KTVB, February 8, 2022, by Tristan Lewis.
A study commissioned by BLUUM shows there could be more than 42,000 more K-12 students in the state by 2030, compared to 2020.
As the state of Idaho grows in population, Gem State school populations are growing as well. A new study by Idaho non-profit BLUUM showed Idaho will need to build 104 new schools by 2030.
The study, Idaho Charter Market Analysis: Exploring Growth Opportunities for Idaho Charter Schools, was commissioned by BLUUM and research was conducted by research firm Public Impact, who used data from the 2020 U.S. Census. Data showed at Idaho’s current growth rate, there could be more than 42,000 more K-12 students in the state by 2030, compared to 2020.
“I think the numbers were bigger than we thought,” said BLUUM CEO, Terry Ryan.
According to the report, across all age groups combined, Idaho’s population is expected to grow in 29 of its 44 counties over the next 10 years. The counties with the highest growth rates are Ada (26.1%), Canyon (23.6%) and Kootenai (21.2%).
The study showed kindergarten through eighth-grade populations are expected to see the most growth, with a rate of growth of 39,480 more K–8 students than in 2020. BLUUM said an average Idaho elementary school size is 403 students, which means the state would need about 98 schools by 2030.