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Moving to Basalt, Idaho

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Basalt, Idaho is a small city located in the south-central region of the state. It is nestled between the rolling hills of the Snake River Valley and the picturesque mountains of the Sawtooth National Forest. The city has a semi-arid climate with hot summers, cold winters, and low precipitation throughout the year.

The history of Basalt dates back to 1868 when it was founded as a farming community. Since then, it has become an important hub for industry, trade, and commerce in south-central Idaho. The city is home to many businesses and industries that provide jobs and economic stability to the local population.

Politically, Basalt is part of Twin Falls County and represented in Idaho’s state legislature by two representatives from District 25. The city also hosts several local events such as Basalt Days which celebrate its rich culture and history through parades, concerts, and other activities.

Basalt offers excellent educational opportunities for its residents with several public schools including an elementary school, middle school, high school, charter school, and vocational college. Additionally there are a few private schools in the area that provide quality education options for families living in Basalt or surrounding areas.

Basalt has several landmarks that are popular with tourists visiting from all over Idaho including Blue Lakes National Park which features stunning views of mountainside lakes surrounded by pine forests; City Hall which serves as an iconic symbol of Basalt’s government; and Big Rock Park which offers trails for hiking and biking along with picnic areas for outdoor recreation.

Population: 419. Estimated population in July 2024: 427 (+1.9% change)
Males: 211 (50.4%), Females: 208 (49.6%)

Bingham County

Zip code: 83218

Demographics

Median resident age: 28.5 years
Median household income: $36,719
Median house value: $78,100

Population by Race

Races in Basalt:

  • White Non-Hispanic (82.3%)
  • Hispanic (14.8%)
  • Other race (8.4%)
  • American Indian (4.8%)
  • Two or more races (1.9%)

(Total can be greater than 100% because Hispanics could be counted in other races)

Ancestries: English (25.8%), German (16.0%), United States (12.4%), Danish (11.7%), Swedish (7.4%), Norwegian (4.8%).

Elevation: 4587 feet

Land area: 0.3 square miles

Population by Education

Basalt, Idaho is a small rural town located in the southern part of the state. It has a population of approximately 700 people according to the most recent census data. The majority of the town’s population is made up of white Americans, with a small percentage of Native American and Hispanic residents. The median age of Basalt residents is 37 years old, making it an older than average population. Most residents are employed in agriculture or service industries, as there are few large employers in the area.

The community of Basalt is close-knit and welcoming to newcomers. There are several churches in town, as well as a library and post office that serve as centers for socializing and gathering information about what’s going on around town. The local school district serves grades K-12, providing quality education to its students and giving them ample opportunities for extracurricular activities such as sports or music lessons.

Basalt also has several parks and outdoor recreation areas for people to enjoy when the weather allows. The nearby Snake River offers excellent fishing opportunities for those who love being out on the water. There are also plenty of hiking trails throughout the area that provide stunning views of the surrounding mountain ranges and valleys. Residents take great pride in their community and often come together for special events such as Fourth of July festivities or holiday celebrations at local churches or schools.

For population 25 years and over in Basalt

  • High school or higher: 75.7%
  • Bachelor’s degree or higher: 6.5%
  • Graduate or professional degree: 0.0%
  • Unemployed: 5.2%
  • Mean travel time to work: 19.7 minutes

For population 15 years and over in Basalt city

  • Never married: 19.2%
  • Now married: 62.1%
  • Separated: 0.0%
  • Widowed: 5.5%
  • Divorced: 13.1%

5.3% Foreign born (4.5% Latin America, 0.7% Europe).

Population change in the 1990s: +22 (+5.5%).

Hospitals

Hospitals/medical centers near Basalt:

  • IDAHO FALLS RECOVERY CENTER (about 15 miles; IDAHO FALLS, ID)
  • BINGHAM MEMORIAL HOSPITAL (about 18 miles; BLACKFOOT, ID)
  • IDAHO STATE HOSPITAL SOUTH (about 18 miles; BLACKFOOT, ID)

Airports

Airports certified for carrier operations nearest to Basalt:

  • IDAHO FALLS RGNL (about 15 miles; IDAHO FALLS, ID; Abbreviation: IDA)
  • POCATELLO REGIONAL (about 41 miles; POCATELLO, ID; Abbreviation: PIH)
  • JACKSON HOLE (about 101 miles; JACKSON, WY; Abbreviation: JAC)

Other public-use airports nearest to Basalt:

  • MCCARLEY FLD (about 15 miles; BLACKFOOT, ID; Abbreviation: U02)
  • ROCKFORD MUNI (about 27 miles; ROCKFORD, ID; Abbreviation: 2U4)
  • RIGBY-JEFFERSON COUNTY (about 28 miles; RIGBY, ID; Abbreviation: U56)

Amtrak station near Basalt:

  • 15 miles: IDAHO FALLS (GREYHOUND STA., 850 DENVER RD.) – Bus Station. Services: enclosed waiting area, public restrooms, public payphones, intercity bus service.

Colleges and Universities

Colleges/universities with over 2000 students nearest to Basalt:

  • RICKS COLLEGE (about 46 miles; REXBURG, ID; Full-time enrollment: 8,670)
  • IDAHO STATE UNIVERSITY (about 48 miles; POCATELLO, ID; Full-time enrollment: 10,057)
  • UTAH STATE UNIVERSITY (about 117 miles; LOGAN, UT; Full-time enrollment: 16,384)
  • WEBER STATE UNIVERSITY (about 147 miles; OGDEN, UT; Full-time enrollment: 12,112)
  • COLLEGE OF SOUTHERN IDAHO (about 169 miles; TWIN FALLS, ID; Full-time enrollment: 3,433)
  • UNIVERSITY OF UTAH (about 177 miles; SALT LAKE CITY, UT; Full-time enrollment: 19,866)
  • MONTANA STATE UNIVERSITY-BOZEMAN (about 182 miles; BOZEMAN, MT; Full-time enrollment: 10,380)

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