Idaho

Demographics

Arrivals

*Refugee Processing Center, Admissions & Arrivals, 2016-2020 figures exclude Special Immigrant Visas (SIV) from Afghanistan and Iraq.

2021 figures include SIVs. May include Afghan Parolees from 2021 evacuation. Data Source: IdahoRefugees.org

**Immigrants comprise 5.2% total population in ID.

Diversity Contributions

*Data source: Idaho Office for Refugees Figures shown are FY 2021

Top Newcomer Languages

Swahili
Bembe
Kinyarwandan
Arabic
Kingyabwisha

*Data source: Idaho Office for Refugees Figures shown are FY 2021

72.4%

Speak Host Country's Language

*Data source: American Immigration Council: Immigrants in Idaho

Economic Contributions

$306.7M

Total Immigrant Federal Taxes paid

$154M

Total Immigrant State & Local Taxes paid

*Data source New American Economy: Immigrants in Idaho

$2.7B

Immigrant Household Income

$1.5B

Total Spending Power

Top 3 Fields of Labor*

Farming, Fishing & Forestry

40.5%

Building & Grounds Cleaning & Maintenance

12.5%

Construction & Extraction

11.9%

*Top % share of the immigrant labor force in Idaho. Data source: American Immigration Council: Immigrants in Idaho.

4,956

Immigrant Business Owners (5% of total)

$123.8

Immigrant generated business income

*Data source: American Immigration Council

Socio-Familial Stability

Unaccompanied Children Released to Sponsors by the State

Data source: Office of Refugee Resettlement

# of Immigrant (refugee & asylee) Family Reunifications

*data not available

Community & Educational Contributions

Immigrant Educational Attainment

37%
Less than High School
26%
High School
19%
Some College
18%
College Degree or More

*Data source: American Immigration Council: Immigrants in Idaho

43%

Naturalized Citizens

45,441 as of 2018

*Data source: American Immigration Council: Immigrants in Idaho

Local Refugee Heroes

Zeze Rwasama

Revitalized Communities

Ada County

Zeze Rwasama - Idaho — "Maybe it's not about what you want to become, it's about where you're needed."--Zeze Rwasama

February 9, 2022

Call for Comments - Refugee Resettlement

If you have a story, experience or opinion to share in support of our Afghan allies, we ask you to share it to help us demonstrate public support for legislation that supports and aids these individuals and families.

More blog posts

Partners

College of Southern Idaho Refugee Center

[email protected]

Volunteers

Lori Bramwell

Community Programs Coordinator - Idaho

Lori Bramwell is a humanitarian who enjoys tapping into her higher self, her guides, and being an instrument to lift others. Lori started volunteering with local refugees by helping a family move into an apartment, and has blossomed into regular volunteering at the shared transitional housing facility. Most days you will find her serving others, photographing nature, and writing in her gratitude journal. She also enjoys yoga, whitewater rafting, cross-country skiing, making sourdough bread, and playing with her grandson.

Ann Richmond

Community Liaison - Idaho

Ann is the founder of Yoga for Congo Women, a charity yoga event that ran for five years while she was an Ambassador for Women for Women International. Since that time, her volunteer efforts have turned to refugees. She has volunteered with refugee organizations in Denver, Colorado and in Twin Falls, Idaho. She worked closely with the CSI Refugee Program in Twin Falls to gather stories and recipes for her book, "Food for Thought: A World of Flavor and Perspective from Idaho's Refugees and Friends."