1st Advantage MortgageIn Ada County, Idaho, the typical household earns $91,502 a year and the typical rent is $1,577. Your income, debts and credit decide what you qualify for. Get offers in writing, compare the total repaid, and never pay a fee up front.
On this page
- Who lives in Ada County
- Paychecks and income spread in Ada County
- How Ada County residents earn a living
- Renting and owning in Ada County
- Cities, towns and CDPs in Ada County
- Counties near Ada County
- More Ada County figures
- Reading the Ada County data as a borrower
- Budget math at the Ada County median
- Steps before you apply in Ada County
- Licensing and complaints for Ada County
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
Who lives in Ada County
Roughly 518,935 residents live in Ada County, Idaho, 1st by population among the state's 44 counties and county equivalents. It covers 1,052 square miles of land, or about 493 people per square mile. The federal metro definitions (OMB, July 2023) place it in the Boise City, ID metropolitan area. The Census Bureau counts 7 places in the county (5 incorporated, 2 census-designated); the largest is Boise, with about 237,242 residents, or 46% of the county.
Paychecks and income spread in Ada County
Half of Ada County households take in less than $91,502 a year and half take in more, 18% above the Idaho median of $77,800. Only 2 Idaho counties post a higher median.
| Household income | Ada County | vs Idaho |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 14.4% | -4.6 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 40.1% | -3.6 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 31.0% | +3.1 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 14.4% | +5.2 pts |
About 14% of households earn under $35,000, while 45% clear $100,000. 8.3% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 10.6%). For a borrower in Ada County, the county median is only context: a lender looks at the income you can document, so pay stubs, benefit letters or tax returns matter more than any average.
How Ada County residents earn a living
The biggest employer of Ada County residents, by industry, is education and health care at 23% of workers, followed by professional and administrative services (13%). Professional and administrative services stands out: 13% of workers here, versus 11% statewide. ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 3.1% in Ada County. About 69% drive to work alone and 6% have trips of 45 minutes or more. Households without a car make up 3.8% of the total (3.7% statewide).
| Where residents work | Ada County | Difference from Idaho |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 22.5% | +0.1 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 13.4% | +2.9 pts |
| Retail trade | 11.1% | -0.5 pts |
| Manufacturing | 8.9% | -0.6 pts |
| Construction | 8.2% | -1.1 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 8.1% | -0.6 pts |
Shorter commutes usually mean lower vehicle costs, which can leave more room for a payment, or for paying a loan off early.
Renting and owning in Ada County
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $1,577 in Ada County versus $1,238 statewide. 49% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 23% spend half or more. Home values center on $512,300, or 5.6 years of median income. The ownership rate is 71%.
| Housing | Ada County | Idaho statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $1,577/mo | $1,238/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $512,300 | $418,600 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 71% | 72% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 49% | 47% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 24% | 27% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 2.7% | 6.9% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 4% | 10% | n/a |
Cities, towns and CDPs in Ada County
7 Census places fall mainly inside Ada County; the 7 biggest are below. They account for 444,011 residents, leaving about 14% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. Incomes vary by place: $163,203 at the median in Hidden Springs, $70,124 in Garden City. City guides exist for the linked Ada County places; everyone else in the county can use this page.
| Town or CDP | Type | People | Median household income | Median gross rent | Miles from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boise | city | 237,242 | $83,904 | $1,446 | 10 mi |
| Meridian | city | 130,138 | $100,795 | $1,805 | 14 mi |
| Eagle | city | 32,855 | $122,894 | $1,765 | 24 mi |
| Kuna | city | 27,158 | $96,219 | $1,774 | 9 mi |
| Garden City | city | 12,654 | $70,124 | $1,323 | 15 mi |
| Hidden Springs | CDP | 3,378 | $163,203 | n/a | 18 mi |
| Avimor | CDP | 586 | $94,306 | n/a | 22 mi |
CDPs are unincorporated communities the Census Bureau defines for counting.
Counties near Ada County
Canyon County is closest, 26 miles from center to center; the sixth, Owyhee County, is 61 miles off. Boise County leads the group on income ($78,774), Owyhee County trails ($64,406), and Ada County out-earns 6 of the six.
| Neighbor | Distance | Income | Rent | Own |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ada County | - | $91,502 | $1,577/mo | 71% |
| Canyon County, ID | 26 mi | $76,488 | $1,347/mo | 76% |
| Elmore County, ID | 39 mi | $65,359 | $1,243/mo | 66% |
| Gem County, ID | 43 mi | $64,605 | $1,038/mo | 76% |
| Boise County, ID | 45 mi | $78,774 | $850/mo | 90% |
| Payette County, ID | 46 mi | $67,673 | $860/mo | 75% |
| Owyhee County, ID | 61 mi | $64,406 | $821/mo | 73% |
More Ada County figures
Degree holders: 45% of adults over 25. 6.4% of residents have no health coverage.
| Indicator | Ada County | All of Idaho | U.S. county median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 38.4 | 37.3 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 44.6% | 31.8% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 4.8% | 8.1% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 6.4% | 9.1% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 3.8% | 3.7% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 18.5% | 13.3% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 8.3% | 10.6% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 3.1% | 3.7% | 4.4% |
| Trip time | Share |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 28.1% |
| 15 to 29 min | 48.8% |
| 30 to 44 min | 16.9% |
| 45 to 59 min | 3.4% |
| 60+ min | 2.8% |
Reading the Ada County data as a borrower
Where the Ada County numbers stand out, and why it matters for a loan:
- Higher earners. 45% of households clear $100,000; shop at least three lenders and pick the shortest term.
- 49% rent-burdened. A payment on top of high rent needs a cushion; size it with the calculator.
- Combining balances. It helps when total cost falls and the cards stay paid down (consolidation).
Budget math at the Ada County median
Here is the Ada County median household run through a simple DTI check. Your numbers will differ.
- $91,502 a year is $7,625 of gross monthly income
- Housing at the median rent of $1,577 uses 21%
- With a 36% ceiling, about $1,168 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
Two-income households and single earners in Ada County land in very different places on this math, so run it for your own budget.
Steps before you apply in Ada County
Before you apply, wherever you live in Ada County:
- Know the exact dollar figure you need before talking to a lender.
- Ask each lender for the APR and all fees in writing.
- Check the license, then the reviews, then the offer.
- Lock paid-off cards after consolidating so balances stay at zero.
Licensing and complaints for Ada County
The Idaho Department of Finance is the place to verify any lender's Idaho license. Banks and credit unions have their own regulators, and the CFPB takes complaints about any lender. More on Idaho: Idaho personal loans.
Related local guides
Guides that cover parts of Ada County:
Frequently asked questions
What does a typical Ada County household make?
About $91,502 a year at the median (ACS 2020-24), 18% above the Idaho median.
How does Ada County rent compare with Idaho?
$1,577 locally versus $1,238 for the state, 27% above.
Should Ada County homeowners use home equity instead?
Maybe, but weigh the risk: 71% of Ada County homes are owner-occupied, and a home-equity loan or line is secured by the house while a personal loan usually is not.
Which towns does the Ada County guide cover?
Every community in the county, unincorporated areas included. The largest of its 7 Census places: Boise, Meridian, Eagle, Kuna, Garden City.
Does my county matter to the questionnaire?
Only your state does. Whether you live in Ada County or elsewhere in Idaho, the same rules apply.