Idaho Demographics 2026
Population 1.9M — R+28 state. How the composition of Idaho's electorate shapes its consistent partisan outcomes.
Key Demographic Indicators
| Indicator | Idaho | National Avg | Political Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| White Non-Hispanic | 82% | 59% | Varies by state |
| Hispanic / Latino | 12% | 19% | Growing D lean nationally |
| Black / African American | 1% | 13% | D+75 to D+85 nationally |
| Asian American | 2% | 6% | D+40 to D+60 nationally |
| College-educated adults | 29% | 33% | Strongly D post-2016 |
| Urban population | 67% | 83% | More urban = more D |
| Median household income | $60,999 | $74,580 | Economic anxiety driver |
Demographic Analysis
Idaho's fastest-growing demographic is tech workers relocating from California and Washington, concentrated in the Boise metro. This Californication effect has nudged Ada County (Boise) leftward but has not yet changed statewide outcomes. LDS membership runs approximately 25% of the population, representing a dominant cultural-political force in eastern and southern Idaho.
In presidential elections, Idaho's demographic composition produces consistent R+28 outcomes. The state's Mountain West character, economic base in Agriculture, Technology (Micron/semiconductor), Mining, Timber, and urban-rural split all reinforce this partisan pattern heading into 2026.
