Sandpoint continued to navigate the tension between its tourism-driven economy and resident concerns about growth and housing affordability through 2024. The Bonner County city, situated on the shores of Lake Pend Oreille, draws visitors for skiing, boating, and its arts community.

Short-term rental properties have been a persistent flashpoint, with property owners defending their rental income and affordable housing advocates arguing that vacation rentals remove housing stock from the long-term market.

The Sandpoint City Council and Bonner County commissioners have both grappled with land use decisions that pit economic development against community character. New development proposals regularly draw large turnouts at public hearings.

Despite the growth pressures, Sandpoint retains the small-town character that draws both visitors and new residents. The downtown core remains walkable and locally owned, and the surrounding natural environment is the community’s defining asset.