Idaho

Owyhee

11,913
2020 population
1870
first census record
16
census records

About Owyhee

Owyhee, Idaho, first appears in the United States federal census in 1870, when it recorded a population of 1,713. At the most recent census, in 2020, its population stood at 11,913.

The county's recorded population has risen across the decades to its highest level in 2020.

On the ground today, 17 documented military engagements have been recorded within the county, among them Utter Disaster – Ward Massacre Site, Battle of Utter Disaster, Overland Trail Attack (1862), and 13 places are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Population by decade

Census YearPopulationChart
202011,913
201011,526
200010,644
19908,392
19808,272
19706,422
19606,375
19506,307
19405,652
19304,103
19204,694
19104,044
19003,804
18902,021
18801,426
18701,713
Source

Population data from the United States decennial census, U.S. Census Bureau (public domain).

Battles & engagements in Owyhee

Military engagements that took place in Owyhee, Idaho.

Utter Disaster – Ward Massacre Site
1860
Battle of Utter Disaster
1860
Overland Trail Attack (1862)
1862
Battle of Snake River Crossing 1861
1863
Snake War – Camp Lyon Area Engagement
1865
Snake War — Battle of Owyhee River (1866)
1866
Snake War - Battle of Owyhee River
1866
Battle of Silver City (Snake War)
1866
Snake War – Battle at Owyhee River
1866
Snake War – Owyhee River Engagement
1866
Silver City Mine Wars, Owyhee County ID
1868
Bannock War – Battle at South Mountain
1878
Bannock War – Buffalo Horn Killed
1878
Battle of Buffalo Horn
1878
Buffalo Horn Death at South Mountain
1878
Birch Creek Battle (Bannock War)
1878
Buffalo Horn Death Engagement
1878

Historic places in Owyhee

National Register of Historic Places listings in Owyhee, Idaho.

Delamar Historic District
Silver City
Wickahoney Post Office and Stage Station
Wickahoney
Bernard's Ferry
Murphy
Owyhee County Courthouse
Murphy
Silver City Historic District
Silver City
Our Lady, Queen of Heaven Church
Oreana
Browse all Idahohistoric sites ›

Other counties in Idaho

Explore census history and historic records for more Idaho counties.

Twin FallsValleyWashingtonAdaAdamsAlturasBannockBear LakeBenewahBinghamBlaineBoiseBonnerBonnevilleBoundaryButteCamasCanyonCaribouCassia
Unlimited access

Everything a full report reveals about Owyhee County, Idaho

This page charts the census history of Owyhee County, Idaho. A full Aubrey report for an address here pulls together everything the historical record holds about the ground, from the earliest settlement to the twentieth century:

Overview
An interactive map of the location with historic sites, battles and Native heritage plotted, and its full story era by era.
The Land
The historic sites and place names around the location, and how this land was settled and used.
Geology
The bedrock beneath the site, its age and rock type, reaching back millions of years.
LiDAR Terrain
Laser-scanned terrain that reveals earthworks and old features hidden in the landscape.
Conflict & War
The battles, raids and skirmishes fought near here, across every era of American conflict.
The Civil War
The Civil War on this ground, 1861 to 1865: who held it, and the battles, camps and regiments nearby.
The Soldiers
The men who marched from here in the Civil War, named and traced where the record allows.
Native Heritage
The Native nations who held this land, mapped across time from before European contact to today.
Settlement
Who claimed and held this ground, from Indigenous homelands through the colonial powers to the United States.
The Community
How the town grew, who came, and what kind of place it became, traced through the census record.
Rivers & Rail
The rivers, canals and railroads that connected this place between 1830 and 1911.
Notable People
The people born, buried or genuinely tied to this exact place, with their stories.
Historical Maps
Historic maps of the location layered over how it looks today.
Finds & Access
Museum objects tied to the area, and the laws on searching, collecting and access here.
Literature
The old books, county histories and archives that mention this place, quoted with their sources.
Spotlight
A deep dive into the most remarkable, lesser-known history of the place, traced back to the record.
Points of Interest
The most significant historic sites and landmarks near the location, and why they matter.
Timeline
The whole story of the location told era by era, from first peoples to the present day.
First month just $5.99, then $11.99 a month. Unlimited locations, cancel anytime.

Every location is different. Not every section appears for every place, only what the historical record actually holds turns up in a report.

Start your Owyhee County, Idaho report
Or see a real report first

Explore Idaho records

Idahohistory ›NRHP historic sites ›Notable people from Idaho›

Frequently asked about Owyhee

When does Owyhee first appear in the US census?
Owyhee, Idaho first appears in the federal census in 1870, with a recorded population of 1,713.
What is the population of Owyhee?
At the most recent federal census (2020), Owyhee had a recorded population of 11,913.
Were any battles fought in Owyhee?
17 documented military engagements took place in Owyhee, including Utter Disaster – Ward Massacre Site, Battle of Utter Disaster, Overland Trail Attack (1862).
How many historic places are in Owyhee?
13 sites are listed on the National Register of Historic Places in Owyhee, Idaho.
Aubrey Research

Research the history of any US location

Aubrey searches federal archives, archaeological records, historic registers, and primary sources to build a full historical report for any address or place in the United States.

Research your locationView a free sample report