Living in Rexburg
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Thinking about living in Rexburg, Idaho? Here is the honest local picture. Rexburg is the seat of Madison County in eastern Idaho. It is a young, safe, family-focused college town built around BYU-Idaho. Families come for the schools, the parks, and the slower pace. Strobel Family Dental has cared for families here for over 40 years. We know this town well. This guide covers daily life in Rexburg, and where we fit in it.
Rexburg at a glance
Rexburg holds around 40,000 residents across about ten square miles. It is one of the youngest cities in the country. The median age sits near 21, because students fill the town. BYU-Idaho enrolls more than 20,000 students each year.
The city calls itself America’s Family Community, and the name fits. In 2023 Rexburg was named the safest city in Idaho. Property taxes here are among the lowest in eastern Idaho. Families come for the safety, the values, and the slower pace.
Growth has been steady for two decades. New neighborhoods, shops, and restaurants keep arriving. Yet the town still feels small and known.
A brief look at Rexburg’s history
Rexburg began in the 1880s as a pioneer farming settlement. It was founded by Thomas E. Ricks, a Latter-day Saint leader. Early families built canals and turned dry ground into farmland. Agriculture shaped the area for generations.
The town’s academy opened in 1888 and grew into Ricks College. That college later became BYU-Idaho. In 1976 the nearby Teton Dam failed and flooded the valley. Rexburg rebuilt and kept growing, and that history still shapes the community today.
The Rexburg economy and jobs
Three industries drive the local economy. Education, healthcare, and agriculture lead the way. BYU-Idaho is the largest employer by far. Madisonhealth and Madison School District follow close behind.
Manufacturing has grown here too. Basic American Foods recently finished a large plant expansion. A welding firm called AMET builds systems for NASA and Boeing. Melaleuca and Walmart round out the major employers.
Many families also farm the surrounding county. Potatoes, grain, and cattle still anchor the rural economy. The mix keeps Rexburg steady through national ups and downs.
Major landmarks and places in Rexburg
Rexburg holds several landmarks that anchor local life. These spots draw families from across the area:
- BYU-Idaho, the university at the heart of town
- The Rexburg Idaho Temple, a hilltop landmark above campus
- Porter Park, home to the 1926 Centennial Carousel
- Rexburg Rapids, a summer water park north of Main Street
- The Legacy Flight Museum, with historic aircraft at the county airport
- The Museum of Rexburg, home of the Teton Flood exhibit
- Madison Memorial Hospital, the area’s main medical center
Each of these will get its own page as our local guides grow. For now, BYU-Idaho and Madison Memorial Hospital have pages you can read.