RATHDRUM, Idaho — Rathdrum’s population has surged by nearly 25% over the last three years, according to data from the U.S. Census Bureau. In contrast, Coeur d’Alene's population grew by only 4% in the same period. For many long-time Rathdrum residents, this increase has brought an unwelcome change to their once-sleepy town.
“Our secret got out,” said Alicia Yocum, manager of Westwood Brewery in Rathdrum. “Our pretty little area, you know, they found out about it.”
Yocum, like many locals, has noticed the busier streets and increased foot traffic.
“It’s just gotten busier and busier over the years,” she said. “Some are people moving in, and some are just passing through.”
A recent traffic study conducted by the City of Rathdrum identified Mill Street at Highway 53 as a major congestion point. Heavy traffic along Highway 53 often makes it difficult for residents to cross into downtown, causing delays and frustrations for commuters.
“I avoid that intersection at all costs,” Yocum said. “I’ll go around; I’ll find back roads. It’s just hectic, especially if you’re trying to take a left onto the highway. You can sit there for five or 10 minutes.”
The Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) expects traffic volumes along Highway 53 to nearly double over the next decade. To address this, crews worked on Highway 53 over the summer, adding a center turn lane at Mill Street to help reduce congestion and keep traffic moving.
In addition, an increase in pedestrian activity downtown led Rathdrum’s city council to lower the speed limit on Main Street to 25 miles per hour, aiming to make the area safer for both drivers and pedestrians.
As more people discover Rathdrum, changes like these will be crucial to preserving the small-town feel that long-time residents cherish while adapting to the area’s growing popularity.