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Horseshoe Bend, Idaho
Location of Horseshoe Bend in Boise County, Idaho.
Location of Horseshoe Bend in Boise County, Idaho.
Country United States
State Idaho
County Boise
Area
 • Total 1.10 sq mi (2.85 km2)
 • Land 1.09 sq mi (2.81 km2)
 • Water 0.01 sq mi (0.04 km2)
Elevation
2,631 ft (802 m)
Population
 (2010)
 • Total 707
 • Estimate 
(2019)
787
 • Density 724.01/sq mi (279.66/km2)
Time zone UTC-7 (Mountain (MST))
 • Summer (DST) UTC-6 (MDT)
ZIP code
83629
Area code(s) 208, 986
FIPS code 16-38620
GNIS feature ID 0396669

Horseshoe Bend is the largest city in rural Boise County, in the southwestern part of the U.S. state of Idaho. Its population of 707 at the 2010 census was the largest in the county, though down from 770 in 2000.

It is part of the Boise CityNampa, Idaho Metropolitan Statistical Area. It is named for its location at the horseshoe-shaped U-turn of the Payette River, whose flow direction changes from south to north before heading west to the Black Canyon Reservoir.

History

The area was originally settled as a gold miners' staging area, as prospectors waited along the river for snows to thaw at the higher elevations. Gold had been discovered in 1862 in the Boise Basin mountains to the east, near Idaho City.

The settlement became known as Warrinersville, after a local sawmill operator. The name was changed to Horseshoe Bend in 1867, and after the gold rush quieted, the city became a prosperous ranching and logging community. The railroad, from Emmett up to Long Valley following the Payette River (its North Fork above Banks), was completed in 1913.

In 1998 the city's primary employer, Boise Cascade, closed its sawmill on September 30. Horseshoe Bend has attempted to become the county seat of Boise County, replacing historic Idaho City.

Highways

Horseshoe Bend sits along State Highway 55, the primary north-south route out of Boise, 23 miles (37 km) to the south and accessed over the 4,242-foot (1,293 m) Spring Valley summit, a.k.a. "Horseshoe Bend Hill." Highway 55 was designated the "Payette River Scenic Byway" in 1977. The new multi-lane grade was completed in fall 1991; the old curvier road is to the west, long plagued by landslides and closures.

Recreation

Within an hour's drive north of Horseshoe Bend are the outdoor recreational areas of the Payette River basin, including Cascade, Tamarack Resort, and McCall.

Horseshoe Bend's current culture is a blend of ranching and a growing bedroom community for Boise. Its annual events include a banjo festival in late May, the national senior pro rodeo in June, and a fall festival in October. A scenic railroad, the Thunder Mountain Line, is based in the city.

Geography

Horseshoe Bend is located at 43°54′46″N 116°11′57″W / 43.91278°N 116.19917°W / 43.91278; -116.19917 (43.912740, -116.199290), at an elevation of 2,631 feet (802 m) above sea level.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 1.09 square miles (2.82 km2), of which, 1.08 square miles (2.80 km2) is land and 0.01 square miles (0.03 km2) is water.

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop.
1950 401
1960 480 19.7%
1970 511 6.5%
1980 700 37.0%
1990 643 −8.1%
2000 770 19.8%
2010 707 −8.2%
2019 (est.) 787 11.3%
U.S. Decennial Census

2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 707 people, 284 households, and 195 families residing in the city. The population density was 654.6 inhabitants per square mile (252.7/km2). There were 330 housing units at an average density of 305.6 per square mile (118.0/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 93.6% White, 0.6% Native American, 0.3% Asian, 4.0% from other races, and 1.6% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 7.2% of the population.

There were 284 households, of which 30.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.1% were married couples living together, 12.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.9% had a male householder with no wife present, and 31.3% were non-families. 26.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.49 and the average family size was 2.97.

The median age in the city was 40 years. 24.3% of residents were under the age of 18; 8.8% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 22.5% were from 25 to 44; 29.1% were from 45 to 64; and 15.4% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 49.2% male and 50.8% female.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Horseshoe Bend (Idaho) para niños

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