The Minidoka Relocation Camp, one of ten Japanese American internment camps set up during World War II, was located in Hunt of Jerome County, six miles (9.7 km) north west of Eden.

While Jerome County was located quite close to the Oregon Trail and subsequent stagecoach lines, it was also divided from them by the 500 ft (150 m) deep Snake River Canyon.

The depth of the canyon also eliminated the possibility of drawing water for farming operations.

Construction of the railroad across Idaho in the 1880s also bypassed the Jerome area with the route being run 16 miles (26 km) north of the present center of Jerome City.

A ferry commenced operation at Shoshone Falls on April 15, 1884, facilitating travel between the railroad and settlements south of the Snake River.

[4] The Schodde settlement on Jerome County's western border north of Milner was established as the Schoddie Precinct under Lincoln County with a 1900 census population of 24.

[5] Completion of the Milner Dam and associated Northside Canal in 1905 brought a water supply to the north side of the Snake River that also brought farmers to the region.

Jerome, Eden, and Hazelton were all part of Lincoln County at their formation.

19.50% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.70% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 22,374 people, 7,540 households, and 5,656 families residing in the county.

[21] School districts include:[23] The county is in the catchment area, and the taxation zone, for College of Southern Idaho.