Ketchum, Idaho

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Ketchum is a city in central Idaho in Blaine County. The population was 3,003 at the 2000 census. It is in the Wood River Valley, adjacent to Sun Valley; the two communities share many resources and both sit in the same valley beneath Bald Mountain, with its world-famous skiing. The city also draws tourists from around the world to enjoy its fishing, hiking, trail riding, tennis, shopping, and more. The airport for Ketchum, Friedman, is 15 miles (24 km) south in Hailey. The elevation of downtown Ketchum is 5880 feet (1792 m) above sea level.

Ketchum was once an isolated mining and ranching town in the wilds of central Idaho. After the development of Sun Valley in 1936, the city became popular with celebrities, including Gary Cooper and Ernest Hemingway. Hemingway loved Ketchum and the surrounding area, fished, hunted and lived in the valley. It was in Ketchum that Ernest Hemingway took his own life; he and his granddaughter, actress Margaux Hemingway, are buried in the Ketchum Cemetery. Singer Ben Lee wrote a song dedicated to Ketchum.

Every Labor Day weekend, Ketchum hosts the Wagon Days festival, an old west themed carnival featuring wagon trains, a parade, and even simulated street gunfights.

1 Geography
2 Demographics
3 Points of interest
4 Trivia
5 Sister cities
6 External links

Ketchum is located at 43°40′52″N, 114°22′18″W (43.681170, -114.371565)^GR1.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 7.8 km² (3.0 mi²), all land. However, two mountain streams, Trail Creek and Warm Springs Creek merge into the Big Wood River in Ketchum.

As of the census^GR2 of 2000, there were 3,003 people, 1,582 households, and 607 families residing in the city. The population density was 382.7/km² (991.4/mi²). There were 2,920 housing units at an average density of 372.1/km² (964.0/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 94.74% White, 0.27% Native American, 0.57% Asian, 0.17% Pacific Islander, 2.33% from other races, and 1.93% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.90% of the population.

There were 1,582 households out of which 14.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 30.1% were married couples living together, 5.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 61.6% were non-families. 42.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 6.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 1.90 and the average family size was 2.60.

In the city the population was spread out with 12.5% under the age of 18, 9.4% from 18 to 24, 37.6% from 25 to 44, 31.1% from 45 to 64, and 9.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 116.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 117.1 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $45,457, and the median income for a family was $73,750. Males had a median income of $31,712 versus $27,857 for females. The per capita income for the city was $41,798. About 3.5% of families and 8.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.9% of those under age 18 and 6.6% of those age 65 or over.