The southwestern Idaho communities of Star, Meridian and Kuna were the three fastest-growing cities in Idaho from 2005-2006, according to numbers released today by the U.S. Census Bureau. This follows an announcement earlier this year that Idaho’s population grew by 37,098 or 2.6 percent between 2005 and 2006, making it the third fastest-growing state in the nation.
Star’s population increased by 1,225 residents — 44.2 percent — to 3,995. Meridian’s population saw a 14.2 percent increase of 7,448 to 59,832 residents, and in Kuna, the population grew 13.2 percent increasing the population by 1,342 to 11,510.
Yet despite the strong growth, estimates show the population increased in only 102 of Idaho’s 200 cities during that period, while 14 held steady and 84 cities lost residents. Most lost fewer than 20.
Three cities — Soda Springs, Garden City and Boise — lost more than 50 residents. Soda Springs’ population fell by 62 or 1.9 percent to 3,177. Boise, Idaho’s capitol city, lost 647 residents, and Garden City’s population saw a decrease of 83. Despite the decrease, Boise is the 102nd largest city by population in the United States.
Other communities in the Boise metropolitan area that grew quickly include Middleton — 8.5 percent, Caldwell — 7.1 percent, Eagle — 6.1 percent and Nampa — 5.4 percent.
In eastern Idaho, Ammon was the state’s fourth fastest-growing city, with a population increase of 1,189 or 10.9 percent to 12,065. Ucon, located near Idaho Falls, saw an increase of 53 people — 5.2 percent — to 1,066.
Victor and Driggs in Teton County also saw population increases. Victor‘s population increased by 75 or 5.4 percent to 1,454, while Driggs’ increased by 51 residents to 1,253.
In south central Idaho, Twin Falls’ population grew by 1,606 to 40,380 residents, while Filer saw a 5.7 percent increase of 101 residents for a total of 1,880.
In central Idaho, Tamarack Resort has attracted many new residents to Valley County in the last three years. Between 2005 and 2006, McCall’s population grew by 159 or 6.6 percent to 2,567.
In northern Idaho, Kootenai County continues to attract many new residents. Its fastest-growing cities include Rathdrum, which saw a 9.7 percent increase of 559 people, Spirit Lake, which increased by 108 people or 7.1 percent and Post Falls, which grew by 1,190 people or 5.1 percent.
Idaho’s Largest Cities
About 68 percent of Idahoans live in one of the state’s 200 incorporated cities and about 45 percent live in one of the state’s 12 largest cities, which include Boise, Nampa, Meridian, Pocatello, Idaho Falls, Coeur d’Alene, Twin Falls, Caldwell, Lewiston, Rexburg, Post Falls and Moscow.
See Population Table for the 2005-2006 population estimates by city. The 12 largest cities are highlighted in black boxes.