Pocatello

Pocatello is a city in southeastern Idaho, United States. It is the county seat of Bannock County and the principal city of the Pocatello metropolitan area. The city lies along the Portneuf River at the foothills of the Bannock Range and serves as a regional center for education, healthcare, and commerce.

Historically, the area was inhabited by the Shoshone-Bannock peoples. Pocatello was founded in the 1860s as a railroad town along the Union Pacific Railroad and the Oregon Short Line. It was named after Chief Pocatello, a leader of the Shoshone people, in honor of Indigenous heritage. The arrival of the railroad spurred growth in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Idaho State University, established in 1901, is located in Pocatello and is a major regional institution. The campus includes the Idaho Museum of Natural History. The city also hosts a regional medical center and other government and civic organizations.

Economy and transportation: Pocatello serves as a regional hub for southeast Idaho. Key sectors include education, healthcare, manufacturing, and government services. Transportation access includes Pocatello Regional Airport, U.S. Route 30, and nearby Interstate highways.

Cultural and outdoor amenities include riverfront parks, foothill recreation, and regional events. The Portneuf River and the surrounding landscape shape the city’s character, contributing to its identity as an educational and outdoor-serving community.