North Central Idaho ProfileFound in the heart of the nation’s Inland Northwest, the Clearwater Economic Development District of north central Idaho encompasses the counties of Clearwater, Idaho, Lewis, Latah, and Nez Perce. Approximately 102,099 people live in the 29 incorporated communities and in the unincorporated areas of the District’s 13,500 square miles. Located at the confluence of the Snake and Clearwater Rivers, the City of Lewiston is the region’s largest community and retail hub (population 31,764). Home to the University of Idaho, the City of Moscow is the second largest population center with 22,798 inhabitants. All other communities range between 100 and 3,200 population.
Geography & Climate
The Snake River provides the District’s border on the west and the Bitterroot Mountains on east; the Clearwater River Basin cuts east to west through the middle of the region. Mountains, high prairies, and river valleys provide significant elevation changes with the lowest point of the region at 700 feet above sea level and the highest point above 8,500 feet. The District has four seasons with some areas of north central Idaho experiencing more severe temperature and precipitation than others. Temperatures range from highs of 90°F to 105°F during the summer with lows between 0°F to 20°F in the winter.
History & IndustriesThe region is rich in history and natural resources. The Nimi’ipuu people, now known as the Nez Perce, hunted and gathered in our region for 10,000 years. In 1805, the Lewis and Clark Corp of Discovery traveled by horse and foot through the Bitterroot Mountains and then continued their westward movement by canoe on the Clearwater River. In 1806, they traveled back through the area. Fur trappers soon followed. In the 1830s, missionaries arrived in the region. In the 1860s, after gold was discovered by Captain E.D. Pierce near the town of Pierce, communities began to emerge along stagecoach routes. By the late 1800s, timber and agriculture emerged as the primary economy. These industries remain critical to today’s economy.
Commerce Centers
Located 110 miles north of Lewiston, Spokane, Washington is the trade and commercial center of the Inland Northwest. Walla Walla, Washington is 100 miles to the west. Portland, Oregon and Seattle, Washington, which are the major distribution, commercial and industrial centers of the Pacific Northwest are both within 350 miles from Lewiston. Boise, the state capital of Idaho, is 270 miles south of Lewiston. Missoula, Montana is located 215 miles to the east.
Land
In North Central Idaho, deer, elk, moose, bear, wolves, eagles, blue herons, falcons, osprey, coyotes, porcupines, and raccoons intermingle with the ranchers’ cattle, sheep, and horses in the timber and pasturelands. The rolling hills of the Palouse, Weippe, and Camas prairies are checkerboards of wheat, barley, canola, rape, peas, lentils, garbanzos, and pasture. With the Lochsa, Selway, Clearwater, Salmon, Palouse, Potlatch, and Snake rivers, North Central Idaho has an abundant water source and plethora of white water enjoyed by recreationists. Hunters, fishermen, rafters, jet boat enthusiasts, campers, and hikers find plenty of opportunity. Hells Canyon, on the western border of the region is the deepest gorge in North America and is a tourist attraction.
For more information, please refer to our CEDS.