These Are The 10 Hardest Working Places In Idaho

Discover the 10 Hardest Working Places in Idaho in 2026

Idaho, known for its stunning landscapes and vibrant communities, continues to embody the spirit of hard work and dedication. In 2026, the Gem State remains a place where effort and commitment can lead to a better life for families and individuals alike.

While residents across Idaho exemplify a strong work ethic, certain areas stand out as the hardest working places in the state. These communities not only embrace the value of hard work but have also adapted to the evolving labor market landscape.

At the forefront is Hailey, which proudly holds the title of the hardest working place in Idaho. The residents here demonstrate such dedication that commuting to work seems like a significant job in itself.

Curious about other hardworking cities in Idaho? Here are the top contenders that are burning the midnight oil to achieve success:

Payette, take note! This ranking showcases the dedication of Idaho’s workers and provides insights that might fuel your motivation.

For additional insights about Idaho, explore these articles:

How We Determined the Hardest Working Places in the Gem State

At Zippia, we pride ourselves on our data-driven approach. To identify Idaho’s hardest working places, we analyzed the latest American Community Survey data, ensuring our findings reflect contemporary workforce trends.

For this analysis, we considered various metrics, including:

Average hours worked
Average commute time
Workers per household (employed labor force divided by the number of households)
Labor force participation rate
Adults with a college degree

Our rationale was simple: communities where residents invest years in education, actively seek employment, work extensive hours, and endure long commutes earn the Zippia hardworking stamp of approval.

After compiling data for all 32 places in Idaho, we ranked each location from 1 to 32 based on the criteria, with 1 indicating the “hardest working.” We calculated a hardworking index by averaging these rankings, and Hailey emerged as the clear winner.

Refer to the detailed chart below for insights into each city’s ranking and performance.

1. Hailey

Source: Wikipedia

Population: 7,961 College Graduates: 36.1%
Average Hours Worked Per Week: 38.0
Workers Per Household: 1.5

2. Star

Population: 6,379 College Graduates: 23.5%
Average Hours Worked Per Week: 38.1
Workers Per Household: 1.4

3. Meridian

Population: 81,025 College Graduates: 33.3%
Average Hours Worked Per Week: 38.4
Workers Per Household: 1.4

4. Ammon

Population: 14,257 College Graduates: 33.0%
Average Hours Worked Per Week: 36.4
Workers Per Household: 1.4

5. Eagle

Population: 21,102 College Graduates: 45.9%
Average Hours Worked Per Week: 38.9
Workers Per Household: 1.3

6. Kuna

Population: 16,188 College Graduates: 22.2%
Average Hours Worked Per Week: 38.2
Workers Per Household: 1.5

7. Boise City

Population: 211,655 College Graduates: 39.1%
Average Hours Worked Per Week: 37.4
Workers Per Household: 1.3

8. Preston

Population: 5,172 College Graduates: 16.2%
Average Hours Worked Per Week: 37.8
Workers Per Household: 1.4

9. Chubbuck

Population: 14,117 College Graduates: 23.1%
Average Hours Worked Per Week: 37.3
Workers Per Household: 1.3

10. Idaho Falls

Population: 57,935 College Graduates: 25.5%
Average Hours Worked Per Week: 37.0
Workers Per Household: 1.3

Detailed List of Hardest Working Places in Idaho

City	Rank	Population	College Graduates	Average Hours Worked Per Week	Workers Per Household
Hailey	1	7,961	36.1%	38.0	1.5
Star	2	6,379	23.5%	38.1	1.4
Meridian	3	81,025	33.3%	38.4	1.4
Ammon	4	14,257	33.0%	36.4	1.4
Eagle	5	21,102	45.9%	38.9	1.3
Kuna	6	16,188	22.2%	38.2	1.5
Boise City	7	211,655	39.1%	37.4	1.3
Preston	8	5,172	16.2%	37.8	1.4
Chubbuck	9	14,117	23.1%	37.3	1.3
Idaho Falls	10	57,935	25.5%	37.0	1.3
Moscow	11	24,406	55.4%	33.5	1.4
Pocatello	12	54,466	29.9%	36.3	1.4
Rexburg	13	26,301	38.6%	30.3	1.7
Blackfoot	14	11,891	22.3%	37.8	1.2
Twin Falls	15	45,362	17.5%	38.5	1.3
Mountain Home	16	13,871	13.7%	41.3	1.3
Post Falls	17	28,786	20.1%	38.5	1.3
Lewiston	18	32,178	22.2%	37.4	1.3
Hayden	19	13,588	20.3%	38.9	1.3
Middleton	20	5,898	14.5%	38.5	1.4
Caldwell	21	48,114	14.3%	37.6	1.4
Nampa	22	84,660	17.4%	37.4	1.4
Burley	23	10,352	14.1%	39.3	1.2
Rathdrum	24	7,046	18.8%	37.8	1.3
Sandpoint	25	7,497	21.2%	37.6	1.0
Coeur d’Alene	26	45,848	23.7%	36.9	1.2
Garden City	27	11,223	35.6%	37.7	1.2
Rupert	28	5,583	7.8%	39.8	1.3
Jerome	29	11,046	9.5%	40.8	1.3
Emmett	30	6,546	15.6%	37.4	1.0
Weiser	31	5,407	10.5%	37.0	1.2
Payette	32	7,447	8.9%	37.4	1.3

In conclusion, the cities highlighted in this list reflect Idaho’s commitment to hard work and perseverance. Whether you are seeking employment or looking to advance your career, these communities offer a wealth of opportunities for those ready to put in the effort. Keep an eye on these areas as they continue to thrive in the ever-evolving labor market.

Never miss an opportunity that’s right for you.

Author

Chris Kolmar

Chris Kolmar is a co-founder of Zippia and the editor-in-chief of the Zippia career advice blog. He has hired over 50 people in his career, been hired five times, and wants to help you land your next job. His research has been featured on the New York Times, Thrillist, VOX, The Atlantic, and a host of local news. More recently, he's been quoted on USA Today, BusinessInsider, and CNBC.

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