1st Advantage MortgageAbout 70% of Bannock County homes are owner-occupied, and the median household income is $66,499. Borrow only what the expense needs, pick the shortest affordable term, and walk away from any lender asking a Bannock County applicant for an upfront fee.
On this page
- Bannock County by the numbers
- Rent, home values and ownership in Bannock County
- Labor force snapshot: Bannock County
- Bannock County's most unusual numbers
- What Bannock County households earn
- Nearby counties: income, rent, ownership
- Bannock County towns compared
- Bannock County residents: age, schooling, coverage
- Debt-to-income, Bannock County edition
- Before borrowing in Bannock County
- Who licenses lenders for Bannock County residents
- Steps before you apply in Bannock County
- Beyond Bannock County
- Frequently asked questions
Bannock County by the numbers
Roughly 89,454 residents live in Bannock County, Idaho, 6th by population among the state's 44 counties and county equivalents. It covers 1,112 square miles of land, or about 80 people per square mile. It is one of the counties that make up the Pocatello, ID metropolitan statistical area (OMB, 2023). The Census Bureau counts 8 places in the county (7 incorporated, 1 census-designated); the largest is Pocatello, with about 57,635 residents, or 64% of the county.
Rent, home values and ownership in Bannock County
Half of Bannock County renters pay more than $960 a month and half pay less; the Idaho midpoint is $1,238. Cost-burdened renters, paying 30%-plus of income: 48% in Bannock County, 47% statewide. Bannock County homes are worth $300,700 at the median, a 4.5-to-1 ratio to income. Owners occupy 70% of homes. Half the housing stock was built before 1976. Nationally, Bannock County's $960 rent is 9% above the middle county.
| Home costs | Bannock County | Idaho | Compared with Idaho |
|---|---|---|---|
| Burdened owners | 23% | 27% | -5.0 pts |
| Vacant units | 7% | 10% | -3.2 pts |
| Median home value | $300,700 | $418,600 | 28% lower |
| Owners | 70% | 72% | -2.6 pts |
| Median gross rent | $960/mo | $1,238/mo | 22% lower |
| Rent-burdened renters | 48% | 47% | +1.2 pts |
Labor force snapshot: Bannock County
Education and health care employs 28% of working residents, the largest share; retail trade is next with 11%. Education and health care stands out: 28% of workers here, versus 22% statewide. The survey's unemployment rate for Bannock County averages 4.3% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 3.7%). 8% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 11% work from home. No car: 5.0% of Bannock County households.
| Industry (employed residents 16+) | Bannock County | Gap to Idaho |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 28.0% | +5.6 pts |
| Retail trade | 11.3% | -0.3 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 10.7% | +2.0 pts |
| Finance, insurance and real estate | 7.8% | +2.1 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 7.7% | -2.8 pts |
| Manufacturing | 6.9% | -2.5 pts |
Shorter commutes usually mean lower vehicle costs, which can leave more room for a payment, or for paying a loan off early.
Bannock County's most unusual numbers
- Bannock County ranks 4th lowest of 44 Idaho counties for the uninsured rate: 6.5%, against 9.1% statewide. Even insured households face deductibles; ask the provider about a payment plan.
- Bannock County ranks 5th highest of 43 Idaho counties for households without a vehicle: 5.0%, against 3.7% statewide. Without a car, transit and ride costs belong in the budget before any payment.
- On population, Bannock County sits near the top of Idaho at 89,454, 6th highest of 44. A big county has more local lenders, so shopping around is easier.
What Bannock County households earn
Bannock County households have a median income of $66,499 (ACS 2020 to 2024), which ranks 26th of 44 in Idaho.
| Band | Bannock County | Compared with Idaho |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 24.6% | +5.5 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 44.8% | +1.1 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 23.7% | -4.3 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 6.9% | -2.3 pts |
The spread is wide: 31% of Bannock County households make $100,000 or more, and 25% make less than $35,000. The poverty rate is 12.3%, 2 points higher than the state's 10.6%. Income inequality, measured by the Gini index, comes to 0.446 here. If your income is irregular, as it often is with tips, gig work or seasonal jobs, plan around your leaner months rather than the Bannock County median.
Nearby counties: income, rent, ownership
Distances run center to center, from Power County at 31 miles out to Bear Lake County at 54. 5 of the six report a higher median household income than Bannock County; Bingham County is highest at $77,878 and Power County lowest at $61,146.
| Neighbor | Distance | Income | Rent | Own |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bannock County | - | $66,499 | $960/mo | 70% |
| Power County, ID | 31 mi | $61,146 | $767/mo | 74% |
| Caribou County, ID | 35 mi | $68,782 | $847/mo | 82% |
| Bingham County, ID | 37 mi | $77,878 | $874/mo | 81% |
| Oneida County, ID | 38 mi | $74,954 | $859/mo | 88% |
| Franklin County, ID | 41 mi | $71,950 | $894/mo | 78% |
| Bear Lake County, ID | 54 mi | $75,260 | $632/mo | 90% |
Bannock County towns compared
78,546 of Bannock County's 89,454 residents live in its 8 Census places (88%); the 8 largest are listed. Tyhee ($93,125) and Downey ($56,667) mark the top and bottom of Bannock County's income range among larger places. Rent is cheapest in Downey ($865) and steepest in Tyhee ($1,320). No Bannock County place has a separate guide yet; this county page serves all 8.
| Name | Kind | Pop. | Income | Rent | Miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pocatello | city | 57,635 | $60,418 | $948 | 17 mi |
| Chubbuck | city | 16,126 | $82,977 | $1,048 | 20 mi |
| Tyhee | CDP | 1,568 | $93,125 | $1,320 | 21 mi |
| Inkom | city | 936 | $85,625 | n/a | 7 mi |
| McCammon | city | 909 | $66,250 | $973 | 4 mi |
| Downey | city | 803 | $56,667 | $865 | 19 mi |
| Arimo | city | 351 | $67,857 | n/a | 10 mi |
| Lava Hot Springs | city | 218 | n/a | $870 | 12 mi |
A CDP is a named community without its own municipal government.
Bannock County residents: age, schooling, coverage
Bachelor's degree or higher: 31% of Bannock County adults. 6.5% of residents have no health coverage.
| Bannock County | vs Idaho | vs U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| No health insurance | 6.5% | -2.6 pts | -1.4 pts |
| Median age | 35.2 | -2.1 yrs | -6.3 yrs |
| Work from home | 11.4% | -1.9 pts | +2.7 pts |
| No high school diploma | 6.3% | -1.9 pts | n/a |
| Poverty rate | 12.3% | +1.7 pts | -0.9 pts |
| No vehicle | 5.0% | +1.3 pts | -0.5 pts |
| Bachelor's or higher | 30.6% | -1.2 pts | +8.5 pts |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 4.3% | +0.6 pts | -0.1 pts |
| Trip time | Share |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 53.6% |
| 15 to 29 min | 32.6% |
| 30 to 44 min | 5.7% |
| 45 to 59 min | 2.7% |
| 60+ min | 5.4% |
Debt-to-income, Bannock County edition
How much room does a median Bannock County budget have? Take median income, subtract median rent, and check what is left under a few common debt-to-income limits.
- $5,542 a month: gross income for a household at the Bannock County median
- 17% goes to median rent ($960)
- Under a 36% cap, $1,995 total minus rent leaves $1,035
- 43% debt-to-income limit: $1,423 left for all other debt payments
A household below the $66,499 median has less room than this, often none.
Before borrowing in Bannock County
Bannock County-specific points to check:
- Rent squeeze. 48% of renters spend 30%+ of income on rent; borrow only if the loan cuts what you pay overall.
- Consolidating cards in Bannock County. Compare the total repaid, not the monthly figure (how).
- Credit reports. Pull free reports at AnnualCreditReport.com and dispute errors before applying.
Who licenses lenders for Bannock County residents
Consumer lenders serving Bannock County are licensed by the state, not the county; in Idaho that is the Idaho Department of Finance. If a Bannock County lender ignores a dispute, the CFPB complaint portal is the federal backstop. See the Idaho state guide for the statewide picture.
Steps before you apply in Bannock County
Quick steps for Bannock County:
- Borrow the amount the job needs; extra cash adds interest.
- Ask each lender for the APR and all fees in writing.
- Only work with lenders licensed for Idaho borrowers.
- Never pay a fee up front to get a loan.
Beyond Bannock County
Next step up from Bannock County:
Frequently asked questions
Is Bannock County a high-income county?
Its $66,499 median ranks 26th of 44 Idaho counties and compares with $65,681 for the median U.S. county.
What is the median rent in Bannock County, ID?
$960 a month, utilities included, or $11,520 a year.
Which towns does the Bannock County guide cover?
Every community in the county, unincorporated areas included. The largest of its 8 Census places: Pocatello, Chubbuck, Tyhee, Inkom, McCammon.
Does living in Bannock County change what I qualify for?
Not in our fit check, which uses only the amount, credit range, income and payments you enter, the same for a Bannock County resident as anyone. Lenders decide under fair-lending law.
How do I know a lender is legitimate in Bannock County?
Look it up with the Idaho Department of Finance, read the written offer, and refuse any fee before funding.