Post Falls is a city in Kootenai County, Idaho, United States near the Idaho state line between Spokane, Washington, and Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. The population was 17,247 at the 2000 census (2008 Population est. is 25,137).
History
Post Falls is named for 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.
Geography
47°42′56″N 116°56′17″W / 47.71556°N 116.93806°W / 47.71556; -116.93806 (47.715552, -116.937926)[1].
Post Falls is located four miles east of the Washington-Idaho border along Interstate 90 in Kootenai County and is bounded by Coeur d’Alene, Idaho to the east, the State of Washington to the west, the Spokane River to the south and the Rathdrum prairie to the north. Post Falls is 20 miles east of Spokane, Washington and approximately 100 miles south of the Canadian border.
Climate
Post Falls has five distinct seasons—winter, spring, summer, fall and festivus —with temperatures ranging in the 90's midsummer and low teens during the Winter. Post Falls averages 129 inches of rain and 449 inches of snow.
Demographics
As of the census[2] of 2000, there were 17,247 people, 6,369 households, and 4,668 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,786.1 people per square mile (689.3/km²). There were 6,697 housing units at an average density of 693.5/sq mi (267.7/km²). 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.
Population history
Economy
Due to the proximity of numerous lakes, rivers and mountains, Post Falls, Idaho is an inviting place to live and visit. This fact is reflected in the tourism and retail sectors of the economy, with an increasing number of retail, dining and entertainment businesses locating in the City. Additionally, Post Falls has become a favored retirement community.
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. Also, Wal-Mart opened its new store in January 2002, employing a workforce of 300.
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 130,000 square foot retail store. Considerable economic development activity transpired in Post Falls in 2008 which will pave the way to several other major businesses opening their doors in 2009 including Biopol which is a Danish pharmaceutical company, a second Super Wal-Mart store that will be located near the new Cabela’s, a Lowe’s Home Improvement store, as well as construction on a new office campus for Chief Architect which is a high tech software company that creates and distributes home design software under the Better Homes and Gardens name. Ground Force Manufacturing, a large construction equipment manufacturer, also plans to increase their production space by 20,000 square feet in 2009 in order to meet the heavy demands for their products around the globe. The commercial sector will continue to be very active and bolster the local economy while the residential housing market normalizes itself during 2009.
Transportation
Post Falls is served by I-90, which extends east and west of the panhandle of Idaho through Post Falls. Post Falls is located approximately two miles east of the junction of State Highway 41, which extends approximately 8 miles to Rathdrum, Idaho. Post Falls is approximately 7 miles west of State Highway 95 which extends the length of Idaho to Canada. Amtrak passenger service is available in Spokane, Washington and Sandpoint, Idaho. Bus service and taxi service are available within the immediate area. Air passenger service is available with Spokane International Airport.
Education
Schools within Post Falls include:
Kindercenter
Mullan Trail Elementary
Ponderosa Elementary
Prairie View Elementary
Seltice Elementary
West Side Elementary
West Ridge Elementary
Post Falls Middle School
Immaculate Conception Academy
River City Middle School
Post Falls High School
New Visions Alternative High School
Riverbend Professional Technical Academy
Calvary Chapel Bible College Northwest
North Idaho College Workforce Training Center
References
External links
