Ponderay, Idaho Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Ponderay, Idaho had a total population of 1,534, the 78th largest city in Idaho, with a median household income of $51,346, which is 34% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 14.6%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 34% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Housing affordability is a challenge — homes cost 8.5x the median household income.
Ponderay Quick Facts
How Ponderay 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 | 1,456 | 1,534 | +5.4% |
| Median household income | $50,119 | $51,346 | +2.4% |
| Median home value | $391,700 | $436,700 | +11.5% |
How Ponderay 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+)
Ponderay Rankings in Idaho
Explore Idaho Rankings
Other Cities in Bonner County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sandpoint | 9,637 | $72,289 | 14.6% | $465,600 |
| Priest River | 1,778 | $58,782 | 5.0% | $299,100 |
| Kootenai | 1,022 | $70,885 | 13.3% | $370,800 |
| Clark Fork | 990 | $63,813 | 23.4% | $251,700 |
| Dover | 792 | $99,821 | 4.7% | $719,100 |
| Blanchard | 651 | $59,012 | 3.5% | $279,100 |
| Oldtown | 428 | $57,833 | 18.0% | $261,700 |
| Laclede | 406 | $51,140 | 0.0% | $272,800 |
| East Hope | 265 | $93,000 | 4.2% | $440,900 |
| Hope | 112 | $98,750 | 0.0% | $625,000 |
Cities Similar to Ponderay
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Osburn | 1,620 | $50,673 | $205,900 | 16.5% | 18.5% |
| Glenns Ferry | 1,438 | $51,840 | $197,900 | 11.5% | 23.2% |
| Paul | 1,586 | $66,500 | $268,100 | 13.1% | 11.4% |
| Greenleaf | 1,482 | $69,141 | $363,700 | 20.9% | 11.8% |
| Moyie Springs | 1,378 | $61,615 | $356,800 | 29.3% | 14.7% |
Population Overview
Ponderay is a small community located in Idaho, within Bonner County. The total population is 1,534. It ranks as the 78th most populous out of 232 Census-designated places in Idaho.
Age Demographics
The median age in Ponderay is 41.9 years. This is 12% higher than the state median of 37.3 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Ponderay is $51,346. This is 34% lower than the state median of $77,800. It is also 36% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 14.6%. This is 38% higher than the state poverty rate of 10.6%. The unemployment rate is 6.5%. This is 74% higher than the state rate of 3.7%. The median home value is $436,700. Housing costs are 4% higher than the state median of $418,600. The home-value-to-income ratio of 8.5x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 32.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 55% lower than the state average of 72.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Ponderay is White (non-Hispanic), making up 77.4% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 7.0%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (6.8% vs 0.7%).
Education
11.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 65% 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 89.9%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Ponderay, 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 Ponderay, Idaho?
Ponderay, Idaho has a population of 1,534 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Ponderay, ID?
The median household income in Ponderay is $51,346, which is 36% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Ponderay, ID?
The poverty rate in Ponderay is 14.6%. This means approximately 223 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Ponderay, Idaho?
Ponderay's population is 77.4% White, 6.8% Black, 7.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.3% Asian.
What is the median home value in Ponderay, ID?
The median home value in Ponderay is $436,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 8.5x.
How educated is Ponderay, Idaho?
11.3% of adults (25+) in Ponderay hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 3.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.