sprawling

IDAHO

Comprehensive Study of Threat to Farmland, Habitat, Aquifers & Quality of Life

As more and more people move to Idaho, the state is taking on the sprawling characteristics of the densely populated countries and states they have fled. Californians are the Number One source of Idaho arrivals as they leave their coastal state in even larger numbers than the hundreds of thousands of foreign immigrants who continue to settle there.

Farmland Loss Alarms Idahoans

STUDY FOUND: Idaho’s rapid population growth was the main cause of the loss of 370,000 acres of farmland and natural habitat (1982-2017).

Idaho Voters Oppose Rapid Growth

Polling of Idaho voters in conjunction with our study found nearly all wanting to slow down the recent rate of population growth or to stop it altogether.

47% 23% 23% 5% wanted to slow down the growth preferred to stop growth and stay the current population size desired a reduction in the current size wanted to continue to grow rapidly

Solutions Idahoans Support

By 56%to 27% margin, Idaho voters want local and state governments to make it more difficult for people to move to Idaho from other states by restricting development.

By 54% to 39%, Idaho voters favor reducing immigration.

Idaho Is Fastest Population Growth State

2013-2023

Table 2

Idaho Population Growth Due to Natural Increase and Net Migration

1990-2019

Pie Chart 2
Net Migration
(in-migration minus out-migration)
Natural Increase
(births minus deaths)

Idaho Growth Due to Migration of Foreign-Born, plus Descendants

1982-2017

Pie Chart 2
NET GROWTH DUE TO MIGRATION OF POST-1982 IMMIGRANTS, PLUS THEIR U.S.-BORN CHILDREN/GRANDCHILDREN
Growth Related to All Other Sources