Pocatello Idaho Location
Pocatello is located in Southeast Idaho alongside the Portneuf River. The city is now along I-15, about two and half hours North of Salt Lake City, and about an hour South of Idaho Falls.
The area is made of three distinct areas, Pocatello itself, Chubbuck, and the Highlands area. Chubbuck on the Northwest side of the area is an up and coming area with affordable homes. Highland as well is and up and coming area where homes are most expensive, on the hillside.
The city is named after Chief Pocatello of the Shoshoni tribe, who granted the right-of-way for the railroad across the Fort Hall Indian Reservation.
Pocatello Idaho History
The area was first discovered by a fur trader, who established Fort Hall. Today, Fort Hall is an Indian Reservation and casino. Eventually the railway came through Idaho, and it served as a stop along the trail to the gold rush. But agriculture proved to be valuable for the long term establishment of Pocatello. By the late 1800s the first commercial developments entered into Pocatello.
Pocatello continued to grow and thrive, bringing in establishments which would put Pocatello on the map. Idaho State University (ISU) eventually was established, and the city became a thriving area. Pocatello had been Idaho’s largest city for many years, but now is the fifth largest, behind Boise, Nampa, Meridian, and Idaho Falls.
Pocatello Idaho High School
Pocatello is home to three highly competitive schools. Highland High School, Centennial High School, and Pocatello High School. Click here to view School Boundaries.
Pocatello Idaho – Idaho State University
Pocatello is home to the University of Idaho Bengals. The university has fantastic biking trails, and hikes within just minutes. Students are able to enjoy the large amount of green space in this beautiful well maintained campus.
The school also has some of the best student facilitates which a school can offer. Bowling and movies are just some of the activities which people can attend on campus at nearly any hour.
Pocatello Idaho Activities
For people who like the outdoors it’s a dream. Yellow stone, Jackson Hole and Lava hot springs are all within a few hours drive. Weather there can be a little harsh and it can get very windy at times but it can be very pleasant at times as well.
With Idaho State University comes the Holt Arena, one of the few universities that enjoys the luxury of an indoor football stadium in the Holt Arena, also known as the “Mini Dome.” The Holt Arena is home to the Simplot Games, the largest indoor high school track and field meet in the country. Many students attend college here for the education program which the school offers.
Pocatello Idaho Culture
One thing is certain, Pocatello has its own culture, and the residents are proud of it. Residents of Pocatello know the value of hard work and are not afraid to tackle a large do-it-yourself project. Residents here are independent and know how to take care of themselves. A typical Pocatello resident would own a large truck, put a few extras on it, and be happy with life. This type of attitude is what makes Pocatello one of the best places in America for small business.
One of the favorite night time activities of residents here is to go out to eat. Texas Roadhouse, and Applebe’s top the list of favorites, while other residents love Buddy’s, Schlotzsky’s Deli, and for fine dining there’s Remo’s.
Pocatello brings the outdoorsman out of just about anybody. Pocatello is among the best American towns for hunters and fisherman. Parks and jogging trails dot the city, making an active lifestyle easy and convenient for Pocatello home owners.
Pocatello Idaho Demographics
The Pocatello metro area has approximately 85,000 people, with over 50,000 located right in Pocatello. The racial makeup of the city was 92.32% White, 0.72%African American, 1.35% Native American, 1.15% Asian, 0.20% Pacific Islander, 2.18% from other races, and 2.09% from two or more races.
There were 19,334 households out of which 34.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.6% were married couples living together, 10.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.9% were non-families.
The median income for a household in the city was $34,326, and the median income for a family was $41,884. Males had a median income of $33,984 versus $22,962 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,425.
Pocatello Idaho Economy
The Pocatello economy revolves around, agriculture, processing of agricultural products, mining, transportation, medical products, high-tech and nuclear research, recreation and tourism. Pocatello is the main source of retail for much of southeast Idaho.
Many residents of Pocatello are employed at the The J.R. Simplot Company, and agriculture processecing plant. Another major employer is the Idaho National Laboratory (INL), which is about an hour northwest of Pocatello, and employs over ten thousand people, a high tech nuclear energy laboratory.
Pocatello shows no sign of slowing down and is poised to remain a strong economic factor in Southeast Idaho.
