Population191,864 (July 1, 2025 Census estimate)
Panhandle Lakes and a Forested Regional Setting
Kootenai County, IdahoCoeur d’Alene serves as the county seat, while Lake Coeur d’Alene and part of Lake Pend Oreille give this Idaho Panhandle county a strong waterside identity. The county’s civic identity and lake geography describe different scales of place: the seat is one community, while the county extends into a broader forest-and-water landscape. Coeur d’Alene, Post Falls, Hayden and Rathdrum offer different community reference points within the county.
Kootenai County at a Glance
Population191,864 (July 1, 2025 Census estimate)
County SeatCoeur d'Alene
StateIdaho
Established1864
ZIP CodesVary by address
Total Area, Including Water1,308.995 square miles, including water (2020 Census geography)
Major RoutesI-90; US 95
Area Codes208, 986
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Discover Kootenai County
Kootenai County
The county's civic identity and lake geography describe different scales of place: the seat is one community, while the county extends into a broader forest-and-water landscape. Established in 1864 and named for the Kootenai people, the county has an identity rooted in Indigenous history as well as later civic development. Coeur d'Alene became its county-seat center. The presence of Lake Coeur d'Alene and part of Lake Pend Oreille gives this administrative history a distinctly northern Idaho geographic setting.
Choose a specific lake destination before setting out from Coeur d'Alene, distinguishing public shoreline access from surrounding private property and checking the appropriate land manager's guidance. Coeur d'Alene, Post Falls, Hayden and Rathdrum offer different community reference points within the county. Lake-oriented outings are only one part of the picture. Giving individual towns their own time helps distinguish everyday community life from the larger lake and forest landscapes with which the region is associated.
What Shapes Us
Northern Lakes
Coeur d'Alene serves as the county seat, while Lake Coeur d'Alene and part of Lake Pend Oreille give this Idaho Panhandle county a strong waterside identity.
Indigenous Place Names
The county's civic identity and lake geography describe different scales of place: the seat is one community, while the county extends into a broader forest-and-water landscape.
Distinct Communities
Choose a specific lake destination before setting out from Coeur d'Alene, distinguishing public shoreline access from surrounding private property and checking the appropriate land manager's guidance.
Discover the communities within the northern lake landscape
A Closer Look
Kootenai County
Places and perspectives from Kootenai County
Idaho Capital Sun
With 2 weeks until midterms, analysts say Dems still on track to win US House majority
Democrats have used President Donald Trump’s unpopularity to expand the midterm map, and analysts project the party carries…
Read the Story Oct 20, 2026 • 2 min read
Around Kootenai County
Stories from every corner of Kootenai County.
With 2 weeks until midterms, analysts say Dems still on track to win US House majority
Democrats have used President Donald Trump’s unpopularity to expand the midterm map, and analysts project the party carries…
Oct 20, 2026 • 2 min read
Ukrainians and Sudanese with temporary legal status will keep protections for now
WASHINGTON — Immigrants living in the United States with humanitarian status from Ukraine and Sudan will retain their…
Oct 20, 2026 • 2 min read
Idaho legislator selected to serve as state’s next US attorney after Davis retires
An Idaho legislator has been tapped as the state’s next U.S. attorney for the District of Idaho after…
Oct 19, 2026 • 2 min read
The race for Idaho’s top election official, the secretary of state, is a rematch
In the race for Idaho’s top election official, two familiar names are headed to the ballot. Democratic challenger…
Oct 19, 2026 • 2 min read
Friends of Minidoka symposium connects Japanese-American incarceration to immigration debate
The Friends of Minidoka nonprofit will host its 2026 symposium, which will feature a film screening, legal discussion…
Oct 19, 2026 • 2 min read
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Meet Local Businesses
Support the businesses that help make our communities thrive. From family-owned shops and restaurants to trusted local services, discover businesses worth visiting throughout the county.
County Resources
Find the Right Local Connection
Start with the organization responsible for the service you need. Follow its official link for current requirements, office locations and availability.
County photographs from Wikimedia Commons; images may be cropped for display.
- My Public Lands Summer Road Trip- Coeur d’ Alene in Idaho (18146467893) — Bureau of Land Management. Public domain. My Public Lands Summer Road Trip: Coeur d’ Alene in Idaho
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Idaho statewide resources
Idaho Government
Use the official Idaho.gov portal to find state agencies, services, licenses, public information, directories, and online government resources. It is the main statewide starting point for residents, businesses, and visitors seeking official Idaho information.
Schools
Public school contacts
Selected local schools from the NCES 2024-2025 directory. Contact the school or district to confirm enrollment, attendance boundaries and current services; this is not a complete school list.
Coeur D'Alene Charter Academy School – High; grades 06-12. 4904 NORTH DUNCAN DRIVE, COEUR D'ALENE, ID 83815. 208-676-1667.
Bryan Elementary School – Elementary; grades PK-05. 802 HARRISON AVENUE, COEUR D'ALENE, ID 83814. 208-664-3237.
Hayden Canyon Charter School – Elementary; grades KG-08. 13732 NORTH GOVERNMENT WAY, HAYDEN, ID 83835. 208-332-6800.
Canyon Elementary School – Elementary; grades PK-05. 27491 EAST SCHOOLHOUSE LOOP, CATALDO, ID 83810. 208-682-2749.
Kootenai Classical Academy – Other; grades PK-09. 4318 NORTH FENNECUS ROAD, POST FALLS, ID 83854. 208-332-6800.
Harrison Elementary School – Elementary; grades PK-05. 13030 EAST O'GARA ROAD, HARRISON, ID 83833. 208-689-3511.
Athol Elementary School – Elementary; grades PK-05. 6333 EAST MENSER AVENUE, ATHOL, ID 83801. 208-683-2231.
Hospitals
Local hospital contacts
Facility contacts from the CMS Hospital General Information directory, updated July 22, 2026. Contact the facility directly to confirm current services and appointment arrangements.
Kootenai Health – Acute Care Hospitals. 2003 Kootenai Health Way, Coeur D'Alene, ID 83814. 208-625-4000.
Northwest Specialty Hospital – Acute Care Hospitals. 1593 East Polston Avenue, Post Falls, ID 83854. 208-262-2300.
Idaho statewide resources
Public Safety
The Idaho State Police provides statewide patrol, investigations, forensic services, criminal-information resources, highway safety support, and other public-safety services. County sheriffs and municipal police departments handle many local law-enforcement matters.
Idaho statewide resources
Emergency Services
The Idaho Office of Emergency Management coordinates statewide preparedness, disaster response, recovery, mitigation, and emergency planning. Residents should also follow county and local emergency-management agencies for evacuation notices, wildfire information, flooding, severe-weather alerts, and community-specific instructions.
Idaho statewide resources
State Parks
The Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation provides official information about state parks, campgrounds, trails, boating, reservations, permits, passes, and outdoor recreation. Check each destination’s official page for current conditions, closures, fees, and reservation requirements.
Idaho statewide resources
Trails
Idaho State Parks, national forests, Bureau of Land Management lands, cities, counties, and local organizations maintain hiking, biking, equestrian, paddling, and motorized trails throughout the state. Use official land-management resources and verify weather, wildfire conditions, snow, seasonal closures, permits, and trail access before heading out.
Idaho statewide resources
Utilities
The Idaho Public Utilities Commission regulates investor-owned electric, natural gas, telecommunications, water, and other utility services under its jurisdiction. Municipal utilities, cooperatives, and other providers may operate differently, so verify the provider serving the exact address and community.
Libraries
Local library contacts
Locations and public phone numbers are from the IMLS FY2024 Public Libraries Survey. Call the branch to confirm current hours and services before visiting.
Coeur D`Alene Public – 702 E Front Ave, Coeur D`Alene, ID 83814. 208-769-2315.
Community Library Network – Athol – 30399 N 3Rd, Athol, ID 83801. 208-683-2979.
Community Library Network – Harrison – 111 S Coeur D`Alene, Harrison, ID 83833. 208-689-3976.
Community Library Network – Hayden – 8385 N Government Wy, Hayden, ID 83835. 208-772-5612.
Community Library Network – Post Falls – 821 N Spokane, Post Falls, ID 83854. 208-773-1506.
Community Library Network – Rathdrum – 16320 Highway 41, Rathdrum, ID 83858. 208-687-1029.
Community Library Network – Spirit Lake – 32575 N 5Th, Spirit Lake, ID 83869. 208-623-5353.
Idaho statewide resources
Courts
The Idaho Judicial Branch provides court information, forms, self-help resources, opinions, rules, and links to district and magistrate courts across the state. Verify the correct court and jurisdiction before filing documents or relying on deadlines.
DMV
Idaho — Driver’s License and ID Required Documents
Idaho statewide resources
Transportation
The Idaho Transportation Department manages state highways and provides information on roads, bridges, construction, traffic, aviation, public transportation, highway safety, and travel conditions. Use official ITD and Idaho 511 resources for current road information.
Postal Services
USPS location finder — Search by street address, city or ZIP Code for nearby post offices, collection boxes and available services.
USPS ZIP Code lookup — Find the mailing ZIP Code for a specific street address.
USPS Hold Mail — Arrange a temporary mail hold and review identity-verification requirements.
USPS change of address and forwarding — Review forwarding options and submit an address-change request through USPS.
USPS package pickup — Check pickup availability for your address and schedule eligible shipments.
Veterans
National services available to local residents
VA accredited representatives — Find help with VA claims and benefit applications.
VA health care applications — Review application options and supporting information.
VA disability claims — Find the official steps for submitting a disability claim.
GI Bill and education benefits — Review how to apply for VA education benefits.
Veteran career and employment support — Explore VA employment, training and career assistance.
Employment
National services available to local residents
USAJOBS federal employment — Search federal openings by location and occupation.
Apprenticeship Finder — Search apprenticeship opportunities by location and occupation.
My Next Move career exploration — Explore occupations, industries and career interests.
Government job-training resources — Find routes to state training programs and support for different job seekers.
Unemployment benefit guidance — Find your state program and its application and eligibility information.
Get to Know Kootenai County
Useful answers for residents, visitors and anyone planning their next step.
Local Questions
Kootenai County Questions, Answered
Explore practical details about the county and the organizations that serve it.
191,864 (July 1, 2025 Census estimate). This is a dated Census Bureau estimate, rather than a live resident count.
1,308.995 square miles, including water (2020 Census geography). The total combines land and water area.
Start with these official Idaho resources: Vehicle Registration; Driver’s License and ID Required Documents; Report Vehicle Insurance. Choose the page for the service you need, then check its office or online instructions before making a trip. These links cover state services; they do not establish that every transaction is available at a county office.
Use USPS ZIP Code Lookup for the mailing ZIP Code of a specific street address. Use the USPS location finder to search for nearby postal facilities and available services. An address lookup is more useful for mailing than assuming the entire county shares one ZIP Code.
The VA explains how to find and appoint an accredited representative for benefit claims. Contact a representative to confirm availability before appointing them. For education benefits, use the GI Bill application guidance. These are national VA services available to eligible local residents, rather than a listing of county offices.
Search USAJOBS for federal positions and the Apprenticeship Finder for apprenticeship opportunities, using location filters to narrow the results. USAGov job-training guidance points to training programs and state resources. Check each listing for current availability, eligibility and application instructions; a search result does not guarantee an opening in the county.
The county's civic identity and lake geography describe different scales of place: the seat is one community, while the county extends into a broader forest-and-water landscape. Established in 1864 and named for the Kootenai people, the county has an identity rooted in Indigenous history as well as later civic development. Coeur d'Alene became its county-seat center. The presence of Lake Coeur d'Alene and part of Lake Pend Oreille gives this administrative history a distinctly northern Idaho geographic setting.
Choose a specific lake destination before setting out from Coeur d'Alene, distinguishing public shoreline access from surrounding private property and checking the appropriate land manager's guidance. Coeur d'Alene, Post Falls, Hayden and Rathdrum offer different community reference points within the county. Lake-oriented outings are only one part of the picture. Giving individual towns their own time helps distinguish everyday community life from the larger lake and forest landscapes with which the region is associated.
The 2020 Census geography figures record 1,237.779 square miles of land and 71.216 square miles of water in Kootenai County. The county’s total area includes both. These are geographic measurements for that Census vintage, not a measurement of current water levels or public recreation access.
In the Census Bureau’s 2025 estimate series, Kootenai County had an estimated 172,797 residents on July 1, 2020, and 191,864 on July 1, 2025. Over that interval, the estimated population increased by 19,067 residents, or about 11.0%. Both figures come from the same estimate vintage, which revises earlier years for a consistent comparison.
Coeur d’Alene is the county seat of Kootenai County, Idaho.
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