1st Advantage MortgageThe median Boise County household earns $78,774, and 8% 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
- Boise County by the numbers
- Work, industries and travel time in Boise County
- Household income in Boise County
- What it costs to live in Boise County
- Towns and communities in Boise County
- The counties around Boise County
- Who lives in Boise County, in numbers
- Before borrowing in Boise County
- Budget math at the Boise County median
- A Boise County borrower's checklist
- Lender oversight for Boise County
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
Boise County by the numbers
With an estimated 8,273 residents (ACS 2020 to 2024), Boise County ranks 32nd of 44 in Idaho for population. Land area is 1,899 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 4 per square mile. It is one of the counties that make up the Boise City, ID metropolitan statistical area (OMB, 2023). Robie Creek is the biggest of its 8 Census places, at roughly 1,213 people (15% of the county total). With so few households sampled, Boise County estimates can move a lot between releases.
Work, industries and travel time in Boise County
By the Census industry count, 23% of employed Boise County residents work in education and health care and 14% in construction. Construction stands out: 14% of workers here, versus 9% statewide. Averaged over the five survey years, 3.4% of the labor force was out of work and looking. 40% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 20% work from home. 2.6% of households have no vehicle.
| Where residents work | Boise County | Difference from Idaho |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 22.7% | +0.3 pts |
| Construction | 13.6% | +4.3 pts |
| Retail trade | 12.4% | +0.8 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 11.8% | +1.3 pts |
| Public administration | 8.4% | +3.6 pts |
| Manufacturing | 7.0% | -2.5 pts |
A lender verifies what your own job pays. The county's industry mix tells you about the local economy, not about your application.
Household income in Boise County
At $78,774, the typical Boise County household income is 20% above the median U.S. county ($65,681). That places it 7th among Idaho's 44 county-level areas.
| Yearly household income | Boise County | Gap to Idaho |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 15.8% | -3.2 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 49.1% | +5.3 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 29.7% | +1.8 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 5.4% | -3.8 pts |
About 16% of households earn under $35,000, while 35% clear $100,000. 7.7% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 10.6%). The Gini index of income inequality is 0.365 (0 is perfect equality). Income from any regular source can count, including Social Security, pensions and disability benefits, as long as you can document it.
What it costs to live in Boise County
Renters in Boise County pay a median of $850 a month, 31% below the Idaho figure of $1,238. By the Census definition, 30% of Boise County renters are cost-burdened. With a median value of $476,100, a typical Boise County house costs 6.0 times what the median household earns in a year. 90% of Boise County households own their home and 10% rent.
| Cost | Boise County | Idaho figure | Median county, U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $850/mo | $1,238/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $476,100 | $418,600 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 90% | 72% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 30% | 47% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 31% | 27% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 37% | 10% | n/a |
Because most Boise County households own, home repairs are a frequent reason to borrow. An unsecured personal loan leaves the house out of the deal, while a HELOC uses it as collateral.
Towns and communities in Boise County
8 Census places fall mainly inside Boise County; the 8 biggest are below. They account for 3,280 residents, leaving about 60% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. Robie Creek has the highest median household income on the list ($106,250) and Idaho City the lowest ($44,722), counting places with at least 500 residents. Rent is cheapest in Idaho City ($780) and steepest in Robie Creek ($1,208). This guide covers each of the 8 places and the rural areas around them.
| Place | Type | Population | Median income | Median rent | From county center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Robie Creek | CDP | 1,213 | $106,250 | $1,208 | 27 mi |
| Horseshoe Bend | city | 758 | $65,500 | $836 | 25 mi |
| Idaho City | city | 581 | $44,722 | $780 | 12 mi |
| Garden Valley | CDP | 438 | n/a | $964 | 14 mi |
| Crouch | city | 214 | $78,226 | n/a | 16 mi |
| Lowman | CDP | 46 | n/a | n/a | 8 mi |
| Placerville | city | 30 | $63,125 | n/a | 12 mi |
| Banks | CDP | 0 | n/a | n/a | 22 mi |
The counties around Boise County
Distances run center to center, from Gem County at 34 miles out to Camas County at 58. Ada County leads the group on income ($91,502), Camas County trails ($57,955), and Boise County out-earns 5 of the six.
| County | Miles | Median household income | Median rent | Homeownership |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boise County | - | $78,774 | $850/mo | 90% |
| Gem County, ID | 34 mi | $64,605 | $1,038/mo | 76% |
| Elmore County, ID | 43 mi | $65,359 | $1,243/mo | 66% |
| Ada County, ID | 45 mi | $91,502 | $1,577/mo | 71% |
| Payette County, ID | 51 mi | $67,673 | $860/mo | 75% |
| Canyon County, ID | 55 mi | $76,488 | $1,347/mo | 76% |
| Camas County, ID | 58 mi | $57,955 | $1,000/mo | 80% |
Who lives in Boise County, in numbers
31% of Boise County adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or more. The uninsured rate is 9.3%, against 9.1% for Idaho.
| People and households | Boise County | Idaho | Median county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 53.4 | 37.3 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 31.2% | 31.8% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 4.1% | 8.1% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 9.3% | 9.1% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 2.6% | 3.7% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 20.3% | 13.3% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 7.7% | 10.6% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 3.4% | 3.7% | 4.4% |
| Travel time to work | Workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 22.4% |
| 15 to 29 min | 17.4% |
| 30 to 44 min | 20.5% |
| 45 to 59 min | 16.1% |
| 60+ min | 23.7% |
Before borrowing in Boise County
Where the Boise County numbers stand out, and why it matters for a loan:
- Vehicle repairs. 40% of Boise County workers commute 45+ minutes, so a breakdown can cost a paycheck. Get two written estimates.
- 13% mobile homes. Many are not titled as real estate, so home-equity options may not apply; an unsecured loan is the usual route.
- Fixed incomes. Boise County's median age is 53.4. Social Security and pensions count as income when documented.
Budget math at the Boise County median
Here is the Boise County median household run through a simple DTI check. Your numbers will differ.
- Monthly gross at the median, Boise County: $6,564
- Less median rent of $850, which is 13% of it
- Under a 40% cap, $2,626 total minus rent leaves $1,776
Car, student loan and card payments come out of that room first. Try your own numbers in the calculator.
A Boise County borrower's checklist
Quick steps for Boise County:
- Size the loan to the bill, not to the most a lender offers.
- Compare the total repaid on every offer, not just the payment.
- Look the lender up with the state regulator first.
- Read the final agreement; it must match the offer.
Lender oversight for Boise County
No county office licenses personal lenders. For Boise County, check 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.
Related local guides
The Idaho guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median household income in Boise County?
$78,774 a year in the 2020 to 2024 Census survey, versus $77,800 for Idaho. It ranks 7th of 44 in the state.
Is Boise County expensive for renters?
Median rent is $850 against $1,238 statewide, and 30% of renter households are cost-burdened.
Should Boise County homeowners use home equity instead?
Maybe, but weigh the risk: 90% of Boise 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 Boise County guide cover?
Every community in the county, unincorporated areas included. The largest of its 8 Census places: Robie Creek, Horseshoe Bend, Idaho City, Garden Valley, Crouch.
Will a Boise County address affect my match?
Beyond confirming Idaho as your state, no. Your answers about amount, credit, income and payments are all that count.