Moving to Athol

Thinking about moving to Athol?

A small city at the crossroads of U.S. 95 and State Highway 54 — minutes from Silverwood, Farragut State Park and Lake Pend Oreille, between Coeur d’Alene and Sandpoint.

Your moving checklistHomes & builders
North Idaho

At a glance

Small town, big backyard

residents in city limits (2020 census)
709
to Silverwood Theme Park
2 mi
to Farragut State Park and Lake Pend Oreille
4 mi
to Coeur d’Alene · 26 to Sandpoint
25 mi

Many homes with an Athol address sit outside city limits — the 83801 ZIP code covers a much wider area.

Day to day

What living here looks like

Athol is a city of about 700 people with its own City Hall, water system, city park and community center. The City Council meets the first and third Tuesday of each month, and the summer brings Athol Daze to the city park.

Police service comes from the Kootenai County Sheriff and fire protection from the Timberlake Fire Protection District. Kids attend Lakeland School District schools, with Athol Elementary right in town.

See what the council is working on

Families gathered on the shaded lawn at Athol City Park for a summer event

Your Idaho to-do list

Moving from out of state?

The state and county deadlines that catch newcomers.

  1. 1

    Idaho driver’s license

    Get one within 30 days of moving to Idaho, even if your old license hasn’t expired. Idaho Transportation Department

  2. 2

    Title & register vehicles

    Also within 30 days, at a Kootenai County motor vehicle office run by the Assessor. County DMV

  3. 3

    Homeowner’s exemption

    Living in a home you own? Apply to the County Assessor — applications received after April 15 count the following year. Apply

  4. 4

    Water & voting

    Inside city limits, transfer the water account with City Hall. Then register to vote. Full checklist

Set up your home

Services and who provides them

City waterAccounts, rates and online bill pay through the City of Athol.Power, gas, internet & trashPrivate providers — which one depends on your address.SchoolsLakeland School District, Athol Elementary and North Idaho College.City limits & zoningCheck whether an address is inside the city before you buy.Building & permitsPlanning, zoning and permits for building or adding on.WinterHow streets are plowed, plus live road and weather conditions.

Local help

Find people for the move

Local businesses from our directory.

Real estateLocal agents and brokers.Builders & contractorsHomes, shops and remodels.StorageSelf, boat and RV storage while you settle.Excavation & site workDriveways, septic and land clearing.

Questions

Moving questions

Don’t see yours?

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Athol City Hall

Official City of Athol contact

Is my Athol address inside city limits?

Not necessarily. The 83801 ZIP code reaches far beyond the city, and many “Athol” addresses are in unincorporated Kootenai County. City services like water and city zoning apply only inside city limits. Check the city limits map or call City Hall.

When are property taxes due?

Kootenai County property taxes are due December 20. You can pay in two halves instead: the first by December 20 and the second by June 20 of the next year. County Treasurer

Who provides police and fire service?

The Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office and the Timberlake Fire Protection District. Public safety

Which school district serves Athol?

Lakeland Joint School District 272. Athol Elementary is in town. Schools

How do I stay on top of local news?

Get the free weekly email, sign up for text alerts for weather and urgent city news, and read the plain-English council recaps.

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