Lapwai is a city in the northwest United States, in Nez Perce County, Idaho. Its population was 1,137 at the 2010 census, and it is the seat of government of the Nez Perce Indian Reservation. Lapwai actually means "The land of the butterflies" History The area that is today Lapwai was the home of Hin-ma-tute-ke-kaikt, also known as Big Thunder and later as James. It was here that Henry Spalding established a Protestant mission among the Nez Perce in 1836. This was also the general region that Bill Craig settled, since his wife was James' daughter. The city's predecessor, Fort Lapwai, operated on the site from 1863 to 1884. The village of Lapwai was incorporated in 1911, with a model rural school. The word "Lapwai" means place of the butterflies, as the area had thousands in early summer in earlier years. Lapwai is part of the Lewiston, ID-WA Metropolitan Statistical Area. Geography Lapwai is located at (46.404388, -116.804376)., at an elevation of above sea level According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , of which, is land and is water. Lapwai is located on the floor of a valley carved by Lapwai Creek, roughly 3 miles south of its confluence with the Clearwater River. The hills to the east and west of the city rise dramatically more than 600 feet in less than a mile from the city. U.S. Route 95 passes through Lapwai. Transportation Highway - US 95 - to Lewiston (north & west) and Grangeville (southeast) Railroad The city is served by the BG&CM Railroad, a freight carrier which operates on the former Second Subdivision line of the Camas Prairie Railroad. Education The public schools in Lapwai are operated by Lapwai School District #341, led by Lapwai High School. Demographics 2010 census As of the census of 2010, there were 1,137 people, 369 households, and 272 families living in the city. The population density was . There were 397 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the city was 16.6% White, 0.4% African American, 78.1% Native American, 0.1% Asian, 0.7% from other races, and 4.1% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.0% of the population. There were 369 households, of which 46.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 35.2% were married couples living together, 26.8% had