Gooding, Idaho Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Gooding, Idaho had a total population of 3,778, the 42nd largest city in Idaho, with a median household income of $41,899, which is 46% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 27.5%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 46% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (27.5%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
Gooding Quick Facts
How Gooding Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 3,731 | 3,778 | +1.3% |
| Median household income | $36,889 | $41,899 | +13.6% |
| Median home value | $175,800 | $186,100 | +5.9% |
How Gooding Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 36 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Gooding Rankings in Idaho
Explore Idaho Rankings
Other Cities in Gooding County
Cities Similar to Gooding
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| St. Anthony | 3,911 | $53,152 | $231,900 | 13.3% | 18.0% |
| Salmon | 3,203 | $42,844 | $235,500 | 19.3% | 15.1% |
| McCall | 3,946 | $60,253 | $676,500 | 42.8% | 16.0% |
| Heyburn | 3,693 | $64,179 | $237,800 | 23.7% | 20.8% |
| Grangeville | 3,515 | $61,322 | $293,300 | 29.1% | 16.3% |
Population Overview
Gooding is a small community located in Idaho, within Gooding County. The total population is 3,778. It ranks as the 42nd most populous out of 232 Census-designated places in Idaho.
Age Demographics
The median age in Gooding is 32.6 years. This is 13% lower than the state median of 37.3 years. With 29.9% of the population under 18, Gooding has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Gooding is $41,899. This is 46% lower than the state median of $77,800. It is also 48% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 27.5%. This is 159% higher than the state poverty rate of 10.6%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 3.3%. This is 13% lower than the state rate of 3.7%. The median home value is $186,100. Housing costs are 56% lower than the state median of $418,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.4x. 60.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 16% lower than the state average of 72.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Gooding is White (non-Hispanic), making up 57.8% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 31.3%. The Black or African American population (0.2%) is well below the state average of 0.7%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (31.3% vs 13.7%).
Education
11.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 63% lower than the state rate of 31.8%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 83.9%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Gooding, Idaho is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against Idaho state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 232 Census-designated places in Idaho. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Gooding, Idaho?
Gooding, Idaho has a population of 3,778 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Gooding, ID?
The median household income in Gooding is $41,899, which is 48% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Gooding, ID?
The poverty rate in Gooding is 27.5%. This means approximately 1,002 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Gooding, Idaho?
Gooding's population is 57.8% White, 0.2% Black, 31.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Gooding, ID?
The median home value in Gooding is $186,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.4x.
How educated is Gooding, Idaho?
11.7% of adults (25+) in Gooding hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.