Herrett Forum Distinguished Speaker Series Presents:
Dr. Jaap Vos’ lecture highlights how Idaho’s population change goes far beyond simple growth, revealing dramatic demographic shifts driven by an influx of newcomers and a steady outflow of longtime residents. Using innovative analysis of vehicle registration and driver’s license surrender data over the past decade, Vos demonstrates that more than a quarter of Idaho’s population is new to the state, with hundreds of thousands relocating from places like California, Washington, and Utah, while many Idahoans also leave each year. His research underscores that Idaho’s communities are being reshaped not just by numbers but by who is arriving and departing, influencing our economy, political views, and planning needs, and he urges local officials and residents to focus on understanding and managing demographic change as an essential part of guiding the state’s future.
Time & Location
Tuesday, April 14, 2026
Cost: Free
Doors open: 6 p.m.
Presentation starts: 6:30 p.m.
Location: Rick Allen Room in the Herrett Center, Twin Falls, ID
Presenter
Dr. Jaap Vos is a professor of Planning and Natural Resources at the University of Idaho, where he also serves as Head of the Department of Natural Resources and Society and Director of the Environmental Science Program. With a Ph.D. in regional planning from the University of Illinois and a master's from Wageningen University in the Netherlands, Dr. Vos brings both global perspective and deep local insight to his work.
Raised in a rural village and still passionate about rural life, Jaap’s research focuses on how communities can retain their unique character amid rapid growth and development. He is a leading voice in rural planning, sustainable communities, and land use policy, and is the founding co-chair of APA Idaho’s Ag Chat, an influential forum on planning issues in rural Idaho.