Pocatello, Idaho

{{more citations needed section|date=July 2022}}

File:Town view with mountains (cropped).jpg ]]

File:Idaho - Pocatello - NARA - 23939461 (cropped).jpg

Shoshone and Bannock Indigenous tribes inhabited southeastern Idaho for hundreds of years before the Lewis and Clark Expedition across Idaho in 1805.{{cite web |url=https://archive.org/details/nativeamericanen0000prit/page/220/mode/1up?q=Shoshone+idaho |title=A Native American encyclopedia : History, culture, and peoples |date=2000 }} The expedition's reports of the many riches of the region attracted fur trappers and traders to southeastern Idaho. The city is named after Chief Pocatello, a 19th-century Northern Shoshone leader.

Nathaniel Wyeth of Massachusetts established one of the first permanent settlements at Fort Hall in 1834, which is only a few miles northeast of Pocatello. When over-trapping and a shift in fashion to silk hats put an end to the fur trade, Fort Hall became a supply point for immigrants traveling the Oregon Trail.

Although thousands of immigrants passed through Idaho, it was not until the discovery of gold in 1860 that Idaho attracted settlers in large numbers. The gold rush brought a need for goods and services to many towns, and the Portneuf Valley, home of Pocatello, was the corridor initially used by stage and freight lines. The coming of the railroad provided further development of Idaho's mineral resources and "Pocatello junction" became an important transportation crossroads as the Union Pacific Railroad expanded its service.

After its founding in 1889, Pocatello became known as the "Gate City"Wrigley, Robert L. “The Early History of Pocatello, Idaho.” The Pacific Northwest Quarterly, vol. 34, no. 4, 1943, pp. 353–65. JSTOR, {{JSTOR|40486626}}. Accessed November 18, 2023. for being a gateway to Idaho and the Pacific 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 the community into a trade center and transportation junction.

File:Pocatello,_The_Gate_City,_Sunset_Travel_Bureau_of_Information_April_1910.png

After the gold rush played out, the settlers who remained turned to agriculture. With the help of irrigation from the nearby Snake River, the region became a large supplier of potatoes, grain and other crops. Residential and commercial development gradually appeared by 1882.

The adjacent city of Alameda was consolidated into Pocatello in 1962,{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=g8ZeAAAAIBAJ&pg=5704%2C2196122 |work=Lewiston Morning Tribune |location=(Idaho) |agency=(editorial) |title=Will Pocatello be Idaho's metropolis? |date=March 15, 1962 |page=4 |archive-date=December 13, 2021 |access-date=October 19, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211213144510/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=g8ZeAAAAIBAJ&pg=5704,2196122 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=icZeAAAAIBAJ&pg=2520%2C3147087 |work=Lewiston Morning Tribune |location=(Idaho) |agency=Associated Press |title=Pocatello, Alameda vote to join as biggest Idaho city |date=March 21, 1962 |page=1 |archive-date=December 13, 2021 |access-date=October 19, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211213144513/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=icZeAAAAIBAJ&pg=2520,3147087 |url-status=live }} Chubbuck, further north, opposed a similar merger and remained a separate municipality. In the 1960 census, Alameda had a population of 10,660 and Pocatello was at 28,534; the consolidation made Pocatello the state's largest city based on those numbers, passing Boise and Idaho Falls.

{{main|Flag of Pocatello, Idaho}}

The Pocatello flag used from 2001 to 2017 was considered by the North American Vexillological Association to be the worst city flag in North America.{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pnv5iKB2hl4 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211114/pnv5iKB2hl4 |archive-date=November 14, 2021 |url-status=live |title=Why city flags may be the worst-designed thing you've never noticed – Roman Mars |last=TED |date=May 14, 2015 |access-date=August 25, 2017 |publisher=YouTube}}{{cbignore }} In April 2016, the city's newly created flag design committee met for the first time. Attending the meeting was Roman Mars {{Ndash}}whose 2015 TED Talk had made Pocatello's flag infamous.{{cite news |url=http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2016/apr/14/pocatello-starts-effort-to-improve-derided-city-fl/ |title=Pocatello starts effort to improve derided city flag |newspaper=The Washington Times |access-date=August 25, 2017 |archive-date=August 26, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170826031035/http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2016/apr/14/pocatello-starts-effort-to-improve-derided-city-fl/ |url-status=live }} On July 20, 2017, after a year and a half of work by the flag committee, the Pocatello City Council approved the adoption of a new flag with the informal name of "Mountains Left" out of a total of 709 designs.{{cite press release |title=Pocatello City Council Approves Flag Resolution, New and Official City Flag to be Raised |url=http://www.pocatello.us/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=623 |publisher=City of Pocatello, Idaho |date=July 20, 2017 |access-date=August 31, 2017}}{{dead link|date=August 2024|fix-attempted=y|reason=IABot put in a 404 link, and I can't find alternative location of source }}{{cite news |last=Inglet |first=Misty |title=Pocatello officially has new city flag |url=http://www.localnews8.com/news/pocatello/pocatello-officially-has-new-city-flag/590773207 |publisher=KIFI-TV |date=July 21, 2017 |access-date=July 22, 2017 |language=en-US |archive-date=July 21, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170721080156/http://www.localnews8.com/news/pocatello/pocatello-officially-has-new-city-flag/590773207 |url-status=dead }}{{cite press release |title=Pocatello council approves new flag for Gate City |url=http://idahostatejournal.com/news/local/pocatello-council-approves-new-flag-for-gate-city/article_cbcca881-dc51-5b5b-971a-566a590ca691.html |newspaper=Idaho State Journal |date=July 20, 2017 |access-date=July 22, 2017 |language=en |archive-date=July 21, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170721154706/http://idahostatejournal.com/news/local/pocatello-council-approves-new-flag-for-gate-city/article_cbcca881-dc51-5b5b-971a-566a590ca691.html |url-status=live }}

On April 5, 2025, 17-year-old Victor Perez who is a non-verbal autistic with cerebral palsy was shot by police when they were called about him was having a cognitive episode and was in his back yard with a small kitchen knife. A neighbor called the police via 911 for assistance who arrived with weapons drawn, avoided talking to anyone on the scene especially the family members who were trying to talk to them about the situation and pleading that he was not mentally capable and would not be able to understand verbal instructions, just seconds after arriving on the scene they yelled instructions at him, and since he did not understand due to disability, they shot Victor nine times. A video was released by the neighbor who called 911, and it shows the scene that has been widely received with outrage. Victor Perez's leg had to be immediately amputated. He died from the injuries on April 12.{{Cite web |date=2025-04-12 |title=Idaho autistic teen has died after police shooting, family says - CBS News |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/idaho-autistic-teen-victor-perez-declared-brain-dead-police-shooting-family/ |access-date=2025-04-13 |website=www.cbsnews.com |language=en-US}}

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of {{convert|33.36|sqmi|sqkm|2}}, of which {{convert|32.22|sqmi|sqkm|2}} is land and {{convert|0.16|sqmi|sqkm|2}} is water.{{cite web |title=US Gazetteer files 2010 |url=https://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=December 18, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120702145235/http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt |archive-date=July 2, 2012 }}{{Cite web |title=U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Pocatello city, Idaho |url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/pocatellocityidaho |access-date=December 2, 2023 |website=www.census.gov |archive-date=June 4, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240604193019/https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/pocatellocityidaho |url-status=live }}

A main water feature of Pocatello is the Portneuf River, which runs southeast to northwest on the western side of the city. Since 1992, the city and the Portneuf Greenway Foundation {{Cite web|url=https://www.portneufgreenway.org/|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20190424143314/http://www.portneufgreenway.org/|url-status=dead |title=Portneuf Greenway|archivedate=April 24, 2019|website=www.portneufgreenway.org}} have worked to create a system of trails that follow the river and connect to other trails in the greater Portneuf Valley. Currently, 15+ miles of trails have been constructed with 27 planned total miles.

According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Pocatello has a warm-summer humid continental climate, abbreviated "Dfb" on climate maps. The hottest temperature recorded in Pocatello was {{convert|104|°F}} on August 2, 1969, August 8, 1990, July 22, 2000, and July 31, 2020, while the coldest temperature recorded was {{convert|-33|°F}} on February 1, 1985.

{{Weather box

|location = Pocatello, Idaho (Pocatello Regional Airport), 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1939–present

|single line = Yes

|collapsed = yes

|Jan record high F = 61

|Feb record high F = 65

|Mar record high F = 75

|Apr record high F = 86

|May record high F = 97

|Jun record high F = 103

|Jul record high F = 104

|Aug record high F = 104

|Sep record high F = 102

|Oct record high F = 91

|Nov record high F = 75

|Dec record high F = 64

|Jan avg record high F = 48.8

|Feb avg record high F = 53.3

|Mar avg record high F = 66.8

|Apr avg record high F = 77.1

|May avg record high F = 86.2

|Jun avg record high F = 93.9

|Jul avg record high F = 99.6

|Aug avg record high F = 98.6

|Sep avg record high F = 92.2

|Oct avg record high F = 80.6

|Nov avg record high F = 64.0

|Dec avg record high F = 51.6

|year avg record high F = 100.2

|Jan high F = 34.2

|Feb high F = 39.0

|Mar high F = 50.5

|Apr high F = 58.6

|May high F = 68.7

|Jun high F = 78.5

|Jul high F = 89.3

|Aug high F = 88.1

|Sep high F = 77.2

|Oct high F = 61.5

|Nov high F = 46.1

|Dec high F = 34.3

|year high F =

|Jan mean F = 25.6

|Feb mean F = 29.7

|Mar mean F = 39.1

|Apr mean F = 45.7

|May mean F = 54.2

|Jun mean F = 62.2

|Jul mean F = 70.8

|Aug mean F = 69.3

|Sep mean F = 59.7

|Oct mean F = 47.1

|Nov mean F = 34.9

|Dec mean F = 25.8

|year mean F =

|Jan low F = 17.1

|Feb low F = 20.3

|Mar low F = 27.8

|Apr low F = 32.8

|May low F = 39.7

|Jun low F = 46.0

|Jul low F = 52.3

|Aug low F = 50.5

|Sep low F = 42.2

|Oct low F = 32.8

|Nov low F = 23.8

|Dec low F = 17.3

|year low F =

|Jan avg record low F = -3.5

|Feb avg record low F = 0.8

|Mar avg record low F = 12.6

|Apr avg record low F = 20.0

|May avg record low F = 26.1

|Jun avg record low F = 34.0

|Jul avg record low F = 41.2

|Aug avg record low F = 38.5

|Sep avg record low F = 28.7

|Oct avg record low F = 17.0

|Nov avg record low F = 5.4

|Dec avg record low F = -3.4

|year avg record low F = -9.6

|Jan record low F = -31

|Feb record low F = -33

|Mar record low F = -12

|Apr record low F = 12

|May record low F = 20

|Jun record low F = 28

|Jul record low F = 34

|Aug record low F = 30

|Sep record low F = 19

|Oct record low F = -6

|Nov record low F = -14

|Dec record low F = -29

|precipitation colour = green

|Jan precipitation inch = 1.11

|Feb precipitation inch = 0.97

|Mar precipitation inch = 1.21

|Apr precipitation inch = 1.20

|May precipitation inch = 1.40

|Jun precipitation inch = 0.93

|Jul precipitation inch = 0.51

|Aug precipitation inch = 0.53

|Sep precipitation inch = 0.89

|Oct precipitation inch = 0.99

|Nov precipitation inch = 0.95

|Dec precipitation inch = 1.13

|year precipitation inch =

|Jan snow inch = 8.5

|Feb snow inch = 7.6

|Mar snow inch = 4.1

|Apr snow inch = 2.6

|May snow inch = 0.4

|Jun snow inch = 0.0

|Jul snow inch = 0.0

|Aug snow inch = 0.0

|Sep snow inch = 0.0

|Oct snow inch = 1.2

|Nov snow inch = 4.0

|Dec snow inch = 10.1

|year snow inch =

|unit precipitation days = 0.01 in

|Jan precipitation days = 10.5

|Feb precipitation days = 9.1

|Mar precipitation days = 9.4

|Apr precipitation days = 9.6

|May precipitation days = 9.2

|Jun precipitation days = 6.1

|Jul precipitation days = 4.1

|Aug precipitation days = 4.4

|Sep precipitation days = 5.0

|Oct precipitation days = 6.4

|Nov precipitation days = 8.0

|Dec precipitation days = 10.9

|unit snow days = 0.1 in

|Jan snow days = 8.6

|Feb snow days = 6.6

|Mar snow days = 4.1

|Apr snow days = 2.6

|May snow days = 0.3

|Jun snow days = 0.0

|Jul snow days = 0.0

|Aug snow days = 0.0

|Sep snow days = 0.0

|Oct snow days = 0.9

|Nov snow days = 3.9

|Dec snow days = 9.2

|source 1 = NOAA

{{cite web |url=https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&stations=USW00024156&format=pdf&dataTypes=MLY-TMAX-NORMAL,MLY-TMIN-NORMAL,MLY-TAVG-NORMAL,MLY-PRCP-NORMAL,MLY-SNOW-NORMAL |publisher=National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration |title=U.S. Climate Normals Quick Access |access-date=August 20, 2022}}

|source 2 = National Weather Service

{{cite web |url=https://www.weather.gov/wrh/climate?wfo=pih |publisher=National Weather Service |title=NOAA Online Weather Data |access-date=August 20, 2022}}

}}

{{US Census population

|1900= 4046

|1910= 9110

|1920= 15001

|1930= 16471

|1940= 18133

|1950= 26131

|1960= 26534

|1970= 40036

|1980= 46340

|1990= 46080

|2000= 51466

|2010= 54255

|2020= 56320

|estyear= 2023

|estimate=58064

|estref={{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/popest/data/tables.2023.html |date=May 24, 2024 |title=Population and Housing Unit Estimates |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=May 27, 2024 |archive-date=May 28, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240528193622/https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/popest/data/tables.2023.html |url-status=live }}

|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html |title=Census of Population and Housing |publisher=Census.gov |access-date=June 4, 2015 |archive-date=July 1, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210701194652/https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html |url-status=live }}

Alameda annexed in 1962.

}}

{{As of|2022|pre=the}} American Community Survey estimates, there were {{formatnum:56582}} people and {{formatnum:21657}} households.{{cite web |url=https://data.census.gov/table/ACSDP5Y2022.DP05?g=160XX00US1664090 |title=2022 American Community Survey 5 Year Estimate: Demographic and Housing Estimates for Pocatello city, ID |access-date=June 21, 2024 |publisher=United States Census Bureau |archive-date=June 22, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240622014410/https://data.census.gov/table/ACSDP5Y2022.DP05?g=160XX00US1664090 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://data.census.gov/table/ACSDP5Y2022.DP02?g=160XX00US1664090 |title=2022 American Community Survey 5 Year Estimate: Selected Social Characteristics in the United States for Pocatello city, ID |access-date=June 21, 2024 |publisher=United States Census Bureau |archive-date=June 25, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240625212908/https://data.census.gov/table/ACSDP5Y2022.DP02?g=160XX00US1664090 |url-status=live }} The population density was {{convert|1685.4|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were {{formatnum:23357}} housing units at an average density of {{convert|695.7|/sqmi|/km2|1}}.To calculate density we use the land area figure from the places file in {{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov/geographies/reference-files/time-series/geo/gazetteer-files.html |title=The 2023 U.S. Gazetteer Files |access-date=June 22, 2024 |archive-date=August 24, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190824085937/https://www.census.gov/geographies/reference-files/time-series/geo/gazetteer-files.html |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://data.census.gov/table/ACSDT5Y2022.B25001?g=160XX00US1664090 |title=2022 American Community Survey 5 Year Estimate: Housing Units for Pocatello city, ID |access-date=June 21, 2024 |publisher=United States Census Bureau |archive-date=June 25, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240625212907/https://data.census.gov/table/ACSDT5Y2022.B25001?g=160XX00US1664090 |url-status=live }} The racial makeup of the city was 86.2% White, 2.4% Asian, 2.3% some other race, 1.5% Native American or Alaskan Native, 1.4% Black or African American, and 0.1% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander, with 6.0% from two or more races. Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 9.6% of the population.

Of the {{formatnum:21657}} households, 29.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 25.1% had seniors 65 years or older living with them, 44.3% were married couples living together, 7.3% were couples cohabitating, 22.7% had a male householder with no partner present, and 25.8% had a female householder with no partner present. The median household size was {{formatnum:2.48}} and the median family size was {{formatnum:3.30}}.

The age distribution was 24.8% under 18, 12.5% from 18 to 24, 29.2% from 25 to 44, 19.9% from 45 to 64, and 13.6% who were 65 or older. The median age was {{formatnum:32.9}} years.{{cite web |url=https://data.census.gov/table/ACSST5Y2022.S0101?g=160XX00US1664090 |title=2022 American Community Survey 5 Year Estimate: Age and Sex for Pocatello city, ID |access-date=June 21, 2024 |publisher=United States Census Bureau |archive-date=June 25, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240625212906/https://data.census.gov/table/ACSST5Y2022.S0101?g=160XX00US1664090 |url-status=live }} For every 100 females, there were {{formatnum:102.7}} males.

The median income for a household was ${{formatnum:56115}}, with family households having a median income of ${{formatnum:76299}} and non-family households ${{formatnum:35964}}. The per capita income was ${{formatnum:28922}}.{{cite web |url=https://data.census.gov/table/ACSST5Y2022.S1902?g=160XX00US1664090 |title=2022 American Community Survey 5 Year Estimate: Mean Income in the Past 12 Months (in 2022 Inflation-Adjusted Dollars) for Pocatello city, ID |access-date=June 21, 2024 |publisher=United States Census Bureau |archive-date=June 22, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240622014409/https://data.census.gov/table/ACSST5Y2022.S1902?g=160XX00US1664090 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://data.census.gov/table/ACSST5Y2022.S1901?g=160XX00US1664090 |title=2022 American Community Survey 5 Year Estimate: Income in the Past 12 Months (in 2022 Inflation-Adjusted Dollars) for Pocatello city, ID |access-date=June 21, 2024 |publisher=United States Census Bureau |archive-date=June 22, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240622014412/https://data.census.gov/table/ACSST5Y2022.S1901?g=160XX00US1664090 |url-status=live }} Males working full-time jobs had median earnings of ${{formatnum:52873}} compared to ${{formatnum:42456}} for females.{{cite web |url=https://data.census.gov/table/ACSST5Y2022.S2001?g=160XX00US1664090 |title=2022 American Community Survey 5 Year Estimate: Earnings in the Past 12 Months (in 2022 Inflation-Adjusted Dollars) for Pocatello city, ID |access-date=June 21, 2024 |publisher=United States Census Bureau |archive-date=June 22, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240622014412/https://data.census.gov/table/ACSST5Y2022.S2001?g=160XX00US1664090 |url-status=live }} Out of the {{formatnum:53680}} people with a determined poverty status, 14.4% were below the poverty line. Further, 17.0% of minors and 12.3% of seniors were below the poverty line.{{cite web |url=https://data.census.gov/table/ACSST5Y2022.S1701?g=160XX00US1664090 |title=2022 American Community Survey 5 Year Estimate: Poverty Status in the Past 12 Months for Pocatello city, ID |access-date=June 21, 2024 |publisher=United States Census Bureau |archive-date=June 22, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240622014409/https://data.census.gov/table/ACSST5Y2022.S1701?g=160XX00US1664090 |url-status=live }}

In the survey, residents self-identified with various ethnic ancestries. People of English descent made up 20.5% of the population of the town, followed by German at 14.2%, Irish at 9.8%, American at 6.0%, Scottish at 4.0%, Italian at 3.0%, Danish at 3.0%, Swedish at 2.7%, Norwegian at 2.6%, French at 2.0%, Welsh at 2.0%, Polish at 1.4%, Swiss at 1.3%, Scotch-Irish at 1.2%, and Dutch at 1.0%.

Idaho Department of Correction operates the Pocatello Women's Correctional Center (PWCC) in Pocatello."[http://www.pocatello.us/engineering/documents/maps/pocatello_chubbuck_map_2010.pdf Static Printable Map of Pocatello & Chubbuck] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927215147/http://www.pocatello.us/engineering/documents/maps/pocatello_chubbuck_map_2010.pdf |date=September 27, 2011 }}." City of Pocatello. Retrieved on June 4, 2011.

The United States Postal Service operates the Pocatello,"[http://usps.whitepages.com/service/post_office/pocatello-730-e-clark-st-pocatello-id-1377886 Post Office™ Location – POCATELLO] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110414015257/http://usps.whitepages.com/service/post_office/pocatello-730-e-clark-st-pocatello-id-1377886 |date=April 14, 2011 }}." United States Postal Service. Retrieved on June 3, 2011. Bannock,"[http://usps.whitepages.com/service/post_office/bannock-102-s-main-st-pocatello-id-1354008 Post Office™ Location – BANNOCK] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110414015009/http://usps.whitepages.com/service/post_office/bannock-102-s-main-st-pocatello-id-1354008 |date=April 14, 2011 }}." United States Postal Service. Retrieved on June 3, 2011. and Gateway Station post offices."[http://usps.whitepages.com/service/post_office/gateway-station-1750-flandro-dr-pocatello-id-1364552 Post Office™ Location – GATEWAY STATION] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110414015137/http://usps.whitepages.com/service/post_office/gateway-station-1750-flandro-dr-pocatello-id-1364552 |date=April 14, 2011 }}." United States Postal Service. Retrieved on June 3, 2011.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation is building a data center in Pocatello as part of an initiative to consolidate operations into three enterprise data centers.{{cite news |last1=Sverdlik |first1=Yevgeniy |title=FBI to Build Data Center in Idaho |url=http://www.datacenterknowledge.com/archives/2016/04/29/fbi-to-build-data-center-in-idaho/ |access-date=May 2, 2016 |publisher=Data Center Knowledge |date=April 29, 2016 |archive-date=April 30, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160430115802/http://www.datacenterknowledge.com/archives/2016/04/29/fbi-to-build-data-center-in-idaho/ |url-status=live }}

File:Idaho State Univ. Admin bldg (cropped).jpg]]

According to Pocatello's 2023 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report,{{cite web |url=https://pocatello.gov/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/3833 |title=City of Pocatello ACFR |website=Pocatello.gov |access-date=March 18, 2025 }} the top employers in the city are:

File:Pocatello, ID — Museum of Clean (2021-08-14), 00.jpg

Pocatello is home to Idaho Museum of Natural History, Museum of Clean, Bannock County Historical Complex, and the Fort Hall Replica and Museum.

Idaho State University's L.E. and Thelma E. Stephens Performing Arts Center is the largest such complex in Pocatello and hosts dance, theater, music, and other entertainment events. The grand concert hall seats up to 1,200 people.

The Westside Players is a non-profit community theatre company that hosts shows at The Warehouse in the Warehouse District of Pocatello.

File:St. Joseph's Catholic Church Pocatello.jpg

There are over twenty National Historic Places in Pocatello including St. Joseph's Catholic Church, Trinity Episcopal Church, Church of the Assumption, Bethel Baptist Church, A.F.R. Building, Standrod House, John Hood House, Idaho State University Administration Building, Pocatello Carnegie Library, and multiple historic districts.{{Cite web |title=National Register Database and Research - National Register of Historic Places (U.S. National Park Service) |url=https://www.nps.gov/subjects/nationalregister/database-research.htm |access-date=December 3, 2023 |website=www.nps.gov |language=en |archive-date=August 28, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180828223402/https://www.nps.gov/subjects/nationalregister/database-research.htm |url-status=live }}

File:Holt Arena, Idaho State University, Pocatello, Idaho.jpg Dome), Idaho State University, Pocatello, Idaho]]

Pocatello is home to Holt Arena, a multipurpose indoor stadium that opened in 1970 on the ISU campus. Known as the "Minidome" until 1988, Holt Arena was the home of the Real Dairy Bowl, a junior college football Bowl game. Holt Arena also plays host to the Simplot Games, the nation's largest indoor high school track-and-field meet.

The Pocatello Marathon and Half Marathon are held annually. Times from the course may be used to qualify for the Boston and New York marathons.{{cite web |url=http://www.pocatellomarathon.com/ |title=Pocatello Marathon – Event is held the Saturday of Labor Day Weekend: Sept. 2, 2017 |website=Pocatellomarathon.com |access-date=August 25, 2017 |archive-date=August 16, 2000 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000816104900/http://www.pocatellomarathon.com/ |url-status=live }}

Outdoor sports, both winter and summer, play an important role in the culture of Pocatello. Pebble Creek, Idaho is a ski resort located just south of Pocatello and offers skiing and snowboarding.{{cite web |url=http://www.pebblecreekskiarea.com/index.html |title=Index - Pebble Creek Ski Area |access-date=January 25, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130104172139/http://www.pebblecreekskiarea.com/index.html |archive-date=January 4, 2013 }}

Pocatello is also home to a semi-pro baseball team, the Gate City Grays, who are a member of the Northern Utah League. The Grays play in Halliwell Park located at 1100 W. Alameda.{{Cite web |url=http://www.gatecitygrays.com/ |title=Gate City Grays |access-date=November 16, 2021 |language=en |archive-date=November 16, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211116212711/http://www.gatecitygrays.com/ |url-status=live }} They were NUL champions in both 2015 and 2016.

File:Eastern Pocatello.jpg

All of the Bannock County portion of Pocatello is served by the Pocatello/Chubbuck School District #25.{{cite web |url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st16_id/schooldistrict_maps/c16005_bannock/DC20SD_C16005.pdf |title=2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Bannock County, ID |publisher=U.S. Census Bureau |access-date=March 13, 2024 |archive-date=July 21, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210721035757/https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st16_id/schooldistrict_maps/c16005_bannock/DC20SD_C16005.pdf |url-status=live }} - [https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st16_id/schooldistrict_maps/c16005_bannock/DC20SD_C16005_SD2MS.txt Text list] The district is home to three public high schools, four public middle schools and thirteen public elementary schools.

Additionally, there are two public charter schools, and various alternative and church-based private schools and academies.

The portion of Pocatello in Power County is within American Falls Joint School District 381.{{cite web |url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st16_id/schooldistrict_maps/c16077_power/DC20SD_C16077.pdf |title=2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Power County, ID |publisher=U.S. Census Bureau |access-date=March 13, 2024 }} - [https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st16_id/schooldistrict_maps/c16077_power/DC20SD_C16077_SD2MS.txt Text list] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240313225146/https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st16_id/schooldistrict_maps/c16077_power/DC20SD_C16077_SD2MS.txt |date=March 13, 2024 }}

• Century High School
• Highland High School
• Pocatello High School

• Alameda Middle School
• Franklin Middle School
• Hawthorne Middle School
• Irving Middle School

• File:Pocatello Elementary Boundaries.pngChubbuck Elementary School
• Edahow Elementary School
• Ellis Elementary School
• Gate City Elementary School
• Gem Prep
• Greenacres Elementary School
• Indian Hills Elementary School
• Jefferson Elementary School
• Lewis & Clark Elementary School
• Syringa Elementary School
• Tendoy Elementary School
• Tyhee Elementary School
• Washington Elementary School
• Wilcox Elementary School

Idaho State University (ISU) is a public university operated by the state of Idaho. Originally an auxiliary campus of the University of Idaho and then a state college, it became the second university in the state in 1963. The ISU campus is in Pocatello, with outreach programs in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho Falls, Boise, and Twin Falls. The university's {{convert|123000|sqft|m2|adj=on}} L.E. and Thelma E. Stephens Performing Arts Center occupies a prominent location overlooking Pocatello and the lower Portneuf River Valley. The center's three venues provide performance space, including the Joseph C. and Cheryl H. Jensen Grand Concert Hall.

Idaho State's athletics teams compete in the Big Sky Conference, the football and basketball teams play in Holt Arena.

Commercial air service is available via Pocatello Regional Airport. Pocatello Regional Transit provides bus service on five hourly routes, Monday through Saturday. There is currently no evening or Sunday service.

• Chris Abernathy, electrician and member of the Idaho House of Representatives
• Torey Adamcik, one of two perpetrators of the Murder of Cassie Jo Stoddart.{{cite web |url=http://www.mydeathspace.com/article/2008/01/19/Brian_Draper_(17)_and_Torey_Adamcik_(17)_stabbed_Cassie_Jo_Stoddart_(16)_to_death |title=Brian Draper (17) and Torey Adamcik (17) stabbed Cassie Jo Stoddart (16) to death |access-date=July 27, 2011 |archive-date=March 29, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190329074431/http://www.mydeathspace.com/article/2008/01/19/Brian_Draper_(17)_and_Torey_Adamcik_(17)_stabbed_Cassie_Jo_Stoddart_(16)_to_death |url-status=live }}
• Neil L. Andersen, member of the Quorum of the 12 Apostles, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints {{Cite web |url=https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/learn/neil-l-andersen?lang=eng |title=Neil L. Andersen |access-date=June 26, 2020 |archive-date=June 25, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200625012502/https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/learn/neil-l-andersen?lang=eng |url-status=live }}
• Don Aslett, entrepreneur and founder of the town's Museum of Clean
• Kayla Barron, NASA astronaut{{cite web |last=Garcia |first=Mark |title=Astronaut Candidate Kayla Barron |publisher=National Aeronautics and Space Administration |date=February 7, 2018 |url=https://www.nasa.gov/astronauts/biographies/kayla-barron/biography |access-date=December 9, 2020 |archive-date=June 24, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170624110445/https://www.nasa.gov/astronauts/biographies/kayla-barron/biography/ |url-status=dead }}
• Billie Bird (1908–2002), comedian and actress
• Greg Byrne, athletic director at University of Alabama
• Shay Carl, vlogger, one of the original founders of Maker Studios, which was sold to Walt Disney Co. in 2014{{cite web |url=http://www.ibtimes.com/maker-studios-founders-youtubers-shay-carl-lisa-nova-more-react-500-million-walt-disney-co-1563410 |title=Maker Studios Founders, YouTubers Shay Carl, Lisa Nova & More React To $500 Million Walt Disney Co. Acquisition |date=March 25, 2014 |website=Ibtimes.com |access-date=August 25, 2017 |archive-date=October 26, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151026164349/http://www.ibtimes.com/maker-studios-founders-youtubers-shay-carl-lisa-nova-more-react-500-million-walt-disney-co-1563410 |url-status=live }}
• Gloria Dickson, actress
• Jan Broberg Felt, actress
• George V. Hansen, politician
• Taysom Hill, NFL tight end for the New Orleans Saints
• Merril Hoge, analyst for ESPN, NFL running back
• Tristen Hoge, offensive guard for the New York Jets
• Bryan Johnson, NFL football player
• James Edmund Johnson, Medal of Honor recipient, posthumously, for valor in combat in the Korean WarRemembering James Edmund Johnson, USMC, by Terrence W. Barrett PhD
• Dirk Koetter, interim offensive coordinator for the Boise State Broncos
• Wendy J. Olson, U.S. Attorney for the District of Idaho
• C. Ben Ross, Mayor of Pocatello and 15th Governor of Idaho
• Bill Salkeld, Major League Baseball catcher
• Richard G. Scott, member of the Quorum of the 12 Apostles, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints{{Cite web|url=https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/church/leader/richard-g-scott?lang=eng|title=Elder Richard G. Scott|website=www.churchofjesuschrist.org}}
• Tom Spanbauer, writer, winner of the Stonewall Book Award
• Brandon Steineckert, drummer
• Edward Stevenson, costume designer for numerous films including Citizen Kane and It's a Wonderful Life
• Minerva Teichert, artist
• Tommy Togiai, defensive tackle for the Cleveland Browns
• Celeste West, librarian and lesbian author, born Pocatello 1942{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KUZE-U_zq4kC&q=celeste+west |title=She Was a Booklegger: Remembering Celeste West |page=81 |editor1=Toni Samek |editor2=Keller R. Roberto |editor3=Moyra Lang |year=2010 |publisher=Library Juice Press |isbn=9781936117444 |access-date=January 13, 2016 }}
• Logan Wilde, professional archer
• Reo Wilde, professional archer
• Jack Williams, City of Boston news anchor
• Benedicte Wrensted, photographer, lived in Pocatello from 1895 to 1912[http://anthropology.si.edu/wrensted/ "Benedicte Wrensted: An Idaho Photographer in Focus"] {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100715085517/http://anthropology.si.edu/wrensted/ |date=July 15, 2010 }}. Retrieved October 6, 2010.

• The Great Food Truck Race Season 4, Episode 3, "Potatoes in Pocatello". Pocatello, Idaho is the location of episode 3 food truck race challenge. Much of the city is shown, as well as the local foot traffic.{{cite web |url=http://www.foodnetwork.com/shows/the-great-food-truck-race/400-series/pocatello-is-all-about-potatoes-you-dig.html |title=Pocatello Is All About Potatoes, You Dig? |website=Food Network |access-date=August 25, 2017 |archive-date=September 24, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924045857/http://www.foodnetwork.com/shows/the-great-food-truck-race/400-series/pocatello-is-all-about-potatoes-you-dig.html |url-status=live }}

{{portal|Idaho}}

• List of counties in Idaho

{{Reflist}}

{{Commons category|Pocatello, Idaho}}

• [http://www.pocatello.us/ City of Pocatello]

{{Bannock County, Idaho}}

{{Power County, Idaho}}

{{Idaho county seats}}

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Category:Cities in Idaho

Category:Cities in Bannock County, Idaho

Category:Cities in Power County, Idaho

Category:Oregon Trail

Category:County seats in Idaho

Category:Populated places established in 1834

Category:Pocatello, Idaho metropolitan area

Category:1834 establishments in Oregon Country

Category:Idaho placenames of Native American origin