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44-617: The counties of Blaine , Butte , Camas , Custer , and Lemhi are included in the region. The southern Central Idaho region — particularly Blaine and Camas counties — is also known as the Wood River Valley after the Big Wood River . Blaine and Camas counties are also considered to be part of the Magic Valley region of Southern Idaho. In the 2020 Census , the five county region had a combined population of 40,172 people; only 2.1% of

88-503: A 6.5 earthquake struck the area, with its epicenter originating in central Idaho. A similar earthquake in 1983 also originated in Central Idaho, with a moment magnitude of 6.9. Most residents of the area continue to value the historical importance of industry and natural resources of the area. Residents and visitors participate in recreation; namely hiking , backpacking , mountain biking , white water rafting , and kayaking in

132-484: A 33.2% margin over John McCain , while McCain won statewide by a 25.3% margin. It was one of three counties ( Latah , Teton ) in Idaho won by Obama in 2008, and by far the highest margin. In  2020 , Joe Biden defeated incumbent Donald Trump in the county by 36.8 percentage points, with his 67.1% vote share being the highest for any Democrat since 1900 . Obama also carried Blaine County in 2012 with 58.8 percent of

176-462: A household in the county was $ 50,496, and the median income for a family was $ 60,037. Males had a median income of $ 35,949 versus $ 27,487 for females. The per capita income for the county was $ 31,346. About 4.90% of families and 7.80% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.80% of those under age 18 and 5.30% of those age 65 or over. As of the 2010 United States Census , there were 21,376 people, 8,823 households, and 5,575 families in

220-495: A large part of Central Idaho's backcountry , fish, and game from urban sprawl and land division. Today, herding continues to be a core part of the area, as well as recreation. The area remains sparsely populated, as the mountainous terrain, aforementioned environmental protections, and lack of infrastructure provide barriers to excessive human development. Central Idaho has also been the origin site of multiple earthquakes , due to its high geological activity . On March 31, 2020,

264-538: A member of the Idaho House of Representatives and a former minority leader of that body, both live in Ketchum. According to the U.S. Census Bureau , the county has a total area of 2,661 square miles (6,890 km ), of which 2,644 square miles (6,850 km ) is land and 17 square miles (44 km ) (0.6%) is water. As of the 2000 United States Census , there were 18,991 people, 7,780 households, and 4,839 families in

308-549: A population shift from Rocky Bar – which would eventually become a ghost town – to the Wood River Valley. The Blaine County boundaries described in its 1895 creation ordinance contained lands that soon were partitioned off to form other counties. Only thirteen days after the official formation date of Blaine, Lincoln County was formed from the county. Lincoln itself was later partitioned to create Gooding (1913), Minidoka (1913), and Jerome (1919) counties. Blaine County

352-545: A primitive and unconfined type of recreation; (3) has at least five thousand acres of land or is of sufficient size as to make practicable its preservation and use in an unimpaired condition; and (4) may also contain ecological, geological, or other features of scientific, educational, scenic, or historical value. Wilderness lands within US national parks are a subset of all backcountry lands. Wilderness and backcountry lands also exist outside of US national parks on public lands managed by

396-422: A reputation as a Democratic Party enclave in strongly Republican Idaho. The Democratic presidential candidate has won the county in every election since; that year, incumbent George H. W. Bush finished third behind Bill Clinton and Ross Perot . In  2000 and 2004 , Blaine was the only Idaho county carried by Al Gore and John Kerry , respectively. Barack Obama carried the county in 2008 by

440-591: A western portion was partitioned off to form Camas County . Blaine County is part of the Hailey, ID Micropolitan Statistical Area . The Wood River Valley in present-day Blaine County was organized as part of Alturas County by the Idaho Territorial Legislature in 1864. By the 1880s the valley supported a thriving mining commerce; in 1882 the county seat of Alturas County was moved from Rocky Bar in present-day Elmore County to Hailey, in response to

484-474: A whole in every election going back to 1924 . Similar to other Idaho counties, an elected three-member county commission heads the county government. Other elected officials include clerk , treasurer, sheriff , assessor , and prosecutor . In 2006, Blaine County voted 66.3% against HJR 2, which amended the Idaho Constitution to outlaw same-sex marriage in Idaho ; the measure passed with 63.4% of

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528-573: Is a county in the U.S. state of Idaho . As of the 2020 United States Census , the population was 24,272. The county seat and largest city is Hailey . It is also home to the Sun Valley ski resort , adjacent to Ketchum . Blaine County was created by the territorial legislature on March 5, 1895, by combining Alturas and Logan counties; it was named for former congressman and 1884 Republican presidential nominee James G. Blaine . Its present boundaries were set on February 8, 1917, when

572-519: Is buried in the Ketchum Cemetery. Celebrities who have lived in Blaine County include Adam West , Demi Moore , and John Kerry . Most Blaine County residents live in the Wood River Valley along State Highway 75 in the western half of the county. This area includes all of the county's incorporated cities and towns except Carey , which is located in the south-central part of the county at

616-458: Is in the catchment area, but not the taxation zone, for College of Southern Idaho. In 1993, it was not common for residents of the rural Yale area to read newspapers that are published in the county, and as a consequence many of them were not informed about changes in taxation that affected them. Blaine County hosts Wagon Days, Trailing of the Sheep Festival, Sun Valley Harvest Festival, and

660-658: The Northern Shoshone , Bannock , and Northern Paiute peoples, where the cycle of sockeye salmon runs sustained the Native American population. As colonization and expansion of the United States progressed into the western region of the continent, these tribes were forcefully removed from their homes in the late-1800's; despite this, traditional hunting and harvesting continued in parts of the Sawtooths . After removal of

704-604: The U.S. Forest Service , who did not want to lose their administration rights to the National Park Service . Meanwhile, Arco, Idaho became the first city in the United States to have its entire power supply generated from nuclear power . On July 17, 1955, electricity produced from an experimental nuclear reactor at the Argonne National Laboratory (now the Idaho National Laboratory ), supplied

748-682: The national parks of New Zealand or other natural phenomena, if they intend to pass over backcountry. Hunters can ask for permission from farmers to hunt in their backcountry. Backcountry in Australia Backcountry is generally only used for mountainous areas where snow falls in Australia, whereas other remote areas are usually called "the bush" which can cover both national park areas and farming areas. Australian Hiker The backcountry may contain many hazards including rough terrain, life-threatening weather, avalanches , and wild animals. In

792-465: The Greater Central Idaho area. With more than 80 vendors, numerous photographers , painters , potters , jewelers , crocheters and macrame artists are present at the festival. Live music, as well as food and beverage are available as well. 44°24′N 114°05′W  /  44.400°N 114.083°W  / 44.400; -114.083 Blaine County, Idaho Blaine County

836-557: The National Wilderness Preservation System or any other area that has been determined to possess the characteristics of wilderness as defined by Section 2(c) of the Wilderness Act". Section 2(c) states in part that wilderness: (1) generally appears to have been affected primarily by the forces of nature, with the imprint of man's work substantially unnoticeable; (2) has outstanding opportunities for solitude or

880-608: The Stanley Museum in Stanley every August, commemorates the spawning of salmon in the Salmon River with live entertainment, educational tours and presentations, vendors, and food and drink. The Sawtooth Festival , created in 2021, held in July, and also located in Stanley, aims to raise money and promote business and community through the selling of arts and crafts by artisans of Stanley and

924-637: The Sun Valley for the Arts Wine Auction, among other events. The Blaine County Fair is an annual summer event. 43°23′N 113°59′W  /  43.39°N 113.98°W  / 43.39; -113.98 Backcountry In geography , a backcountry , back country or backwater is a geographical area that is remote , undeveloped , isolated , or difficult to access . These areas are typically rural or mountainous and sparsely populated . The National Park Service (NPS) generally uses

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968-660: The US Forest Service, the Bureau of Land Management, and the US Fish and Wildlife Service. In New Zealand , "backcountry" often refers to land that is not accessible by public access. For example, it is common for a farmer to have some remote parts of their land left in scrubland or forest. This is often adjacent to other areas of backcountry which are yet to be developed or protected from development. Trampers and other explorers sometimes need to get farmers' permission to access parts of

1012-538: The administrative rights with the Forest Service. While this idea was being developed, the American Smelting and Refining Company , or ASARCO, was investigating a possible molybdenum extraction site in the area, which was met with vehement opposition from citizens of Idaho. After much debate, a large part of Central Idaho was deemed as under protection and conservation with the 1972 Sawtooth NRA Act, which protects

1056-529: The city of Shoshone in neighboring Lincoln County . It is estimated that 2,540 people from outside the county commute to work in Blaine County. A portion of Blaine County, the "Yale" area, forms a political peninsula. Douglas S. Jones of the Mini-Cassia News Service wrote that access to a Union Pacific railroad line, and therefore getting tax money from it, is likely why the county wanted that strip of land. Since 1992 , Blaine County has gained

1100-613: The county is administered by the Blaine County School District 61 . The school district covers the entire county. There are three district-operated public schools in the county that have high school divisions: Wood River High School in Hailey, Carey School in Carey , and Silver Creek High School in Hailey. Syringa Mountain School is the first charter school to be approved in Blaine County; it opened in 2014. Students living in

1144-435: The county. The population density was 8.1 inhabitants per square mile (3.1/km ). There were 15,050 housing units at an average density of 5.7 units per square mile (2.2 units/km ). The racial makeup of the county was 84.9% white, 0.9% Asian, 0.6% American Indian, 0.2% black or African American, 0.1% Pacific islander, 11.8% from other races, and 1.5% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 20.0% of

1188-414: The county. The population density was 7 people per square mile (2.7 people/km ). There were 12,186 housing units at an average density of 5 units per square mile (1.9 units/km ). The racial makeup of the county was 90.73% White , 0.13% Black or African American , 0.33% Native American , 0.73% Asian , 0.07% Pacific Islander , 6.43% from other races , and 1.57% from two or more races. 10.69% of

1232-488: The early 20th-century. The Central Idaho area, while being used for industry , was also used for recreational activities, such as camping , fishing , and hunting . Proposals were made in the early-1900's to establish a Sawtooth National Park in the area, but this idea was blocked by the start of World War I . The idea was later reproposed by Idaho U.S. Senator James Pope during the interwar period in 1935, but met opposition from industry leaders and companies, as well as

1276-403: The entire city's population of 1,200 electricity for more than an hour, becoming the first city in the United States to be entirely sustained by nuclear power for its electrical demands. 25 years after Pope's proposal, in 1960, Frank Church , another U.S. Senator from Idaho, began to launch efforts to protect the area, which resulted in a proposal of a "National Recreation Area," which would keep

1320-587: The entire state's population. Camas, Butte, and Custer counties are among the least populated in the state, each having less than 5,000 residents; Butte County lost 10.43% of its population in the last decade according to a 2024 estimate, making Central Idaho one of, if not the least populated area in Idaho. The largest city in the area is the town of Hailey located in Blaine County, with a population of 8,689. Other notable cities include Stanley , Challis , Salmon , Fairfield , and Arco . The area of Central Idaho has been inhabited since at least 12,000 years ago by

1364-436: The historical value of more than 150 years sheepherding as well as the rich culture that sheepherding immigrants brought to the area. At the festival activities include classes on cooking lamb, wool working, and stories of shepherding, as well as demonstrations of herding by dogs and shepherds through courses and a parade of sheep walking through downtown Ketchum. The Sawtooth Salmon Festival , established in 2000, and held at

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1408-484: The junction of US 20 with US 26 / 93 . The county's gerrymandered southeastern panhandle , known locally as the Yale area, is sparsely populated. As the home of a major ski resort , Blaine County has a higher cost of living than surrounding areas; the median value of its owner-occupied housing units is more than double the state average. As a result, many who work in Blaine County live in outlying areas, particularly in

1452-403: The natives, Idaho developed an economy that relied on agriculture, lumber, and mining. Silver mining became extensively popular in the area. Towards the end of the 19th-century, sheepherding became popular with Basque , Peruvian , and Scottish immigrants , and replaced silver extraction as the area's core economic basis. Sheepherders in the area maintained over 300,000 individual sheep in

1496-464: The population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 17.0% were of English , 14.6% German , 10.8% Irish and 6.2% American ancestry. There were 7,780 households, out of which 31.90% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.20% were married couples living together, 7.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.80% were non-families. 27.30% of all households were made up of individuals, and 5.50% had someone living alone who

1540-420: The population. In terms of ancestry, 24.1% were German , 18.8% were English , 11.4% were Irish , and 7.9% were American . Of the 8,823 households, 32.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.8% were married couples living together, 7.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 36.8% were non-families, and 28.7% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size

1584-676: The rural Yale area in the county's southeastern panhandle are sent to schools in neighboring Minidoka County , operated by the Minidoka County School District . The Blaine district pays money to the Minidoka district to send the Yale students to Minidoka schools. Private schools include Community School in Sun Valley and The Sage School in Hailey. The College of Southern Idaho , a community college based in Twin Falls , operates an off-campus outreach center in Hailey. The county

1628-628: The statewide vote. Latah County , ( Moscow , home of the University of Idaho ), was the only other county where the measure failed. Until the 2021 redistricting cycle, Blaine County at the state level was located in Legislative District 25, with an all-Democratic delegation in the Idaho Legislature . Michelle Stennett , a former minority leader of the Idaho Senate , and Wendy Jaquet ,

1672-481: The summer, and skiing , snowboarding , snowshoeing , and hot spring tourism in the winter. Hunting, fishing, trapping, and camping also occur in the area. Ghost towns are an important marker of culture in Central Idaho. Bayhorse, Idaho is a ghost town located in Custer County. Originally opened as a gold mine, then converted into a silver mine, the town gradually became abandoned as silver prices fell. The city

1716-498: The term "backcountry" to refer to "primitive, undeveloped portions of parks". Developments within backcountry areas are generally limited to trails, unpaved roads, and administrative facilities associated with dispersed recreational use. Dispersed recreational use is the most prevalent human use in backcountry areas, although research activities may also occur. The NPS defines wilderness within US national parks as any "backcountry areas which have been specifically designated as part of

1760-489: The vote, compared to Mitt Romney 's 38.7 percent. Blaine County was the only Idaho county in which Obama received over 50 percent of the vote, although he also carried Latah County with 49.6 percent of the vote. From 1968 through 1988 , a less populated Blaine County was won by the Republican candidate in all six presidential elections, as was the state of Idaho, although even then the county voted more Democratic than Idaho as

1804-488: Was 2.39 and the average family size was 2.99. The median age was 40.4 years. The median income for a household in the county was $ 61,854 and the median income for a family was $ 73,929. Males had a median income of $ 48,036 versus $ 37,603 for females. The per capita income for the county was $ 32,656. About 4.9% of families and 9.3% of the population were below the poverty line , including 10.9% of those under age 18 and 8.2% of those age 65 or over. All but one public school in

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1848-439: Was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.40 and the average family size was 2.96. The county population contained 24.00% under the age of 18, 7.70% from 18 to 24, 32.60% from 25 to 44, 27.90% from 45 to 64, and 7.80% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 107.90 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 106.80 males. The median income for

1892-502: Was further reduced in 1917 when Camas County was formed. The strong mining economy of the 1880s had substantially declined by 1890, when Idaho Territory became a state. The county began to recast itself as a tourism destination in 1936 with the opening of the Sun Valley resort, originally owned by the Union Pacific Railroad . The area soon attracted celebrity visitors, and later residents, most notably Ernest Hemingway , who

1936-545: Was placed on the National Register of Historic Places , and was purchased by the state for public enjoyment. Another ghost town, Shoup, Idaho , celebrates the mining history of the area through historical preservation of the gravity-fed gas pumps and general store, as well as other historical buildings in the area that once fed the mining town. The Trailing of the Sheep Festival in Ketchum, Idaho , started in 1996, celebrates

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