1st Advantage MortgageIn Benewah County, Idaho, the typical household earns $59,794 a year and the typical rent is $875. 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
- Who lives in Benewah County
- Household income in Benewah County
- Housing costs in Benewah County
- Work, industries and travel time in Benewah County
- Benewah County next to its neighbors
- Cities, towns and CDPs in Benewah County
- A Benewah County household budget, worked through
- Who lives in Benewah County, in numbers
- Borrowing situations common in Benewah County
- Licensing and complaints for Benewah County
- Before you sign
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
Who lives in Benewah County
Benewah County is home to about 10,142 people, according to the Census Bureau's 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey, which makes it the 30th most populous of 44 county-level areas in Idaho. Spread over 777 square miles, that works out to roughly 13.1 residents per square mile. No metropolitan area includes Benewah County in the 2023 federal delineation, so its numbers stand on their own rather than as part of a metro. Of the 6 Census places inside Benewah County, St. Maries leads by population with about 2,915; 3 of the 6 are incorporated.
Household income in Benewah County
At $59,794, the typical Benewah County household income is 9% below the median U.S. county ($65,681). Only 36 Idaho counties post a higher median.
| Households earning | Benewah County | +/- vs Idaho |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 26.2% | +7.2 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 47.5% | +3.7 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 21.4% | -6.6 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 4.9% | -4.3 pts |
About 26% of households earn under $35,000, while 26% clear $100,000. 12.9% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 10.6%). The Gini index of income inequality is 0.442 (0 is perfect equality). None of these numbers decides a Benewah County application. Lenders weigh your own documented income against your own debts.
Housing costs in Benewah County
Renters in Benewah County pay a median of $875 a month, 29% below the Idaho figure of $1,238. By the Census definition, 50% of Benewah County renters are cost-burdened. Home values center on $293,500, or 4.9 years of median income. The ownership rate is 73%. Half the housing stock was built before 1979.
| Cost | Benewah County | Idaho figure | Median county, U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $875/mo | $1,238/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $293,500 | $418,600 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 73% | 72% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 50% | 47% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 32% | 27% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 17.8% | 6.9% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 14% | 10% | n/a |
Owners with equity have a second option. Weigh a secured line against an unsecured loan by risk as well as cost before you choose (how they compare).
Work, industries and travel time in Benewah County
Education and health care employs 18% of working residents, the largest share; arts, lodging and food service is next with 13%. Compared with Idaho, the county leans toward arts, lodging and food service (13% against 9%). Averaged over the five survey years, 3.7% of the labor force was out of work and looking. 18% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 8% work from home.
| Top industries | Benewah County share | +/- vs Idaho |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 18.4% | -4.0 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 13.0% | +4.4 pts |
| Manufacturing | 12.7% | +3.3 pts |
| Retail trade | 10.2% | -1.5 pts |
| Construction | 9.4% | +0.1 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 9.2% | +4.1 pts |
Where long drives are the norm, a car repair is one of the most common surprise bills. A small repair fund can keep a breakdown from turning into a loan.
Benewah County next to its neighbors
Nearest neighbors first, measured between county centers (28 to 60 miles). Income ranges from $55,406 in Whitman County to $81,861 in Kootenai County; 4 of these neighbors top Benewah County's median. The list crosses into Washington, where different lending rules and regulators apply.
| Nearby county | Center to center | Household income | Gross rent | Owner-occupied |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Benewah County | - | $59,794 | $875/mo | 73% |
| Latah County, ID | 28 mi | $65,424 | $929/mo | 59% |
| Kootenai County, ID | 32 mi | $81,861 | $1,492/mo | 71% |
| Shoshone County, ID | 36 mi | $55,527 | $943/mo | 74% |
| Spokane County, WA | 45 mi | $78,582 | $1,283/mo | 64% |
| Whitman County, WA | 48 mi | $55,406 | $1,049/mo | 47% |
| Clearwater County, ID | 60 mi | $60,000 | $875/mo | 83% |
Cities, towns and CDPs in Benewah County
Here are the 6 most populous of the county's 6 Census places, with income and rent from the same 2020 to 2024 survey. About 43% of Benewah County residents live in one of the 6. None of the 6 has its own city guide, so this page covers all of them.
| Community | Type | Residents | Household income (median) | Rent (median) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| St. Maries | city | 2,915 | $60,458 | $871 | 7 mi |
| Plummer | city | 1,162 | $54,306 | $932 | 14 mi |
| De Smet | CDP | 135 | n/a | $838 | 14 mi |
| Parkline | CDP | 91 | $74,417 | n/a | 9 mi |
| Tensed | city | 71 | $19,688 | $392 | 14 mi |
| Fernwood | CDP | 0 | n/a | n/a | 14 mi |
A Benewah County household budget, worked through
Here is the Benewah County median household run through a simple DTI check. Your numbers will differ.
- Median income divided by twelve: $4,983 before taxes
- Rent at the median, $875, takes 18% of that
- 36% debt-to-income limit: $919 left for all other debt payments
Subtract what you already pay on other debts. A new payment should fit in what remains, with some to spare.
Who lives in Benewah County, in numbers
20% of Benewah County adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or more. The uninsured rate is 14.3%, against 9.1% for Idaho.
| Indicator | Benewah County | All of Idaho | U.S. county median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 45.5 | 37.3 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 19.7% | 31.8% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 12.4% | 8.1% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 14.3% | 9.1% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 3.0% | 3.7% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 8.0% | 13.3% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 12.9% | 10.6% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 3.7% | 3.7% | 4.4% |
| One-way commute | Share of Benewah County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 44.6% |
| 15 to 29 min | 23.7% |
| 30 to 44 min | 13.9% |
| 45 to 59 min | 7.0% |
| 60+ min | 10.8% |
Borrowing situations common in Benewah County
A few patterns in the Benewah County data, and the practical point behind each:
- Health costs. With 14% of the county uninsured, an interest-free hospital payment plan usually beats a loan (medical bills).
- Repairs on manufactured housing. With 18% of homes here, compare a personal loan with any dealer or park repair program.
- Benefit income. With half of residents older than 46, lenders often see pension and Social Security income, which counts like wages.
- 50% rent-burdened. A payment on top of high rent needs a cushion; size it with the calculator.
Licensing and complaints for Benewah County
Consumer lenders serving Benewah County are licensed by the state, not the county; in Idaho that is the Idaho Department of Finance. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau accepts complaints nationwide. See the Idaho state guide for the statewide picture.
Before you sign
A short checklist for Benewah County borrowers:
- Write down what the expense costs; a smaller loan costs less.
- Line up offers side by side: APR, fees in dollars, total cost.
- A Idaho license check takes minutes; do it first.
- Lock paid-off cards after consolidating so balances stay at zero.
Related local guides
For statewide rules and data, see the Idaho guide.
Frequently asked questions
How much do households in Benewah County earn?
The median is $59,794; 26% earn $100,000 or more and 26% under $35,000. A lender uses your own documented income, not this figure.
How does Benewah County rent compare with Idaho?
$875 locally versus $1,238 for the state, 29% below.
Does this page cover St. Maries?
Yes, along with the other 5 Census places in Benewah County, such as Plummer, De Smet, Parkline.
Are Benewah County applicants treated differently?
No. Everyone answers the same questions and is screened on the same objective points; lending partners set their own criteria under fair-lending laws.
Where can someone in Benewah County check a lender's license?
With the Idaho Department of Finance. If a lender is unlicensed or asks for a fee before funding, walk away.