Priest River, Idaho Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Priest River, Idaho had a total population of 1,778, the 73rd largest city in Idaho, with a median household income of $58,782, which is 24% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 5.0%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 1.9%.
Priest River Quick Facts
How Priest River 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 | 2,058 | 1,778 | -13.6% |
| Median household income | $57,712 | $58,782 | +1.9% |
| Median home value | $271,500 | $299,100 | +10.2% |
How Priest River 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+)
Priest River 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 |
| Ponderay | 1,534 | $51,346 | 14.6% | $436,700 |
| 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 Priest River
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Plymouth | 1,794 | $65,375 | $277,500 | 28.9% | 9.4% |
| Shoshone | 1,911 | $69,392 | $229,800 | 10.7% | 10.7% |
| Spirit Lake | 1,972 | $65,192 | $436,600 | 15.4% | 6.7% |
| Osburn | 1,620 | $50,673 | $205,900 | 16.5% | 18.5% |
| Parma | 1,928 | $49,231 | $274,300 | 13.3% | 21.3% |
Population Overview
Priest River is a small community located in Idaho, within Bonner County. The total population is 1,778. It ranks as the 73rd most populous out of 232 Census-designated places in Idaho.
Age Demographics
The median age in Priest River is 43.4 years. This is 16% higher than the state median of 37.3 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Priest River is $58,782. This is 24% lower than the state median of $77,800. It is also 27% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 5.0%. This is 53% lower than the state poverty rate of 10.6%. The unemployment rate is 1.9%. This is 49% lower than the state rate of 3.7%. The median home value is $299,100. Housing costs are 29% lower than the state median of $418,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.1x. 74.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 3% higher than the state average of 72.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
Priest River has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 86.1% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 3.1%. The Hispanic or Latino population (3.1%) is well below the state average of 13.7%. The Asian population (0.2%) is well below the state average of 1.3%.
Education
12.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 61% 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 90.8%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Priest River, 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 Priest River, Idaho?
Priest River, Idaho has a population of 1,778 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Priest River, ID?
The median household income in Priest River is $58,782, which is 27% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Priest River, ID?
The poverty rate in Priest River is 5.0%. This means approximately 88 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Priest River, Idaho?
Priest River's population is 86.1% White, 0.0% Black, 3.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.2% Asian.
What is the median home value in Priest River, ID?
The median home value in Priest River is $299,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.1x.
How educated is Priest River, Idaho?
12.5% of adults (25+) in Priest River hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.