Smelterville, Idaho Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Smelterville, Idaho had a total population of 668, the 126th largest city in Idaho, with a median household income of $48,806, which is 37% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 17.5%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 37% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Only 0.0% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
Smelterville Quick Facts
How Smelterville 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 | 670 | 668 | -0.3% |
| Median household income | $46,597 | $48,806 | +4.7% |
| Median home value | $117,600 | $154,400 | +31.3% |
How Smelterville 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+)
Smelterville Rankings in Idaho
Explore Idaho Rankings
Other Cities in Shoshone County
Cities Similar to Smelterville
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Juliaetta | 672 | $52,455 | $268,600 | 17.7% | 7.6% |
| Kooskia | 687 | $45,938 | $189,300 | 5.6% | 9.6% |
| Melba | 617 | $45,750 | $301,200 | 9.5% | 13.9% |
| Blanchard | 651 | $59,012 | $279,100 | 58.2% | 3.5% |
| Dubois | 585 | $48,611 | $209,600 | 26.6% | 14.0% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 668, Smelterville'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
Smelterville is a small community located in Idaho, within Shoshone County. The total population is 668. It ranks as the 126th most populous out of 232 Census-designated places in Idaho.
Age Demographics
The median age in Smelterville is 54.2 years. This is 45% higher than the state median of 37.3 years. Only 14.5% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Smelterville is $48,806. This is 37% lower than the state median of $77,800. It is also 40% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 17.5%. This is 65% higher than the state poverty rate of 10.6%. The unemployment rate is 5.4%. This is 44% higher than the state rate of 3.7%. The median home value is $154,400. Housing costs are 63% lower than the state median of $418,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.2x. 77.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 8% higher than the state average of 72.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Smelterville is White (non-Hispanic), making up 84.7% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 2.7%. The Hispanic or Latino population (2.7%) is well below the state average of 13.7%.
Education
0.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is among the lowest rates in the state, which may correlate with employment and income patterns. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 80.9%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Smelterville, 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 Smelterville, Idaho?
Smelterville, Idaho has a population of 668 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Smelterville, ID?
The median household income in Smelterville is $48,806, which is 40% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Smelterville, ID?
The poverty rate in Smelterville is 17.5%. This means approximately 117 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Smelterville, Idaho?
Smelterville's population is 84.7% White, 0.0% Black, 2.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Smelterville, ID?
The median home value in Smelterville is $154,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.2x.
How educated is Smelterville, Idaho?
0.0% of adults (25+) in Smelterville hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 0.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.