Innovation and a peaceful location bring buyers to Rigby
Known as the Birthplace of Television, Rigby is a small city between Idaho Falls and Rexburg in eastern Idaho. The community was the childhood home of Philo Farnsworth, who is credited with inventing the TV in the United States. Rigby still has a scientific presence today, as many people come to the area to work at the nearby Idaho National Laboratory. Despite its reputation for technical advances, Rigby is best known for its slow pace of life. “It’s more rural than Idaho Falls. It’s also really easy to get to. The freeway goes right through there and makes it easy to commute,” says Lynette Neibaur, the managing broker at Coldwell Banker Tomlinson, who has nearly a decade of experience. "Rigby is also more densely forested. We’re in a high desert climate, and we don’t have a lot of trees, so Rigby is unique.”
Spacious homes offer room to spread out in eastern Idaho
Houses in downtown Rigby include bungalows and cottages from the early 1900s. Farther out from the city center, homes are typically New Traditional styles and on spacious lots. “There’s a lot of new construction and a lot of beautiful homes in the community,” Neibaur says. “The prices are typically higher than in Idaho Falls. Of course, they can be lower; it’s just more of a spread because there’s more space.” While houses may be more expensive than those in nearby cities, buyers can get more for their money. Many homes in the area are in rural settings on at least 1 acre, and buyers can easily find properties that are 5 acres or more. These often come with outbuildings like barns or detached garages. The median sales price in Rigby is around $475,000.
City parks and natural lakes provide recreation
Rigby has many recreation options, from traditional city parks to natural areas. Jefferson County Lake, also known as Rigby Lake, is a large park offering kayaking, fishing and swimming. It also has picnic tables, playgrounds and walking trails around the water. Visitors who want to spend more time at the lake can book one of the 50 campsites for an overnight trip. Rigby City Park is in the heart of town, with baseball fields, tennis courts and a playground. Rigby South Park has more sports facilities, plus a skate park. The Farnsworth TV & Pioneer Museum details the life of Philo Farnsworth, plus the region's history. Yellowstone Bear World is a wildlife park across from the Snake River, featuring a drive-through experience that brings visitors up close to brown bears and grizzlies. For more adventurous trips, Rigby is about 88 miles from Grand Teton National Park and 94 miles from Yellowstone National Park.
Locally owned shops and restaurants fill downtown
Rigby has a small downtown area where locally owned shops and restaurants line the streets. Lil’ Mike’s Bar-B-Que is a rustic, counter-serve spot known for its brisket and ribs. Other eateries in the area include pubs and pizza parlors. A drugstore, florist and gift shop all fit in among the brick buildings of downtown. The community also has several chain and fast-food options. Groceries are available at Broulim’s Fresh Foods. Stores like Family Dollar, Ace Hardware and O’Reilly Auto Parts also serve the area. For more shopping, residents can head to Idaho Falls for big-box stores like Target and Costco.
Summertime events bring fun to Rigby
Several events bring excitement to Rigby throughout the year. Car enthusiasts can show off their ride at Hot Classic Nights, a two-day event in July featuring drag races and a movie in the park. Stampede Days takes place each June and includes breakfast, a parade and a rodeo. Rigby hosts the Jefferson County Fair in August, bringing livestock shows, crafts and an amateur rodeo to town.
Local schools prepare students for college
Jefferson School District 251 serves the community and gets a B rating from Niche. Most students will likely attend Rigby High School, which earns a B-minus. The school offers dual enrollment courses, including English, science and economics classes. The speech and debate team won a national championship in the 2023-24 school year, while agricultural activities like forestry and livestock were top in the state. The 2024 graduating class earned $10 million in scholarships, and students attend colleges like BYU, the University of Utah and the University of Oregon.
Highway 20 offers quick commutes to nearby cities
U.S. Route 20 passes through Rigby and offers a 15-mile drive southwest to Idaho Falls. The Idaho National Laboratory's offices in Idaho Falls are about 14 miles away. Idaho Falls also has a regional airport with nonstop flights to Seattle, Portland, Salt Lake City, Denver and other cities in the West. Rexburg is about 13 miles northeast via Highway 20 and is home to the closest hospital, Madison Memorial.
Neighbors gather to worship at Rigby churches
Several congregations of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are in the community. The church also has a seminary on Rigby High Lane. Other denominations in the area include Presbyterian, Baptist and Lutheran churches.
Written By
Matthew Atkins
