Rigby
Jefferson County Seat and the Birthplace of Television
Why People Move Here
Rigby is the Jefferson County seat and commercial center for the agricultural Upper Snake River Valley north of Idaho Falls, with a 2024 population of ~6,157 and a downtown that traces back to 1884. The city is nationally notable as the Birthplace of Television — Philo T. Farnsworth conceived the electronic television scan pattern as a 14-year-old plowing a potato field here in 1921 and later sketched the idea on his Rigby High School chemistry teacher's blackboard. Present-day Rigby combines a ~12-minute commute to Idaho Falls with Jefferson County Lake, Yellowstone Bear World 10 minutes up US-20, and a downtown anchored by the 1922-founded Broulim's grocery.
Key Statistics
Data sourced from census records, school district reports, and local transit authorities.
Commute Times
School Districts
Jefferson County Joint School District #251
B-- Rigby High School: 2,088 students, 23:1 student-teacher ratio, Niche B-, ranked top 30% in Idaho for overall test scores (46% math proficiency vs. 41% state, 72% reading vs. 55% state)
- Rigby Middle School: 938 students, 17:1 ratio, ranked #55 Best Public Middle School in Idaho (Niche)
- Harwood Elementary (Niche C+), Jefferson Elementary, and the JCJSD #251 Early Childhood Center all located in Rigby
- District total: 6,706 students across PK-12, 19:1 student-teacher ratio
FAQ — Rigby
How far is Rigby from Idaho Falls?
Approximately 12 miles northeast via US-20 — about a 17-minute drive off-peak and 22 minutes in rush hour. Rigby is the Jefferson County seat and the primary commercial center for the farming communities north of Idaho Falls.
Why is Rigby called the Birthplace of Television?
Philo T. Farnsworth — the inventor of electronic television — grew up in Rigby and conceived the idea for the raster-scan image while plowing a potato field here in 1921 at age 14. He later sketched the concept on his Rigby High School chemistry teacher's blackboard in 1922. The Jefferson County Historical Society runs the Farnsworth TV & Pioneer Museum on North State Street in his honor.
What schools serve Rigby?
Jefferson County Joint School District #251 — 6,706 students across PK-12 with a 19:1 student-teacher ratio. Rigby High School (2,088 students, Niche B-) ranks in the top 30% of Idaho schools for overall test scores. Rigby Middle School ranks #55 Best Public Middle School in Idaho (Niche). Verify enrollment eligibility by address.
What is the housing market like in Rigby?
Redfin reported a median sale price of approximately $315K in April 2025 (down 18.2% year-over-year, reflecting small-sample volatility typical of a ~6,000-population market). The market had 5.6 months of supply — above the 5-month balanced threshold — indicating a buyer's market, with homes averaging ~48 days on market.
What is there to do at Jefferson County Lake?
Jefferson County Lake (also called Rigby Lake) has a sandy beach with a marked swimming area, a 1-mile walking path around the lake, a 50-site campground with water/electric hookups, volleyball/tennis/basketball courts, two playgrounds, and kayak/paddleboard rentals for $15/hour. Day use is $5 per carload or $30 for a season pass.
How close is Rigby to Yellowstone Bear World?
About 10 minutes northeast on US-20, making Rigby the closest incorporated city to the drive-through wildlife park. The attraction features free-roaming American black and grizzly bears, bison, elk, and Rocky Mountain goats, and is open mid-May through mid-October.
How does Idaho's tax structure affect Rigby residents?
Idaho has a 5.3% flat state income tax (reduced from 5.69% effective January 1, 2025) on income above the standard deduction (~$4,811 single / ~$9,622 married). State sales tax is 6% with no local option in Jefferson County. Jefferson County's effective property tax rate is approximately 0.57% of market value — below the Idaho statewide average.
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