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Soda Springs is a city in Caribou County, Idaho, United States. The population was 3,058 at the 2010 census. The city is the county seat of Caribou County.

Soda Springs has been county seat of Caribou County since the county was organized in 1919. In the 1860s Soda Springs served as the seat of Oneida County.

History
The city is named for the hundreds of natural springs of carbonated water that are located in and around the city. The springs were well known to Native Americans and were a famous landmark along the Oregon Trail in the middle 19th century. Today the city is also known as the location of the Soda Springs Geyser, which was unleashed in 1934 when "town fathers" were looking for hot water for a "hot pool" bathing attraction. Instead they drilled into a chamber of highly pressurized carbon dioxide gas and cold water and the geyser was released. After running for weeks, and flooding the downtown area, it was capped and manually released when requested as a tourist attraction. Now it is let loose every hour on the hour by a timed release valve. Its height and volume has not decreased after many years. There are viewing platforms at either end of the travertine mound where the Geyser erupts. Interpretive signs are located on the platforms explaining this phenomena.

Geography
Soda Springs is located at 42.65806°N, -111.59611°W (42.658011, -111.596107).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 4.59 sqmi, of which, 4.54 sqmi is land and 0.05 sqmi is water.

Soda Springs experiences a continental climate (Köppen Dfb) with long, cold, snowy winters and very warm summers.



2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 3,058 people, 1,204 households, and 830 families residing in the city. The population density was 673.6 PD/sqmi. There were 1,393 housing units at an average density of 306.8 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 96.4% White, 0.1% African American, 0.3% Native American, 0.3% Asian, 0.4% Pacific Islander, 1.4% from other races, and 1.2% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.4% of the population.

There were 1,204 households of which 33.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.9% were married couples living together, 8.4% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.7% had a male householder with no wife present, and 31.1% were non-families. 28.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.47 and the average family size was 3.03.

The median age in the city was 37.8 years. 27.4% of residents were under the age of 18; 7.1% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 22.9% were from 25 to 44; 26.2% were from 45 to 64; and 16.4% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 49.7% male and 50.3% female.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 3,381 people, 1,210 households, and 905 families residing in the city. The population density was 747.1 people per square mile (288.2/km²). There were 1,505 housing units at an average density of 332.6 per square mile (128.3/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 96.63% White, 0.03% African American, 0.09% Native American, 0.15% Asian, 0.21% Pacific Islander, 1.18% from other races, and 1.72% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.90% of the population.

There were 1,210 households out of which 40.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 66.1% were married couples living together, 6.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.2% were non-families. 22.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.74 and the average family size was 3.24.

In the city the population was spread out with 30.8% under the age of 18, 9.5% from 18 to 24, 26.0% from 25 to 44, 20.1% from 45 to 64, and 13.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 95.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.3 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $40,690, and the median income for a family was $46,152. Males had a median income of $41,979 versus $21,250 for females. The per capita income for the city was $15,729. About 7.0% of families and 9.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.5% of those under age 18 and 8.7% of those age 65 or over.

Parks and recreation
Soda Springs has five prominent parks that provide recreation and relaxation for the citizens. Free, clear sparkling soda water is still available in Hooper Springs Park, located two miles north of the center of town. A prime attraction for more than 160 years, soda water from these springs was recognized nationally after rail service reached this resort area in 1882. W.H. Hooper, Salt Lake City’s leading banker and president of Zion’s Cooperative Mercantile Institution, had his summer home here. He did much to found and promote Soda Springs and its soda water industry while serving as Utah’s delegate to Congress. The amenities at Hooper Springs Park include a covered pavilion, restrooms, a covered spring house with benches, picnic areas and tables, stationary BBQ pits, playground equipment and a basketball court.

Arthur Kelly Park is the largest park in Soda Springs. At 20+ acres of land it is host to many different facilities and is used for many different events. It hosts softball tournaments, the annual mud bog race, the Fourth of July Fireworks display and company picnics. The amenities at Kelly Park include a pavilion, restrooms and concession stand, two softball fields, two tennis courts, two youth fishing ponds, playground, picnic tables, and several kilometers of walking trails. The walking trails serve a dual purpose and are groomed for cross country skiing in the winter.

Octagon Spring Park is Soda Springs’ newest park, with construction beginning in 1995. The original eight-sided kiosk, for which the spring was apparently named, was built in the 1890s to cover the carbonated water spring which emanates at this point. Octagon Spring was a popular gathering place for local residents and visitors to the famous Idanha Hotel which was just across the street to the south of the spring. The Idanha Hotel was constructed in 1887 and was destroyed by fire on June 7, 1921. The hotel was built as a dining station by Union Pacific Railroad, but guests also came to see the bubbling carbonated water springs in the area or were patients of the famous Dr. Ellis Kackley. The amenities at Octagon Spring Park include a wooden boardwalk (the ground is extremely wet and soft at times), covered pavilion, restroom, and picnic tables.

Corrigan Park, or City Park, as it is commonly referred to is located in downtown Soda Springs right alongside Highway 30. At 11 1/2 acres it is the city's second largest park. Mr. Thomas Corrigan donated this land to the city. City Park is the busiest park and is host to many special events throughout the year like the annual classic car show, the Fourth of July festivities and little league tournaments. The amenities at City Park include a lighted basketball court, a lighted baseball diamond, a lighted skate park, two sand volleyball courts, a second little league diamond, a pavilion, two sets of playground equipment, an outdoor stage, restrooms, shade trees and picnic tables. There are also some historical items located around the park including the Dinkey Engine, the Conda Bus and a war memorial.

In addition to the Soda Springs Geyser noted above, Geyser Park has additional amenities, including a visitor center which features interpretive signs, a boardwalk around the geyser, grassy areas with picnic tables and benches and restrooms. The geyser is located behind the Enders Hotel located on 1st South and Main.

Notable people

 * Vic Baltzell, former National Football League linebacker
 * Reed Budge, Idaho legislator