Post Falls, Idaho

{{Use American English|date=January 2026}} {{use mdy dates|date=July 2020}} {{Infobox settlement |official_name = Post Falls |settlement_type = City |motto = |image_skyline = downtownPostfalls.jpg |imagesize = 275px |image_caption = Downtown Post Falls along the Spokane River |image_map = Kootenai County Idaho Incorporated and Unincorporated areas Post Falls Highlighted 1664810.svg |mapsize = 250px |map_caption = Location of Post Falls in Kootenai County, Idaho  |subdivision_type = Country |subdivision_name = United States |subdivision_type1 = State |subdivision_name1 = Idaho |subdivision_type2 = County |subdivision_name2 = Kootenai  |government_footnotes = |government_type = City Council (6) & Mayor<br>elected to four-year terms |leader_title = Mayor |leader_name = |established_title = Founded |established_date = June 1, 1871 |established_title1 = Incorporated |established_date1 = 1891  |unit_pref = Imperial |area_footnotes = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2020">{{cite web|title=2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2020_Gazetteer/2020_gaz_place_16.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=July 24, 2022}}</ref> |area_total_km2 = 39.29 |area_land_km2 = 39.22 |area_water_km2 = 0.07 |area_total_sq_mi = 15.17 |area_land_sq_mi = 15.14 |area_water_sq_mi = 0.03  |population_as_of = 2020 |population_est = 44194 |pop_est_as_of = 2022 |pop_est_footnotes = <ref name="USCensusEst2022"/> |population_footnotes = <ref name="2020 Census (City)">{{cite web|title=Explore Census Data |url=https://data.census.gov/profile/Post_Falls_city,_Idaho?g=160XX00US1664810 |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=January 14, 2024}}</ref> |population_total = 38485 |population_density_km2 = 1055 |population_density_sq_mi = 2730 |population_rank = US: 740th<br>ID: 9th |population_urban = 121831 (US: 272nd) |population_metro = 183578 (US: 240th) |population_blank1_title = Combined |population_blank1 = 781497 (US: 70th)  |timezone = Pacific (PST) |utc_offset = –8 |timezone_DST = PDT |utc_offset_DST = –7 |elevation_footnotes = <ref name=gnis/> |elevation_ft = 2202 |coordinates = {{coord|47|43|15|N|116|56|22|W|region:US-ID}} |postal_code_type = ZIP Codes |postal_code = 83854, 83877 |area_codes = 208 and 986 |blank_name = FIPS code |blank_info = 16-64810 |blank1_name = GNIS feature ID |blank1_info = 2411475<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|2411475}}</ref> |website = {{URL|https://www.postfalls.gov/|postfalls.gov}} |footnotes = }}

'''Post Falls''' is a city in Kootenai County, Idaho, United States. It is the gateway city to Northern Idaho off Interstate 90, just west of Coeur d'Alene, and east of Spokane, Washington. The population is an estimated 44,194 in 2022 according to the U.S. Census Bureau estimate,<ref name="USCensusEst2022"/> making it Idaho's ninth-largest city and the second largest city in North Idaho behind Coeur d’Alene.

==History== thumb|left|Treaty Rock Post Falls is named after Frederick Post, a German immigrant who constructed a lumber mill along the Spokane River in 1871 on land he purchased from Andrew Seltice, Chief of the Coeur d'Alene Tribe. The purchase of the land is preserved in a pictograph on a granite cliff in Treaty Rock Park.<ref>Morrissey, Katherine G. ''Mental Territories: Mapping the Inland Empire.'' Cornell University Press, Ithaca, NY, 2018. pg. 132</ref><ref>''United States Congressional serial set.'' Issue 5226, 1908. pg. 138</ref>

==Geography== The coordinates of Post Falls are {{coord|47.712|N|116.948|W|type:city}}.<ref name="GR1">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/geographies/reference-files/time-series/geo/gazetteer-files.html|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=April 23, 2011|date=February 12, 2011|title=US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990}}</ref>

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of {{convert|14.11|sqmi|sqkm|2}}, of which {{convert|14.07|sqmi|sqkm|2}} is land and {{convert|0.04|sqmi|sqkm|2}} is water.<ref name="Gazetteer files">{{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}}</ref>

Post Falls is located on the Rathdrum Prairie, along the Washington–Idaho border. It is bounded by Coeur d’Alene to the east, Stateline and the state of Washington to the west, and the Spokane River to the south. Post Falls is {{convert|20|mi|km}} east of Spokane and approximately {{convert|100|mi|km}} south of the Canada–United States border. The elevation of the city is {{convert|2182|ft|m|0}} above sea level.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Economic Development {{!}} Post Falls Idaho |url=https://www.postfalls.gov/economic-development/ |access-date=July 7, 2023 |language=en-US}}</ref>

==Climate== Post Falls has a Warm-summer Mediterranean climate (Csb), with four very distinct seasons. {{Weather box |width=auto |location = Post Falls, Idaho |single line = Y |collapsed = Y |Jan high F = 36 |Feb high F = 40 |Mar high F = 49 |Apr high F = 56 |May high F = 65 |Jun high F = 72 |Jul high F = 82 |Aug high F = 82 |Sep high F = 73 |Oct high F = 58 |Nov high F = 44 |Dec high F = 34 |Jan record high F = 60 |Feb record high F = 62 |Mar record high F = 73 |Apr record high F = 94 |May record high F = 98 |Jun record high F = 102 |Jul record high F = 108 |Aug record high F = 109 |Sep record high F = 102 |Oct record high F = 87 |Nov record high F = 71 |Dec record high F = 60 |year record high F = 109 |year high F = 58 |Jan low F = 26 |Feb low F = 27 |Mar low F = 31 |Apr low F = 37 |May low F = 44 |Jun low F = 51 |Jul low F = 56 |Aug low F = 56 |Sep low F = 48 |Oct low F = 38 |Nov low F = 32 |Dec low F = 25 |Jan record low F = −30 |Feb record low F = −29 |Mar record low F = −13 |Apr record low F = 5 |May record low F = 21 |Jun record low F = 28 |Jul record low F = 36 |Aug record low F = 32 |Sep record low F = 17 |Oct record low F = 2 |Nov record low F = −13 |Dec record low F = −26 |year record low F = −30 |year low F = 39 |precipitation colour = green |Jan precipitation inch = 3.18 |Feb precipitation inch = 2.20 |Mar precipitation inch = 2.32 |Apr precipitation inch = 1.88 |May precipitation inch = 2.16 |Jun precipitation inch = 1.98 |Jul precipitation inch = 0.94 |Aug precipitation inch = 0.87 |Sep precipitation inch = 1.01 |Oct precipitation inch = 1.95 |Nov precipitation inch = 3.72 |Dec precipitation inch = 3.52 |year precipitation inch = |Jan snow inch = 17.1 |Feb snow inch = 8.8 |Mar snow inch = 5.6 |Apr snow inch = 1.0 |May snow inch = 0.4 |Jun snow inch = 0.1 |Jul snow inch = 0.0 |Aug snow inch = 0.0 |Sep snow inch = 0.0 |Oct snow inch = 0.7 |Nov snow inch = 7.0 |Dec snow inch = 18.6 |year snow inch= 59.3 |source 1 = <ref>{{cite web |url=http://wwworigin.weather.com/weather/wxclimatology/monthly/USID0208 |title=Monthly Averages for Post Falls, ID |publisher=The Weather Channel |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160114162112/http://wwworigin.weather.com/weather/wxclimatology/monthly/USID0208 |archive-date=January 14, 2016}}</ref> }}

==Education== The public schools are run by the Post Falls School District #273.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.pfsd.com/schools |title=List - Post Falls SD |publisher=Post Falls SD |access-date=September 27, 2019}}</ref> Other schools within Post Falls include: {{div col|colwidth=20em}} * Classical Christian Academy * Frederick Post Kindergarten * Greensferry Elementary * Genesis Prep Academy * Mullan Trail Elementary * Ponderosa Elementary * Prairie View Elementary * Seltice Elementary * Treaty Rock Elementary * West Ridge Elementary * Post Falls Middle School * Immaculate Conception Academy * River City Middle School * Post Falls High School * New Vision Alternative High School * North Idaho College Workforce Training Center * St. Dominic School * Pinegrove Academy (Private) * Elevate Academy North (Charter) {{div col end}}

==Demographics== {{US Census population |1900= 287 |1910= 658 |1920= 576 |1930= 509 |1940= 843 |1950= 1069 |1960= 1983 |1970= 2371 |1980= 5736 |1990= 7349 |2000= 17247 |2010= 27574 |2020= 38485 |estyear=2022 |estimate=44194 |estref=<ref name="USCensusEst2022">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/popest/2020s-total-cities-and-towns.html |date=January 14, 2024|title=City and Town Population Totals: 2020-2022|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=January 14, 2024}}</ref> |align-fn=center |footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|author=United States Census Bureau|author-link=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=February 15, 2014}}</ref><br>2020 Census<ref name="2020 Census (City)"/> | align = right }}

===2020 census=== As of the 2020 census, Post Falls had a population of 38,485.<ref name="Census2020PL"/>

The median age was 35.8 years. 26.2% of residents were under the age of 18 and 16.0% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 95.7 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 92.7 males age 18 and over.<ref name="Census2020DP">{{cite web|title=2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)|url=https://api.census.gov/data/2020/dec/dp?get=NAME%2CDP1_0021P%2CDP1_0024P%2CDP1_0025C%2CDP1_0049C%2CDP1_0045C%2CDP1_0069C%2CDP1_0073C%2CDP1_0125P%2CDP1_0126P%2CDP1_0129P%2CDP1_0133P%2CDP1_0137P%2CDP1_0138P%2CDP1_0139P%2CDP1_0141P%2CDP1_0142P%2CDP1_0143P%2CDP1_0145P%2CDP1_0146P%2CDP1_0147C%2CDP1_0148C%2CDP1_0149C%2CDP1_0156C%2CDP1_0157C%2CDP1_0158C%2CDP1_0159P%2CDP1_0160P&for=place%3A64810&in=state%3A16|website=United States Census Bureau|year=2021|access-date=April 8, 2026|df=mdy}}</ref><ref name="Census2020PL"/>

99.6% of residents lived in urban areas, while 0.4% lived in rural areas.<ref name="Census2020DHC">{{cite web|title=2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)|url=https://api.census.gov/data/2020/dec/dhc?get=NAME%2CP2_002N%2CP2_003N&for=place%3A64810&in=state%3A16|website=United States Census Bureau|year=2023|access-date=April 8, 2026|df=mdy}}</ref>

There were 14,650 households in Post Falls, of which 35.2% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 51.7% were married-couple households, 16.0% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 24.4% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 23.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.<ref name="Census2020DP"/>

There were 15,355 housing units, of which 4.6% were vacant. The homeowner vacancy rate was 0.7% and the rental vacancy rate was 5.1%.<ref name="Census2020DP"/>

{| class="wikitable" |+ Racial composition as of the 2020 census<ref name="Census2020PL">{{cite web|title=2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)|url=https://api.census.gov/data/2020/dec/pl?get=NAME%2CP1_001N%2CP1_003N%2CP1_004N%2CP1_005N%2CP1_006N%2CP1_007N%2CP1_008N%2CP1_009N%2CP2_001N%2CP2_002N%2CH1_001N%2CH1_002N&for=place%3A64810&in=state%3A16|website=United States Census Bureau|year=2021|access-date=April 8, 2026|df=mdy}}</ref> ! Race !! Number !! Percent |- | White || 33,997 || 88.3% |- | Black or African American || 155 || 0.4% |- | American Indian and Alaska Native || 373 || 1.0% |- | Asian || 297 || 0.8% |- | Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander || 71 || 0.2% |- | Some other race || 563 || 1.5% |- | Two or more races || 3,029 || 7.9% |- | ''Hispanic or Latino (of any race)'' || 2,358 || 6.1% |}

===2010 census=== As of the 2010 census, there were 27,574 people, 10,263 households, and 7,396 families living in the city. The population density was {{convert|1959.8|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 11,150 housing units at an average density of {{convert|792.5|/sqmi|/km2|1}}. The racial makeup of the city was 94.0% White, 0.4% African American, 0.9% Native American, 0.7% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 1.0% from other races, and 2.8% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.6% of the population.

There were 10,263 households, of which 40.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.7% were married couples living together, 12.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.7% had a male householder with no wife present, and 27.9% were non-families. 21.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.68 and the average family size was 3.10.

The median age in the city was 33 years. 29% of residents were under the age of 18; 8.7% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 28.6% were from 25 to 44; 22.4% were from 45 to 64; and 11.3% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.8% male and 51.2% female.

===2000 census=== As of the census of 2000, there were 17,247 people, 6,369 households, and 4,668 families living in the city. The population density was {{convert|1,786.1|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 6,697 housing units at an average density of {{convert|693.5|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the city was 96.13% White, 0.18% African American, 0.87% Native American, 0.56% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 0.60% from other races, and 1.61% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.55% of the population.

There were 6,369 households, out of which 40.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.7% were married couples living together, 10.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.7% were non-families. 20.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.71 and the average family size was 3.13.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 30.6% under the age of 18, 8.9% from 18 to 24, 31.8% from 25 to 44, 18.9% from 45 to 64, and 9.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 31 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.4 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $39,061, and the median income for a family was $42,758. Males had a median income of $32,284 versus $22,798 for females. The per capita income for the city was $18,692. About 7.1% of families and 9.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.4% of those under age 18 and 7.5% of those age 65 or over.

===American Community Survey estimates=== As of 2023 the median household income for the city was $73,313.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Explore Census Data |url=https://data.census.gov/profile/Post_Falls_city,_Idaho?g=160XX00US1664810 |access-date=2024-07-28 |website=data.census.gov}}</ref> {| class="wikitable" |Median households income (in 2023 dollars), 2019-2023 |$73,313 |- |Per capita income in past 12 months (in 2023 dollars), 2019-2023 |$32,045 |- |Persons in poverty, percent |13.0% |} ==Economy== {{Update section|date=February 2021}} Due to the proximity of numerous lakes, rivers and mountains, Post Falls has developed tourism<ref>{{Cite web|date=2010|title=City of Post Falls Comprehensive Plan|url=http://www.postfallsidaho.org/PZDept/pzforms/CompPlan.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111104123458/http://www.postfallsidaho.org/PZDept/pzforms/CompPlan.pdf|archive-date=November 4, 2011|access-date=January 31, 2021|website=postfallsidaho.org|quote=The natural resources of the area and region continue to attract new residents and tourists.}}</ref> and retirement communities. There is an increasing number of retail, dining and entertainment businesses locating in the City.{{citation needed|date=July 2019}}

Kootenai County traditionally has had a timber-based economy. That is changing gradually, as the manufacturing base has become more diverse. Jobs Plus, Inc., the local economic development organization has recruited several small to medium-sized firms to the county. Manufacturing jobs are found primarily in electronics, lumber and furniture at the present. Post Falls was the chosen location for Flexcel, Inc., a major furniture manufacturer that relocated to North Idaho nearly fifteen years ago and employs a workforce of 350. This was done with the help of Jobs Plus, Inc. and by creating an Urban Renewal District to help build infrastructure. This District closed out at the end of December 2001. Jobs Plus, Inc. has also just recently helped bring Center Partners, a call center business (employing a workforce of 300), and Buck Knives brought their manufacturing headquarters (workforce of 250) to the City.

Construction of a private surgical hospital was completed in 2004. Sysco foods opened their distribution plant during 2005. This project was made possible by Jobs Plus, Urban Renewal, and the City working together. Also, a community development block grant for $500,000 was used to help fund a water tower (approximately $1,500,000 total cost) that was needed on the west side of town for development in that area. In 2007, Cabela's opened its doors to a beautiful {{convert|130000|sqft|m2|adj=on}} retail store. Considerable economic development activity transpired in Post Falls in 2009 including the opening of ALK Source Materials/Biopol which is a Danish pharmaceutical company, a second Super Wal-Mart store that will be located near the new Cabela's store began its construction and is slated to open in early summer 2010, and Lowe's Home Improvement finalized the purchase of land adjacent to the new Wal-Mart at the Pointe at Post Falls. Ground Force Manufacturing, a large construction equipment manufacturer, completed an addition that increased their production space by {{convert|20000|sqft|m2}} in 2009 in order to meet the heavy demands for their mining construction products around the globe. In 2010, additional commercial real estate activity is anticipated including the construction of the Lowe's Home Improvement store mentioned earlier; a new 30,000 professional office building to house a company named Ednetics; a 30,000 LEED certified industrial building to be the home of a subsidiary of Berg Integrated Systems will begin construction in early 2010; the Idaho Department of Labor will construct their new regional office here in Post Falls that will provide services to the northern five counties of Idaho; several restaurants are also anticipated to locate within the Pointe at Post Falls regional power center to take advantage of the retail traffic of Cabela's and Wal-Mart; the City's downtown area is expected to see a major mixed-use project also take off with infrastructure and the first phase including a hospitality component begin construction; and finally the community anticipates that construction on the Beck Road Interchange with Interstate 90 will begin this fall ultimately providing service to the Pointe at Post Falls and EXPO on the north side of the freeway and the Riverbend Commerce Park and Greyhound Event Center on the south side of Interstate 90.{{citation needed|date=July 2019}}

===Employers=== ===Top employers=== According to the City's 2022 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.postfalls.gov/ftp/ACFR22.pdf |title=City of Post Falls 2022 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report |format=PDF |page=123 |date=January 14, 2024}}</ref> the largest employers in the city are:

{| class="wikitable" |- ! # ! Employer ! Type of Business ! # of Employees ! Percentage |- | 1 | Post Falls School District | Public Education | 700–799 | 3.9%–4.5% |- | 2 | Pleasant View Surgery Center | Healthcare | 200–299 | 1.7%–2.2% |- | 3 | Rehabilitation Hospital of the Northwest | Healthcare | 200–299 | 1.1%–1.7% |- | 4 | North Idaho Day Surgery | Healthcare | 200–299 | 1.1%–1.7% |- | 5 | Buck Knives | Manufacturing | 200–299 | 1.1%–1.7% |- | 6 | City of Post Falls | Government | 200–299 | 1.1%–1.7% |- | 7 | Walmart | Retail | 200–299 | 1.1%–1.7% |- | 8 | Tedder Industries | Manufacturing | 150–199 | 0.8%–1.1% |- | 9 | Red Lion Hotels | Hotel | 100–149 | 0.6%–0.8% |- | 10 | All Wall Contracting | Construction | 100–199 | 0.6%–0.8% |- |— |'''Total employers''' |— |'''17,884''' |'''13.1%–17.9%''' |}

==Transportation== * 25px - Interstate 90 - Spokane (west), Coeur d'Alene (east) The city is served by Interstate 90, the primary east–west highway of the northern United States, which crosses the Idaho panhandle through Post Falls.<ref>''Wastewater Facilities for the City of Post Falls: Environmental Impact Statement''. 1981. pg. 126</ref> {{convert|2|mi|km|spell=In}} east is its junction with State Highway 41, which extends {{convert|8|mi|km}} north to Rathdrum. Post Falls is approximately {{convert|7|mi|km}} west of U.S. Route 95, the state's primary north–south highway, which extends into Canada.

Air passenger service is available at Spokane International Airport, west of Spokane. Amtrak passenger rail service is available in Spokane and Sandpoint. Bus service and taxi service are available in the immediate area.

==References== {{reflist}}

==External links== {{commons category}} *{{official website|https://www.postfalls.gov/}} *[http://www.postfallschamber.com/ Post Falls Chamber of Commerce] *[http://www.pfsd.com Post Falls School District #273]

Category:Post Falls, Idaho Category:Populated places in the United States established in 1871 Category:Cities in Idaho Category:Cities in Kootenai County, Idaho Category:1871 establishments in Idaho Territory