Gem County Public RecordsIdaho

As of the 2020 Census, Gem County, Idaho, had a population of approximately 19,123. The median age was 43.2 years, with about 50.1% female and 49.9% male. The racial/ethnic breakdown was 91.2% White, 0.3% Black or African American, 1.4% Native American, 0.6% Asian, and 8.2% Hispanic or Latino of any race. The county’s population has seen steady growth over the last decade, reflecting a predominantly older, largely white, and slightly more female demographic profile.

Gem County, Idaho, had 12,082 registered voters as of 2022. The county holds primary, general, and local elections, with recent turnout at 67% in the 2022 general election. Republicans dominate, with over 75% of votes in most races; Democrats typically get under 20%. Major polling locations include Emmett Middle School and Gem County Fairgrounds. Key issues are property taxes, growth, and water rights. Elections are administered by the Gem County Clerk. Party affiliation heavily skews Republican, and independent voters make up about 17%.

Gem County, Idaho, has 11 public schools serving roughly 3,700 students, including Emmett High School. About 88% of adults hold a high school diploma, while 15% have a bachelor’s degree or higher. Emmett High’s graduation rate is approximately 90%, and its average SAT score is around 950. School safety initiatives and anti-bullying programs are in place, contributing to lower-than-average incident reports. The county also offers adult education and GED programs. Educational pathways include vocational, AP, and extracurricular programs to enhance student outcomes.

Gem County, Idaho, had an unemployment rate of approximately 3.2% as of early 2024. Major employment sectors include education and health services (21%), trade, transportation, and utilities (20%), and manufacturing (14%). The majority of workers are employed in management, business, science, and arts occupations (30%), followed by sales and office occupations (22%). Around 73% of residents commute by car, with a mean travel time of 29 minutes, and about 23% work outside the county, primarily in Ada County, including Boise.

Gem County, Idaho, has a homeownership rate of about 78%, higher than the national average, with a median home value around $340,000 as of 2023. Rentals comprise roughly 22% of housing, with median rents near $1,125/month. Housing types are primarily single-family homes, with some mobile homes and a limited number of apartments. Neighborhoods like Emmett and Letha offer rural and small-town settings. Property values have risen steadily, up nearly 10% year-over-year since 2020. The county property tax rate is approximately 0.7%, making local taxes moderate compared to other Idaho counties.

Gem County, Idaho, maintains lower crime rates compared to national averages. In 2022, reported property crimes totaled 160 incidents (rate: 10.5 per 1,000 residents), while violent crimes were notably low at 24 incidents (rate: 1.6 per 1,000 residents). The Gem County Sheriff’s Office actively encourages community reporting, which helps maintain safety and transparency. Overall, residents experience a strong sense of safety, with law enforcement continually working to reduce crime further through community programs and regular crime rate monitoring.