Roberts
I-15 Railroad Siding on the Market Lake Plain
Why People Move Here
Roberts is a ~530-resident Jefferson County city about 18 miles north of downtown Idaho Falls along I-15, making it one of the metro's shortest I-15 north commuter addresses. The town was originally called Market Lake — named by 19th-century trappers for the abundance of game around a seasonal lake — and was renamed in 1910 after Harry Ashton Roberts, an Oregon Short Line Railroad official, when the Utah and Northern (now Union Pacific) main line defined the new town grid. Roberts has been growing faster than its Jefferson County peers (roughly +25% since 2020) as buyers seek out lower-cost I-15 commuter locations.
Key Statistics
Data sourced from census records, school district reports, and local transit authorities.
Commute Times
School Districts
Jefferson County Joint School District 251 (Rigby)
B#49 of 172 Idaho districts (top 30%) by 2022–23 proficiency testing
- Roberts Elementary School (K–6) at 682 N 2858 E, Roberts
- Rigby High School serves the secondary grades — 2,088 students, Niche B-, 88% graduation rate, average ACT 25
- District-wide: ~6,706 students across 14+ schools, student-teacher ratio ~19:1
FAQ — Roberts
How far is Roberts from Idaho Falls?
Roberts is about 18 miles north of downtown Idaho Falls via I-15 — roughly a 22-minute drive. That makes it the closest I-15 north commuter address in the Idaho Falls metro. There is no fixed-route transit, so a personal vehicle is required.
What schools serve Roberts?
Roberts is in Jefferson County Joint School District 251 (Rigby), the same district as Menan. Roberts Elementary School serves K–6 in town at 682 N 2858 E, and secondary students attend Jefferson 251 schools including Rigby High School (2,088 students, Niche B-, 88% graduation rate, average ACT 25). Verify enrollment eligibility by address.
What is the history of Roberts, Idaho?
Roberts was first known as 'Market Lake' — the name trappers and Indigenous travelers used for the area because of its abundant game, first recorded by Osborne Russell in 1835. Permanent settlement began in 1868, and the Utah and Northern Railroad (later Union Pacific's Oregon Short Line) reached the area in 1879. In 1910 the town was incorporated as a village and renamed in honor of Harry Ashton Roberts, an Oregon Short Line Railroad official.
What is Market Lake Wildlife Management Area?
Market Lake WMA is an Idaho Department of Fish and Game wetland complex of roughly 5,000 acres just north of Roberts, named for the town's original moniker. It is one of eastern Idaho's top waterfowl habitats and supports hunting, birdwatching, and pronghorn and mule deer observation.
Does Roberts have a grocery store?
No full-service grocery store operates in Roberts. Residents drive about 20 minutes southeast to Broulim's Fresh Foods in Rigby, or about 22 minutes south on I-15 to Albertsons, WinCo, Walmart, and Costco in Idaho Falls.
What is the housing market like in Roberts?
Town-level Zillow and Redfin medians are not published at Roberts' scale — there are too few transactions. Jefferson County typical sale prices currently run from the mid-$300Ks to the low $400Ks depending on acreage, and Rigby's April 2025 median list was around $550K (Rocket Homes, with small-sample volatility). Buyers should work with a local agent — Roberts is growing fast but listings remain infrequent.
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