Business phone system for used car dealers in Idaho
184 used car dealers operated in Idaho in 2023. Where they are, how big their teams are, and what phone service costs them.
- Establishments
- 184CBP 2023
- Employees
- 993mid-March 2023
- Per 100k residents
- 9.2U.S. 7.4
- State rank
- 36th of 50by count
Used car dealers in Idaho by the numbers
The Census Bureau counted 184 used car dealers in Idaho in its 2023 County Business Patterns (NAICS 441120). They employed 993 people in mid-March and reported $55.4 million in annual payroll. That is the 36th highest count among the 50 states and DC with published figures. Used car dealers make up 0.32% of the 58,100 business establishments in the state.
Per 100,000 residents (2024 estimate) Idaho has 9.2 used car dealers, 24.3% above the national rate of 7.4. The average establishment has 5.4 employees against 6.4 nationally. Payroll per employee is $55,833, in line with the U.S. figure of $55,819.
| Measure | Idaho | United States |
|---|---|---|
| Establishments | 184 | 25,147 |
| Mid-March employees | 993 | 162,048 |
| Annual payroll | $55,442,000 | $9,045,411,000 |
| Employees per establishment | 5.4 | 6.4 |
| Payroll per employee | $55,833 | $55,819 |
| Establishments per 100,000 residents | 9.2 | 7.4 |
Census County Business Patterns 2023 (mid-March employment; annual payroll). Employees and payroll flagged high-noise are shown but not used in the text. Residents: Census Vintage 2024 estimates.
Where used car dealers in Idaho are concentrated
Census published used car dealership counts for 13 metro or micropolitan areas that include part of Idaho. The largest is Boise City, ID, with 86 establishments. Single-state metro and micropolitan areas account for 91% of the statewide total; the rest are outside any published area or in areas Census suppressed.
| Area | Establishments | Employees | Per 100k residents |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boise City, ID | 86 | 491 | 10.2 |
| Idaho Falls, ID | 20 | 138 | 11.7 |
| Coeur d'Alene, ID | 17 | 131 | 9.0 |
| Twin Falls, ID | 16 | 87 | 13.1 |
| Pocatello, ID | 13 | 32 | 14.3 |
| Logan, UT-ID | 12 | 63 | 7.4 |
| Lewiston, ID-WA | 6 | — | 9.2 |
| Burley, ID | 6 | — | 12.3 |
| Rexburg, ID | 3 | — | 4.3 |
| Brigham City, UT-ID | 3 | — | 4.3 |
| Ontario, OR-ID | 3 | 15 | 5.0 |
| Blackfoot, ID | 3 | — | 5.9 |
| Moscow, ID | 3 | — | 7.1 |
Source: Census County Business Patterns 2023; population from Census Vintage 2024 estimates.
Team sizes at used car dealers in Idaho
63.9% of Idaho's used car dealers with employees had fewer than five people in March 2023, compared with 68.9% nationally. 82.5% had fewer than ten. At that size the phone is shared, so routing (who rings, when, and what happens after hours) matters more than the number of desk phones.
| Employment size | Establishments | Share | U.S. share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1–4 employees | 117 | 63.9% | 68.9% |
| 5–9 employees | 34 | 18.6% | 17.7% |
| 10–19 employees | 26 | 14.2% | 8.4% |
| 20–49 employees | 6 | 3.3% | 3.5% |
| 50 or more employees | 0 | 0.0% | 1.5% |
Employment-size classes count establishments by mid-March 2023 employment. Establishments with no March employees are excluded from the size classes, so shares are of establishments with employees. Source: Census County Business Patterns 2023.
Why the phone matters for used car dealers in Idaho
Independent used car dealers sell through inbound calls about specific vehicles, often with a small staff. Missing a shopper's call can lose a sale to another lot.
Typical inbound and outbound calls for used car dealers in Idaho:
- The dealer calls a shopper to schedule a test drive.
- A customer calls about title paperwork.
- A wholesaler calls about inventory.
What used car dealers text about
Dealers text photos, availability updates and appointment times.
Texting from a local number in Idaho requires carrier registration (10DLC), a one-time $49 fee on Callata.
What a phone system costs a used car dealership in Idaho
Used car dealers in Idaho average 5.4 employees, so the comparison uses a 5-person team. Per-seat business phone plans bill every one of those people. At month-to-month list prices checked September 28, 2026, 5 users on RingCentral RingEX Core cost $150.00 a month and 5 on Ooma Office Pro cost $124.75. Callata comes to $99.00 a month for 5 users ($99 a month with 5 users included, then $20 per additional user), below both.
Over a year, that is $612 less than RingCentral for a used car dealership in Idaho of that size. Annual contracts lower some competitors' prices, so compare the plan you would actually sign.
| Provider (plan) | Pricing basis | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Callata (Callata Office) | $99 incl. 5 users, $20 per extra user | $99.00 | $1,188.00 |
| Quo (Starter) | $19.00 per user | $95.00 | $1,140.00 |
| Nextiva (Core) | $23.00 per user | $115.00 | $1,380.00 |
| Ooma (Office Pro) | $24.95 per user | $124.75 | $1,497.00 |
| Dialpad (Standard) | $27.00 per user | $135.00 | $1,620.00 |
| RingCentral (RingEX Core) | $30.00 per user | $150.00 | $1,800.00 |
Competitor prices are each vendor's published month-to-month list price per user for its lowest plan that includes business calling and texting, checked September 28, 2026: Quo Starter $19, Nextiva Core $23, Ooma Office Pro $24.95 (Essentials excludes texting; one-time $29.95 activation not included), Dialpad Standard $27, RingCentral RingEX Core $30 ($20 billed annually). Prices exclude taxes and fees and may change; annual contracts lower some competitors' prices.
Area codes in Idaho
Idaho has 2 geographic area codes in service according to NANPA. Callata includes up to 3 local numbers, so a used car dealership can hold a number in more than one of them.
| Area code | Exchanges | Time zone | In service since | Overlay with |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 208 | 785 | Mountain and Pacific | 1947 | 986 |
| 986 | 187 | Pacific | 2017 | 208 |
Exchanges are NANPA-assigned central office codes (NPA-NXX) in the rate centers matched to the area's named places. Source: NANPA utilized code and NPA reports.
How Callata works for used car dealers in Idaho
Callata Office costs $99 per month for up to 5 people, and each additional user is $20 a month. That covers up to 3 local numbers, calling from a browser or your cell, transcribed voicemail, recorded calls with AI summaries, after-hours routing and E911 on each number.
Porting a number you already use in Idaho is free, and business texting is available once the carrier registration (10DLC) is approved; the registration carries a one-time $49 fee. Which specific numbers are open in a given area code depends on carrier inventory at the time you sign up.
AI agents are optional: an AI receptionist or scheduler can pick up when the team is busy or closed, take a message, send a text or email, or transfer the call. They draw on prepaid AI minutes ($0.25/minute), disclose that they are AI, and outbound AI calls require prior consent and are limited to 8am–9pm.
Frequently asked questions
How many used car dealers are in Idaho?
184 in 2023, according to Census County Business Patterns. They employed 993 people in mid-March.
Which Idaho metro area has the most used car dealers?
Boise City, ID, with 86 establishments in 2023.
What does a phone system cost a 5-person used car dealership?
$150.00 a month on RingCentral RingEX Core or $124.75 on Ooma Office Pro at month-to-month list prices (checked September 28, 2026); $99.00 on Callata ($99 a month with 5 users included, then $20 per additional user).
Do I need to register to text customers from a Idaho number?
Yes. US carriers require business texting from local numbers to be registered (10DLC). On Callata the registration is a one-time $49 fee, and texting turns on once it is approved.