kids encyclopedia robot

Rathdrum, Idaho facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Quick facts for kids
Rathdrum, Idaho
Old County Jail Museum
Old County Jail Museum
Location of Rathdrum in Kootenai County, Idaho.
Location of Rathdrum in Kootenai County, Idaho.
Rathdrum, Idaho is located in the United States
Rathdrum, Idaho
Rathdrum, Idaho
Location in the United States
Country United States
State Idaho
County Kootenai
Area
 • Land 6.54 sq mi (16.9 km2)
Elevation
2,215 ft (675 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total 9,211
 • Estimate 
(2023)
11,580
 • Density 1,408.4/sq mi (543.8/km2)
Time zone UTC-8 (Pacific (PST))
 • Summer (DST) UTC-7 (PDT)
ZIP code
83858
Area code(s) 208
FIPS code 16-66340
GNIS feature ID 2411521

Rathdrum is a city in Kootenai County, Idaho, United States. The population was 9,211 at the 2020 census, up from 6,826 in 2010. It is part of the Coeur d'Alene Metropolitan Statistical Area, which includes the entire county. It is named after Rathdrum, a village in County Wicklow, Ireland.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 6.54 square miles (16.94 km2), all land.

Rathdrum is situated at the base of Rathdrum Mountain, which is part of the Selkirk Mountain Range.

History

John Brown Elementary, Rathdrum, Idaho
The intermediate grade wing of Rathdrum's elementary school, John Brown

In the 1800s the town was initially called Westwood in honor of one of the founders of the town, a Pony Express rider and rancher, Charles Wesley Wood, also known as "Wes." But in 1881 the postmaster in the town was informed by the federal government that the town would need to change its name since it was already taken by another town in the territory. A local businessman, Michael M. Cowley, recommended the name "Rathdrum" from County Wicklow in Ireland, his place of birth.

Near the end of the 19th century, the Northern Pacific Railway built its line westwards to Spokane and Rathdrum started to grow slowly. Until today, Rathdrum remains on the only regular railway line in Idaho, now owned by BNSF Railway; the Empire Builder of Amtrak travels through Rathdrum without stopping there.

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop.
1890 218
1900 407 86.7%
1910 725 78.1%
1920 509 −29.8%
1930 496 −2.6%
1940 511 3.0%
1950 610 19.4%
1960 710 16.4%
1970 741 4.4%
1980 1,369 84.8%
1990 2,000 46.1%
2000 4,816 140.8%
2010 6,826 41.7%
2019 (est.) 9,150 34.0%
U.S. Decennial Census

2020 census

As of the census of 2020, there were 9,211 people in the city. The population density was 1,408.4 inhabitants per square mile (543.8/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 87.6% White, 0.0% African American, 0.5% Native American, 1.1% Asian, 1.8% Pacific Islander, 6.5% from two or more races, and 4.8% Hispanic or Latino.

See also

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

kids search engine
Rathdrum, Idaho Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.