Thatcher, Idaho facts for kids

Thatcher is a small, unincorporated community located in Franklin County, Idaho, in the United States. An "unincorporated community" means it's a group of homes and businesses that isn't officially a city or town with its own local government.

Thatcher sits at an elevation of about 4,902 feet (which is about 1,494 meters) above sea level. You can find it using its geographic coordinates: 42.4088106 degrees North latitude and -111.7268930 degrees West longitude.

Even though Thatcher isn't a city, it still has its own post office. The ZIP code for Thatcher is 83283. In the year 2000, a count of people living in the area covered by this ZIP code showed a population of 123 residents.

What is an Unincorporated Community?

An unincorporated community is a place where people live close together, but it doesn't have its own city government. This means it doesn't have a mayor or city council. Instead, it's usually managed by the larger county government.

How are Unincorporated Areas Governed?

Services like roads, police, and fire protection in unincorporated areas are often provided by the county. For example, in Thatcher's case, Franklin County, Idaho helps manage these services. People living in these areas still pay taxes, which go to the county to help fund these services.

Why Do Some Places Stay Unincorporated?

There are many reasons why a community might not become an official city. Sometimes, the population is too small to support a full city government. Other times, residents might prefer to have fewer local rules and lower taxes that often come with being part of a county instead of a city.

Where is Thatcher Located?

Thatcher is found in the southeastern part of Idaho. Idaho is a state in the northwestern United States. It's known for its beautiful mountains, rivers, and vast natural areas.

What is Franklin County Like?

Franklin County is one of the counties in Idaho. It's located near the border with Utah. The county has a mix of agricultural areas and small towns. It's a place where people enjoy outdoor activities and a quieter lifestyle.

How Does Geography Affect Thatcher?

Thatcher's elevation of nearly 5,000 feet means it's quite high up. This can influence the local climate, often leading to colder winters and milder summers compared to lower-elevation areas. The surrounding landscape is typical of the Rocky Mountain region.

What is a ZIP Code?

A ZIP code is a system of postal codes used by the United States Postal Service (USPS). It helps the post office sort mail more efficiently. Each ZIP code represents a specific geographic area.

How Does a ZIP Code Help Deliver Mail?

When you send a letter or package, the ZIP code tells the post office exactly where it needs to go. This makes mail delivery much faster and more accurate. Without ZIP codes, it would be very difficult to get mail to the right place.

What is a ZCTA?

A ZIP Code Tabulation Area (ZCTA) is a special geographic area created by the United States Census Bureau. It's designed to roughly match the areas covered by ZIP codes. The Census Bureau uses ZCTAs to report population data and other statistics for areas that are similar to postal delivery routes.