Idaho Falls
RANK #329 / 996 NAT · POP 124,490
1YR FORECAST: +1.8%
5YR OUTLOOK: +28%
The city of Idaho Falls, the county seat and largest city in Bonneville County, is known for its scenic River Walk along the Snake River, featuring waterfalls created by a hydroelectric dam. Located in eastern Idaho, Bonneville County is approximately 45 miles west of Irwin and 28 miles west of Rexburg. The community offers a blend of urban amenities in Idaho Falls and access to extensive natural landscapes, including mountains less than an hour away. Outdoor recreation is a significant draw, with opportunities for boating, camping, fishing, and snowmobiling, particularly around the Ririe Reservoir. Life in Bonneville County appeals to families and young professionals, with a high homeownership rate. Public schools in the county are generally above average, including institutions like White Pine Charter School and Alturas Preparatory Academy. The local economy is experiencing growth, particularly in sectors like construction, business, and financial services. Major investments are also flowing into data centers and energy generation projects, with the Idaho National Laboratory being a key driver of economic activity and higher per capita income compared to the state average.
Above national median (4.7x)
Well below national median
Moderate climate & terrain
Above national median (13x)
Housing is fairly valued at 5.2x relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Source: CDC/NCHS vital statistics via County Health Rankings (2020–2022 avg). Rates per 100,000 population. Grade based on homicide rate relative to national average (~6.3). Learn more →
Source: EPA Air Quality System (2021–2023). Grade based on 3-year average median AQI. Learn about AQI →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Deep Atomic INL Data Center
Deep Atomic
|
$600M | Planned |
|
Arco Wind and Solar Project
Berkshire Hathaway (owner), PacifiCorp (operator)
|
$359M | Planned |
|
Amazon Delivery Station (W1D1)
Amazon
|
$50M | Operating |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
With a Boom Town Index score of 67/100, Bonneville County sits in the upper half of all 996 ranked counties. and median household income stands at $73,103 — indicators that suggest solid fundamentals even if it's not among the fastest-growing counties in ID.
Housing in Bonneville County is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $288,300 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.25, with rents averaging $971/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
Bonneville County's population is growing — up +2.2% YoY — while the job market is roughly flat (employment change of -0.9%). Home values shifted +0.6% over the past year. In-migration is outpacing local hiring, which often points to remote workers or retirees driving the headcount.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 2.73% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Bonneville County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.