1st Advantage MortgageAbout 75% of Boundary County homes are owner-occupied, and the median household income is $67,237. Borrow only what the expense needs, pick the shortest affordable term, and walk away from any lender asking a Boundary County applicant for an upfront fee.
On this page
- Boundary County by the numbers
- Boundary County housing compared with Idaho
- How much Boundary County households make
- The Boundary County job picture
- Where Boundary County differs from the rest of Idaho
- The communities that make up Boundary County
- Neighboring counties at a glance
- Boundary County residents: age, schooling, coverage
- Before borrowing in Boundary County
- Room for a loan payment in Boundary County
- Lender oversight for Boundary County
- Four steps for Boundary County borrowers
- Beyond Boundary County
- Frequently asked questions
Boundary County by the numbers
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Boundary County's population at 13,172; only 24 of Idaho's 44 county-level areas are larger. Density: about 10.4 residents per square mile across 1,269 square miles of land. It sits outside every metropolitan statistical area in the July 2023 OMB delineation. Largest place: Bonners Ferry, about 2,669 residents (20% of Boundary County); 2 Census places in all.
Boundary County housing compared with Idaho
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $877 in Boundary County versus $1,238 statewide. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 36% of renter households here. Home values center on $410,500, or 6.1 years of median income. 75% of Boundary County households own their home and 25% rent.
| Cost | Boundary County | Idaho figure | Higher or lower |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $877/mo | $1,238/mo | 29% lower |
| Median home value | $410,500 | $418,600 | 2% lower |
| Owners | 75% | 72% | +3.1 pts |
| Rent-burdened renters | 36% | 47% | -10.7 pts |
| Burdened owners | 41% | 27% | +13.8 pts |
| Mobile homes | 13.3% | 6.9% | +6.4 pts |
| Vacant units | 10% | 10% | -0.2 pts |
With 75% of Boundary County homes owner-occupied, equity is a real alternative for many readers; just remember a missed HELOC payment puts the home at risk.
How much Boundary County households make
At $67,237, the typical Boundary County household income is 2% above the median U.S. county ($65,681). That places it 24th among Idaho's 44 county-level areas.
| Household income | Boundary County | vs Idaho |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 24.7% | +5.6 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 44.6% | +0.9 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 24.9% | -3.1 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 5.8% | -3.4 pts |
Six-figure households (31%) outnumber those under $35,000 (25%) in Boundary County. Census counts 13.6% of Boundary County residents in poverty, against 10.6% across Idaho. Gini index for Boundary County: 0.456. A household earning below the $67,237 median should test any payment carefully; one earning above it should still pick the shortest term it can manage.
The Boundary County job picture
The biggest employer of Boundary County residents, by industry, is education and health care at 17% of workers, followed by retail trade (12%). The sharpest difference from the state is in agriculture, forestry and mining, at 10% locally and 4% for Idaho. 2.6% of Boundary County's labor force reported being unemployed, averaged across 2020 to 2024. Long commutes are the exception here: 9% of workers spend 45 minutes or longer getting to work. Only 2.1% of homes here go without a vehicle.
| Top industries | Boundary County share | +/- vs Idaho |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 17.2% | -5.2 pts |
| Retail trade | 12.3% | +0.6 pts |
| Construction | 10.2% | +0.9 pts |
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 9.7% | +5.7 pts |
| Manufacturing | 9.6% | +0.2 pts |
| Other services | 7.9% | +3.3 pts |
If your hours swing with the season or with overtime, size a loan payment against your base pay, not your best month.
Where Boundary County differs from the rest of Idaho
Where Boundary County lands at the extremes of Idaho's county rankings:
- On the uninsured rate, Boundary County sits near the top of Idaho at 14.0%, 9th highest of 44. Ask any provider about financial assistance before borrowing for care.
- Boundary County ranks 9th highest of 44 Idaho counties for the poverty rate: 13.6%, against 10.6% statewide. Free help, such as utility and rent assistance, should come before any loan.
The communities that make up Boundary County
2 Census places fall mainly inside Boundary County; the 2 biggest are below. They account for 4,047 residents, leaving about 69% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. From Bonners Ferry to the smallest crossroads, Boundary County residents share this guide.
| Place in county | Status | Population (ACS) | Median HH income | Monthly rent | Distance from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bonners Ferry | city | 2,669 | $52,500 | $1,145 | 11 mi |
| Moyie Springs | city | 1,378 | $61,615 | $742 | 15 mi |
Neighboring counties at a glance
Bonner County is closest, 31 miles from center to center; the sixth, Spokane County, is 89 miles off. Kootenai County leads the group on income ($81,861), Lincoln County trails ($47,143), and Boundary County out-earns 2 of the six. Some neighbors are in Montana and Washington. Lender licensing is state by state, so a loan for a Boundary County resident follows Idaho rules.
| Neighbor | Distance | Income | Rent | Own |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boundary County | - | $67,237 | $877/mo | 75% |
| Bonner County, ID | 31 mi | $66,979 | $1,122/mo | 78% |
| Pend Oreille County, WA | 36 mi | $67,436 | $855/mo | 81% |
| Lincoln County, MT | 51 mi | $47,143 | $762/mo | 78% |
| Stevens County, WA | 66 mi | $69,327 | $898/mo | 80% |
| Kootenai County, ID | 76 mi | $81,861 | $1,492/mo | 71% |
| Spokane County, WA | 89 mi | $78,582 | $1,283/mo | 64% |
Boundary County residents: age, schooling, coverage
In Boundary County, 24% of adults have at least a four-year degree (32% in Idaho). 14.0% of residents have no health coverage.
| Residents | Boundary County | Difference from Idaho | Difference from middle U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's or higher | 24.0% | -7.8 pts | +1.9 pts |
| Median age | 43.7 | +6.4 yrs | +2.2 yrs |
| No high school diploma | 13.9% | +5.7 pts | n/a |
| No health insurance | 14.0% | +4.9 pts | +6.2 pts |
| Poverty rate | 13.6% | +3.1 pts | +0.5 pts |
| Work from home | 10.4% | -2.9 pts | +1.7 pts |
| No vehicle | 2.1% | -1.6 pts | -3.3 pts |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 2.6% | -1.1 pts | -1.8 pts |
| Commute length | Boundary County |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 44.8% |
| 15 to 29 min | 33.3% |
| 30 to 44 min | 12.5% |
| 45 to 59 min | 3.7% |
| 60+ min | 5.7% |
Before borrowing in Boundary County
Where the Boundary County numbers stand out, and why it matters for a loan:
- Care without coverage. About 1,844 Boundary County residents lack insurance; check charity care before a loan (how).
- Repairs on manufactured housing. With 13% of homes here, compare a personal loan with any dealer or park repair program.
- Requirements. Lenders weigh credit history, documented income and existing debt (what to gather).
Room for a loan payment in Boundary County
How much room does a median Boundary County budget have? Take median income, subtract median rent, and check what is left under a few common debt-to-income limits.
- Monthly gross at the median, Boundary County: $5,603
- 16% goes to median rent ($877)
- Under a 35% cap, $1,961 total minus rent leaves $1,084
- $1,644: what a 45% ratio leaves once rent is paid
Car, student loan and card payments come out of that room first. Try your own numbers in the calculator.
Lender oversight for Boundary County
Consumer lenders serving Boundary County are licensed by the state, not the county; in Idaho that is the Idaho Department of Finance. If a Boundary County lender ignores a dispute, the CFPB complaint portal is the federal backstop. More on Idaho: Idaho personal loans.
Four steps for Boundary County borrowers
Four checks before you sign anything:
- Price the Boundary County expense first and borrow that amount, no more.
- Line up offers side by side: APR, fees in dollars, total cost.
- Look the lender up with the state regulator first.
- Confirm the first due date before setting up autopay.
Beyond Boundary County
Statewide:
Frequently asked questions
What is the median household income in Boundary County?
$67,237 a year in the 2020 to 2024 Census survey, versus $77,800 for Idaho. It ranks 24th of 44 in the state.
How does Boundary County rent compare with Idaho?
$877 locally versus $1,238 for the state, 29% below.
Which towns does the Boundary County guide cover?
Every community in the county, unincorporated areas included. The largest of its 2 Census places: Bonners Ferry, Moyie Springs.
Does living in Boundary 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 Boundary County resident as anyone. Lenders decide under fair-lending law.
How do I know a lender is legitimate in Boundary County?
Look it up with the Idaho Department of Finance, read the written offer, and refuse any fee before funding.