Gem County, Idaho County, Idaho were: Gem County, Idaho Gem County is a county in the U.S. state of Idaho. As of the 2010 census, the population was 16,719. The county seat and largest city is Emmett. Gem County is part of the Boise, ID Metropolitan Statistical Area. Gem County is home to the Idaho ground squirrel. Named for the state nickname, "Gem State," the county was established on March 15, 1915, partitioned from Canyon County and Boise County. Fur trappers were in the area as early as 1818, and Alexander Ross explored Squaw Creek in 1824. Prospectors and miners moved through the
Idaho State Highway 69 route to Meridian. But instead of ending at Interstate 84 as it currently does, the highway continued north to its former junction with the historic alignment of US-30 which followed Franklin Road to the west, Main Street through town and then Fairview Avenue to the east. Highway 69 briefly followed historic US-30 eastward to the Eagle Highway which is now known as Eagle Road (also now known as State Highway 55). The highway then ended in central Eagle at its northern junction with State Highway 44 which then ran through town on State Street. Plans are being considered that could