Sandpoint, Idaho: Difference between revisions

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			{{distinguish\|Sand Point (disambiguation)}}
	'''Sandpoint''' is a city in ], ], ]. The population was 6,835 at the 2000 census. The city is the ] of ]{{GR\|6}}.
			{{Use mdy dates\|date=July 2023}}
			{{Infobox settlement
			<!-- Basic info ---------------->
			\| name = Sandpoint, Idaho
			\| native_name = kamanqukuⱡ
			\| settlement_type = ]
			\|image_skyline = {{Photomontage
			\|photo1a = Sandpoint Banner.JPG{{!}}Cedar Street Bridge Public Market
			\|photo2a = Sandpoint Idaho from Schweitzer.jpg{{!}}Sandpoint from Schweitzer Mountain
			\|photo2b = Sandpoint id city beach.jpg{{!}}City Beach
			\|photo3a = Sandpoint station.jpg{{!}}Sandpoint Amtrak Station
			\|photo3b = Sandpoint, ID.jpg{{!}}Downtown Sandpoint

			\|size = 250
	Sandpoint's major industry is tourism and recreation, thanks to its proximity to scenic ] and ]. It is also home to the headquarters for the mail-order clothing catalog ].
			\|border = 1
			\|spacing = 2
			\|color_border = white
			\|color = white
			\|foot_montage = '''Top row:''' Cedar Street Bridge Public Market; '''2nd row:''' Sandpoint from ]; City Beach; '''3rd row:''' ]; Downtown Sandpoint
			}}
			\| image_caption =
			\| motto =
			\| image_map = File:Bonner County Idaho Incorporated and Unincorporated areas Sandpoint Highlighted 1672100.svg
			\| mapsize = 250px
			\| map_caption = Location of Sandpoint in Bonner County, Idaho.
			<!-- Location -->
			\| subdivision_type = ]
			\| subdivision_name = United States
			\| subdivision_type1 = ]
			\| subdivision_name1 = ]
			\| subdivision_type2 = ]
			\| subdivision_name2 = ]
			<!-- Government ------->
			\| established_title = Incorporation
			\| established_date = ]
			\| government_type =
			\| government_footnotes =
			\| leader_title =
			\| leader_name =
			<!-- Area -->
			\| unit_pref = Imperial
			\| area_footnotes = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2019">{{cite web\|title=2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files\|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2019_Gazetteer/2019_gaz_place_16.txt\|publisher=United States Census Bureau\|access-date=July 9, 2020}}</ref>
			\| area_total_sq_mi = 4.56
			\| area_land_sq_mi = 4.26
			\| area_water_sq_mi = 0.30
			\| area_water_percent =
			<!-- Population -->
			\| population_footnotes = <ref name="2020 Census" />
			\| population_total = 8639
			\| population_as_of = ]
			\| population_density_sq_mi = 2094
			\| population_note =
			<!-- General information ------->
			\| population_demonym = Sandpointer
			\| timezone = ]
			\| utc_offset = -8
			\| timezone_DST = PDT
			\| utc_offset_DST = -7
			\| elevation_footnotes = <ref name=gnis/>
			\| elevation_ft = 2113
			\| coordinates = {{coord\|48\|16\|56\|N\|116\|33\|41\|W\|region:US_type:city\|display=inline,title}}
			<!-- Area/postal codes and others ----->
			\| postal_code_type = ]
			\| postal_code = 83864
			\| area_code = ]
			\| blank_name = ]
			\| blank_info = 16-72100
			\| blank1_name = ] feature ID
			\| blank1_info = 2411808<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS\|2411808}}</ref>
			\| website = {{URL\|http://www.cityofsandpoint.com/}}
			\|area_total_km2 = 11.81
			\|area_land_km2 = 11.05
			\|area_water_km2 = 0.77
			\|population_density_km2 = 808.46
			}}

			'''Sandpoint''' is the largest city in, and the ] of, ], ], ].<ref name="GR6">{{cite web\|url=http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx\|access-date=2011-06-07\|title=Find a County\|publisher=National Association of Counties}}</ref> Its population was 9,777 as of the 2022 ].<ref>{{cite news\|date=11 April 2024\|title=Census.gov QuickFacts Sandpoint, Idaho\|url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/sandpointcityidaho/PST045222\|access-date=11 April 2024}}</ref>
	== History ==
	The ] of ] built encampments on the shore of ] every summer, fished, made baskets of cedar, and collected huckleberries before returning to Montana in the fall. The encampments ended before 1930.

			Sandpoint's major economic contributors include forest products, light manufacturing, tourism, recreation and government services. As the largest service center in the two northern Idaho counties (] and ]), as well as northwestern Montana, it has an active retail sector.
	In the 1880s the Northern Pacific Railroad brought European and Chinese settlement to the area.

			Sandpoint lies on the shores of Idaho's largest lake, 43-mile-long (69 km) ], and is surrounded by three major mountain ranges, the ], ] and ] ranges. It is home to ], Idaho's largest ski resort, and is on the ] and two ]s (Wild Horse Trail and ]). Among other distinctions awarded by national media in the past decade, in 2011 Sandpoint was named the nation's "Most Beautiful Small Town" by ] and '']''.<ref>{{cite news\|last=Bly\|first=Laura\|date=22 July 2011\|title=The five best small towns in America\|newspaper=USA Today\|url=http://travel.usatoday.com/destinations/story/2011/07/The-five-best-small-towns-in-America/49573514/1?csp=hf\|access-date=17 September 2011\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120112235602/http://travel.usatoday.com/destinations/story/2011/07/The-five-best-small-towns-in-America/49573514/1?csp=hf\|archive-date=January 12, 2012}}</ref>
	In August, 1888, twenty-nine year old author and civil servant ], visited Sandpoint on a caribou hunting trip in the ]


			==History==
	Sandpoint was officially incorporated in 1898. Timber harvesting drove the economy for nearly a century after as lumberjacks moved in from the overharvested Great Lakes region. The economy was given a boost during World War II from ], a training center for the US Navy located at the south western end of Lake Pend Oreille.
			]
			], specifically the ], and the ], built encampments on the shore of ] every summer, fished, made baskets of cedar, and collected ] before returning to either ] or ] in the fall. The encampments ended before 1930.<ref>{{Cite web
			\|last = Green
			\|first = Bob
			\|url = http://www.sandpoint.com/Community/RememberingIndians.asp
			\|title = History of Sandpoint, Idaho - Remembering The Indians
			\|work = sandpoint.com
			\|access-date = June 8, 2010
			\|url-status = dead
			\|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100628204710/http://www.sandpoint.com/Community/rememberingindians.asp
			\|archive-date = June 28, 2010
			}}</ref>

			The region was extensively explored by ] of the ] starting in 1807. Disputed joint British/American occupation of the ] led to the ]. This controversy ended in 1846 with the signing of the ], whereby Britain ceded all rights to land south of the ].
	The opening of Schweitzer Mountain Resort in 1963 turned the area into a tourism destination based on its natural beauty.

			In the 1880s, the Northern Pacific Railroad brought European and Chinese settlement to the area.
	In the ] nearby ] and ] attracted nationwide publicity when ] ] groups (most notably the ]) set up headquarters in the area. Many Sandpoint residents reacted negatively to such groups; some formed the Bonner County Human Rights Task Force in opposition. In ] the ] lost a lawsuit filed against them. The lawsuit bankrupted the organization and forced them to give up their ] property and disband.

			In August 1888, 29-year-old author and civil servant ] visited Sandpoint on a caribou-hunting trip in the ].<ref>{{Cite web \|last = Gunter \|first = Bob
	In contrast to the small contingent of white-supremacists that once lived in the area, in August of 2006, Sandpoint and the Panida Theater were host to the first ever International Film Festival in North Idaho - The Idaho Panhandle International Film Festival. IPIFF, as it was known, featured fifty-five films of various genres and lengths, over four days (August 23rd-26th) from nine countries. IPIFF has since been renamed Lakedance International Film Festival and will be held on September 12th-16th. This festival, along with The Festival at Sandpoint, and Lost-in-the-50's, among other events, continue to build Sandpoint's reputation of being an arts and culture capital of North Idaho and the Inland Northwest.
			\|url= http://www.sandpoint.com/Community/teddyroosevelt.asp
			\|title=History of Sandpoint, Idaho - Teddy Roosevelt in Early Sandpoint
			\|work=sandpoint.com
			\|access-date=June 8, 2010
			}}</ref> Roosevelt documented what a rough-and-tumble environment "Sand Point" was at that time (and for many decades following).

			Sandpoint was officially incorporated in 1898.
	== Notable residents ==

	*Writer ], winner of the ] ], was born and raised in Sandpoint.
			Timber harvesting and railroads drove the economy for nearly a century as loggers moved in from the ] ] region. Several lumber companies operated in the region from as early as 1896 to present, the most notable being the Humbird Lumber Company which operated from 1900 to around 1944. The lumber companies bought land from the ] and built a major mill at Sandpoint and adjacent Kootenai. Lumber company-owned railroads extended into many of the local drainages including Grouse Creek, Gold Creek and Rapid Lightning Creek. Although the trees were never exhausted in the area, Humbird Lumber succumbed to the low timber prices of the ].
	*Artist ], noted visionary painter and poet, resides in Sandpoint.

	*In the 1990s, Sandpoint became a popular destination for retired California law enforcement professionals, the most notable being ] best known for his controversial testimony at the ] trial.
			"Stump ranches" were sold by Humbird to many families who slowly cleared much of the valley land of tree stumps. Farming and ranching became the third largest business in the area, behind lumber and railroads, prior to the "discovery" of Lake Pend Oreille as a sports fishery in the 1950s. The economy was given a boost during World War II from ], a training center for the US Navy located at the southwestern end of Lake Pend Oreille.
	*Actor, Poet and Photographer ] has a home in nearby Clark Fork. Contrary to common belief, he did not begin his acting career in the local theatre, ], as is apparently thought.

	*Actor ] makes his summer home in Sandpoint.
			The opening of ] Resort in 1963 turned the area into a year-round tourism destination. The beauty of the surrounding ] and ] and ] has kept Sandpoint a tourist favorite for water sports, hunting, hiking, horseback riding, fishing and skiing.
	*Director ] is a longtime resident of Sandpoint.

	*Former ] right guard ] is a graduate of ] (class of ]).
			In the 1980s and 1990s, 30 miles south of Sandpoint, the areas of ] and ] attracted nationwide publicity when ] ] groups (most notably the ]) set up headquarters in the area. Many Sandpoint residents reacted negatively to such groups; some formed the Bonner County Human Rights Task Force in opposition. In 2001, the Aryan Nations lost a lawsuit filed against them.<ref>{{cite news \| url=http://archives.cnn.com/2000/LAW/09/08/morris.dees.profile/ \| title=Attorney Morris Dees pioneer in using 'damage litigation' to fight hate groups \| publisher=] \|date= September 8, 2000 \| access-date =2007-08-17 \|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071008010401/http://archives.cnn.com/2000/LAW/09/08/morris.dees.profile/ <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> \|archive-date = 2007-10-08}}</ref> The lawsuit bankrupted the organization and forced them to give up their ] property and disband.<ref name="AryanNations">{{cite news \| url=http://www.splcenter.org/legal/docket/files.jsp?cdrID=30&sortID=0 \| title=Keenan v. Aryan Nations \| publisher=] \| year=2000 \| access-date=2007-08-17 \| url-status=dead \| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070713093622/http://www.splcenter.org/legal/docket/files.jsp?cdrID=30&sortID=0 \| archive-date=2007-07-13 }}</ref> In December 2011, Sandpoint became the first city in Idaho to pass an ordinance prohibiting discrimination in housing, employment and public accommodations based on sexual orientation or gender identity.
	*], outdoor writer

			Community organizations stage a number of regionally known annual events, including Sandpoint Winter Carnival in February; the Lost in the 50s vintage car show in May; and the Festival at Sandpoint summer music festival in August. Sandpoint's historic vaudeville-era ] hosts frequent performing art events and an ongoing independent film series. The Music Conservatory of Sandpoint provides classical music classes and inaugurated its "Little Carnegie" concert hall in 2022.<ref>{{Cite web \|last = Compton \|first = Sandy
			\|url= https://sandpointmagazine.com/story/entertainment-is-back/
			\|title=Entertainment is back ... with a vengeance
			\|work=Sandpoint Magazine
			\|access-date=February 14, 2023
			}}</ref> A robust visual arts community supported by the Pend Oreille Arts Council also contributes to Sandpoint's reputation as a center for arts and culture in northern Idaho and the Inland Northwest.

			Over the years, Sandport has been the subject of a few unexplained occurrences that have sparked local curiosity. The most well-known is the "Sandport Disappearances" of 1972, when four residents—two adults and two children—went missing over the course of a weekend. Despite search efforts, no leads were found, and the case remains unsolved. These disappearances have led to various local theories, some of which reference the dense forests surrounding the town.

			In addition, there have been occasional reports of unusual lights over Lake Pend Oreille at night. Described as glowing orbs, these lights have been attributed to various causes, including possible military activity from the nearby ], though no definitive explanations have been provided.<ref>{{Cite web \|title=Unsolved Mysteries in North Idaho by Susan Drinkard - Sandpoint Magazine \|url=https://sandpointonline.com/sandpointmag/smw95/NorthIdahoUnsolvedMysteries.html \|access-date=2024-08-17 \|website=sandpointonline.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news \|last=Kois \|first=Dan \|date=2024-04-09 \|title=The Family Who Vanished Into the Bush \|url=https://slate.com/life/2024/04/missing-family-kids-tom-phillips-new-zealand-true-crime.html \|access-date=2024-08-17 \|work=Slate \|language=en-US \|issn=1091-2339}}</ref>{{clear}}

			==Geography and climate==
			{{climate chart
			\| Sandpoint, Idaho
			\| 20.3 \| 32.2 \| 4.86
			\| 22.8 \| 38.0 \| 3.13
			\| 27.7 \| 46.3 \| 2.76
			\| 33.9 \| 57.2 \| 2.08
			\| 40.2 \| 66.3 \| 2.33
			\| 45.9 \| 73.2 \| 2.26
			\| 48.5 \| 81.9 \| 0.99
			\| 47.0 \| 81.0 \| 1.18
			\| 41.0 \| 70.5 \| 1.69
			\| 34.0 \| 57.0 \| 2.63
			\| 28.3 \| 41.5 \| 4.28
			\| 23.1\| 34.1 \| 4.57
			\| units=imperial
			\| float=right
			\| clear=none
			\| source=NOAA}}

			]

			According to the ], the city has a total area of {{convert\|4.79\|sqmi\|sqkm\|2}}, of which {{convert\|3.98\|sqmi\|sqkm\|2}} is land and {{convert\|0.81\|sqmi\|sqkm\|2}} is water.<ref name="Gazetteer files">{{cite web\|title=US Gazetteer files 2010\|url=https://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt\|publisher=]\|access-date=2012-12-18\|url-status=dead\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120125061959/http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt\|archive-date=2012-01-25}}</ref>

			Sandpoint has a fairly typical inland Northwestern ] (] ''Dsb''), with cold, snowy winters and dry summers with large ] from hot in the day to very cool at night. The record low was {{convert\|−37\|F\|C}} on December 30, 1968, while the record high was {{convert\|106\|F\|C}} recorded on June 30, 2021. The wettest month was December 1933 with {{convert\|11.99\|in\|mm\|1}} of total precipitation and the most monthly snowfall {{convert\|68.8\|in\|cm\|1}} in January 1969.<ref name = "NOWData"/>

			{{Weather box
			\| width = auto
			\| collapsed = yes
			\| single line = yes
			\| location = Sandpoint, Idaho (Sandpoint Experiment Station) (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1910–present)
			\| Jan record high F = 54
			\| Feb record high F = 61
			\| Mar record high F = 71
			\| Apr record high F = 87
			\| May record high F = 97
			\| Jun record high F = 106
			\| Jul record high F = 105
			\| Aug record high F = 102
			\| Sep record high F = 96
			\| Oct record high F = 81
			\| Nov record high F = 66
			\| Dec record high F = 58
			\| year record high F =

			\|Jan avg record high F = 45.6
			\|Feb avg record high F = 48.3
			\|Mar avg record high F = 60.8
			\|Apr avg record high F = 72.3
			\|May avg record high F = 83.6
			\|Jun avg record high F = 88.4
			\|Jul avg record high F = 95.2
			\|Aug avg record high F = 94.8
			\|Sep avg record high F = 86.0
			\|Oct avg record high F = 72.2
			\|Nov avg record high F = 55.3
			\|Dec avg record high F = 45.4
			\|year avg record high F = 96.9


			\| Jan high F = 33.6
			\| Feb high F = 38.4
			\| Mar high F = 46.4
			\| Apr high F = 55.6
			\| May high F = 65.8
			\| Jun high F = 71.8
			\| Jul high F = 81.8
			\| Aug high F = 81.9
			\| Sep high F = 71.7
			\| Oct high F = 56.3
			\| Nov high F = 41.8
			\| Dec high F = 33.5
			\| year high F =
			\| Jan mean F = 27.8
			\| Feb mean F = 30.6
			\| Mar mean F = 37.5
			\| Apr mean F = 45.0
			\| May mean F = 53.8
			\| Jun mean F = 59.6
			\| Jul mean F = 66.7
			\| Aug mean F = 65.9
			\| Sep mean F = 56.5
			\| Oct mean F = 47.7
			\| Nov mean F = 34.8
			\| Dec mean F = 27.6
			\| year mean F =
			\| Jan low F = 21.9
			\| Feb low F = 22.7
			\| Mar low F = 28.6
			\| Apr low F = 34.5
			\| May low F = 41.8
			\| Jun low F = 47.5
			\| Jul low F = 51.6
			\| Aug low F = 49.8
			\| Sep low F = 41.4
			\| Oct low F = 33.1
			\| Nov low F = 27.9
			\| Dec low F = 21.8
			\| year low F =

			\|Jan avg record low F = 2.8
			\|Feb avg record low F = 7.7
			\|Mar avg record low F = 13.8
			\|Apr avg record low F = 24.6
			\|May avg record low F = 30.0
			\|Jun avg record low F = 36.7
			\|Jul avg record low F = 41.5
			\|Aug avg record low F = 39.9
			\|Sep avg record low F = 30.8
			\|Oct avg record low F = 21.0
			\|Nov avg record low F = 14.5
			\|Dec avg record low F = 6.9
			\|year avg record low F = -3.1

			\| Jan record low F = -31
			\| Feb record low F = -31
			\| Mar record low F = -10
			\| Apr record low F = 9
			\| May record low F = 22
			\| Jun record low F = 28
			\| Jul record low F = 33
			\| Aug record low F = 28
			\| Sep record low F = 16
			\| Oct record low F = 4
			\| Nov record low F = -10
			\| Dec record low F = -37
			\| year record low F =
			\| precipitation colour = green
			\| Jan precipitation inch = 4.33
			\| Feb precipitation inch = 2.91
			\| Mar precipitation inch = 3.58
			\| Apr precipitation inch = 2.37
			\| May precipitation inch = 2.72
			\| Jun precipitation inch = 2.44
			\| Jul precipitation inch = 1.17
			\| Aug precipitation inch = 0.80
			\| Sep precipitation inch = 1.41
			\| Oct precipitation inch = 2.95
			\| Nov precipitation inch = 4.72
			\| Dec precipitation inch = 4.61
			\| year precipitation inch = 34.01
			\| unit precipitation days = 0.01 in
			\| Jan precipitation days = 15.8
			\| Feb precipitation days = 12.3
			\| Mar precipitation days = 13.6
			\| Apr precipitation days = 11.6
			\| May precipitation days = 11.3
			\| Jun precipitation days = 10.8
			\| Jul precipitation days = 5.5
			\| Aug precipitation days = 4.7
			\| Sep precipitation days = 7.3
			\| Oct precipitation days = 11.3
			\| Nov precipitation days = 14.2
			\| Dec precipitation days = 15.2
			\| year precipitation days = 133.6
			\| Jan snow inch = 19.2
			\| Feb snow inch = 10.1
			\| Mar snow inch = 5.7
			\| Apr snow inch = 1.5
			\| May snow inch = 0.1
			\| Jun snow inch = 0.0
			\| Jul snow inch = 0.0
			\| Aug snow inch = 0.0
			\| Sep snow inch = 0.0
			\| Oct snow inch = 0.0
			\| Nov snow inch = 6.8
			\| Dec snow inch = 19.3
			\| year snow inch =
			\| unit snow days = 0.1 in
			\| Jan snow days = 8.9
			\| Feb snow days = 5.0
			\| Mar snow days = 3.9
			\| Apr snow days = 0.6
			\| May snow days = 0.0
			\| Jun snow days = 0.0
			\| Jul snow days = 0.0
			\| Aug snow days = 0.0
			\| Sep snow days = 0.0
			\| Oct snow days = 0.1
			\| Nov snow days = 3.3
			\| Dec snow days = 9.3
			\| year snow days =

			\|Jan snow depth inch = 14.2
			\|Feb snow depth inch = 9.0
			\|Mar snow depth inch = 6.6
			\|Apr snow depth inch = 0.4
			\|May snow depth inch = 0.0
			\|Jun snow depth inch = 0.0
			\|Jul snow depth inch = 0.0
			\|Aug snow depth inch = 0.0
			\|Sep snow depth inch = 0.0
			\|Oct snow depth inch = 0.0
			\|Nov snow depth inch = 3.5
			\|Dec snow depth inch = 10.9
			\|year snow depth inch = 19.8

			\| source = ]<ref name="NOWData">{{cite web
			\|url = https://www.weather.gov/wrh/climate?wfo=otx
			\|title = NOWData – NOAA Online Weather Data
			\|publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
			\|access-date = December 13, 2023}}</ref><ref name="NCEI">{{cite web
			\|url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&stations=USC00108137&format=pdf&dataTypes=MLY-TMAX-NORMAL,MLY-TMIN-NORMAL,MLY-TAVG-NORMAL,MLY-PRCP-NORMAL,MLY-SNOW-NORMAL
			\|title = Summary of Monthly Normals 1991–2020
			\|publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
			\|access-date = December 13, 2023}}</ref>
			}}

	==Demographics==		==Demographics==
			]s docked at a private marina]]
	As of the ]{{GR\|2}} of 2000, there were 6,835 people, 2,873 households, and 1,680 families residing in the city. The ] was 676.7/km² (1,750.9/mi²). There were 3,188 housing units at an average density of 315.6/km² (816.7/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 96.24% ], 0.12% ], 1.01% ], 0.41% ], 0.04% ], 0.47% from ], and 1.71% from two or more races. ] or ] of any race were 2.46% of the population. The gay/lesbian/bisexual community in Sandpoint is limited, though both lesbian and gay couples, even those raising families, live in the area.
			{{US Census population
			\|1910= 2993
			\|1920= 2876
			\|1930= 3290
			\|1940= 4356
			\|1950= 4265
			\|1960= 4355
			\|1970= 4144
			\|1980= 4460
			\|1990= 5203
			\|2000= 6835
			\|2010= 7365
			\|2020= 8639
			\|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web\|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html\|title=Census of Population and Housing\|publisher=Census.gov\|access-date=June 4, 2015}}</ref> 2020<ref name="2020 Census">{{cite web \|title=2020 Census Data \|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/profile?g=1600000US1672100 \|website=data.census.gov}}</ref>
			}}

			The median income between 2016 and 2020 for a household in the city was $46,712. The ] for the city was $28,210. The percentage of persons below the poverty line (2016–2020) was 14.7%.
	There were 2,873 households out of which 31.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.5% were ] living together, 13.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 41.5% were non-families. 34.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.29 and the average family size was 2.94.

			The median value of owner-occupied housing in the city was $228,800. The homeownership rate (2006–2010) was 49.6%.
	In the city the population was spread out with 25.8% under the age of 18, 9.8% from 18 to 24, 26.9% from 25 to 44, 22.0% from 45 to 64, and 15.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 87.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83.2 males.

			Of the population over 25 years of age (2006–2010), 89.9% had graduated high school, 25.6% had achieved a ] or higher.
	The median income for a household in the city was $32,461, and the median income for a family was $41,596. Males had a median income of $35,533 versus $20,795 for females. The ] for the city was $20,643. About 14.9% of families and 18.0% of the population were below the ], including 27.9% of those under age 18 and 5.1% of those age 65 or over.

			===2010 census===
			As of the ]<ref name="wwwcensusgov">{{cite web\|title=U.S. Census website\|url=https://www.census.gov\|publisher=]\|access-date=2012-12-18}}</ref> of 2010, there were 7,365 people, 3,215 households, and 1,811 families residing in the city. The ] was {{convert\|1850\|PD/sqmi\|PD/km2\|1}}. There were 3,769 housing units at an average density of {{convert\|947\|/sqmi\|/km2\|1}}. The racial makeup of the city was 95.5% ], 0.1% ], 0.7% ], 0.8% ], 0.5% from ], and 2.2% from two or more races. ] or ] of any race were 2.9% of the population.

			There were 3,215 households, of which 29.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 39.4% were ] living together, 12.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.7% had a male householder with no wife present, and 43.7% were non-families. 36.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.20 and the average family size was 2.86.

			The median age in the city was 38.8 years. 23.3% of residents were under the age of 18; 8.1% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 26.2% were from 25 to 44; 25.9% were from 45 to 64; and 16.7% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.2% male and 51.8% female.

			==Politics==
			{{Hidden begin
			\|titlestyle = background:#ccccff;
			\|title = Presidential elections results
			}}
			{\| class="wikitable" style="font-size:95%;"
			\|+ Previous presidential elections results<ref name="Dave's Redistricting">{{Cite web\|url=https://davesredistricting.org/\|title=Dave's Redistricting\|website=davesredistricting.org\|access-date=July 7, 2021}}</ref>
			\|- bgcolor=lightgrey
			! Year
			! ]
			! ]
			! ]
			\|-
			\| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}\|''']'''
			\| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}\|47.1% ''2148''
			\| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}\|'''49.9%''' ''2275''
			\| style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;"\|3% ''138''
			\|-
			\| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}\|''']'''
			\| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}\|'''44.7%''' ''1646''
			\| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}\|44.3% ''1630''
			\| style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;"\|11% ''406''
			\|-
			\|}
			{{Hidden end}}

			{{Hidden begin
			\|titlestyle = background:#ccccff;
			\|title = Statewide elections results
			}}
			{\| class="wikitable" style="font-size:95%;"
			\|+ Previous statewide elections results<ref name="Dave's Redistricting"/>
			\|- bgcolor=lightgrey
			! Year
			! ]
			! ]
			! ]
			\|-
			\| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}\|''']'''
			\| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}\|46.8% ''2113''
			\| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}\|'''49.8%''' ''2248''
			\| style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;"\|3.4% ''155''
			\|-
			\| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}\|''']'''
			\| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}\|40.2% ''1340''
			\| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}\|'''57.8%''' ''1925''
			\| style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;"\|2% ''65''
			\|-
			\| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}\|'''2018 Lt. Governor'''
			\| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}\|41.9% ''1365''
			\| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}\|'''58.1%''' ''1890''
			\| style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;"\|0% ''0''
			\|-
			\| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}\|'''2018 Attorney General'''
			\| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}\|45.5% ''1461''
			\| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}\|'''54.5%''' ''1750''
			\| style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;"\|0% ''0''
			\|-
			\| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}\|''']'''
			\| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}\|'''51.2%''' ''1863''
			\| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}\|44.5% ''1619''
			\| style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;"\|4.2% ''154''
			\|-
			\|}
			{{Hidden end}}

			==Economy==
			Since 2002, Sandpoint has been home to aircraft manufacturer ].<ref>{{Cite web
			\|url= http://www.questaircraft.com/index.php?filename=quest_press_contact.php
			\|title=Quest Aircraft Company
			\|publisher=Quest Aircraft Company
			\|access-date=June 8, 2010
			}}</ref>

			==Education==
			]
			Sandpoint is part of the Lake Pend Oreille School District. ] and Lake Pend Oreille Alternative High School educate students in grades 9 through 12.
			Forrest Bird Charter School educates grades 6–12.

			==Rail transportation==
			]
			]'s ] carries passengers daily in both directions between ], Illinois to the east and ], Washington and ], Oregon to the west.<ref>amtrak.com</ref> ] serves as the only stop in Idaho.<ref>{{cite news \|last=Rubin \|first=Richard \|date=August 27, 2024 \|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/27/travel/amtrak-empire-builder-train-small-towns.html \|title=4,000 Miles, 6 Small Towns: A Whistle-Stop Tour of America \|work=The New York Times \|access-date=August 29, 2024}}</ref>

			Sandpoint is on the main line of the ], 80 railroad miles northeast of ]. Traffic flow was improved in 2023 by paralleling a 2.2-mile segment including the lake crossing that had been constricted by a single-track bridge.<ref>{{cite magazine\|last=Kelly\|first=Bruce\|title=FIXING THE FUNNEL\|pages=12–21\|issue=March 2024\|volume=84\|url=https://www.trains.com/trn/magazine/archive-access/trains-march-2024/\|magazine=]\|publisher=]}}</ref>

			==Local media==
			;Radio
			* ] AM 1400 (])
			* ] FM 88.5 (])
			* ] FM 95.3 (])
			* KTAQ-LP FM 97.7 (])
			* ] FM 102.5 (])
			* ] FM 106.7 (] 95.3 repeater)
			* FM 105.3 (Sandpoint's Hit Music)

			;Television
			Television stations serving Sandpoint originate from the ], Washington market:
			* ] 2 (])
			* ] 4 (])
			* ] 6 (])
			* ] 7 (])

			;Print
			* The '']'', daily paper since 1965
			* The '']'', weekly paper since 2004

			==Notable people==
			* ], aviator, biomedical inventor, recipient of Presidential Citizens Medal
			* ], humorist blogger and novelist
			* ], baseball pitcher who pitched a 26-inning game in 1920, graduate of Sandpoint High School
			* ], folk singer, lived there for a summer and wrote the song "]" about Sandpoint<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://jambandfriendly.com/reviews/45-interview-john-craigie-album-review \|title=John Craigie's New Album "October is The Kindest Month" is a Work of Art from Beginning To End
			\|publisher=Jambandfriendly \|date=2011-10-11}}</ref>
			* ], United States Army major general, recipient of ]
			* ], former ] detective primarily known for his role in the ]
			* ], athletic shoe designer and ] ] architect
			* ], two-time Olympian, five-time ] gold medalist, US Snowboard team
			* ], city councilor and first woman to run for Congress in Idaho
			* ], ] ], author<ref>{{cite web\|last1=Keyes\|first1=David\|title=Kramer finally gets the call\|url=https://sandpointmagazine.com/story/kramer-finally-gets-the-call-2/\|website=SandpointMagazine.com\|publisher=Keokee Co. Publishing, Inc.\|access-date=16 January 2023\|date=Winter 2019}}</ref>
			* ], ] ]
			* ], outdoor writer and humorist
			* ], actor and producer<ref>{{cite web\|last1=Olson\|first1=Ben\|title=A Reader interview with Viggo Mortensen\|url=http://sandpointreader.com/reader-interview-viggo-mortensen/\|website=SandpointReader.com\|publisher=The Sanpoint Reader\|access-date=24 January 2018\|date=January 13, 2017}}</ref>
			* ] (born 1941), chief judge of the ]<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.saipantribune.com/newsstory.aspx?cat=1&newsID=95532 \|title=Munson tells Obama he is retiring in Feb. \|author=Ferdie de la Torre \|date=December 2, 2009 \|work=Saipan Tribune \|access-date=July 8, 2010 \|url-status=dead \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091220034132/http://www.saipantribune.com/newsstory.aspx?newsID=95532&cat=1 \|archive-date=December 20, 2009 }}</ref>
			* ], former minor league baseball pitcher and manager and pitching coach for the Pittsburgh Pirates
			* ], singer and fiddle player of the country music duo ''Bomshel''
			* ], former governor of Alaska and 2008 ] nominee for Vice President
			*] (1913–2009), American artist who lived in France.'''<ref name=":0">{{Cite book\|title=Genevieve pseudonym of Pezet, Genevieve; maiden name: White\|work=Benezit Dictionary of Artists, Oxford Art Online\|year=2011 \|publisher=Oxford University Press\|doi=10.1093/benz/9780199773787.article.b00072263}}</ref>'''
			* ], former ] quarterback
			* ], folk music duo who grew up in Sandpoint
			* ], big-band singer
			* ], writer and winner of the 2005 ]
			* ], ] and former ] at ]
			* ], 25th ] of Idaho (1967−1971)
			* ], attorney found guilty of a murder-for-hire plot (from the nearby town of Sagle)
			* ], writer, lawyer, actor, comedian, and commentator on political and economic issues
			* ], retired National Hockey League goaltender

	==References==		==References==
			{{Reflist}}

			==Further reading==
	<references/>
			* {{cite book\| last= Pietsch\| first= Gary L.\| title= Sandpoint's Early History: A story of how pioneers carved this city out of the wilderness\| publisher= Keokee Co. Publishing\| location= Sandpoint, ID\| year= 2019\| isbn= 978-1697677539}}
			* Edward S. Curtis, , Northwestern University, Digital Library Collections, "Kalispel", Page 51

	==External links==		==External links==
			{{commons category}}
	* - City of Sandpoint
			{{wikivoyage\|Sandpoint}}
	* - Bonner County, Idaho
			*
			*

			{{Bonner County, Idaho}}
	{{Mapit-US-cityscale\|48.275603\|-116.559151}}
			{{authority control}}

			]
	{{Idaho}}
			]

	]
	]
	]		]
			]

	]		]
			]

Latest revision as of 20:05, 23 December 2024

Not to be confused with Sand Point (disambiguation).

City in Idaho, United States

Sandpoint, Idaho kamanqukuⱡ
City
Top row: Cedar Street Bridge Public Market; 2nd row: Sandpoint from Schweitzer Mountain; City Beach; 3rd row: Sandpoint Amtrak Station; Downtown Sandpoint
Location of Sandpoint in Bonner County, Idaho.
Coordinates: 48°16′56″N 116°33′41″W / 48.28222°N 116.56139°W / 48.28222; -116.56139
Country	United States
State	Idaho
County	Bonner
Incorporation	1898
Area
• Total	4.56 sq mi (11.81 km)
• Land	4.26 sq mi (11.05 km)
• Water	0.30 sq mi (0.77 km)
Elevation	2,113 ft (644 m)
Population
• Total	8,639
• Density	2,094/sq mi (808.46/km)
Demonym	Sandpointer
Time zone	UTC-8 (Pacific (PST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC-7 (PDT)
ZIP Code	83864
Area code(s)	208, 986
FIPS code	16-72100
GNIS feature ID	2411808
Website	www.cityofsandpoint.com

Sandpoint is the largest city in, and the county seat of, Bonner County, Idaho, United States. Its population was 9,777 as of the 2022 census.

Sandpoint's major economic contributors include forest products, light manufacturing, tourism, recreation and government services. As the largest service center in the two northern Idaho counties (Bonner and Boundary), as well as northwestern Montana, it has an active retail sector.

Sandpoint lies on the shores of Idaho's largest lake, 43-mile-long (69 km) Lake Pend Oreille, and is surrounded by three major mountain ranges, the Selkirk, Cabinet and Bitterroot ranges. It is home to Schweitzer Mountain Resort, Idaho's largest ski resort, and is on the International Selkirk Loop and two National Scenic Byways (Wild Horse Trail and Pend Oreille Scenic Byway). Among other distinctions awarded by national media in the past decade, in 2011 Sandpoint was named the nation's "Most Beautiful Small Town" by Rand McNally and USA Today.

History

Salish Tribes, specifically the Kalispel, and the Kootenai, built encampments on the shore of Lake Pend Oreille every summer, fished, made baskets of cedar, and collected huckleberries before returning to either Montana or Washington in the fall. The encampments ended before 1930.

The region was extensively explored by David Thompson of the North West Company starting in 1807. Disputed joint British/American occupation of the Columbia District led to the Oregon boundary dispute. This controversy ended in 1846 with the signing of the Oregon Treaty, whereby Britain ceded all rights to land south of the 49th parallel.

In the 1880s, the Northern Pacific Railroad brought European and Chinese settlement to the area.

In August 1888, 29-year-old author and civil servant Theodore Roosevelt visited Sandpoint on a caribou-hunting trip in the Selkirk Mountains. Roosevelt documented what a rough-and-tumble environment "Sand Point" was at that time (and for many decades following).

Sandpoint was officially incorporated in 1898.

Timber harvesting and railroads drove the economy for nearly a century as loggers moved in from the over-harvested Great Lakes region. Several lumber companies operated in the region from as early as 1896 to present, the most notable being the Humbird Lumber Company which operated from 1900 to around 1944. The lumber companies bought land from the Northern Pacific Railroad and built a major mill at Sandpoint and adjacent Kootenai. Lumber company-owned railroads extended into many of the local drainages including Grouse Creek, Gold Creek and Rapid Lightning Creek. Although the trees were never exhausted in the area, Humbird Lumber succumbed to the low timber prices of the Great Depression.

"Stump ranches" were sold by Humbird to many families who slowly cleared much of the valley land of tree stumps. Farming and ranching became the third largest business in the area, behind lumber and railroads, prior to the "discovery" of Lake Pend Oreille as a sports fishery in the 1950s. The economy was given a boost during World War II from Farragut Naval Station, a training center for the US Navy located at the southwestern end of Lake Pend Oreille.

The opening of Schweitzer Mountain Resort in 1963 turned the area into a year-round tourism destination. The beauty of the surrounding Selkirk and Cabinet Mountains and Lake Pend Oreille has kept Sandpoint a tourist favorite for water sports, hunting, hiking, horseback riding, fishing and skiing.

In the 1980s and 1990s, 30 miles south of Sandpoint, the areas of Coeur d'Alene and Hayden Lake attracted nationwide publicity when white supremacist Neo-Nazi groups (most notably the Aryan Nations) set up headquarters in the area. Many Sandpoint residents reacted negatively to such groups; some formed the Bonner County Human Rights Task Force in opposition. In 2001, the Aryan Nations lost a lawsuit filed against them. The lawsuit bankrupted the organization and forced them to give up their Hayden Lake property and disband. In December 2011, Sandpoint became the first city in Idaho to pass an ordinance prohibiting discrimination in housing, employment and public accommodations based on sexual orientation or gender identity.

Community organizations stage a number of regionally known annual events, including Sandpoint Winter Carnival in February; the Lost in the 50s vintage car show in May; and the Festival at Sandpoint summer music festival in August. Sandpoint's historic vaudeville-era Panida Theater hosts frequent performing art events and an ongoing independent film series. The Music Conservatory of Sandpoint provides classical music classes and inaugurated its "Little Carnegie" concert hall in 2022. A robust visual arts community supported by the Pend Oreille Arts Council also contributes to Sandpoint's reputation as a center for arts and culture in northern Idaho and the Inland Northwest.

Over the years, Sandport has been the subject of a few unexplained occurrences that have sparked local curiosity. The most well-known is the "Sandport Disappearances" of 1972, when four residents—two adults and two children—went missing over the course of a weekend. Despite search efforts, no leads were found, and the case remains unsolved. These disappearances have led to various local theories, some of which reference the dense forests surrounding the town.

In addition, there have been occasional reports of unusual lights over Lake Pend Oreille at night. Described as glowing orbs, these lights have been attributed to various causes, including possible military activity from the nearby Farragut Naval Training Station, though no definitive explanations have been provided.

Geography and climate

Sandpoint, Idaho

Climate chart (explanation)

J	F	M	A	M	J	J	A	S	O	N	D
4.9 32 20	3.1 38 23	2.8 46 28	2.1 57 34	2.3 66 40	2.3 73 46	1 82 49	1.2 81 47	1.7 71 41	2.6 57 34	4.3 42 28	4.6 34 23
█ Average max. and min. temperatures in °F
█ Precipitation totals in inches
Source: NOAA

Metric conversion
J	F	M	A	M	J	J	A	S	O	N	D
123 0 −7	80 3 −5	70 8 −2	53 14 1	59 19 5	57 23 8	25 28 9	30 27 8	43 21 5	67 14 1	109 5 −2	116 1 −5
█ Average max. and min. temperatures in °C
█ Precipitation totals in mm

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 4.79 square miles (12.41 km), of which 3.98 square miles (10.31 km) is land and 0.81 square miles (2.10 km) is water.

Sandpoint has a fairly typical inland Northwestern humid continental climate (Köppen Dsb), with cold, snowy winters and dry summers with large diurnal temperature swings from hot in the day to very cool at night. The record low was −37 °F (−38 °C) on December 30, 1968, while the record high was 106 °F (41 °C) recorded on June 30, 2021. The wettest month was December 1933 with 11.99 inches (304.5 mm) of total precipitation and the most monthly snowfall 68.8 inches (174.8 cm) in January 1969.

Climate data for Sandpoint, Idaho (Sandpoint Experiment Station) (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1910–present)
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Record high °F (°C)	54 (12)	61 (16)	71 (22)	87 (31)	97 (36)	106 (41)	105 (41)	102 (39)	96 (36)	81 (27)	66 (19)	58 (14)	106 (41)
Mean maximum °F (°C)	45.6 (7.6)	48.3 (9.1)	60.8 (16.0)	72.3 (22.4)	83.6 (28.7)	88.4 (31.3)	95.2 (35.1)	94.8 (34.9)	86.0 (30.0)	72.2 (22.3)	55.3 (12.9)	45.4 (7.4)	96.9 (36.1)
Mean daily maximum °F (°C)	33.6 (0.9)	38.4 (3.6)	46.4 (8.0)	55.6 (13.1)	65.8 (18.8)	71.8 (22.1)	81.8 (27.7)	81.9 (27.7)	71.7 (22.1)	56.3 (13.5)	41.8 (5.4)	33.5 (0.8)	56.6 (13.6)
Daily mean °F (°C)	27.8 (−2.3)	30.6 (−0.8)	37.5 (3.1)	45.0 (7.2)	53.8 (12.1)	59.6 (15.3)	66.7 (19.3)	65.9 (18.8)	56.5 (13.6)	47.7 (8.7)	34.8 (1.6)	27.6 (−2.4)	46.1 (7.8)
Mean daily minimum °F (°C)	21.9 (−5.6)	22.7 (−5.2)	28.6 (−1.9)	34.5 (1.4)	41.8 (5.4)	47.5 (8.6)	51.6 (10.9)	49.8 (9.9)	41.4 (5.2)	33.1 (0.6)	27.9 (−2.3)	21.8 (−5.7)	35.2 (1.8)
Mean minimum °F (°C)	2.8 (−16.2)	7.7 (−13.5)	13.8 (−10.1)	24.6 (−4.1)	30.0 (−1.1)	36.7 (2.6)	41.5 (5.3)	39.9 (4.4)	30.8 (−0.7)	21.0 (−6.1)	14.5 (−9.7)	6.9 (−13.9)	−3.1 (−19.5)
Record low °F (°C)	−31 (−35)	−31 (−35)	−10 (−23)	9 (−13)	22 (−6)	28 (−2)	33 (1)	28 (−2)	16 (−9)	4 (−16)	−10 (−23)	−37 (−38)	−37 (−38)
Average precipitation inches (mm)	4.33 (110)	2.91 (74)	3.58 (91)	2.37 (60)	2.72 (69)	2.44 (62)	1.17 (30)	0.80 (20)	1.41 (36)	2.95 (75)	4.72 (120)	4.61 (117)	34.01 (864)
Average snowfall inches (cm)	19.2 (49)	10.1 (26)	5.7 (14)	1.5 (3.8)	0.1 (0.25)	0.0 (0.0)	0.0 (0.0)	0.0 (0.0)	0.0 (0.0)	0.0 (0.0)	6.8 (17)	19.3 (49)	62.7 (159.05)
Average extreme snow depth inches (cm)	14.2 (36)	9.0 (23)	6.6 (17)	0.4 (1.0)	0.0 (0.0)	0.0 (0.0)	0.0 (0.0)	0.0 (0.0)	0.0 (0.0)	0.0 (0.0)	3.5 (8.9)	10.9 (28)	19.8 (50)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in)	15.8	12.3	13.6	11.6	11.3	10.8	5.5	4.7	7.3	11.3	14.2	15.2	133.6
Average snowy days (≥ 0.1 in)	8.9	5.0	3.9	0.6	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.1	3.3	9.3	31.1
Source: NOAA

Demographics

Historical population
Census	Pop.	%±
1910	2,993	—
1920	2,876	−3.9%
1930	3,290	14.4%
1940	4,356	32.4%
1950	4,265	−2.1%
1960	4,355	2.1%
1970	4,144	−4.8%
1980	4,460	7.6%
1990	5,203	16.7%
2000	6,835	31.4%
2010	7,365	7.8%
2020	8,639	17.3%
U.S. Decennial Census 2020

The median income between 2016 and 2020 for a household in the city was $46,712. The per capita income for the city was $28,210. The percentage of persons below the poverty line (2016–2020) was 14.7%.

The median value of owner-occupied housing in the city was $228,800. The homeownership rate (2006–2010) was 49.6%.

Of the population over 25 years of age (2006–2010), 89.9% had graduated high school, 25.6% had achieved a bachelor's degree or higher.

2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 7,365 people, 3,215 households, and 1,811 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,850 inhabitants per square mile (714.3/km). There were 3,769 housing units at an average density of 947 per square mile (365.6/km). The racial makeup of the city was 95.5% White, 0.1% African American, 0.7% Native American, 0.8% Asian, 0.5% from other races, and 2.2% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.9% of the population.

There were 3,215 households, of which 29.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 39.4% were married couples living together, 12.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.7% had a male householder with no wife present, and 43.7% were non-families. 36.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.20 and the average family size was 2.86.

The median age in the city was 38.8 years. 23.3% of residents were under the age of 18; 8.1% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 26.2% were from 25 to 44; 25.9% were from 45 to 64; and 16.7% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.2% male and 51.8% female.

Politics

Presidential elections results

Previous presidential elections results
Year	Republican	Democratic	Third parties
2020	47.1% 2148	49.9% 2275	3% 138
2016	44.7% 1646	44.3% 1630	11% 406

Statewide elections results

Previous statewide elections results
Year	Republican	Democratic	Third parties
2020 Senate	46.8% 2113	49.8% 2248	3.4% 155
2018 Governor	40.2% 1340	57.8% 1925	2% 65
2018 Lt. Governor	41.9% 1365	58.1% 1890	0% 0
2018 Attorney General	45.5% 1461	54.5% 1750	0% 0
2016 Senate	51.2% 1863	44.5% 1619	4.2% 154

Economy

Since 2002, Sandpoint has been home to aircraft manufacturer Quest Aircraft.

Education

Sandpoint is part of the Lake Pend Oreille School District. Sandpoint High School and Lake Pend Oreille Alternative High School educate students in grades 9 through 12. Forrest Bird Charter School educates grades 6–12.

Rail transportation

Amtrak's Empire Builder carries passengers daily in both directions between Chicago, Illinois to the east and Seattle, Washington and Portland, Oregon to the west. Sandpoint's Amtrak station serves as the only stop in Idaho.

Sandpoint is on the main line of the BNSF Railroad, 80 railroad miles northeast of Spokane. Traffic flow was improved in 2023 by paralleling a 2.2-mile segment including the lake crossing that had been constricted by a single-track bridge.

Local media

Radio

KSPT AM 1400 (News/Talk)
KRFY FM 88.5 (Alternative)
KPND FM 95.3 (Adult Hits)
KTAQ-LP FM 97.7 (3ABN Radio)
KIBR FM 102.5 (Country music)
KTPO FM 106.7 (KPND 95.3 repeater)
FM 105.3 (Sandpoint's Hit Music)

Television

Television stations serving Sandpoint originate from the Spokane, Washington market:

KREM 2 (CBS)
KXLY-TV 4 (ABC)
KHQ-TV 6 (NBC)
KSPS-TV 7 (PBS)

Print

The Bonner County Daily Bee, daily paper since 1965
The Sandpoint Reader, weekly paper since 2004

Notable people

Forrest Bird, aviator, biomedical inventor, recipient of Presidential Citizens Medal
Allie Brosh, humorist blogger and novelist
Leon Cadore, baseball pitcher who pitched a 26-inning game in 1920, graduate of Sandpoint High School
John Craigie, folk singer, lived there for a summer and wrote the song "All of July" about Sandpoint
James C. Fry, United States Army major general, recipient of Distinguished Service Cross
Mark Fuhrman, former LAPD detective primarily known for his role in the O. J. Simpson murder case
Tinker Hatfield, athletic shoe designer and Nike Air Jordan architect
Nate Holland, two-time Olympian, five-time X Games gold medalist, US Snowboard team
Nell Kruegel Irion, city councilor and first woman to run for Congress in Idaho
Jerry Kramer, National Football League right guard, author
Joe Mather, Major League Baseball outfielder
Patrick F. McManus, outdoor writer and humorist
Viggo Mortensen, actor and producer
Alex R. Munson (born 1941), chief judge of the District Court for the Northern Mariana Islands
Don Osborn, former minor league baseball pitcher and manager and pitching coach for the Pittsburgh Pirates
Kristy Osmunson, singer and fiddle player of the country music duo Bomshel
Sarah Palin, former governor of Alaska and 2008 Republican nominee for Vice President
Genevieve Pezet (1913–2009), American artist who lived in France.
Jake Plummer, former NFL quarterback
Shook Twins, folk music duo who grew up in Sandpoint
Lucy Ann Polk, big-band singer
Marilynne Robinson, writer and winner of the 2005 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction
Jake Rosholt, mixed martial artist and former collegiate wrestler at Oklahoma State
Don Samuelson, 25th Governor of Idaho (1967−1971)
Edgar Steele, attorney found guilty of a murder-for-hire plot (from the nearby town of Sagle)
Ben Stein, writer, lawyer, actor, comedian, and commentator on political and economic issues
Tim Thomas, retired National Hockey League goaltender

References

"2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 9, 2020.
^ U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Sandpoint, Idaho
^ "2020 Census Data". data.census.gov.
"Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
"Census.gov QuickFacts Sandpoint, Idaho". April 11, 2024. Retrieved April 11, 2024.
Bly, Laura (July 22, 2011). "The five best small towns in America". USA Today. Archived from the original on January 12, 2012. Retrieved September 17, 2011.
Green, Bob. "History of Sandpoint, Idaho - Remembering The Indians". sandpoint.com. Archived from the original on June 28, 2010. Retrieved June 8, 2010.
Gunter, Bob. "History of Sandpoint, Idaho - Teddy Roosevelt in Early Sandpoint". sandpoint.com. Retrieved June 8, 2010.
"Attorney Morris Dees pioneer in using 'damage litigation' to fight hate groups". CNN. September 8, 2000. Archived from the original on October 8, 2007. Retrieved August 17, 2007.
"Keenan v. Aryan Nations". Southern Poverty Law Center. 2000. Archived from the original on July 13, 2007. Retrieved August 17, 2007.
Compton, Sandy. "Entertainment is back ... with a vengeance". Sandpoint Magazine. Retrieved February 14, 2023.
"Unsolved Mysteries in North Idaho by Susan Drinkard - Sandpoint Magazine". sandpointonline.com. Retrieved August 17, 2024.
Kois, Dan (April 9, 2024). "The Family Who Vanished Into the Bush". Slate. ISSN 1091-2339. Retrieved August 17, 2024.
"US Gazetteer files 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on January 25, 2012. Retrieved December 18, 2012.
^ "NOWData – NOAA Online Weather Data". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved December 13, 2023.
"Summary of Monthly Normals 1991–2020". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved December 13, 2023.
"Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
"U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved December 18, 2012.
^ "Dave's Redistricting". davesredistricting.org. Retrieved July 7, 2021.
"Quest Aircraft Company". Quest Aircraft Company. Retrieved June 8, 2010.
amtrak.com
Rubin, Richard (August 27, 2024). "4,000 Miles, 6 Small Towns: A Whistle-Stop Tour of America". The New York Times. Retrieved August 29, 2024.
Kelly, Bruce. "FIXING THE FUNNEL". Trains. Vol. 84, no. March 2024. Kalmbach Media. pp. 12–21.
"John Craigie's New Album "October is The Kindest Month" is a Work of Art from Beginning To End". Jambandfriendly. October 11, 2011.
Keyes, David (Winter 2019). "Kramer finally gets the call". SandpointMagazine.com. Keokee Co. Publishing, Inc. Retrieved January 16, 2023.
Olson, Ben (January 13, 2017). "A Reader interview with Viggo Mortensen". SandpointReader.com. The Sanpoint Reader. Retrieved January 24, 2018.
Ferdie de la Torre (December 2, 2009). "Munson tells Obama he is retiring in Feb". Saipan Tribune. Archived from the original on December 20, 2009. Retrieved July 8, 2010.
Genevieve pseudonym of Pezet, Genevieve; maiden name: White. Oxford University Press. 2011. doi:10.1093/benz/9780199773787.article.b00072263. {{cite book}}: |work= ignored (help)

External links

v t e Municipalities and communities of Bonner County, Idaho, United States
County seat: Sandpoint
Cities	Clark Fork Dover East Hope Hope Kootenai Oldtown Ponderay Priest River Sandpoint	Map of Idaho highlighting Bonner County
CDPs	Blanchard Coolin Laclede
Other communities	Careywood Cocolalla Colburn Elmira Garfield Lamb Creek Nordman Outlet Bay Sagle Vans Corner Westmond
Idaho portal United States portal

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