Hayden is a city in Kootenai County, Idaho, United States, situated in the northern part of the state as a suburb of Coeur d'Alene. The city was incorporated on June 27 1955 and, according to the 2020 United States Census, had a population of 15,570; a 2022 estimate placed the population at 16,531.
History
The area that became Hayden was originally part of the traditional territory of the Coeur d'Alene tribe, centered around the nearby Hayden Lake. White settlement began in the 1870s, attracted by fertile soils and timber resources. The lake and subsequently the community were named after Mat Heyden, a soldier who, according to local legend, won a naming contest in the 1870s; the spelling later standardized to “Hayden.” Early economic activity included sawmills, orchards, and a resort known as Bozanta Tavern, which attracted notable visitors such as Presidents Theodore Roosevelt and William Howard Taft. The development of a trolley line by the Spokane and Inland Empire Railroad in the early 20th century linked the area with Coeur d'Alene and Spokane, Washington, spurring further growth.
In the mid‑20th century, the main commercial corridor shifted from the lakefront to Government Way (U.S. Route 95), leading to the formation of “Hayden Village.” After a failed annexation attempt with neighboring Hayden Lake, residents voted to incorporate as an independent city in 1955.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, Hayden covers a total area of 10.43 sq mi (27.02 km²), of which 10.42 sq mi (26.98 km²) is land and 0.015 sq mi (0.04 km²) is water. The city lies at the southwestern end of Hayden Lake at an elevation of approximately 2,300 ft (700 m) above sea level.
Transportation
Hayden is located on U.S. Route 95 at its junction with Idaho State Highway 41. It is four miles (6 km) north of Interstate 90 and about eight miles (13 km) south of Coeur d'Alene. The Coeur d'Alene Airport lies to the northwest of the city.
Demographics
The 2010 census recorded 13,294 residents, a racial composition of 95.1 % White, 0.2 % African American, 0.9 % Native American, 0.9 % Asian, 0.1 % Pacific Islander, 0.7 % from other races, and 2.1 % from two or more races; 4.2 % identified as Hispanic or Latino of any race. Households averaged 2.55 individuals, with 33.6 % containing children under 18 and 55.6 % classified as married couples.
Government
Hayden operates under a mayor‑council form of government. The city’s official website is https://cityofhaydenid.us.
References
- United States Census Bureau data (2020 Census).
- “Hayden, Idaho” entry, Wikipedia, accessed 2024.