Smile—it’s the law…. literally. Pocatello, home of Idaho State University, is considered the “U.S. Smile Capital” because a tongue-in-cheek ordinance passed in 1948 made it illegal not to smile. The law, passed after a particularly long and cold winter, unintentionally remained on the books and is now a point of pride for the city of about 58,000. “Pocatello is a small enough community where I can run into someone and have a chat, and it’s a big enough community where we can attract those major retailers and restaurants,” says Greg Johnston, realtor at Premier Properties Real Estate Company. Pocatello started as a railroad town along the Oregon Trail, earning the nickname “Gateway to the Northwest.” Today, locals enjoy a slow-paced lifestyle with easy access to cultural activities like museums and sporting events.
Pocatello has been steadily growing for the past few years. The current population is around 58,000, 3% higher than 2020. The city makes up more than half of the Bannock County population. “Many people are moving out here because of the good quality of life and the lower real estate costs compared to Boise or Salt Lake City. It's a good balance of a small town feel and plenty of entertainment,” Johnston adds. White-collar jobs dominate the employment market; major industries include administrative support, sales and management. Large employers include Idaho State University, Pocatello/Chubback School District and the City of Pocatello.
Kids will enjoy the quirky and fun exhibits at the Museum of Clean in downtown Pocatello.
Classic mid century architecture paired with colorful murals will bring joy to your day and a smile to your face.
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Over 30 parks and trails
The Pocatello Parks and Recreation Department manages over 30 parks, multiple recreation facilities and trails. Upper Ross Park, home to Zoo Idaho, is popular because of its disc golf course, skate park and dog parks; in 2024, the city opened a pickleball complex with five courts. The Portneuf Greenway is a collection of trails totaling 13 miles for hiking, biking, rollerblading and jogging, and the Community Recreation Center has a fitness center with aerobics classes. For winter activities, Pebble Creek Ski Area is a family-friendly resort with trails for all levels, and the city also runs a ski area, the East Fork Mink Creek Nordic Center.
Sacajawea Park in Pocatello offers miles of paved trails in the heart of the city.
With miles of paved trails throughout the Pocatello area you wont be short of choices for your next run or walk.
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Variety of homes at lower prices than Boise
Pocatello’s median home price is $330,000, $185,000 less than Boise's. Johnston noted that the busiest time in the market is during summer, usually when students return to school. The oldest properties are concentrated in Historic Downtown and near the ISU campus, including bungalows and fixer-uppers predating the 1950s. Scattered throughout the city’s north side and east of campus are manufactured homes, ramblers, and 21st-century craftsman houses.
Colorful murals adorn the sides of buildings throughout the charming town of Pocatello.
Cottages and bungalows in Pocatello offer affordable space for smaller families and empty nesters.
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Architecturally diverse structures in Downtown Pocatello
Historic Downtown Pocatello has a country feel across its 18 blocks. It contains various architectural styles, such as Romanesque Revival, Art Deco and Gothic Revival properties; folks may also spot dates and builder’s initials on rooftops. Restaurants, service businesses and antique sellers operate from the first floor of the historic buildings, and when nighttime strikes, people flock to Main Street’s breweries and taprooms. Chain restaurants, mom-and-pop restaurants and national retailers sit along Highway 91, and grocery shopping can be done at Fred Meyer and WinCo Foods. The Pine Ridge Mall has a handful of stores, including JCPenney and Bath & Body Works.
Downtown Pocatello offers a rich and unique blend of old and new architecture from the 1930s to modern day.
Hotel Yellowstone in downtown Pocatello is one of the cities best known landmarks.
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Home to the World's Largest Janitor
Pocatello appears in many media depictions of Western and pop culture. It is mentioned in Judy Garland’s song “Born in a Trunk” from 1954’s “A Star is Born,” and its Western side comes through in the 1934 film “The Pocatello Kid.” Today, folks can see shows at the Rocky Mountain Ministries, a performing arts theatre, or watch the latest films at AMC Theatre. Holt Arena, or the ICCU Dome, is an enclosed stadium home to the Idaho State Bengals football team. “Saturdays in the fall, people are out tailgating then go to the football game,” Johnston says. Folks can meet the World’s Largest Janitor, Big Don, who stands over 20 feet tall at the Museum of Clean. The 75,000-square-foot museum goes through the history of cleaning, including over 100 years of vacuums and various collections of toilets.
Claimed as the Worlds Largest Janitor Big Don towers over visitors at the Museum of Clean in downtown Pocatello.
The Museum of Clean in Pocatello offers hours of good clean fun for kids of all ages.
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Pocatello/Chubback Schools is Idaho's fifth largest district
Pocatello/Chubback School District teaches over 12,000 students and is the fifth-largest district in the state. Rated B-plus by Niche, the district has 23 schools and an 89% graduation rate. Pocatello is also home to Idaho State University’s main campus; the college has approximately 13,000 students across 250 programs.
The Bowen Rendevous Center at Idaho State University is the central hub for student life on campus.
Students in Pocatello attend schools in the Pocatello Chubbock school district 25.
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Easy access to two major interstates
Pocatello has two major interstates. Interstate 15 runs north to south through the city, reaching Blackfoot and Downey, while Interstate 86 runs east to west, connecting the city to Twin Falls. The Pocatello Regional Transit is the city’s busing system; its seven routes have drop-off spots around the city, Idaho State University and Chubbuck. The Pocatello Regional Airport has two daily flights to Salt Lake City via Delta Airlines. Portneuf Medical Center offers medical care. Pocatello has four seasons, including snowy winters and hot summers where temperatures reach the 90s.
6% uptick in crime
According to the Idaho State Police 2023 Crime Report, Pocatello had a 6% increase in crime from 2022 to 2023. While it is an increase, the city has been on a downward trend in crime for the last five years. The most common offenses are assault and larceny. The city’s crime rate is reported to be 41% higher than the state’s crime rate.
Written By
Courtney Murphy
Photography Contributed By
Chad Jackson
Video By
Jonathan Bradley
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Phil Bates,
an experienced agent in this area.
On average, homes in Pocatello, ID sell after 54 days on the market compared to the national average of 52 days. The median sale price for homes in Pocatello, ID over the last 12 months is $323,500, consistent with the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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