MAY NIBJ: By the numbers: Small businesses drive Idaho’s workforce
CAROLINE LOBSINGER | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 3 months, 4 weeks AGO
According to the Small Business Administration, Idaho has 183,972 small businesses, representing 99.2% of all businesses in the state.
BOOK OF LISTS
Data showing the top employers in Kootenai County.
Data showing the top employers in Bonner County.
Data showing the top employers in Boundary County.
Data showing the top employers in Shoshone County.
I grew up in the Tri-Cities, Wash., and have always loved to write. I attended the University of Washington, where I earned a double major in journalism and political science, with an area of emphasis in history. I am the fifth out of six kids — don't believe any of the stories that my siblings tell. To be able to tell others stories and take photos for a living is a dream come true — and I considered myself blessed to be a community journalist. When I am not working, I enjoy spending time with family and friends, hiking and spending time outdoors, genealogy, reading, and watching the UW Huskies and the Seattle Seahawks. I am a servant to my cat, Frankie, who yes, will eat anything and everything in sight … even wedding cookies. | April 28, 2026 1:00 AM
COEUR d’ALENE — It’s all in the numbers.
According to the Small Business Administration, Idaho has 183,972 small businesses, representing 99.2% of all businesses in the state. Those businesses employ 347,193 people — about 56.3% of Idaho’s workforce.
Between March 2020 and March 2021, 10,143 businesses opened statewide while 5,944 closed, for a net increase of 4,199 new businesses.
Across all businesses, the number of jobs increased by 16,907. Among Idaho’s small businesses, the net gain was 16,910 jobs.
Among the top employers in Kootenai County are Kootenai Medical Center, Hagadone Hospitality, Silverwood, and the Coeur d’Alene and Post Falls school districts. In Bonner County, top employers include the Lake Pend Oreille and West Bonner County school districts, Bonner General Health, Litehouse and Super 1 Foods.
In Boundary County, top employers include the Boundary County School District, the Kootenai Tribe of Idaho, Boundary Community Hospital, Idaho Forest Group and Alta Forest Products. In Shoshone County, leading employers include Hecla Mining, Dave Smith Motors, U.S. Silver Corp., and the Kellogg and Wallace school districts.
The region’s top industries vary as much as the counties themselves. In some counties, health care and social assistance rank highest in unique job postings. In others, retail trade and accommodation and food services lead the way.
Other industries with high numbers of unique job postings include administrative and support services; manufacturing; professional, scientific and technical services; wholesale trade; finance and insurance; construction; and information.
At the heart of the data are the businesses — and the people — of North Idaho. The numbers show nearly 200,000 small businesses statewide, with representatives in every industry.
In Bonner and Kootenai counties, retail trade, construction, health care, accommodation and food services, and professional services account for a majority of businesses. While Boundary, Benewah and Shoshone counties have fewer total businesses, Census data shows a higher share of nonemployer businesses and microbusinesses, particularly in construction and forestry-related services.
Want to learn more about the region’s small businesses? Check out the 2025 Book of Lists online at cdapress.com, bonnercountydailybee.com, shoshonenewspress.com and bonnersferryherald.com.
Data showing the top employers in Kootenai County.
Data showing the top employers in Bonner County.
Data showing the top employers in Boundary County.
Data showing the top employers in Shoshone County.ARTICLES BY CAROLINE LOBSINGER
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