[4] Native Americans from the Shoshone, Bannock Blackfeet, and Nez Perce tribes were the first inhabitants of the region.

The community was named after William F. Rigby, a prominent early settler and member of the church.

21.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

With the large amount of water, Jefferson County surrounding Rigby is home to the largest cottonwood forest west of the Mississippi River.

Many Rigby citizens commute to jobs in Rexburg or Idaho Falls, and a number of residents work for the federal government or federal contractors through the Idaho National Laboratory (INL), locally called "The Site".

[16] A significant majority of Rigby's residents, as well as those of the outlying communities, are members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

Baptist, Presbyterian, and Lutheran faiths also have current local congregations.

These schools also serve residents from neighboring areas such as Menan, Lewisville, and Roberts.

Rigby High School currently has 10 state titles in Boys Basketball, and in 2019 Won their first state title in football, defeating Coeur d'Alene 57-56 in double overtime.

The two schools had previously played in week one of the same season, with Coeur d'Alene winning.