Rigby, East Idaho Real Estate
The Birthplace of Television — expansive horse properties, country living, and easy commutes.
Rigby Market Report
Updated directly from the MLS • September 11, 2026
Living in Rigby
Located halfway between Idaho Falls and Rexburg, Rigby is premier territory for buyers wanting 1 to 10+ acres with water rights, barn setup, and horse pastures while staying 15 minutes from city services.
Local Economy
Rigby's economy is rooted in the agriculture that surrounds it, particularly potatoes, grain, and dairy, along with the local businesses that serve Jefferson County's farming community. A meaningful share of residents also commute to Idaho Falls or to Idaho National Laboratory facilities for work, giving the town a mix of agricultural and professional households that isn't always found in smaller farm towns. Rigby's small-town commercial core still centers on its historic Main Street, though newer retail has begun to appear along the highway corridor as the town's population has grown. As Idaho Falls-area growth continues to push outward along Highway 20, Rigby has increasingly become a bedroom community for commuters, which has brought new rooftops and a modest expansion of local services alongside the traditional agricultural base.
History
Rigby was founded in 1884 by four Latter-day Saint settlers, George Albert Cordon, Omer Samuel Call, Josiah Call, and Cyril Josiah Call, on land previously inhabited by Shoshone, Bannock, Blackfeet, and Nez Perce peoples. The town took its name from William F. Rigby, a prominent early settler, and incorporated in 1903, later becoming Jefferson County's seat. Rigby is nationally known as the boyhood home of Philo Farnsworth, the inventor credited with developing the first fully electronic television system after conceiving the idea while plowing potato fields as a teenager, a fact still celebrated locally at the Jefferson County Museum, also known as the Farnsworth TV and Pioneer Museum, which houses his original prototype alongside pioneer-era agricultural artifacts. The town has also produced novelist Vardis Fisher, WWII "Candy Bomber" pilot Gail Halvorsen, and Pro Football Hall of Famer Larry Wilson. Rigby has grown steadily over the past few decades as Idaho Falls-area growth has spilled outward along Highway 20, with the population climbing from 2,998 in 2000 to 3,945 in 2010 and past 5,000 by 2020, drawing new residents who want small-town living within a short commute of the metro area.
Neighborhoods
Rigby's residential areas mix established in-town streets with newer subdivisions on the edges of the city, reflecting its recent growth. Notable neighborhoods include:
Schools
Rigby is served by Jefferson School District 251, which operates the city's public elementary, middle, and high schools. Rigby High School, home of the Trojans, serves more than 2,000 students and anchors the community's athletic and academic life. As the Jefferson County seat, Rigby also hosts several county administrative offices and services used by surrounding smaller communities, giving it a role in the region somewhat larger than its population alone would suggest.
Commute & Getting Around
Rigby sits along U.S. Highway 20 at an elevation of about 4,856 feet, putting Idaho Falls about 20 minutes to the south and Rexburg roughly 20 minutes to the north, making it a practical base for commuters who want small-town living within reach of both cities' job markets. The town's location also puts it on a natural route toward Yellowstone's west entrance for residents who make regular trips to the park.
Recreation
The Snake River and Teton River both run near Rigby, offering fishing and water access, and Heise Hot Springs and the South Fork of the Snake are popular destinations a short drive away. Rigby Lake, also known as Jefferson County Lake, is a local favorite for swimming, paddleboarding, and camping on its sandy beaches, offering a closer-to-home alternative to the region's bigger reservoirs. Each summer the town hosts Rigby Stampede Days, a rodeo and parade that draws visitors from across Jefferson County and beyond, alongside the Jefferson County Historical Society and Farnsworth TV & Pioneer Museum, which highlight the town's local history. Residents have easy access to Kelly Canyon Ski Resort for winter recreation, along with the broader network of hiking and fishing spots that draw visitors to the upper Snake River valley. Rigby's rural setting also makes it a common starting point for float trips down the South Fork, one of the region's best-known fly fishing stretches, and surrounding Jefferson County is home to the largest cottonwood forest west of the Mississippi River, a distinctive feature of the local landscape.
Cost of Living
Rigby generally offers some of the more affordable housing in the Idaho Falls metro area, reflecting its smaller-town setting and distance from the region's largest employment centers, though prices have trended upward as more commuters look to the town for relative affordability. The town also skews young, with a 2020 median age of 28.5, notably younger than the metro area as a whole. See the market snapshot above for current figures.
Zip Codes Served
Popular Property Types
Why Buyers Love Rigby
- ✓Equestrian properties with water rights
- ✓Rigby Lake & Jefferson County Parks
- ✓Central position between Idaho Falls & Rexburg
- ✓Low county property taxes
Nearby Cities
Homes for Sale in Rigby
6 active listings shown
$5,500,000
TBD N Yellowstone Hwy
TBD N Yellowstone Hwy, Rigby, ID 83442
Valorie
Valorie's List Real Estate Agent
$3,925,000
TBD E 400 N
TBD E 400 N, Rigby, ID 83442
Valorie
Valorie's List Real Estate Agent
$2,995,000
TBD TBD
TBD TBD, Rigby, ID 83442
Valorie
Valorie's List Real Estate Agent
$1,900,000
436 N 4200 E
436 N 4200 E, Rigby, ID 83442
Valorie
Valorie's List Real Estate Agent
$1,850,000
475 N 3rd W
475 N 3rd W, Rigby, ID 83442
Valorie
Valorie's List Real Estate Agent
$1,550,000
448 N 4108 E
448 N 4108 E, Rigby, ID 83442
Valorie
Valorie's List Real Estate Agent
Market Snapshot: Rigby
| Median Sale Price | $495,000 |
| Year-over-Year Change | +5.9% |
| Active Listings | 54 |
| Avg. Days on Market | 34 |
| Median Price per Sq Ft | $210 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Rigby, Idaho known for?
Rigby is known as the boyhood home of Philo Farnsworth, the inventor of electronic television, and as the county seat of Jefferson County, a farming community along the Snake and Teton Rivers.
Is Rigby a good commuter town?
Rigby's position on U.S. Highway 20 puts both Idaho Falls and Rexburg within about a 20-minute drive, making it a common choice for people who want more affordable, small-town housing while still commuting to either city for work.
Does Rigby have hot springs nearby?
Yes, Heise Hot Springs is a short drive from Rigby along the South Fork of the Snake River and is a popular local destination for swimming and soaking.
Is Rigby a farming community?
Yes, agriculture remains central to Rigby's economy, with potatoes, grain, and dairy production continuing in the farmland surrounding the city even as its population has grown with commuters from Idaho Falls and Rexburg.
What is Rigby Stampede Days?
Rigby Stampede Days is the town's signature summer event, featuring a rodeo and parade that draws visitors from across Jefferson County. Rigby Lake, a local swimming and paddleboarding spot also known as Jefferson County Lake, is another popular warm-weather destination in town.
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