Canyon County, Idaho facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Canyon County
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Boise River and Canal Bridge in Caldwell
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Location within the U.S. state of Idaho
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 Idaho's location within the U.S. |
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| Country |  United States |
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| State |  Idaho |
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| Founded | March 7, 1891 | |
| Seat | Caldwell | |
| Largest city | Nampa | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 604 sq mi (1,560 km2) | |
| • Land | 587 sq mi (1,520 km2) | |
| • Water | 16 sq mi (40 km2) 2.7% | |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 231,105 | |
| • Estimate
(2022)
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251,065  |
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| • Density | 394/sq mi (152/km2) | |
| Time zone | UTC−7 (Mountain) | |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−6 (MDT) | |
| Congressional district | 1st | |
Canyon County is a place in the state of Idaho, USA. It's home to many people, and in 2020, about 231,105 people lived there. By 2022, that number grew to an estimated 251,065! This makes it the second-biggest county in Idaho by population. The main city where the county government is located is Caldwell, and the largest city is Nampa. Canyon County is also part of the larger Boise metropolitan area, which means it's connected to the big city of Boise.
Contents
History of Canyon County
Long ago, in 1834, a trading company called Hudson's Bay Company built a place called Fort Boise near where Parma is today. They left it in 1855. Many early travelers heading west on the famous Oregon Trail passed through what is now Canyon County.
In 1862, people discovered gold in the Boise Basin. This brought more settlers to the area. The lower part of the Boise River was first part of Boise County until Ada County was formed in 1864. Not many people lived in the western part of the Boise River area until the Oregon Short Line Railroad was finished.
The first European settlement in Canyon County was Middleton, started in 1863. By 1870, only 76 people lived in the Boise Valley, not counting Boise City. When the railroad arrived in 1883, the town of Caldwell was created.
Later, in 1886, businessmen James A. McGee and Alexander Duffes planned out the nearby city of Nampa. Around the same time, Parma was settled. It became an official town in 1904. Other towns like Greenleaf and Notus started growing around 1904. Melba became a town in 1912, and Wilder in 1919. A small part of Star also became part of Canyon County before 2007, but most of Star is in Ada County.
The Idaho government officially created Canyon County on March 7, 1891. It became active after an election on November 26, 1892. Caldwell was chosen as the county seat. At first, Canyon County was much bigger. It included all of what are now Payette and part of Gem counties. Gem County was formed in 1915, and Payette County in 1917.
Some people think Canyon County was named after the canyon of the Boise River near Caldwell. Others believe it was named after the Snake River canyon, which forms a natural border with Owyhee County to the south and west.
Geography of Canyon County
Canyon County covers about 604 square miles. Most of this area, about 587 square miles, is land. The rest, about 16 square miles, is water, making up about 2.7% of the county's total area.
Neighboring Counties
Canyon County shares borders with several other counties:
- Payette County (to the north)
- Gem County (to the northeast)
- Ada County (to the east)
- Owyhee County (to the south)
- Malheur County, in Oregon (to the west)
Protected Natural Areas
Parts of these special natural areas are located in Canyon County:
- Deer Flat National Wildlife Refuge
- Snake River Birds of Prey National Conservation Area
Main Roads and Highways
Interstate 84
US 20
US 26
US 30
US 95
SH-19
SH-44
SH-45
SH-55
Population Growth
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1900 | 7,497 | — | |
| 1910 | 25,323 | 237.8% | |
| 1920 | 26,932 | 6.4% | |
| 1930 | 30,930 | 14.8% | |
| 1940 | 40,987 | 32.5% | |
| 1950 | 53,597 | 30.8% | |
| 1960 | 57,662 | 7.6% | |
| 1970 | 61,288 | 6.3% | |
| 1980 | 83,756 | 36.7% | |
| 1990 | 90,076 | 7.5% | |
| 2000 | 131,441 | 45.9% | |
| 2010 | 188,923 | 43.7% | |
| 2020 | 231,105 | 22.3% | |
| 2023 (est.) | 257,674 | 36.4% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census 1790–1960 1900–1990 1990–2000 2010–2020 |
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In 2010, about 188,923 people lived in Canyon County. The population density was about 321 people per square mile. The average household had about 2.92 people. The average family had about 3.36 people. The median age of people living in the county was 31.6 years old.
Cities and Towns
Cities
Unincorporated Communities
These are smaller communities that are not officially organized as cities or towns:
Education in Canyon County
Canyon County has several school districts that serve its students:
- Caldwell School District 132
- Homedale Joint School District 370
- Kuna Joint School District 3
- Marsing Joint School District 363
- Melba Joint School District 136
- Middleton School District 134
- Nampa School District 131
- Notus School District 135
- Parma School District 137
- Vallivue School District 139
- West Ada School District (Meridian Joint School District 2)
- Wilder School District 133
For higher education, residents are also part of the area that supports the College of Western Idaho.
Healthcare Services
The Southwest Idaho Health District provides healthcare services to the people living in Canyon County.
See also
In Spanish: Condado de Canyon para niños
