Bingham County was established on January 13, 1885, with its county seat at Blackfoot. The county was made up from the east and northern parts of Oneida County. It was named by William M. Bunn, the Territorial Governor, for his friend Henry Harrison Bingham, who was a Pennsylvania Congressman.
Bingham County offers a stable and diversified economy. It also has several parks and community attractions, excellent schools and quiet residential areas.
Take a much needed relaxing break and explore Bingham County. Take a hike through the lava flows known as Hells Half Acre, enjoy a quiet camping experience in the Wolverine Canyon area, partake in fishing, boating, water skiing or whichever activity your heart so desires in the numerous lakes, reservoirs and rivers that flow through Bingham County. There are also golf courses, gun ranges, an archery range and four wheeler trails providing an outdoor enthusiast endless opportunities.
The Communities
Blackfoot is the county seat nestled in the heart of Bingham County with a population of 37,000 in a 15 mile radius and is a growing community. There are also many other communities throughout the Bingham County area including: Shelley, Firth, Groveland, Moreland, Aberdeen, Pingree and Atomic City.
Educational Options
Bingham County has five school districts and is a 25 minute drive south to Idaho State University and a 45 minute drive north to Eastern Idaho Technical College and extensions of the University of Idaho.
Workforce Opportunities
Bingham County is one of the biggest producers of potatoes in the world. It is home to many agricultural businesses which produce grain, sugar beets, and livestock. It also has the Idaho National Laboratory located 40 miles to the west along with a hospital, restaurants, retail and grocery stores, and many service oriented businesses.
Recreational Locations
Craters of the Moon, Yellowstone and Teton National Parks are all within driving distance. There are five county maintained parks located in the Shelley, Rose, Moreland, Springfield and Aberdeen areas. We also have Sun Valley, Idaho to the west and Jackson, Wyoming to the east. Bingham County has rivers, reservoirs, and lakes where you will enjoy fishing, water skiing, or boating. It also has golf courses, a community swimming pool, archery and gun ranges. There are areas to snow mobile, four wheel, camp or enjoy a picnic. For children, there are city recreation leagues for softball and soccer.
Eastern Idaho State Fair
Exhibitors from throughout Idaho and the country display the fruits of their labors from their gardens, their farms and their ranches during the fall fair. Hundreds of entries in the Flowers, Baking, Canning, Needlecraft, Antiques, Fine Arts, Hobbies & Craft, Photography, Native American, FFA, and 4-H categories are entered in the fair every year.
The fair begins the Friday before Labor Day and continues until the following Saturday. Each year there is an estimated 200,000 in attendance.