The population of TWIN FALLS COUNTY has grown steadily from 63,844 in 1999 to 75,296 in 2009, an 18 percent increase that preserves its ranking as the sixth most populous county in the state. One of the 10 fastest growing counties, it is a retail hub for south central Idaho and northern Nevada. Abundant natural resources and recreational opportunities draw visitors and residents alike.

The city of Twin Falls is the county seat with a population of 42,197. It lies on the edge of the spectacular Snake River Canyon spanned by the Perrine Bridge, one of the nation’s few legal take-offs for BASE jumpers. Per capita income increased 49 percent. The average wage is $28,492. Twin Falls County ranks 16th among Idaho’s 44 counties in per capita income.

Twin Falls County Work Force Trends

* Idaho Department of Labor, January 2011  

JEROME COUNTY's population has grown steadily, rising 17.6 percent from nearly 18,079 in 1999 to 21,262 in 2009 in response to strong economic and infrastructure development. Jerome is the county seat and by far the largest city at 9,157 residents Jerome County has shown strong growth in per capita income over the last decade. A 39 percent increase since 1999 ranks the county 13th statewide, slightly below the state level. Average wages crept up 1.8 percent from 2008 - 2009.

Jerome County Work Force Trends

* Idaho Department of Labor, January 2011  

The population of MINIDOKA COUNTY has been slipping over the last decade from 20,350 in 1999 to 19,226 in mid-2009. But the decline seems to have stopped in the last two years with year-over-year increases. Per capita income rose 63 percent since 1999 thanks to the advent of higher skilled manufacturing jobs. The dairy industry not only provides year-round jobs but partners with Cargill to process manure into gas which is sold to Intermountain Gas. In 2007, Kraft sold its operation to Brewster Dairy, a Swiss cheese manufacturer, and Gossner Cheese continues its processing operations with a recent expansion of its retail outlet into the Twin Falls market. With the influx of new companies to Cassia and Minidoka counties and the continued draw of low real estate and labor costs, wages in the Mini-Cassia area are predicted to continue climbing.

Minidoka County Work Force Trends

* Idaho Department of Labor, January 2011

CASSIA COUNTY's population was relatively stagnant over most of the last decade, declining slightly through 2005 before slowly trending back. By 2009, the population was 21,698, up just 1.3 percent from 21,425 in 1999. The county is diversifying beyond agriculture, and most existing businesses exhibited staying power during the recession. Efforts to market Cassia and Minidoka counties together through a community partnership, spotlighting low land and labor costs, attracted new businesses prior to the downturn. The area offers an abundance of natural resources and recreational opportunities with Burley located on the banks of the scenic Snake River. It is a short distance to the City of Rocks National Reserve and the Pomerelle Ski Area, both popular recreational destinations. Moderate growth is likely to continue as job opportunities resume following the recession. Wages have been traditionally low in Cassia County, but are on the rise. Per capita income increased 7.5 percent year-over-year, ranking 11th among Idaho’s 44 counties in 2008.

Cassia County Work Force Trends

* Idaho Department of Labor, January 2011

GOODING COUNTY has experienced modest growth over the last 10 years. The population rose 3.3 percent from 13,970 in 1999 to 14,430 in 2009. Gooding County is the state’s dairy leader. But the explosive growth over the last 15 years has ebbed recently with moratoria on confined animal feeding operations. The county seat and largest town is Gooding at 3,200 residents in 2008. Over half the county lives outside the cities. Despite the predominance of dairy, the county’s agriculture is diverse from specialty onions to trout to beef cattle.

Income generated from dairies, its value-added manufacturing and transportation jobs plus access to higher paying opportunities in Blaine County have been the catalyst for much of Gooding’s significant growth in per capita income. It rose 52 percent over the last decade to rank Gooding County fifth among Idaho’s 44 counties. The work force is stable yet highly mobile and willing to spend the extra time and fuel costs for higher wages in Blaine County when quality jobs are not available at home. Gooding County has the second highest per capita income in south central Idaho after Blaine County.

Gooding County Work Force Trends

* Idaho Department of Labor, January 2011

GLENNS FERRY has a population of approximately 1,600 and part of the 28,820 in Elmore County. The unemployment rate here remains at near 15 percent, due in large part to the loss of 130 jobs when the potato plant closed. An experienced work force is available in Glenns Ferry, and more as you include the nearby communities of Mountain Home and Gooding. As an example, in 2001 when the cheese packaging plant for Marathon Cheese Corporation opened in Mountain Home, they took over 1,000 applications.

The second largest industry in Elmore County is agriculture, with total farm land acreage at 355,590. The average farm size is 1,181 acres. In addition to Glenns Ferry’s winery, the surrounding area produces a wide variety of crops, from melons to peppermint. The area is also home to several large dairies.