Idaho's Economic Powerhouses Revealed: Agriculture and Construction Lead Growth

By Joseph Provence, a news contributor who writes about technology, small business, SEO, and e-commerce.

Feb 2,2025 2:32 PM MST

BOISE, Idaho A newly released analysis of Idaho’s 2022 economic data highlights the state’s robust performance across key industries, with agriculture and construction standing out as leading contributors to economic growth.

The agricultural processing sector delivered strong numbers, with post-harvest crop activities generating $419.6 million in sales, largely fueled by Idaho’s renowned potato industry. Farm labor contractors reported a substantial $24.8 million in annual payroll, underscoring the sector’s significant role in employment.

"This abundant agricultural production in Idaho has created a strong food processing industry, which transforms raw agricultural products into consumer-ready goods for stores and homes." said Boise State’s College of Business and Economics

In the construction industry, new single-family housing construction was a major economic force, recording $1.65 billion in revenue. Additionally, residential remodeling contributed $722.1 million, reflecting strong consumer confidence in Idaho’s housing market.

The manufacturing sector also played a pivotal role, with dairy production leading at $7.03 billion in sales, solidifying Idaho’s status as a top dairy-producing state. Frozen food manufacturing followed with $2.95 billion in sales, further strengthening the state's food processing sector.

Mining operations continued to provide economic value, with gold and silver mining maintaining a $66.4 million annual payroll. However, total revenue figures were withheld for confidentiality reasons.

Despite these successes, some challenges remain. The wood product manufacturing sector exhibited significant data fluctuations, requiring sales figures to be estimated within a 40-50% range, suggesting potential reporting inconsistencies in this fragmented industry.

Looking ahead, industry experts predict continued growth in Idaho’s core sectors, particularly in agriculture and construction. However, they emphasize the need for precise economic monitoring to ensure sustainable development.

State economists stress the importance of maintaining Idaho’s economic diversity while enhancing data collection methods to track emerging trends effectively across all industries.