How Big Is Pocatello Idaho?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Founded in 1889, Pocatello was known as

the “Gateway to the Northwest

.” As pioneers, gold miners and settlers traveled the Oregon Trail, they passed through the Portneuf Gap south of town. Stage and freight lines and the railroad soon followed, turning our community into a trade center and transportation junction.

Is Pocatello Idaho a small town?

While Pocatello is the 5th largest city in Idaho with a population of 54,255 (Census 2010),

it has maintained a distinctly small-town atmosphere

.

Is Pocatello Idaho a good place to live?

The vast majority of communities in Idaho have less than 75,000 people, and according to NerdWallet,

Pocatello is a better place to live than all of them except for Moscow

.

Is Pocatello considered high desert?


Pocatello is surrounded by high desert

and mountains which is ideal for outdoor recreation activities. Hiking, biking, skiing, fishing and sightseeing are among the favorites.

What is it like to live in Pocatello Idaho?

It is a small town good for building a quiet life with lots of children, but be warned that the culture can be a bit draining and terribly dull, unless you spend a significant portion of your time outside, because the great outdoors are fantastic here. Pocatello is smaller than most cities but not quite tiny.

Is Pocatello bigger than Idaho Falls?

Rank City Population 3 Nampa 96,825 4 Idaho Falls 62,417 5 Caldwell 56,734 6 Pocatello 56,016

Is it illegal to frown in Pocatello Idaho?

People going to Pocatello should be sure to wear a smile because

it's illegal to frown

, grimace, scowl and have any facial expression that reflects unfavorably upon the residents of the eastern Idaho town.

Do you have to smile in Pocatello?


In 1948, the Mayor of the City of Pocatello, George Phillips, passed an ordinance making it illegal not to smile in Pocatello

. The “Smile Ordinance” was passed tongue in cheek as a result of an exceptionally severe winter, which had dampened the spirit of city employees and citizens alike.

Is Pocatello safe?

The chance of becoming a victim of either violent or property crime in Pocatello is 1 in 37. Based on FBI crime data, Pocatello is

not one of the safest communities in America

. Relative to Idaho, Pocatello has a crime rate that is higher than 98% of the state's cities and of all sizes.

Is Pocatello cool?


Pocatello Has a Cool Old Town

Pocatello has a pretty cool Historic Old Town. There are parts that are even, dare I say, hipster? (I'm looking at you 313 Whisky Bar and Blades Salon.)

What is the cost of living in Pocatello Idaho?

COST OF LIVING Pocatello Idaho
Grocery


90.4


94.4

Health


102.4


95.1

Housing


74


114.1
Median Home Cost $230,400 $398,900

Why are so many Californians moving to Idaho?

Many people moving from the West Coast to Idaho do so

for career opportunities

. Idaho — particularly Boise — offers great opportunities for Californians, Oregonians, and Washingtonians leaving the West Coast tech scene. Emily Canal explains in her article “Boise Set Out to Become the Next Austin or Seattle.

How much snow does Pocatello Idaho get each year?

Pocatello, Idaho United States Rainfall 13.0 in. 38.1 in. Snowfall

49.0 in

. 27.8 in.
Precipitation 97.2 days 106.2 days Sunny 207 days 205 days

Does it snow in Pocatello Idaho?


The snowy period of the year lasts for 4.2 months, from November 6 to March 14, with a sliding 31-day snowfall of at least 1.0 inches

. The month with the most snow in Pocatello is December, with an average snowfall of 3.4 inches. The snowless period of the year lasts for 7.8 months, from March 14 to November 6.

What does the word Pocatello mean?

The first syllable—”Po”—is the Shoshoni word for “road” or “trail,” and from that coincidence (if it is a coincidence) it has been suggested that Pocatello's name is Shoshoni for “

he does not follow the road

.” But except for the initial syllable, that derivation is linguistically impossible: the Shoshoni word for “not” …

Why is Pocatello called the Gate city?

The city of Pocatello,

so named in memory of an Indian chief

, stands at the western entrance to the Portneuf canyon, and for that reason is appropriately known as the “Gate City.” Its site marks the junction of the Montana and Idaho divisions of the Oregon Short Line railroad, and the tremendous volume of traffic that …

Is Pocatello a college town?

Pocatello didn't get any love in this forehead-smacking analysis, either.

Nope

. Idaho's best college town is the home of BYU-Idaho. A rural no-party zone in eastern Idaho.

What university is in Pocatello Idaho?

Idaho State University

What are the pros and cons of living in Idaho?

Pros of living in Idaho Cons of living in Idaho Homes are fairly affordable in Idaho Idaho residents are known for living a solitary lifestyle Idaho has a booming job market Idaho's population is growing very fast Idaho has a below-average property crime rate Winters can be really harsh in Idaho

Is there an airport in Pocatello Idaho?


Pocatello Regional Airport

serves the cities of Pocatello, Chubbuck and the southeast Idaho region with Delta Connection service to Salt Lake City and over 325 Delta destinations worldwide.

What are the top 5 biggest cities in Idaho?

  • Nampa (108,469)
  • Idaho Falls (65,483)
  • Caldwell (64,490)
  • Pocatello (58,602)
  • Coeur d'Alene (56,026)
  • Twin Falls (51,649)
  • Post Falls (41,053)
  • Eagle (34,404)

What is the fastest growing city in Idaho?

State
Oregon
MSA
Bend
Total population change, 2010 to 2020 (%) 27.9 Total population, 2020 201,769 State population change, 2010 to 2020 (%) 10.7

What is the least populated city in Idaho?

Turns out that according to city-data.com the smallest town in Idaho is

Peck Idaho

, population 201. Peck is about 5 hours north of Boise and it's so small there isn't even a High School in town. Bloomington, Idaho comes in second with a population of 209.

Where is it illegal to frown?

Frowning. It's unlikely you're going to get fined for this one, but

Milan

has a law that requires people to smile at any time other than funerals or hospital visits. So turn that frown upside down the next time you're in Italy's fashion capital.

Is frowning illegal in Idaho?

Did you know Pocatello was once named the smile capital of the United States? According to one city ordinance,

it is illegal to frown, grimace, scowl, or have any other facial expression that reflects unfavorably upon the residents of Pocatello.

Timothy Chehowski
Author
Timothy Chehowski
Timothy Chehowski is a travel writer and photographer with over 10 years of experience exploring the world. He has visited over 50 countries and has a passion for discovering off-the-beaten-path destinations and hidden gems. Juan's writing and photography have been featured in various travel publications.