Benewah County (/ˈbɛnəˌwɑː/) is a county located in the northwest part of the U.S. state of Idaho. As of the 2020 United States Census the county had a population of 9,530. The county seat and largest city is St. Maries, which has some area inside the Coeur d'Alene Reservation.

The county was established on January 23, 1915, of land partitioned from Kootenai County. It was named for a chief of the Coeur d'Alene Tribe. The federally recognized Coeur d'Alene Tribe is based on the Coeur d'Alene Reservation in this and neighboring Kootenai County.

Geography

Benewah County lies on the west line of the state. Its west boundary line abuts the east boundary line of the state of Washington. The county has a total area of 784 square miles (2,030 km), of which 777 square miles (2,010 km) is land and 7.3 square miles (19 km) (0.9%) is water. It is the northern part of the Palouse, a wide and rolling prairie-like region of the middle Columbia basin.

Adjacent counties

Major highways

National protected area

• St. Joe National Forest (part)

State protected areas

• Heyburn State Park
• McCroskey State Park

Demographics

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1920	6,997		—
1930	6,371		−8.9%
1940	7,332		15.1%
1950	6,173		−15.8%
1960	6,036		−2.2%
1970	6,230		3.2%
1980	8,292		33.1%
1990	7,937		−4.3%
2000	9,171		15.5%
2010	9,285		1.2%
2020	9,530		2.6%
2023 (est.)	10,369		8.8%
US Decennial Census 1790–1960 1900–1990 1990–2000 2010–2020

2000 census

As of the 2000 United States Census, there were 9,171 people, 3,580 households, and 2,538 families in the county. The population density was 12 people per square mile (4.6 people/km). There were 4,238 housing units at an average density of 6 per square mile (2.3/km). The racial makeup of the county was 88.66% White, 0.12% Black or African American, 8.94% Native American, 0.15% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 0.25% from other races, and 1.82% from two or more races. 1.55% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 26.6% were of German, 11.7% English, 9.5% American and 8.6% Irish ancestry.

There were 3,580 households, out of which 31.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.40% were married couples living together, 7.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.10% were non-families. 24.00% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.40% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.52 and the average family size was 2.99.

The county population contained 26.90% under the age of 18, 6.80% from 18 to 24, 25.40% from 25 to 44, 26.60% from 45 to 64, and 14.20% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 104.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 101.10 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $31,517, and the median income for a family was $36,000. Males had a median income of $35,097 versus $20,288 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,285. About 10.50% of families and 14.10% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.20% of those under age 18 and 9.70% of those age 65 or over.

2010 census

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 9,285 people, 3,837 households, and 2,571 families in the county. The population density was 12.0 inhabitants per square mile (4.6/km). There were 4,629 housing units at an average density of 6.0 per square mile (2.3/km). The racial makeup of the county was 86.6% white, 8.7% Native American, 0.3% black or African American, 0.3% Asian, 0.1% Pacific islander, 0.5% from other races, and 3.6% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 2.5% of the population. In terms of European ancestry, 23.7% were German, 17.5% were Irish, 14.6% were English, 7.1% were Norwegian, and 3.4% were American.

Of the 3,837 households, 29.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.8% were married couples living together, 9.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 33.0% were non-families, and 27.3% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.40 and the average family size was 2.90. The median age was 44.8 years.

The median income for a household in the county was $37,500 and the median income for a family was $41,759. Males had a median income of $37,214 versus $22,348 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,312. About 11.2% of families and 15.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.6% of those under age 18 and 5.6% of those age 65 or over.

Politics

Benewah County voters tend to vote Republican in the last several decades. In only two national elections since 1968 has the county selected the Democratic Party candidate (as of 2020).

United States presidential election results for Benewah County, Idaho

Year	Republican		Democratic		Third party
	No.	%	No.	%	No.	%
2020	3,878	77.95%	977	19.64%	120	2.41%
2016	3,103	74.15%	770	18.40%	312	7.46%
2012	2,596	66.82%	1,164	29.96%	125	3.22%
2008	2,646	63.54%	1,407	33.79%	111	2.67%
2004	2,823	69.70%	1,148	28.35%	79	1.95%
2000	2,606	70.68%	895	24.27%	186	5.04%
1996	1,667	42.54%	1,488	37.97%	764	19.49%
1992	1,223	33.03%	1,270	34.30%	1,210	32.68%
1988	1,650	50.96%	1,518	46.88%	70	2.16%
1984	2,039	57.70%	1,447	40.95%	48	1.36%
1980	2,111	54.89%	1,361	35.39%	374	9.72%
1976	1,458	47.58%	1,549	50.55%	57	1.86%
1972	1,494	55.54%	1,062	39.48%	134	4.98%
1968	1,125	44.41%	1,160	45.80%	248	9.79%
1964	981	35.33%	1,796	64.67%	0	0.00%
1960	1,274	42.05%	1,756	57.95%	0	0.00%
1956	1,460	50.31%	1,442	49.69%	0	0.00%
1952	1,568	52.08%	1,436	47.69%	7	0.23%
1948	1,038	38.01%	1,590	58.22%	103	3.77%
1944	1,173	44.38%	1,446	54.71%	24	0.91%
1940	1,304	40.12%	1,924	59.20%	22	0.68%
1936	897	30.92%	1,906	65.70%	98	3.38%
1932	949	35.28%	1,602	59.55%	139	5.17%
1928	1,343	57.44%	958	40.98%	37	1.58%
1924	1,158	46.98%	318	12.90%	989	40.12%
1920	1,351	62.98%	794	37.02%	0	0.00%
1916	935	35.06%	1,374	51.52%	358	13.42%

Communities

Cities

• Plummer
• St. Maries
• Tensed

Census-designated places

• De Smet
• Fernwood
• Parkline

Unincorporated communities

Education

School districts include:

• Kootenai Joint School District 274
• Plummer-Worley Joint School District 44
• St. Maries Joint School District 41

It is in the catchment area, but not the taxation zone, for North Idaho College.

Images

• 
  Heyburn State Park information sign
• 
  Map of McCroskey State Park

See also

• National Register of Historic Places listings in Benewah County, Idaho