Nezperce is the Lewis County seat. It is home to a little over 400 people with the surrounding area including an additional 250+ in the outskirts of town bringing the zip code area population to roughly 658.
The city lies in the middle of the beautiful Nezperce Prairie and much of its industry is rooted in agriculture. Nezperce has an elementary and secondary school, a medical clinic and a municipal airport.
The Clearwater River is located about 10 to 20 miles to the east and north. The Clearwater National Forest lies 26 miles northeast and the Nez Perce National Forest is 30 miles southeast. Extending beyond the City in all directions is the Nez Perce Indian Reservation. The City was named for the Nez Perce Indian Tribe – the name is French for “pierced nose”, although they did not practice nose-piercing. The Nez Perce’s name for themselves is Nimi’ipuu (pronounced Nee-Me-Poo), which means simply “the people” or “we the people.”
Nezperce’s major employers include Hillco Technologies, Lewis County, Primeland Cooperatives, Nezperce School District, Bell Equipment and St. John’s Hardware and Implement.
According to the Census Bureau’s On the Map, in 2011 there were about 228 people working in the Nezperce zip code area, with 196 of those commuting into the area for work. Of those living in the zip code area, approximately 129 commute to other areas for work and 32 people both lived and worked in the Nezperce zip code area.
Check out Nezperce’s website.