut down now.

The site was the scene of the only fatal nuclear reactor incident in U.S. history on the night of January 3, 1961. The event occurred at an experimental U.S. Army reactor plant known as the Argonne Low Power Reactor, which the Army called the Stationary Low-Power Reactor Number One (SL-1) once built. Due to poor design and maintenance procedures, a single control rod was manually pulled out too far from the reactor, causing the reactor to become prompt critical, and leading to a destructive power excursion. Three military, trained men had been working inside the reactor room when a mistake was made while reattaching a control rod to its motor assembly. With the central control rod nearly fully extended, the nuclear reactor rated at 3 MW rapidly increased power to 20 GW; this rapidly boiled the water inside the core. As the steam expanded, a pressure wave of water forcefully struck the top of the reactor vessel upon which 2 of the men stood. The explosion was so severe that the reactor vessel was propelled 9 feet into the air, striking the ceiling before settling back into its original position. One man was killed instantly as he was impaled by a shield plug and lodged into the ceiling. The other men died from their injuries within hours. The three men were buried in lead coffins, and that entire section of the site was buried. The core meltdown caused no damage to the area, although some radioactive fission products were released to the atmosphere. While nuclear reactors like SL-1 were predicted to have lower total costs than conventional systems, the Army program to build and use reactors of this kind was scrapped due to the higher initial procurement costs of nuclear reactors.

The Idaho National Laboratory, the University of Idaho, Idaho State University, Boise State University, and the University of Wyoming have labs, classrooms, offices, and other facilities just north of downtown. Among these partnerships is the Center for Advanced Energy Studies (CAES), shown here, which overlooks the Snake River.

The Idaho National Laboratory (INL), as it is now known, remains a major economic engine for the city of Idaho Falls, employing more than 8,000 people and functioning as an internationally renowned research center. INL operates and manages the world-famous Advanced Test Reactor (ATR).

Culture

Entrance to the Idaho Falls Tautphaus Park Zoo

Melaleuca Freedom Celebration 2014 - Brad Barlow

Idaho Falls has established itself as a regional cultural destination. The Willard Art Center, The Colonial Theatre and Civic Auditorium are home to year-round, diverse musical concerts, plays, and events. The greenbelt along the Snake River hosts many community events, such as the Melaleuca Freedom Celebration (on the Fourth of July), the Roaring Youth Jam, and the Farmers' Market.

The Museum of Idaho is a regional attraction which showcases local artifacts and history. It also brings in major traveling exhibits such as dinosaur bones, Gutenberg Bibles, Titanic remnants, and "Bodies: the Exhibition." Idaho Falls is the first city of its size to house the popular attraction.

Downtown Idaho Falls once struggled as the city expanded eastward, but it has been revitalized in recent years due to the efforts of local business owners, the City of Idaho Falls, and other organizations such as the Downtown Development Corporation and the Idaho Falls Chamber of Commerce. Today, it is home to a handful of locally owned shops, stores, restaurants, galleries, theaters, and future revitalization efforts.

The city attracts many tourists visiting nearby Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks, Jackson Hole, and the world-class fishing on the Snake River. Due to its proximity to so many outdoor destinations, Idaho Falls was recently named to National Geographic's list of "100 Best Adventure Towns".

Greenbelt

Snake River seen through trees along the greenbelt

Idaho Falls has an extensive greenbelt, or riverbelt, along miles of the Snake River, which flows through the center of the city. It is maintained by the City of Idaho Falls, and often receives donations and grants which allow for occasional expansion.

The Idaho Falls Redevelopment Agency with the approval of former mayor Jared Fuhriman expanded the greenbelt. This expansion increased the land that was used as well as adding additional parking at the river. This expansion added in a roundabout which improved traffic flow in the city around the greenbelt and the Idaho Falls Temple.

Neighborhoods

"A" Street, downtown

Notable Idaho Falls neighborhoods include:

• Historic Downtown - Downtown lies along the east side of the river between Memorial Drive (on the greenbelt) and Yellowstone Avenue. More eateries, wineries, shops, and art centers are popping up downtown each year. Many community events occur in and around downtown, particularly concerts, art shows, the renowned Fourth of July fireworks celebration, and a farmers' market on Saturday mornings.
• The Numbered Streets - The numbered streets area was the first planned neighborhood in Idaho Falls. The tree-lined streets run west and east between South Boulevard and Holmes Avenue. Traffic on the odd-numbered streets travels east, and west on the even-numbered streets. This area has recently become a desirable location because of the re-development of nearby Historic Downtown. Kate Curley Park is located in the neighborhood, as is the Wesley W. Deist Aquatic Center, and the Eleventh Street Historic District.
• West Side - Across the Snake River to the west, this area has more of a small-town feel, as it lacks the congestion and activity of the east side. The north portion of the west side was established in the 1960s with homes, and saw more overall growth up until the '80s. Today, the west side is expected to boom in population and commercial activity due to major developments such as Taylor Crossing and Snake River Landing, as well as the Areva uranium enrichment facility planned west of the city. The west side also houses Idaho Falls Regional Airport as well as the entirety of I-15's brief jaunt through the city.

Geography and climate

The elevation of Idaho Falls is 4,700 feet (1,400 m).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 22.80 square miles (59.05 km²), of which, 22.35 square miles (57.89 km²) is land and 0.45 square miles (1.17 km²) is water.

Tornadoes are rare, though a F2 tornado did hit the Idaho Falls area on April 7, 1978 causing between 500,000 and 5 million dollars in damage.

Demographics

2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 56,813 people, 21,203 households, and 14,510 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,542.0 inhabitants per square mile (981.5/km²). There were 22,977 housing units at an average density of 1,028.1 per square mile (397.0/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 89.3% White, 0.7% African American, 1.0% Native American, 1.0% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 5.6% from other races, and 2.3% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 12.9% of the population.

There were 21,203 households, of which 37.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.4% were married couples living together, 11.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.7% had a male householder with no wife present, and 31.6% were non-families. 26.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.63 and the average family size was 3.20.

The median age in the city was 32.2 years. 29.3% of residents were under the age of 18; 9.2% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 26.5% were from 25 to 44; 23.4% were from 45 to 64; and 11.8% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 49.5% male and 50.5% female.

Sister city

Idaho Falls has a sister city, as designated by Sister Cities International:

• Tokai, Ibaraki, Japan

Gallery

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  Fountain and sculpture on Utah Street in Idaho Falls

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  Geese on falls wall Idaho Falls

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  Idaho State Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Freeman Park

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  War Memorial close-up

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  Sculpture of Snake River Fur Trapper by Roy Reynolds on the bank of the Snake River (on the greenbelt) in Idaho Falls

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  Idaho Falls Library; sculpture by Marilyn Hoff Hansen dedicated to Wilson Rawls, author of Where the Red Fern Grows

Economy

Idaho Falls serves as a regional hub for health care, travel, and business in eastern Idaho.

The community's economy was mostly agriculturally focused until the opening of the National Reactor Testing Station in the desert west of Idaho Falls in 1949. The city subsequently became largely dependent on high-income jobs from the Idaho National Laboratory (INL), known locally simply as "The Site." Since the 1990s, the city has added a significant retail, entertainment, and restaurant sector, as well as a regional medical center.

Idaho Falls was named by Business Week on the 2010 list of "Best Places to Raise Kids". Forbes.com selected Idaho Falls as one of the "2010 Best Small Places for Business & Careers". Money.CNN.com included Idaho Falls as one of their "Top 100 Cities in 2010".

Idaho Falls hosts the headquarters of the United Potato Growers of Idaho and District 7 of the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare. It is the home to several small-to-medium-sized national corporations such as North Wind, Inc. and multi-level marketing company Melaleuca, Inc.

The median home price in Idaho Falls was $224,800 in January 2007.

Idaho Falls, Idaho / U.S. average:

• Area population 122,995 / 647,500
• Median home price $224,800 / $235,000
• Cost-of-living index 99.8 / 100.0
• Unemployment rate 2.7% / 4.6%
• Job growth—5 years 18.84% / 4.90%
• Job growth—1 year 2.74% / 1.66%
• Median household income $47,719 / $46,326

Education

Higher education

Idaho Falls is home to a few higher education options, including College of Eastern Idaho. Originally established in 1969 as a vocational-technical college named Eastern Idaho Technical College, voters approved a measure in May 2017 to transition EITC into Eastern Idaho's only community college. Stevens-Henager College and University of Phoenix have also opened local resource centers in order to aid students in online degree programs.

A unique satellite campus called University Place features dual enrollment for students in both Pocatello-based Idaho State University and Moscow-based University of Idaho. Students generally earn core classes at University Place and then transfer to ISU's or UI's main campus to finish their degrees. However, a few dozen degree programs, both undergraduate and graduate, are fully offered at University Place. The campus also boasts high-tech facilities such as the Center for Advanced Energy Studies (CAES). CAES is run by a partnership of Idaho's three research universities (UI, ISU, Boise State) and Idaho National Laboratory (INL).

Primary and secondary education

Hillcrest High School

Idaho Falls is served by Idaho Falls School District #91 and Bonneville Joint School District #93. District #91 covers the majority of urban Idaho Falls and a small portion of Bonneville County west of the city. District #93 covers minimal parts of eastern Idaho Falls, and the remainder of Bonneville County with the exception of some remote areas that have independent elementary districts. All middle and high school students are transported into District #93 secondary schools.

Idaho Falls is home to eight public high schools, four public middle schools, and 26 public elementary schools. It is also served by four public charter schools and three private schools.

Public high schools (9-12)

• Bonneville High School
• Hillcrest High School
• Idaho Falls High School
• Skyline High School
• Thunder Ridge High School
• Compass Academy
• Emerson High School
• Lincoln High School

Each fall, the varsity football teams of Idaho Falls and Skyline compete in a rival football game called the Emotion Bowl. Each year, after the game, the winning team and its fans traditionally paint the goalposts of the stadium in their school colors (orange for Idaho Falls and blue for Skyline). Bonneville and Hillcrest participate in a similar event known as the Civil War.

Notable people

• Chandler Brossard - beat novelist, author of Who Walk in Darkness
• Gregory C. Carr - telecommunications entrepreneur and philanthropist; head of Gorongosa National Park restoration in Mozambique
• Steven E. Carr - only American ever elected to Standing Commission of International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, organization's highest governing body worldwide
• Barzilla W. Clark - Governor of Idaho 1937–1939. Mayor of Idaho Falls 1913–15, 1926–36
• Mike Crapo - U.S. Senator (R-ID), serving since 1998
• Dame Darcy - avant-garde cartoonist and author of Meatcake
• Jared Gold - fashion designer, featured on America's Next Top Model
• Gregg Hale - guitar player for multi-platinum selling British band Spiritualized
• Mary Kornman - actress, best known for Our Gang comedies
• Rachel Martin - NPR journalist, host of Morning Edition
• Janice McGeachin - lieutenant-governor of Idaho 2019–present
• Edgar Miller - designer and artist
• Yo Murphy - former CFL/NFL wide receiver; played at Idaho Falls High School
• Ryan Nelson - federal judge, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit (2018–present)
• Martha Raddatz - ABC News Chief Global Affairs Correspondent, recipient of 4 Emmy Awards
• Wilson Rawls - author of Where the Red Fern Grows and Summer of the Monkeys
• Brandi Sherwood - Miss Idaho Teen USA 1989, Miss Teen USA 1989, Miss Idaho USA 1997, Miss USA 1997 (succeeded)
• John L. Smith - head football coach at Michigan State, Louisville, Utah State, Idaho, and Arkansas
• Frank L. VanderSloot - businessman, owner of Melaleuca Inc., a home-goods/health-product marketing company; national finance co-chair for Mitt Romney's 2012 presidential campaign

Images for kids

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  "Falls" on the Snake River

See also

In Spanish: Idaho Falls para niños