Bonners Ferry, Idaho Population, Hospitals, Airports, and Schools

by btobers · Published June 10, 2019 · Updated September 12, 2024

Bonners Ferry is a small town located in northern Idaho, near the Canadian border. The population of Bonners Ferry is just under 2,500 people and it covers an area of about 8 square miles. The climate in Bonners Ferry is mild and temperate with warm summers and cold winters. The area receives an average of 15 inches of precipitation per year, making it ideal for growing a variety of crops.

The history of Bonners Ferry dates back to the mid-1800s when the U.S. Army established a fort on the banks of the Kootenai River in what is now known as Boundary County. The town was settled by miners during the gold rush and has been inhabited ever since.

Politically, Bonners Ferry is part of Idaho’s 1st congressional district and it is represented by Republican Russ Fulcher in the U.S House of Representatives. In terms of economics, agriculture is still one of the main industries in the area with many local farms producing potatoes, wheat, corn, hay, alfalfa haylage, oats, barley and more for sale within Idaho or shipped to other states or countries. Additionally, there are several business owners who have invested in small businesses such as restaurants and retail shops to serve locals as well as visitors from Canada or other parts of Idaho or Montana who come to take advantage of nearby skiing opportunities or enjoy other outdoor activities like fishing or hunting on nearby public lands managed by either state or federal agencies like BLM (Bureau Of Land Management).

In terms of education there are several schools that serve students within Boundary County including two public high schools: Badger Mountain High School and Boundary County Middle School; one private school: Valley Christian Academy; two elementary schools: Badger Mountain Elementary School and Valley View Elementary School; as well as North Bench Learning Center which offers pre-kindergarten through 12th grade classes for students with special needs or learning disabilities.

When it comes to landmarks in Bonners Ferry you can find several unique places such as Kootenai Falls which are located just outside town on Highway 95; JB’s General Store which has been operating since 1899; Badger Lake which provides excellent fishing opportunities for locals and visitors alike; Badger Mountain Lookout Tower which offers spectacular views from atop its 940 foot peak; plus multiple historic buildings such as Old City Hall that were built during early settlement days when Bonner’s Ferry was part of Washington Territory prior to becoming part Alaska-Idaho Territory before finally becoming part of Idaho State after statehood was granted in 1890.

Population: 2,515. Estimated population in July 2024: 2,725 (+8.3% change)
Males: 1,210 (48.1%), Females: 1,305 (51.9%)

Boundary County

Zip code: 83805

Demographics

Median resident age: 39.1 years
Median household income: $24,509
Median house value: $86,000

Population by Race

Races in Bonners Ferry:

White Non-Hispanic (92.9%)
Hispanic (4.3%)
American Indian (2.2%)
Other race (1.3%)
Two or more races (0.9%)

Ancestries: German (24.9%), English (15.7%), Irish (14.9%), United States (5.7%), French (4.9%), Norwegian (4.1%).

Elevation: 1930 feet

Land area: 2.1 square miles

Map of Bonners Ferry, ID

Population by Education

Bonners Ferry, Idaho is a small town with a population of 2,527 people according to the 2010 census. It is located in the northern part of Idaho, close to the Canadian border. The majority of the population is Caucasian, with a small percentage of Native Americans and African Americans. The median household income is around $45,000 and the cost of living is relatively low compared to other cities in Idaho. Property taxes are low and there are no state income taxes in Bonners Ferry.

The town has plenty of outdoor activities to offer its residents including skiing, fishing, hunting, camping and hiking. There are two ski resorts nearby which attract tourists from all over the region. The local economy relies heavily on tourism as well as agriculture and timber production.

The housing market in Bonners Ferry has been steadily increasing since 2016 due to its rural location and affordability compared to other cities in Idaho. The median home value is around $180,000 with a wide range of homes available for purchase or rent at different price points depending on location and amenities. Renters can expect to pay an average of $800 per month for a one-bedroom apartment or home while those looking to purchase can find houses that range from $100,000-$400,000 depending on size and condition. In addition there are multiple mobile home parks available throughout town offering affordable housing options for those on a budget.

For population 25 years and over in Bonners Ferry

High school or higher: 78.3%
Bachelor’s degree or higher: 13.0%
Graduate or professional degree: 2.8%
Unemployed: 9.1%
Mean travel time to work: 15.2 minutes

For population 15 years and over in Bonners Ferry city

Never married: 23.6%
Now married: 49.9%
Separated: 1.8%
Widowed: 11.5%
Divorced: 13.2%

2.7% Foreign born (1.4% North America, 0.8% Latin America, 0.3% Europe).

Population change in the 1990s: +314 (+14.3%).

Hospitals

Hospital/medical center in Bonners Ferry:

BOUNDARY COUNTY COMMUNITY HOSPITAL (HCR61, BOX 61A, 6640 KANIKSU ST)

Other hospitals/medical centers near Bonners Ferry:

BONNER GENERAL HOSPITAL (about 28 miles; SANDPOINT, ID)
NEWPORT COMMUNITY HOSPITAL (about 70 miles; NEWPORT, WA)
ST JOHN’S LUTHERAN HOSPITAL – CAH (about 74 miles; LIBBY, MT)

Airports

Airports certified for carrier operations nearest to Bonners Ferry:

COEUR D’ALENE AIR TERM (about 73 miles; COEUR D’ALENE, ID; Abbreviation: COE)
SPOKANE INTL (about 112 miles; SPOKANE, WA; Abbreviation: GEG)
FAIRCHILD AFB (about 119 miles; SPOKANE, WA; Abbreviation: SKA)

Other public-use airports nearest to Bonners Ferry:

BOUNDARY COUNTY (about 3 miles; BONNERS FERRY, ID; Abbreviation: 65S)
ECKHART INTL (about 24 miles; PORTHILL, ID; Abbreviation: 1S1)
HOLIDAY SHORES (about 32 miles; EAST HOPE, ID; Abbreviation: 2C9)

Colleges and Universities

Colleges/universities with over 2000 students nearest to Bonners Ferry:

NORTH IDAHO COLLEGE (about 78 miles; COEUR D’ALENE, ID; Full-time enrollment: 2,988)
SPOKANE COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 98 miles; SPOKANE, WA; Full-time enrollment: 5,564)
GONZAGA UNIVERSITY (about 106 miles; SPOKANE, WA; Full-time enrollment: 3,860)
SPOKANE FALLS COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 110 miles; SPOKANE, WA; Full-time enrollment: 6,284)
EASTERN WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY (about 123 miles; CHENEY, WA; Full-time enrollment: 7,852)
UNIVERSITY OF IDAHO (about 131 miles; MOSCOW, ID; Full-time enrollment: 9,823)
WASHINGTON STATE UNIVERSITY (about 157 miles; PULLMAN, WA; Full-time enrollment: 18,110)

Schools

Public high schools in Bonners Ferry:

BONNERS FERRY HIGH SCHOOL (Students: 484; Location: HIGHWAY 95; Grades: 09 – 12)
BOUNDARY COUNTY ALT SCHOOL (Students: 34; Location: 2ND & KOOTENAI; Grades: 09 – 12)

Public primary/middle schools in Bonners Ferry:

VALLEY VIEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (Students: 440; Location: 6750 AUSUSTA STREET; Grades: PK – 06)
BOUNDARY COUNTY JR HIGH SCHOOL (Students: 238; Location: 7188 OAK STREET; Grades: 07 – 08)
MOUNT HALL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (Students: 136; Location: HIGHWAY 95 AND HIGHWAY 1; Grades: KG – 06)

Private primary/middle school in Bonners Ferry:

ROCKY MOUNTAIN ACADEMY (Students: 150; Location: ROUTE 1 BOX 511; Grades: UG – UG)

Libraries

Library in Bonners Ferry:

BOUNDARY COUNTY DISTRICT (Operating income: $208,178; Location: 6370 KOOTENAI; 33,225 books; 1,009 audio materials; 1,040 video materials; 132 serial subscriptions)