2017 · Downey Fire Department engine, Jun 17 · Wikimedia Commons
Downey’s story
Downey in pictures
3 postcards, papers and photographs from public archives.
DowneyID
A town of 803. Public schools that outperform most of Idaho.
Population
803
−8.6% since 2010
Typical home
$338K
+3.9% in a year
Household income
$57K
median
Median age
36.5
years
Jobs based here
99
A commuter town
What makes Downey stand out
The 2 things Downey does most differently from other towns.
Small town
803 people, and everyone knows the way
In a town this size, neighbors are the best guide. Ask them anything.
Nearby towns
Downey’s report card
Now in Downey
Be the first to start the conversation.
Residents weigh in
Live in Downey? Is an A− for its schools right?
Your answer becomes a post in Downey’s Town Square.
Start a conversation
The data
Ordered by what stands out in Downey. Another town gets a different order.
Natural hazards
Very high risk, with wildfire at the top
Expected storm and flood damage is higher than in 82% of U.S. communities.
82risk score of 100
FEMA risk score
WildfireInland floodingCold waves
FEMA National Risk Index · OpenFEMANatural hazards →
Schools
Downey’s public schools outperform 75% of Idaho districts
The public schools Downey’s kids attend, from kindergarten through graduation, outperform 75% of Idaho’s districts on state tests and graduation. Among towns with similar incomes, they rank near the top.
A−School Grade
| School | Grades | Students | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| Downey Elementary School | PK–6 | 75 | B |
NCES · EDFacts · graded within ID on state tests and graduationAll 1 schools →
Work & commute
Most working residents commute out of Downey
Most working residents leave Downey for work: only 3% work in town. The top destinations are Pocatello (19%), McCammon (11%) and Idaho Falls (9%). Half commute less than 34 miles.
3%work in town
Where working residents work
In Downey3%
Pocatello19%
McCammon11%
Idaho Falls9%
Lava Hot Springs7%
34 mi
median commute distance
99
jobs based in Downey
A commuter town
jobs vs. working residents
Census LEHD 2023 · ACSCommute map →
Housing
A typical Downey home is worth about $338K
The typical Downey home is worth about $338,000, up 3.9% in a year, 29% below the Idaho typical home.
$338KZillow home value
Typical home value
Downey$338K
Idaho$479K
+3.9%
value change, 1 year
1
homes sold in May
Zillow Home Value Index · Redfin Data CenterHousing market →
Climate
Snowy winters, pleasant summers
Downey has cold, snowy winters and warm summers, with very little rain. A typical July afternoon reaches 88°, a January night drops to 14°, and about 45 inches of snow falls in a normal winter.
45″snow a winter
Typical low → high °F
Winter15–34°
Spring31–57°
Summer48–84°
Fall32–61°
Sep 18
typical first frost
May 31
typical last frost
+1.4°
vs. the 20th-century average
NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020Full climate →
Health
How healthy Downey is
Downey beats the Idaho average on 6 of 32 CDC measures and trails it on 9.
32 measures vs. Idaho
6 better17 too close to call9 worse
| What stands out | Downey | ID |
|---|---|---|
| Fewer uninsured adults | 8.3% | 10.7% |
| Fewer binge drinkers | 12.5% | 15.5% |
| More adults with heart disease | 8.4% | 6.2% |
Nell J Redfield Memorial Hospital
17.8 mi away · emergency room
3 of 3
care shortages: primary care, dental, mental health
CDC PLACES 2025 · modeled estimates for adults · CMS · HRSAFull health report →
A commuter town
97% of working residents leave Downey for work
Where Downey’s working residents go each day. Line width shows the share.
99jobs based in Downey
3%of working residents work in town
34 mimedian commute distance
Census LEHD 2023
About Downey
City in Bannock County, Idaho, United States
Downey is a city in the Marsh Valley in southern Bannock County, Idaho, United States. It is part of the Pocatello Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 571 at the 2020 census. The community was reportedly named after one Mr. Downey, a director of the Union Pacific Railroad. However, researchers have been unable to verify the existence of said Mr. Downey. Notwithstanding, some have asserted he was a track worker, not a director.
From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0 · facts via Wikidata (CC0)
- Population
- 571
- Area
- 1.0 sq mi
- Elevation
- 4,865 ft
- ZIP code
- 83234
- Area code
- 208