Sometimes current events unfold perfectly with a creative idea.
Take this column, for instance. Just as I began writing with topic in mind, the first West Coast hurricane since 1939 threatened the Golden State with massive damage, and radar forecasting some heavy impact as far as Idaho.
But the hurricane was kind of a dud. And the only impact was a solid burst of rain from our usually blistering August heat, and picturesque clouds and sunsets to boot.
This recent phenomenon from California brings me to my main point. We here in Idaho should stop all the anti-California rancor of late. California has in fact a lot to do with Idaho’s economic rise. Sure, it sounds like groveling. And yes, I know we all have rising property tax bills that are bringing heartburn. But as one who has told my fair share of anti-California jokes and recruited several Californians to live here (including my wife), I’m beginning to see the light.
Idaho’s demographic growth in recent years is staggering. Fastest-growing state from 2020 to 2022 (4.3%), according to U.S. Census data. And it’s not just Treasure Valley. Rural growth came to Jerome (4.3%), Bingham (3.8%), Cassia (3.6%), Twin Falls (3.7%), Camas (6.5%) and Lincoln (3.9%) counties in that two-year period. It’s fair to predict by next year Idaho will cross the 2 million mark. In 2010, the population was 1.56 million. That’s 28% growth in 13 years, folks.
How much of this influx is from California? Well, there’s no precise way to gauge it. But the Idaho Transportation Department does track changes in driver’s license data, and with the help of a 2021 University of Idaho study, California was by far the largest origin of new license applications.
As far as ag is concerned, this trend is not new. When California began heavily regulating dairies in the ’80s, it led to exponential growth in operations and millions more dairy and beef cows in southern Idaho. Since then, the state’s milk and cheese production are near the top of the country and have fueled the state’s GDP. Given how California and its lawmakers continue to target ag production, don’t be surprised if the trend continues with other commodities. Idaho has become a haven for agriculture production.
That leads to greater uncertainties on some thorny issues, such as water availability, land and property values, labor shortages, affordable housing and cultural dynamics. It’s the last one that probably needs some change of mind on our parts.
If you ask most newcomers to Idaho why they moved here, you’re going to hear a list of the same reasons why longtime or native Idahoans have stayed. Great place to raise families, affordable cost of living, less crime, access to the outdoors, business friendly. Most – maybe not all – fit within the political spectrum. But even our differences are OK. The commonalities should unite us more than differences divide us.
More importantly, Idaho’s growth from neighboring states is far more advantageous than the alternative. More populous states are losing people, factories, farms and jobs. Even against inflation and economic uncertainty, Idaho keeps thriving with growth historic in its history.
The hurricane forces of change from California migration – much like a hurricane from the West Coast – usually don’t create much damage at all. They, in fact, bring a welcome change that helps the entire crop grow.
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