At the 2010 Census, 84.0% of the population was non-Hispanic White, 0.6% non-Hispanic Black or African American, 1.1% non-Hispanic American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2% non-Hispanic Asian, 0.1% non-Hispanic Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander, 0.1% from some other race (non-Hispanic) and 1.7% of two or more races (non-Hispanic). 11.2% of Idaho’s population was of Hispanic, Latino, or Spanish origin (they may be of any race).
As of 2005, Idaho has an estimated population of 1,429,096, which is an increase of 33,956, or 2.4%, from the prior year and an increase of 135,140, or 10.4%, since the year 2000. This includes a natural increase since the last census of 58,884 people (that is 111,131 births minus 52,247 deaths) and an increase due to net migration of 75,795 people into the state. There are large numbers of Americans of English and German ancestry in Idaho. Immigration from outside the United States resulted in a net increase of 14,522 people, and migration within the country produced a net increase of 61,273 people.
This made Idaho the sixth fastest-growing state after Arizona, Nevada, Florida, Georgia, and Utah. From 2004 to 2005, Idaho grew the third-fastest, surpassed only by Nevada and Arizona.
Nampa, the state’s second largest city, has experienced particularly strong growth in recent years. According to census estimates Nampa has grown 22.1% to nearly 65,000 residents between 2000 and 2003. As of 2007, the population in Nampa was estimated at 84,000. Growth of 5% or more over the same period has also been observed in Caldwell, Coeur d’Alene, Meridian, Post Falls and Twin Falls.[23]
Since 1990, Idaho’s population has increased by 386,000 (38%).
The Boise Metropolitan Area (officially known as the Boise City-Nampa, ID Metropolitan Statistical Area) is Idaho’s largest metropolitan area. Other metropolitan areas in order of size are Coeur d’Alene, Idaho Falls, Pocatello and Lewiston.
As of 2006, six official micropolitan statistical areas are based in Idaho. Twin Falls is the largest of these.
The center of population of Idaho is located in Custer County, in the town of Stanley.[24]
The most common reported ancestries in the state are: German (18.9%), English (18.1%), Irish (10%), American (8.4%), Norwegian (3.6%), and Swedish(3.5%).
Religion
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Idaho Falls Temple.
According to a report produced by the Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life the self-identified religious affiliations of Idahoans over the age of 18 as of 2008 are:[25]
| Denomination | % |
|---|---|
| Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints | 23 |
| Evangelical Protestant | 22 |
| Catholic | 18 |
| Unaffiliated | 18 |
| Mainline Protestant | 16 |
| Other Faiths | 2 |
| Jehovah’s Witness | 1 |
| Eastern Orthodox | <0.5 |
| Other Christian | <0.5 |
| Jewish | <0.5 |
| Muslim | <0.5 |
| Buddhist | <0.5 |
| Hindu | <0.5 |
| Other World | <0.5 |
| Don’t know/refused | <0.5 |
The largest denominations by number of members in 2000 were The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints with 311,425; (2008: 406,764) theRoman Catholic Church with 130,847; the Assemblies of God with 18,745; and the United Methodist Church with 17,683.[26]
