Lemhi County is a county located in the U.S. state of Idaho. The county was established in 1869. It was named after Fort Lemhi. As of the 2000 Census the county had a population of 7,806 (2005 estimate: 7,909) The county seat is Salmon.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 4,570 square miles (11,835 km²), of which, 4,564 square miles (11,821 km²) of it is land and 5 square miles (14 km²) of it (0.12%) is water. The highest point is Scott Peak at 11,393 feet.

Adjacent counties

• Idaho County, Idaho - (west 1)
• Valley County, Idaho - (west 2)
• Custer County, Idaho - (south 1)
• Butte County, Idaho - (south 2)
• Clark County, Idaho - (east)
• Beaverhead County, Montana - (north, northeast)
• Ravalli County, Montana - (north)

National protected areas

• Challis National Forest (part)
• Salmon National Forest (part)
• Targhee National Forest (part)

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 7,806 people, 3,275 households, and 2,217 families residing in the county. The population density was 2 people per square mile (1/km²). There were 4,154 housing units at an average density of 1 per square mile (0/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 96.63% White, 0.10% Black or African American, 0.60% Native American, 0.18% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.77% from other races, and 1.68% from two or more races. 2.18% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 19.5% were of German, 18.0% English, 11.4% American and 6.5% Irish ancestry according to Census 2000.

There were 3,275 households out of which 28.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.80% were married couples living together, 6.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.30% were non-families. 27.70% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.40% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.38 and the average family size was 2.91.

In the county the population was spread out with 25.50% under the age of 18, 5.50% from 18 to 24, 22.70% from 25 to 44, 29.50% from 45 to 64, and 16.80% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females there were 99.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.50 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $30,185, and the median income for a family was $35,261. Males had a median income of $30,558 versus $18,289 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,037. About 10.60% of families and 15.30% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.80% of those under age 18 and 10.30% of those age 65 or over.

Cities and towns

• Leadore
• Salmon

Unincorporated communities

• Cobalt
• North Fork

References