Priest River, ID

Full City Profile · Idaho · Bonner County County

2.7 /5.0
C+ Fair
2,058 Population 919/sq mi density
$57,712 Median Income $32,957 per capita
$271,500 Home Value $564,797 Zillow
$748 Median Rent 22.7% income on rent
46°F Avg Temperature
108 Violent Crime/100K 378 property/100K
C+
Overall
2.7 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.0 / 5.0
$57,712 median income, 0.9% unemployment
A
Affordability
4.0 / 5.0
$271,500 home value, $748/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
108 violent crimes/100K
D
Education
1.8 / 5.0
9.8% bachelor's degree or higher
Priest River experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 46°F (8°C). Winters average 28°F in January while summers reach 67°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 27.5 inches. The area receives 73.9 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 32.

Temperature

28°F Jan (-2°C) 67°F Jul (20°C)
Annual Average46.2°F
14% below US avg
January Average28°F (-2°C)
July Average67°F (20°C)

Geography

Elevation2,165 ft (660 m)
Area3.7 sq mi (9.6 km²)
Population Density919/sq mi
Coordinates48.1843°N, 116.9054°W
TimezoneAmerica/Boise
CountyBonner County County
Nearest AirportSpokane International (GEG)
49 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 27.5"
28% below US avg
Snowfall 73.9"
Wettest Month (Nov) 3.52"
Driest Month (Aug) 0.81"

Air Quality

AQI Median32.0
RatingGood
Good Days %74.5%
Unhealthy Days4

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskRelatively Low
Risk Score77.3 / 100
Social Vulnerability44.9 / 100
Community Resilience33.7 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado Very Low
Earthquake Very Low
Wildfire Relatively Low
Flood Relatively Moderate
Hail Very Low
Strong Wind Relatively Low
Heat Wave Relatively Low
Winter Weather Relatively High
Lightning Relatively Low
Ice Storm Relatively Moderate
Drought Very Low
Cold Wave Relatively Moderate
Landslide Relatively Moderate
Avalanche Relatively High
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

91 earthquakes (M2.5+) within 150 km since 1990. Strongest: M4.7. Most recent: M2.5 on Feb 13, 2025.

Dec 22, 1998 Idaho-Montana border region M4.7 128 km
Mar 22, 2006 8 km SSW of Rexford, Montana M4.3 145 km
Aug 17, 1994 1 km E of Mullan, Idaho M4.1 116 km
Nov 11, 2001 3 km NE of Spokane, Washington M4.0 66 km
Jan 20, 1998 15 km SSE of Happys Inn, Montana M4.0 140 km
Jun 25, 2001 Washington M3.9 67 km
Apr 24, 2015 8 km WSW of Hope, Idaho M3.9 37 km
Aug 19, 1999 12 km ENE of Happys Inn, Montana M3.7 143 km
Apr 24, 2015 12 km SSW of East Hope, Idaho M3.7 41 km
Mar 14, 1997 1 km E of Mullan, Idaho M3.6 116 km
May 30, 1996 3 km SSW of Mullan, Idaho M3.6 116 km
Jan 20, 2000 21 km ENE of Athol, Idaho M3.5 39 km
May 14, 2014 5 km NE of Happys Inn, Montana M3.4 135 km
Jun 25, 2001 2 km SSE of Town and Country, Washington M3.4 66 km
Dec 15, 2012 19 km S of Troy, Montana M3.4 78 km
Mar 8, 1994 32 km S of Wallace, Idaho M3.4 133 km
Jun 28, 1997 3 km NNW of Mullan, Idaho M3.4 111 km
Nov 2, 1996 4 km W of Trout Creek, Montana M3.4 101 km
Nov 12, 2001 3 km NNE of Spokane, Washington M3.3 67 km
Sep 16, 2002 1 km N of Happys Inn, Montana M3.3 131 km
Source: USGS (M2.5+, 1990-2025)

Tornado History

29 tornadoes (EF0+) within 100 km since 1950. Strongest: EF2. Total: 4 injuries.

Date Rating Distance Fatalities
May 31, 1997 EF2 43 km 0
Apr 9, 1991 EF2 1 km 0
Jul 17, 1978 EF2 17 km 0
Apr 5, 1972 EF2 100 km 0
May 6, 1957 EF2 81 km 0
Jun 15, 1954 EF2 91 km 0
Jul 21, 1997 EF1 96 km 0
Jul 21, 1997 EF1 96 km 0
May 31, 1997 EF1 59 km 0
May 29, 1994 EF1 42 km 0
Apr 12, 1984 EF1 57 km 0
Oct 17, 1983 EF1 92 km 0
Jul 25, 1983 EF1 79 km 0
Jun 22, 1981 EF1 48 km 0
Aug 14, 1980 EF1 79 km 0
Aug 19, 1978 EF1 27 km 0
Jun 29, 1970 EF1 73 km 0
Apr 18, 2024 EF0 76 km 0
May 6, 2022 EF0 75 km 0
May 6, 2022 EF0 68 km 0
Source: NOAA SPC (EF0+, 1950-2024)

Tsunami History

9 tsunamis recorded within 500 km. Highest wave on record: 19.8 m (65 ft).

Year Location Cause Max Wave Deaths Distance
1952 COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA Meteorological 19.8 m - 101 km
1949 COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA Meteorological 19.8 m - 116 km
2024 COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA Meteorological 14.3 m - 101 km
1944 COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA Meteorological 9.1 m - 101 km
2009 COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA Meteorological 9.0 m - 94 km
1953 COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA Meteorological 4.8 m - 101 km
2009 COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA Meteorological 3.6 m - 98 km
1953 COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA Meteorological - - 101 km
1952 COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA Meteorological - - 101 km
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database. Sorted by wave height.

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) within 100 km. Largest: CARPENTER RD. (62,488 ac, 2015).

Year Name Acres Distance
2015 CARPENTER RD. 62,488 89 km
2022 RUSSELL MOUNTAIN 26,130 78 km
2015 TOWER 24,779 37 km
2021 FORD CORKSCREW 16,179 67 km
2021 SOUTH YAAK 12,866 88 km
2021 DECEITFUL 12,750 94 km
1991 UNNAMED 12,401 77 km
2015 SOUTH BOBTAIL 11,256 97 km
2023 OREGON 10,957 30 km
2023 GRAY 10,096 93 km
2016 CAYUSE MTN 9,744 92 km
2015 NAPOLEON 1 9,727 78 km
2015 LOWER FLAT 9,034 72 km
2018 COUGAR 8,708 58 km
2021 TRESTLE CREEK COMPLEX 7,117 53 km
1991 UNNAMED 7,096 92 km
2020 INCHELIUM HIWAY 7,046 99 km
2016 SPOKANE COMPLEX 6,839 82 km
2017 NOISY CREEK 5,452 74 km
1991 UNNAMED 5,297 69 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN (100+ acres)

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 28°F (-2°C) 3.0 in
February 31°F (-1°C) 2.0 in
March 38°F (3°C) 3.2 in
April 45°F (7°C) 2.3 in
May 55°F (13°C) 2.2 in
June 60°F (16°C) 2.3 in
July 67°F (20°C) 1.0 in Warmest
August 66°F (19°C) 0.8 in Driest
September 57°F (14°C) 1.2 in
October 45°F (7°C) 2.8 in
November 34°F (1°C) 3.5 in Wettest
December 28°F (-3°C) 3.2 in Coldest

Priest River has a seasonal temperature swing of 40°F / from 28°F in December to 67°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 27.5 inches, with November being the wettest month (3.5") and August the driest (0.8").

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