Moving to Pierce, Idaho

Pierce, Idaho is located in the northern part of the state, and it is home to approximately 1,000 people. The city is situated on the banks of the Snake River and enjoys a moderate climate with mild summers and cold winters. The area has a long history, having been first settled in 1864 by gold miners who were drawn to the area due to its rich mineral deposits. In recent years, Pierce has become known as a tourist destination due to its beauty and abundance of outdoor recreation opportunities.

Politically, Pierce is part of Bonner County. The town’s economy relies heavily on tourism, logging, and farming. There are several small businesses in Pierce that cater to both locals and visitors alike. The schools in Pierce are all part of the Lake Pend Oreille School District; there are three elementary schools, one middle school, and one high school serving the community.

In terms of landmarks, there are numerous attractions for visitors to enjoy in Pierce. One popular attraction is Hell’s Gate State Park which is located just outside of town and offers camping facilities as well as several trails for hiking and biking enthusiasts alike to explore. There are also many historical sites scattered throughout town such as the old train depot that was built in 1907 as well as an old mining camp from the 1800s that still stands today. Additionally, there are several churches where visitors can attend services or take part in special events such as weddings or baptisms if they choose to do so.

Population: 617. Estimated population in July 2024: 551 (-10.7% change)
Males: 315 (51.1%), Females: 302 (48.9%)

Clearwater County

Zip code: 83546

Demographics

Median resident age: 39.9 years
Median household income: $34,318
Median house value: $42,800

Population by Race

Races in Pierce:

• White Non-Hispanic (94.8%)
• Two or more races (2.9%)
• American Indian (2.4%)
• Hispanic (1.3%)

Ancestries: United States (17.2%), German (15.7%), Irish (9.1%), English (8.3%), Norwegian (5.5%), French (3.6%).

Elevation: 3087 feet

Land area: 0.8 square miles

Population by Education

Pierce, Idaho is a small town located in the northern part of the state. It has a population of approximately 1,100 people, according to the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2019 estimates. The median age is 32 years old and the majority of residents are White (91%), followed by American Indian/Alaska Native (4%), Asian (2%), and African American (1%). The median household income for Pierce is $45,746 and over 20% of households are living below the poverty line. The unemployment rate for Pierce is lower than the national average at 3.4%.

The majority of residents in Pierce are employed in manufacturing, with restaurants and retail stores as other major employers in the area. Education is also an important part of life in Pierce; there are several public schools including an elementary school, middle school and high school that serve local students. Additionally, there is a community college located nearby that offers certificates and associates degrees to those looking to further their education opportunities. Although it’s a small town, Pierce has plenty to offer its residents with various recreational activities such as fishing, camping and hiking in nearby national forests or parks such as Hells Gate State Park or Nez Perce National Historical Park. There are also numerous golf courses around town for those who enjoy spending time on the green.

For population 25 years and over in Pierce

• High school or higher: 78.0%
• Bachelor’s degree or higher: 7.5%
• Graduate or professional degree: 1.0%
• Unemployed: 19.0%
• Mean travel time to work: 23.1 minutes

For population 15 years and over in Pierce city

• Never married: 17.1%
• Now married: 67.7%
• Separated: 0.6%
• Widowed: 4.9%
• Divorced: 9.6%

2.3% Foreign born (1.5% Asia, 0.8% Europe).

Population change in the 1990s: -129 (-17.3%).

Hospitals

Hospitals/medical centers near Pierce:

• CLEARWATER VALLEY HOSPITAL (about 28 miles; OROFINO, ID)
• SYRINGA GENERAL HOSPITAL (about 46 miles; GRANGEVILLE, ID)
• ST MARYS HOSPITAL (about 52 miles; COTTONWOOD, ID)

Airports

Airports certified for carrier operations nearest to Pierce:

• LEWISTON-NEZ PERCE COUNTY (about 84 miles; LEWISTON, ID; Abbreviation: LWS)
• PULLMAN/MOSCOW REGIONAL (about 92 miles; PULLMAN/MOSCOW,ID, WA; Abbreviation: PUW)
• COEUR D’ALENE AIR TERM (about 113 miles; COEUR D’ALENE, ID; Abbreviation: COE)

Other public-use airports nearest to Pierce:

• KAMIAH MUNI (about 24 miles; KAMIAH, ID; Abbreviation: S73)
• KOOSKIA MUNI (about 29 miles; KOOSKIA, ID; Abbreviation: S82)
• OROFINO MUNI (about 33 miles; OROFINO, ID; Abbreviation: S68)

Colleges and Universities

Colleges/universities with over 2000 students nearest to Pierce:

• UNIVERSITY OF IDAHO (about 66 miles; MOSCOW, ID; Full-time enrollment: 9,823)
• LEWIS-CLARK STATE COLLEGE (about 83 miles; LEWISTON, ID; Full-time enrollment: 2,213)
• NORTH IDAHO COLLEGE (about 106 miles; COEUR D’ALENE, ID; Full-time enrollment: 2,988)
• THE UNIVERSITY OF MONTANA-MISSOULA (about 129 miles; MISSOULA, MT; Full-time enrollment: 11,112)
• WASHINGTON STATE UNIVERSITY (about 130 miles; PULLMAN, WA; Full-time enrollment: 18,110)
• SPOKANE COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 136 miles; SPOKANE, WA; Full-time enrollment: 5,564)
• GONZAGA UNIVERSITY (about 139 miles; SPOKANE, WA; Full-time enrollment: 3,860)

Public primary/middle school in Pierce:

• PIERCE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (Students: 33; Location: TIMBERLINE DRIVE; Grades: PK – 06)

Libraries

Library in Pierce:

• PIERCE DISTRICT (Operating income: $69,129; Location: 208 S MAIN ST; 10,630 books; 355 audio materials; 741 video materials; 41 serial subscriptions)