Melba, Idaho Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Melba, Idaho had a total population of 617, the 129th largest city in Idaho, with a median household income of $45,750, which is 41% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 13.9%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 41% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Only 9.5% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 0.7%.
Melba Quick Facts
How Melba 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 | 624 | 617 | -1.1% |
| Median household income | $53,500 | $45,750 | -14.5% |
| Median home value | $306,000 | $301,200 | -1.6% |
How Melba 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+)
Melba Rankings in Idaho
Explore Idaho Rankings
Other Cities in Canyon County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nampa | 110,319 | $74,279 | 11.5% | $370,800 |
| Caldwell | 66,516 | $73,058 | 11.9% | $367,300 |
| Middleton | 10,649 | $89,013 | 7.9% | $403,100 |
| Wilder | 2,074 | $55,117 | 30.1% | $270,900 |
| Parma | 1,928 | $49,231 | 21.3% | $274,300 |
| Greenleaf | 1,482 | $69,141 | 11.8% | $363,700 |
| Notus | 573 | $64,813 | 16.2% | $287,000 |
Cities Similar to Melba
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mackay | 602 | $43,897 | $279,500 | 28.5% | 19.9% |
| Idaho City | 581 | $44,722 | N/A | 16.1% | 6.4% |
| Dubois | 585 | $48,611 | $209,600 | 26.6% | 14.0% |
| Kooskia | 687 | $45,938 | $189,300 | 5.6% | 9.6% |
| Smelterville | 668 | $48,806 | $154,400 | 0.0% | 17.5% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 617, Melba'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
Melba is a small community located in Idaho, within Canyon County. The total population is 617. It ranks as the 129th most populous out of 232 Census-designated places in Idaho.
Age Demographics
The median age in Melba is 29.4 years. This is 21% lower than the state median of 37.3 years. With 32.1% of the population under 18, Melba has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Melba is $45,750. This is 41% lower than the state median of $77,800. It is also 43% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 13.9%. This is 32% higher than the state poverty rate of 10.6%. The unemployment rate is 0.7%. This is 81% lower than the state rate of 3.7%. The median home value is $301,200. Housing costs are 28% lower than the state median of $418,600. The home-value-to-income ratio of 6.6x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 87.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 21% higher than the state average of 72.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Melba is White (non-Hispanic), making up 75.2% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 24.0%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (24.0% vs 13.7%).
Education
9.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 70% 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 82.2%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Melba, 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 Melba, Idaho?
Melba, Idaho has a population of 617 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Melba, ID?
The median household income in Melba is $45,750, which is 43% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Melba, ID?
The poverty rate in Melba is 13.9%. This means approximately 86 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Melba, Idaho?
Melba's population is 75.2% White, 0.0% Black, 24.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Melba, ID?
The median home value in Melba is $301,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 6.6x.
How educated is Melba, Idaho?
9.5% of adults (25+) in Melba hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 0.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.