According to a news article at localnews8.com, Idaho Falls has offically passed Pocatello in population. This is significant considering Pocatello houses the ISU campus – a major employer in Pocatello, and gives a natural advantage to Pocatello in population.
IDAHO FALLS, Idaho — Idaho Falls is now the fourth largest city in Idaho passing Pocatello, according to a report released Tuesday by the Idaho Department of Labor.Pocatello added just 90 people to its population between July 1, 2008, and July 1, 2009. Idaho Falls added nearly 1,000 in that same time period.The switch between the two cities was the only change in rank among the top 10 largest cities in the state. Boise, Nampa and Meridian remain the top three.Meanwhile, 52 of Idaho’s 200 cities lost population last year, which is up from 45 cities in 2008. The largest population loss was in Mountain Home with a dip of 84 people.Locally, the trend was an upward tick in population. Blackfoot increased in size by 147 people, Rexburg by 397 and Chubbuck by 563.The estimated population of Idaho’s incorporated cities as of July 1, 2009, is 1,056,669. (from http://www.localnews8.com/news/23995491/detail.html)
What are the major factors contributing to the Idaho Falls win? Environment? City Leadership? Employment opportunities? Better schools? What do you think?
Popularity: 1%


{ 13 comments… read them below or add one }
Interesting.
Top ↑According to USA Today, Idaho Falls also has the distinction of being the largest city in the United States that does not have a regular full time university. I’m guessing folks are moving here by the droves because we have two super Walmarts, more chain restaurants than Haiti has homeless, and is the hub of one of the largest pyramid schemes in the world. Heck who wouldn’t wanna live here!
Idaho Falls is the second largest Metro in the state. Idaho Falls really does encompass the greater part of eastern Idaho. The city proper population numbers are of very little significance.
Top ↑Clarence, Do you not like it here?
Top ↑Ester, as a 5th generation IFer I don’t like it here … I LOVE it!!!
Top ↑For someone who loves it here, why all the animosity?
Top ↑Ester, one persons animosity is another’s analogy. I was simply pointing out some of the reasons folks would be moving to IF, which was what Joe was asking his readers to do. Do you have some ideas that relate to this post or do you prefer to quip over writing styles you obviously don’t appreciate?
Top ↑I was annoyed by the lazy reporting in all the articles that stated we had passed Pocatello but didn’t bother to actually say what our populations are now.
Top ↑oh, goody. what does Idaho Falls win, besides the responsibility of paying higher taxes per each resident?
Top ↑I’m not surprised that Idaho Falls has passed Poky in population. Pocatello may be a college town but the city does not have much to offer when it comes to business and restaurants. Idaho Falls is closer to the INL and is in my opinion much prettier than Pocatello. I believe that both cities has their pros and cons. Poky has more independent and small businesses, I.F. has more chains. Poky is more desert like and doesn’t have the greenbelt like I.F. to help the scenery. I.F. is also closer to Yellowstone which helps bring in visitors. But Poky seems to be dying off because they don’t have those chains to help grow. My opinion on the two cities is Pocatello: College town with big hills to go hiking. Somewhat friendlier than Idaho Falls but a city that lacks in scenery. Idaho Falls: Enjoyable atmosphere to enjoy, Big chain stores. Our Zoo is wonderful. The Public Library too and also a concern for quality of life and the welfare of our youth. Also I try to be partial seeing that I’ve grown up in both cities.
Top ↑Let’s put Boise in our sights.
Top ↑You’re on crack if you think IF has a better location than Poky.. The hills and scenery around Poky are way prettier than our town in the middle of a bunch of farms.. The green belt is nice, but I think Pocatello has a ton going for it, and it seems to be making big strides in adding restaurants, and good business. The town has WAY better transportation than IF does.. You can be on the freeway in 5 minutes from any given location.. Ammon is at least 20 minute drive to the freeway!
Top ↑One question for you Anson Bench, How is the air quality during a temperature inversion in Pocatello? Also, the last I heard was that the unemployment rate in Poky was greater than that of any other city in S.E. Idaho. I will say this for Poky, they have a better water park than IF.
Top ↑That’s one thing I would really like to see here is a water park. I did see on the plans for the Memorial expansion that there is supposed to be an interactive fountain…
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