1st Advantage MortgageThe median Adams County household earns $61,808, and 18% of residents live below the poverty line. Those figures describe the county, not you: compare at least three written offers by APR and total cost, and confirm the lender's license before you apply.
On this page
- A quick profile of Adams County
- Income in Adams County compared with Idaho
- Jobs and commutes in Adams County
- Renting and owning in Adams County
- Neighboring counties at a glance
- Places inside Adams County
- Adams County households compared
- What the numbers mean for Adams County borrowers
- Budget math at the Adams County median
- Steps before you apply in Adams County
- Idaho rules that apply in Adams County
- More guides for Adams County
- Frequently asked questions
A quick profile of Adams County
With an estimated 4,744 residents (ACS 2020 to 2024), Adams County ranks 39th of 44 in Idaho for population. Land area is 1,363 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 3 per square mile. It sits outside every metropolitan statistical area in the July 2023 OMB delineation. Council is the biggest of its 2 Census places, at roughly 871 people (18% of the county total). Small populations mean wide margins of error, so read every Adams County figure on this page as a rough guide.
Income in Adams County compared with Idaho
Half of Adams County households take in less than $61,808 a year and half take in more, 21% below the Idaho median of $77,800.
| Household income | Adams County | vs Idaho |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 23.7% | +4.6 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 49.4% | +5.6 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 16.2% | -11.8 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 10.7% | +1.5 pts |
About 24% of households earn under $35,000, while 27% clear $100,000. The poverty rate is 17.9%, 7 points higher than the state's 10.6%. Income inequality, measured by the Gini index, comes to 0.468 here. Income from any regular source can count, including Social Security, pensions and disability benefits, as long as you can document it.
Jobs and commutes in Adams County
Retail trade employs 20% of working residents, the largest share; construction is next with 17%. Retail trade stands out: 20% of workers here, versus 12% statewide. Averaged over the five survey years, 7.4% of the labor force was out of work and looking. 11% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 15% work from home. Households without a car make up 2.0% of the total (3.7% statewide).
| Industry | Share of Adams County workers | vs Idaho |
|---|---|---|
| Retail trade | 20.0% | +8.4 pts |
| Construction | 17.1% | +7.8 pts |
| Education and health care | 15.6% | -6.8 pts |
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 12.4% | +8.4 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 7.6% | -1.1 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 7.5% | -3.1 pts |
A lender verifies what your own job pays. The county's industry mix tells you about the local economy, not about your application.
Renting and owning in Adams County
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $830 in Adams County versus $1,238 statewide. 56% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 27% spend half or more. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $376,500, about 6.1 times the median household income. 85% of Adams County households own their home and 15% rent. Median construction year: 1986.
| Housing | Adams County | Idaho statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $830/mo | $1,238/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $376,500 | $418,600 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 85% | 72% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 56% | 47% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 34% | 27% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 34% | 10% | n/a |
In an owner-heavy county like Adams County, many borrowers can also choose a home equity loan or line of credit. Those can price lower but put the house on the line, so compare the two in writing; our personal loan vs. HELOC guide walks through it. High rent burdens leave little slack. If you are borrowing to consolidate, make sure the new payment is lower than the ones it replaces.
Neighboring counties at a glance
Distances run center to center, from Washington County at 34 miles out to Payette County at 62. Income ranges from $54,000 in Washington County to $76,078 in Valley County; 4 of these neighbors top Adams County's median. Some neighbors are in Oregon. Lender licensing is state by state, so a loan for a Adams County resident follows Idaho rules.
| Nearby county | Center to center | Household income | Gross rent | Owner-occupied |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adams County | - | $61,808 | $830/mo | 85% |
| Washington County, ID | 34 mi | $54,000 | $938/mo | 75% |
| Valley County, ID | 41 mi | $76,078 | $1,117/mo | 82% |
| Gem County, ID | 56 mi | $64,605 | $1,038/mo | 76% |
| Wallowa County, OR | 61 mi | $67,112 | $981/mo | 72% |
| Baker County, OR | 62 mi | $60,936 | $865/mo | 71% |
| Payette County, ID | 62 mi | $67,673 | $860/mo | 75% |
Places inside Adams County
2 Census places fall mainly inside Adams County; the 2 biggest are below. They account for 1,282 residents, leaving about 73% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. This guide covers each of the 2 places and the rural areas around them.
| Place in county | Status | Population (ACS) | Median HH income | Monthly rent | Distance from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Council | city | 871 | $50,208 | $779 | 10 mi |
| New Meadows | city | 411 | $78,594 | $1,125 | 11 mi |
Adams County households compared
22% of Adams County adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or more. About 12% go without health insurance.
| Measure | Adams County | Idaho statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 53.9 | 37.3 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 21.6% | 31.8% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 7.1% | 8.1% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 11.9% | 9.1% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 2.0% | 3.7% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 14.8% | 13.3% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 17.9% | 10.6% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 7.4% | 3.7% | 4.4% |
| Minutes to work | Adams County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 42.5% |
| 15 to 29 min | 40.8% |
| 30 to 44 min | 5.4% |
| 45 to 59 min | 3.7% |
| 60+ min | 7.6% |
What the numbers mean for Adams County borrowers
Based on the Adams County data above, these borrowing questions are most likely to matter locally.
- Hospital bills in Adams County. For the 12% of residents without coverage, the provider's charity-care program comes before any loan (details).
- Retirees. At a median age of 53.9, many borrowers here rely on award letters as proof of income; favor no prepayment penalty.
- Rent squeeze. 56% of renters spend 30%+ of income on rent; borrow only if the loan cuts what you pay overall.
Budget math at the Adams County median
Here is the Adams County median household run through a simple DTI check. Your numbers will differ.
- $5,151 a month: gross income for a household at the Adams County median
- Housing at the median rent of $830 uses 16%
- $1,230: what a 40% ratio leaves once rent is paid
Two-income households and single earners in Adams County land in very different places on this math, so run it for your own budget.
Steps before you apply in Adams County
A short checklist for Adams County borrowers:
- Borrow the amount the job needs; extra cash adds interest.
- Line up offers side by side: APR, fees in dollars, total cost.
- Check the license, then the reviews, then the offer.
- Pick the shortest term whose payment still fits.
Idaho rules that apply in Adams County
Adams County borrowers fall under statewide rules, enforced by the Idaho Department of Finance. Banks and credit unions have their own regulators, and the CFPB takes complaints about any lender. More on Idaho: Idaho personal loans.
More guides for Adams County
The Idaho guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
Is Adams County a high-income county?
Its $61,808 median ranks 33rd of 44 Idaho counties and compares with $65,681 for the median U.S. county.
What do renters pay in Adams County?
$830 a month at the median, about 16% of median household income.
I own my home in Adams County. Personal loan or HELOC?
A HELOC uses the house as collateral; a personal loan usually does not. With 85% of homes owner-occupied here, many readers can compare both in writing.
What are the biggest places in Adams County?
By population: Council, New Meadows. The county has 2 Census places in all.
Does my county matter to the questionnaire?
Only your state does. Whether you live in Adams County or elsewhere in Idaho, the same rules apply.