Clark County, Idaho Real Estate

Clark County Economy & Jobs

Ranching and agriculture are the mainstays of Clark County's economy. The U.S. Sheep Experiment Station, operated by the USDA's Agricultural Research Service, is located near Dubois, and Spencer is known for its opal mines. Highway services along Interstate 15 and work in larger towns to the south support other residents.

History of Clark County

In 1864 stagecoach stops on the route between Salt Lake City and the Montana mining towns were established at Beaver Canyon and Dry Creek, the settlement later renamed Dubois in 1892. The Utah and Northern Railway reached Beaver Canyon in 1879, and that settlement relocated to Spencer in 1897. The Battle of Camas Creek, part of the Nez Perce War, was fought at Camas Meadows near Kilgore. Clark County was created from Fremont County when Governor D. W. Davis signed the bill on February 1, 1919, and was named for state senator Sam K. Clark, an early pioneer on Medicine Lodge Creek.

Towns & Communities in Clark County

Clark County has two incorporated towns and a handful of ranching areas.

• Dubois — The county seat and largest town, home of the county schools and services, with homes and land along the Interstate 15 corridor.
• Spencer — A small town north of Dubois near Monida Pass, incorporated in 1947 and known for its opal mines.
• Kilgore & Medicine Lodge — Remote ranching areas in the county's eastern and western valleys, where large parcels and true seclusion are the draw.

Popular Subdivisions in Clark County

Neighborhoods in Clark County with several homes or lots on the market right now:

Schools in Clark County

Clark County School District 161, headquartered in Dubois, is the only school district in the county. Clark County High School's mascot is the Bobcat, and the school competes in the Idaho 1A Division II classification. Students looking for college options typically look to Idaho Falls or Rexburg.

Commute & Getting Around

Interstate 15 runs through Dubois and Spencer and crosses the Continental Divide at Monida Pass, elevation 6,820 feet, into Montana. Idaho Falls is about an hour south of Dubois. Winter conditions on the pass and county roads should be part of any buyer's plans.

Recreation & Outdoors in Clark County

The Centennial and Beaverhead Mountains along the Montana border offer hunting, hiking and snowmobiling, and the open rangeland is home to pronghorn and other wildlife. Rock hounds visit the Spencer opal area, and Camas Creek and the mountain streams provide fishing.

Land, Acreage & Horse Property in Clark County

Large-acreage ranch land and rural homesites make up most of the Clark County market, and inventory is limited at any given time. Water rights, well depth, road access and winter maintenance are critical questions on remote parcels. Valorie's List only labels horse property when the MLS reports livestock permitted.

Cost of Living & Home Prices in Clark County

Clark County offers some of the most affordable large parcels in East Idaho, though services, shopping and healthcare are limited and usually mean a drive to Rexburg or Idaho Falls. See the market snapshot on this page for current figures from active Snake River MLS listings; with few listings, the numbers can swing considerably from month to month.