Lava Hot Springs, Idaho Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Lava Hot Springs, Idaho had a total population of 218, the 188th largest city in Idaho. The poverty rate is 12.5%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Unemployment rate of 16.0% is notably above the national average.
Lava Hot Springs Quick Facts
How Lava Hot Springs 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 | 251 | 218 | -13.1% |
| Median home value | $241,100 | $316,700 | +31.4% |
How Lava Hot Springs 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 less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 36 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Lava Hot Springs Rankings in Idaho
Explore Idaho Rankings
Other Cities in Bannock County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pocatello | 57,635 | $60,418 | 14.8% | $271,000 |
| Chubbuck | 16,126 | $82,977 | 6.0% | $341,700 |
| Fort Hall | 2,654 | $44,514 | 22.6% | $203,300 |
| Tyhee | 1,568 | $93,125 | 11.9% | $461,000 |
| Inkom | 936 | $85,625 | 5.0% | $270,600 |
| McCammon | 909 | $66,250 | 4.8% | $296,300 |
| Downey | 803 | $56,667 | 16.2% | $173,800 |
| Arimo | 351 | $67,857 | 18.2% | $235,700 |
Cities Similar to Lava Hot Springs
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crouch | 214 | $78,226 | $486,700 | 16.7% | 8.4% |
| Fernan Lake Village | 212 | $125,000 | $910,700 | 55.3% | 1.9% |
| Huetter | 212 | $39,438 | $300,000 | 9.1% | 30.1% |
| Moore | 228 | $70,625 | $232,700 | 29.0% | 16.7% |
| Rockland | 228 | $60,395 | $212,500 | 29.5% | 17.5% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 218, Lava Hot Springs's ACS estimates come from a small number of survey responses and carry wide margins of error. Individual percentages below — particularly rates that round to 0% or 100% — are approximations, not precise measurements. See data.census.gov for the published margins of error.
Population Overview
Lava Hot Springs is a small community located in Idaho, within Bannock County. The total population is 218. It ranks as the 188th most populous out of 232 Census-designated places in Idaho.
Age Demographics
The median age in Lava Hot Springs is 55.7 years. This is 49% higher than the state median of 37.3 years. 15.1% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The poverty rate stands at 12.5%. This is 18% higher than the state poverty rate of 10.6%. The unemployment rate is 16.0%. This is 329% higher than the state rate of 3.7%. The median home value is $316,700. Housing costs are 24% lower than the state median of $418,600. 67.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 6% lower than the state average of 72.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
Lava Hot Springs has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 93.1% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 2.8%. The Hispanic or Latino population (2.8%) is well below the state average of 13.7%.
Education
18.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 42% 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 94.7%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Lava Hot Springs, 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 Lava Hot Springs, Idaho?
Lava Hot Springs, Idaho has a population of 218 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Lava Hot Springs, ID?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median household income estimate for Lava Hot Springs — the community is too small for the ACS sample. The national median is $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Lava Hot Springs, ID?
The poverty rate in Lava Hot Springs is 12.5%. This means approximately 26 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Lava Hot Springs, Idaho?
Lava Hot Springs's population is 93.1% White, 0.0% Black, 2.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Lava Hot Springs, ID?
The median home value in Lava Hot Springs is $316,700.
How educated is Lava Hot Springs, Idaho?
18.4% of adults (25+) in Lava Hot Springs hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.