College town with community activities and a young population
Although it has a population of 40,000, Rexburg has a small-town community feel. It’s normal for neighbors to become family members and community members to give a helping hand. “Rexburg’s slogan is America’s Family Community,” says Jana Bake, lifelong resident and business owner of Styles and Smiles Family Salon. “The best thing is that community aspect; we care for each other. Someone is also willing to jump out and help.” Rexburg is also home to Brigham Young University-Idaho, which has a student body of over 30,000. It is the city’s largest employer and an economic driver for its small businesses. “They have a year-round semester and then a seven-week summer session,” Bake says. “Those weeks we’re [residents] like, yay, we have the town back. It’s definitely different; there’s less traffic, and some businesses are slower.” However, community members enjoy all that BYU-Idaho offers, from its entertainment, art shows, and campus events. Rexburg was founded in 1883 by Latter-Day Saints pioneers sent by Thomas E. Ricks. Today, the LDS church remains prevalent, with more than half of the population associated with the religion. Additionally, there are over 20 LDS churches scattered around the city. The median age of Rexburg is around 22 years old, making it one of the state’s youngest cities.
Quiet suburb expanding into the country
Rexburg's market is not as competitive as that of nearby Idaho Falls. The median home price in Rexburg is $415,000, which is about $23,000 higher than Idaho Falls. “The whole town is quiet. The only buildings taller than two stories are the newer apartments,” Bake says. “You’re fine letting your kids walk down to the school. The roads are 25 to 30 miles per hour, and many crossroads. We don't drive around campus.” New single-family homes are congregated towards the outskirts in planned subdivisions, while condos/townhomes are just blocks from campus. The oldest properties from the 1920s to 1960s circle the campus. The most common architectural styles are contemporary, rancher and craftsman.
Old wooden carousel at Porter Park
Rexburg has nine parks, as well as amenities like dog parks, basketball courts and skate parks. Riverside Park is home to Rexburg Rapids, the city’s water park, and Rexburg Community Gardens. The Idaho Centennial Carousel, the only antique wooden carousel in the state, sits within Porter Park. Through its 2029 Parks Centennial Celebration initiative, Rexburg plans to add two new parks within the next four years. Golfers can play at the Teton Lake Golf Course, open to the public from spring to fall; when winter comes, the course becomes the Winter Park at Teton Lakes, a skiing and tubing spot. Hiking trails, mountain biking, and unique wildlife are some of the main attractions of Grand Teton National Park and Yellowstone National Park, which are about 100 miles away.
Home to Brigham Young University-Idaho
Students can attend the Madison School District, which earns a B-plus rating from Niche. The district teaches 5,700 students across 12 schools. Students may also attend the Sugar-Salem Joint School District; the B-plus-rated district is based out of Sugar City to the north. Brigham Young University-Idaho is one of the largest universities in the state; the religious school is operated by the LDS church.
Righteous Slice receive national attention for New York slice
Rexburg’s locally owned restaurants and shops are congregated toward Main Street and 2nd, just outside campus. Folks can find a mix of American and Mexican restaurants, plus coffee and sandwich shops on the first floors of modern apartments or within strip malls. One tiny pizza shop, Righteous Slice, received national attention in January 2025 for having one of the best New York-style pizzas in the country, per the New York Times. Main Street has a collection of jewelry and gift shops, plus Broulim’s Fresh Food and an Albertsons grocery store. Walmart Supercenter is on the north end of 2nd for essentials.
There is no nightlife in Rexburg. Madison County is a dry county, meaning it’s illegal to sell liquor. Most of the population is part of the LDS community, so this is not an issue for residents. Restaurants do sell beer and wine.
Students welcomed at Experience Rexburg
Fourth of July is one of Rexburg’s biggest celebrations. Residents celebrate the country in Porter Park with vendors, food trucks and live music, followed by a grand parade. Experience Rexburg is considered the city’s homecoming event, with over 100 vendors showcasing the perks of living in a college town. “There is so much turnover from the college students, so it’s a good way of advertising for small businesses since we can’t advertise on campus,” Bake says. “Many businesses give out swag and freebies.” Residents also take advantage of the shows and campus events. There are orchestra concerts, comedy shows, musicals and dance performances every year. “They always have stuff; they bring in big-name bands and performers,” Bake says. “The one I did go to, it was four guys that played in Phantom of the Opera. We get these amazing Broadway performances in this small town.”
No public transportation but plenty of neighbors
There is no public transportation in Rexburg. Drivers can use Highways 33 and 20 to reach Idaho Falls and Jackson, Wyoming. Idaho Falls Regional Airport is 29 miles south; it has direct flights to 12 destinations. However, some people drive 245 miles to Salt Lake City International Airport since there are more connections. The Salt Lake Express is a bus service that travels to both airports; however, locals usually drive. Medical Care is available at Madison Memorial Hospital.
Crime rate significantly lower than state's
Rexburg has its own police department, with 36 full-time and three part-time officers. The city has one of the lowest crime rates in the state, and the Idaho State Police reported a 22% drop in crime from 2022 to 2023. The most common offense was larceny. Rexburg gets all four seasons, and winds tend to be stronger here than the rest of Idaho because of the city’s mountainside location.
Written By
Courtney Murphy
Photography Contributed By
Chad Jackson
