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Pocatello, ID

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Pocatello, ID

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Demographics

Predominantly WhiteSimpson's Diversity Index: 32
Population57,152
Foreign Born2.1%
Population Density1,644people per mi²
Median Age32.9 yrs
Demographics Trajectory
StableSince 2010, this city has held a relatively stable population and racial composition.
Current Race / Ethnicity Breakdown
Population Trends

Quality of Life

Overall Quality Of Life
A-
Great

A high quality of life with strong walkability, manageable living costs, healthy neighborhood signals, and solid amenity access.

Quality of Life blends cost of living, nearby amenities, socioeconomic signals, and neighborhood character. City-level scores represent the whole municipality; individual neighborhoods can differ.

Cost of Living

79/100

21% below national average

A+

The Real Cost of Living in Pocatello, Idaho

TierIndividualFamily (4)
Survival $14k$26k
Comfortable $47k$69k
Luxury $101k+$156k+
Elite (Top 5%) $119k+$184k+
Affordability Ratio

84%

The Hood Index™

A metric tracking the socioeconomic signals of the area.

A
Hood Index scan area
Luxury Lean85%
RisksNeutralGrowth
Premium
40
Positive
40
Poor
8
Negative
2

Groceries

6 within 10 miles

1.1mi

Gas

20 within 10 miles

1.4mi

Hospital

1 within 20 miles

2.1mi

Airport

SLC — Salt Lake City International

146.1mi

Post Office

USPS — Pocatello, ID

1mi

Critical Amenities

Country Clubs

1 private club within 10 miles.

Golf2Nearest 3.2 mi
Camping2Nearest 16.5 mi
Marina0 
Winery0 
Ice Rink0 
Gun Range0 

Affluence Level

Overall Affluence Grade
D+
Soft

A below-average socioeconomic profile. Incomes, home values, and educational attainment trail the U.S., with higher poverty and unemployment.

Median HHI
$58k+3.2%
23% below US avg
Est. Avg Net Worth
$622k
5% below US avg
College Educated
32.9%
6% below US avg
WFH
10.3%
28% below US avg
Homeownership
63.1%
4% below US avg
Median Home
$241k
15% below US avg

Crime

Overall Crime Grade
A-
Very Safe

Lower crime rates than 78% of comparable U.S. locations.

Crime Rate
16.3
Incidents per 1,000 residents
5yr Trend
−18.2%
Overall crime change since 2020

Violent Crime

5yr−10.8%
Homicide
0.00 / 1k Residents100% below state avg
Robbery
0.09 / 1k Residents52% above state avg
Aggravated Assault*
1.66 / 1k ResidentsEqual to state avg

Property Crime

5yr−25.7%
Burglary
1.76 / 1k Residents100% above state avg
Larceny-Theft
11.13 / 1k Residents144% above state avg
Motor Vehicle Theft*
0.52 / 1k ResidentsEqual to state avg
Source: FBI Crime Data · 2025* = State-level data substituted where local agency has not published figures

Political Climate

Cook PVI: R+13Leans Conservative

District shown is the primary district for this city’s centroid. Cities may span multiple districts.

Presidential Voting Trends for Pocatello, Idaho
Dem Rep
20%30%40%50%60%70%2000200420082012201620202024

Personal Sovereignty

Personal Sovereignty measures your capacity for self-reliance and independence with minimal government friction. Higher scores mean fewer barriers between you and the way you want to live... but it assumes you have the space you need and good neighbors.

Overall Sovereignty Grade
C+
Moderate

Moderate friction. Expect trade-offs in some aspect of personal liberty and independence.

State Policy

Tax Burden
C-
Weak10.7% of income
Property Rights
C+
FairIJ Grade C+
Firearm Rights
A-
GreatFPC Grade A-
Homeschooling
A+
GreatNo notice required

Energy independence: Importer (25% of energy produced in-state)

Personal Liberty

Raw Milk
A+
Fully OpenRetail sales legal
Gambling Laws
F
ProhibitedTribal · Poker · Betting
Marijuana Laws
F
ProhibitedIllegal

Homesteading

Growing Season166 days217 frost-free
Annual Rainfall14.9"
Elevation4,465 ft

Strategic Assessment

Strategic Assessment grades tactical survivability using Joel Skousen's Strategic Relocation framework. Major population centers, blast zones, natural disasters, and border exposure all drive risk — lower exposure means a more defensible position in a crisis.

Learn more about Strategic Relocation ($)
Overall Strategic Grade
B+
Defensible

Workable tactical position. Some exposure to population density or targets, but generally defensible in a crisis.

Strategic Pillars

City Proximity
A+
Great685 mi to nearest major city
Pop. Density
C-
Weak1,644/sq mi
Fallout Danger
A+
Great0 within ~30 mi
Natural Disaster
D+
PoorWildfire, Inland Flooding, Cold Wave, Earthquake, Heat Wave
Border / Coast
A+
Greatborder 423 mi · coast 595 mi
FEMA Expected Loss$31.3M/yrfor the county

* Values derived from national, state, county, city and local statistics and may differ in a specific area. Last updated: 2026-04-21T20:51:18.000Z

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