Mackay, Idaho facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Mackay, Idaho
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Location of Mackay in Custer County, Idaho.
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| Country | United States |
| State | Idaho |
| County | Custer |
| Area | |
| • Total | 0.87 sq mi (2.24 km2) |
| • Land | 0.87 sq mi (2.24 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) |
| Elevation | 5,906 ft (1,800 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 439 |
| • Density | 505/sq mi (196.0/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-7 (Mountain (MST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-6 (MDT) |
| ZIP code |
83251
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| Area code(s) | 208 |
| FIPS code | 16-49240 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2410905 |
Mackay is a small town in Custer County, Idaho, United States. It is pronounced "Mackie," with the first part of the name stressed. In 2020, about 439 people lived there.
Contents
Highways and Roads
Where Did the Name Mackay Come From?
The town of Mackay was named after John William Mackay. He owned the copper mines in the area. A nearby mountain, Mackay Peak, is also named after him. It is part of the White Knob Mountains.
Geography of Mackay
Mackay covers about 0.86 square miles (2.24 square kilometers) of land. There is no water area within the town limits.
Idaho's tallest mountain, Borah Peak, is about 20 miles (32 km) north of Mackay. It stands 12,662 feet (3,859 meters) tall. Another mountain, Mt. McCaleb, is 11,427 feet (3,483 meters) high. It looks over the city.
Climate and Weather
Mackay has a dry climate. This is common for high desert areas near mountains. In winter, temperatures can drop very low, sometimes to -40°F (-40°C). They can also reach 30°F (-1°C). Summer temperatures can range from 30°F (-1°C) to 100°F (38°C).
People of Mackay
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1910 | 638 | — | |
| 1920 | 869 | 36.2% | |
| 1930 | 777 | −10.6% | |
| 1940 | 776 | −0.1% | |
| 1950 | 760 | −2.1% | |
| 1960 | 652 | −14.2% | |
| 1970 | 539 | −17.3% | |
| 1980 | 541 | 0.4% | |
| 1990 | 574 | 6.1% | |
| 2000 | 566 | −1.4% | |
| 2010 | 517 | −8.7% | |
| 2019 (est.) | 501 | −3.1% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
Population in 2010
In 2010, there were 517 people living in Mackay. They lived in 247 households. About 137 of these were families. The town had about 601 people per square mile.
Most people in Mackay (98.8%) were White. A small number were African American or Native American. About 1% of the population was Hispanic or Latino.
About 22% of households had children under 18. Many households (43%) were married couples. About 40% of households were single people living alone. Many older people (65 or older) lived by themselves. The average age in Mackay was 47.5 years old.
The 1983 Earthquake
On October 28, 1983, a big earthquake happened. It was called the Borah Peak earthquake. It measured 6.9 on the moment magnitude scale. The earthquake caused a lot of damage in Mackay.
Many buildings on Main Street were hurt. Eight of these buildings had to be closed. They were made of brick, concrete, or stone. Chickens were seen running through the streets.
Famous People from Mackay
- Chase A. Clark: He was the 18th Governor of Idaho. He also worked as a federal judge.
- Marilyn Howard: She is known as a politician and an educator.
See also
In Spanish: Mackay (Idaho) para niños
