The Town FilesRupert, Idaho
City in Minidoka County · population 6,082 (2020 Census)
- Median home
- $205,200
- Household income
- $54,741
- Jan low / Jul high
- 19° / 85°
- Snow a year
- 21 in
- Tornadoes ≤10 mi since 1950
- 6
- Median age
- 29.5
Rupert is a city of 6,082 people in Minidoka County, Idaho. The median home is worth $205,200, below the typical Idaho town ($291,900). It ranks easier by car than 82% of Idaho towns, more walkable than 80% of Idaho towns, more vibrant than 75% of Idaho towns.
How Rupert ranks
Percentile among Idaho towns with at least 500 people on The Town Files lifestyle rankings. 50 is typical for the state; 90 means better than 90% of Idaho towns.
Homes and cost of living
The median home in Rupert is worth $205,200, below the typical Idaho town ($291,900). Homes cost about 3.7 times the median household income of $54,741, which is more affordable than 81% of Idaho towns. Median rent is $856 a month. 63.7% of households own their home.
| Housing | Rupert | Typical Idaho town |
|---|---|---|
| Median home value | $205,200 | $291,900 |
| Median rent | $856 | $1,029 |
| Median household income | $54,741 | $66,924 |
| Home value ÷ income | 3.7× | 4.5× |
| Homeownership | 63.7% | 73.7% |
| Median year built | 1971 | 1977 |
| Seasonal / vacation homes | 0.0% | — |
Who lives in Rupert
| People | Rupert | Typical Idaho town |
|---|---|---|
| Median age | 29.5 | 36.6 |
| Age 65 and over | 13.1% | 16.5% |
| Under 18 | 30.5% | — |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 9.1% | 21.7% |
| Below the poverty line | 19.4% | 11.4% |
| Veterans | 6.3% | — |
| Born outside the U.S. | 15.3% | — |
| Work from home | 4.5% | 8.4% |
| Average commute | 15.9 min | 22.2 min |
| Homes with broadband | 87.7% | 91.2% |
Weather in Rupert
July highs average 85.3°F and January lows 19.2°F. About 10.8 inches of rain and melted snow fall a year, with 20.5 inches of snow (typical Idaho town: 38.8 in). Expect about 29 days a year at 90°F or hotter and 159 nights at or below freezing.
Tornadoes, storms and disasters
6 tornadoes have passed within 10 miles of Rupert since 1950, compared with 2 for the typical Idaho town. 1 rated (E)F2 or stronger. The strongest, an F2, struck on May 18, 1991 about 0.2 miles from the town center. The most recent was on August 2, 2019.
Hail of 1 inch or larger has been reported within 10 miles 19 times; the largest was 1.75 inches on May 24, 2023.
Severe weather in Minidoka County since 1996
Minidoka County has been included in 5 federal disaster or emergency declarations since 1953, most often for flood, hurricane, biological.
| Declared | Incident | Declaration |
|---|---|---|
| April 9, 2020 | Biological | DR-4534: Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 13, 2020 | Biological | EM-3467: Covid-19 |
| April 21, 2017 | Flood | DR-4310: Severe Winter Storms And Flooding |
| September 13, 2005 | Hurricane | EM-3244: Hurricane Katrina |
| December 31, 1964 | Flood | DR-186: Heavy Rains & Flooding |
Jobs and pay in Minidoka County
Minidoka County had 9,290 jobs in 2024, paying an average of $50,905 a year. Unemployment was 2.7% in 2023; in Rupert itself the ACS puts it at 5.7%.
Public schools in Rupert
6 public schools with 2,731 students, about 18.3 students per teacher.
| School | Grades | Students | Per teacher |
|---|---|---|---|
| MINICO SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL | 9-12 | 1,206 | 18.3 |
| RUPERT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | PK-5 | 646 | 19.6 |
| EAST MINICO MIDDLE SCHOOL | 6-8 | 526 | 18.8 |
| ACEQUIA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | PK-5 | 282 | 16.6 |
| PRESCHOOL CENTER | PK-PK | 71 | 17.8 |
| MINI-CASSIA JUVENILE DETENTION CENTER | 3-12 | — | — |
Towns near Rupert
- Heyburn, ID6.1 mi · 3,700 people · home $237,800
- Burley, ID8.2 mi · 11,704 people · home $231,300
Rupert questions
Is Rupert, Idaho a good place to retire?
On The Town Files lifestyle rankings, Rupert scores better for retirees than 6% of Idaho towns and quieter than 23%. 13.1% of residents are 65 or older (median age 29.5).
How much does a house cost in Rupert?
The median owner-occupied home in Rupert is valued at $205,200 (Census ACS 2020–2024), against a median household income of $54,741, so homes cost about 3.7 times income. Median rent is $856 a month.
What is the weather like in Rupert?
July highs average 85.3°F and January lows 19.2°F (NOAA 1991–2020 normals). It gets about 10.8 inches of precipitation a year and 20.5 inches of snow.
Does Rupert get tornadoes?
6 tornadoes have passed within 10 miles of Rupert since 1950 (NOAA Storm Events); the strongest was a F2 on May 18, 1991. The typical Idaho town has had 2.
- U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates (2020–2024)
- U.S. Census Bureau, 2020 Census and 2025 Gazetteer (2020 / 2025)
- NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals (1991–2020)
- NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database (1950–2026)
- FEMA OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations (this product uses the FEMA OpenFEMA API but is not endorsed by FEMA) (1953–2026)
- NCES Common Core of Data (2023–24)
- BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages; USDA ERS county unemployment (BLS LAUS) (2000–2024)
- The Town Files lifestyle rankings, built from federal demographic, school, crime and housing data (2025)