Adams County, Idaho: Power, Data Centers and the Local Economy
No data center or power plant project is on record in Adams County, but the national build-out still reaches it through its utility bill, its labor market and the projects next door. Adams County is home to Council and New Meadows. Unemployment was 4.9% in August 2026, against 7.0% in 2019. 5,013 people live here, up 13.3% since 2020. Its power plants have 6 MW of capacity, 100% of it other technologies. Employers here counted 1,007 jobs in 2025, up 2.3% from 2019.
Cities and towns in Adams County
Adams County is home to Council and New Meadows.
Residents are 2025 Census estimates for the part of each city, town or township inside this county. Census publishes no annual estimate for unincorporated communities.
What changed in Adams County
1st = the most. Ranks cover counties with a value on record.
| Measure | Then | Now | Change | Rank in Idaho |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Population (2020 → 2025) | 4,423 | 5,013 | ▲ 13.3% | 39th of 44 by size |
| Total jobs (2019 → 2025) | 984 | 1,007 | ▲ 2.3% | 39th of 44 by growth |
| Average annual pay (2019 → 2025) | $38,654 | $59,911 | ▲ 55.0% | — |
| Construction jobs (2019 → 2025) | 69 | 97 | ▲ 40.6% | — |
| Unemployment rate (2019 → August 2026) | 7.0% | 4.9% | ▼ 2.1pts | — |
| Generating capacity added since 2019 | — | 0 MW | — | |
| Generating capacity retired since 2019 | — | 0 MW | — |
Idaho Power Co is the largest utility serving Adams County. Its residential customers paid an average 11.76¢/kWh in 2024, above the 10.00¢ median for Idaho utilities.
Who powers Adams County
Utilities with service territory in Adams County
| Utility | Ownership | Service | Residential customers (systemwide) | Residential price, 2024 | Commercial share of sales |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Idaho Power Co | Investor Owned | Bundled | 525,751 | 11.76¢ | 27% |
Customer counts, prices and sales shares cover each utility's whole system in the state, not only this county. Commercial sales include data centers.
Operating power plants 1
| Technology | Capacity | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Other technologies | 6 MW | 100% |
| Largest plants | Owner | Technology | MW | Since |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tamarack Energy | Tamarack Energy | Other technologies | 6 MW | 1983 |
The Adams County labor market
| Industry (2025) | Jobs | Average pay | Concentration vs U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| All industries | 1,007 | $59,911 | 1.00 |
| Construction | 97 | $50,456 | 1.82 |
Concentration is the BLS location quotient: 1.0 means the industry holds the same share of local jobs as it does nationally. Industry rows count private employers; cells BLS suppresses are left out.
Data centers and local rules in Adams County
No data center, local measure or delayed project is on record in Adams County. Idaho has 4 local measures on record statewide.
Adams County and its neighbors
Of the 6 counties that border Adams County, Washington County carries the most build-out activity: data centers, planned generation and operating plants combined.
| County | Population | Jobs since 2019 | Operating MW | Planned MW | Data centers | Local measures |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adams County | 5,013 | ▲ 2.3% | 6 MW | — | — | — |
| Baker County OR | 16,658 | ▼ 0.2% | 261 MW | — | — | — |
| Gem County | 21,773 | ▲ 20.2% | 10 MW | — | — | — |
| Idaho County | 17,874 | ▲ 4.8% | 3 MW | — | — | — |
| Valley County | 12,831 | ▲ 16.2% | 12 MW | — | — | — |
| Wallowa County OR | 7,595 | ▲ 8.3% | 412 MW | — | — | — |
| Washington County | 11,583 | ▲ 7.1% | 678 MW | — | — | — |
More of Idaho
Adams County, answered from the record
Who provides electricity in Adams County, Idaho?
1 utility has service territory in Adams County in the EIA-861 2024 report: Idaho Power Co. The largest, Idaho Power Co, charged residential customers 11.76¢/kWh on average in 2024.
What power plants are in Adams County?
1 operating plant with 6 MW of capacity. The largest is Tamarack Energy (6 MW, other technologies).
Are there data centers in Adams County?
The SAVRN Data Center Map has no data center in Adams County.
Is Adams County adding jobs?
Employers counted 1,007 jobs in 2025 against 984 in 2019 (+2.3%, BLS QCEW). Construction went from 69 to 97.
Does Adams County have a data center moratorium?
No county-level measure is on record for Adams County. Idaho has 4 local measures statewide, listed on the state page.