1st Advantage MortgageAbout 78% of Butte County homes are owner-occupied, and the median household income is $53,015. County medians do not set your terms. Shop at least three lenders, including a credit union serving Butte County, and confirm each one's Idaho license.
On this page
- A quick profile of Butte County
- The $53,015 median and what sits around it
- Employment and commuting in Butte County
- What stands out in Butte County
- Renting and owning in Butte County
- Nearby counties: income, rent, ownership
- Butte County towns compared
- $4,418 a month: the Butte County median budget
- Local borrowing considerations for Butte County
- Butte County households compared
- Checklist for Butte County applicants
- Idaho lender licensing
- Keep exploring
- Frequently asked questions
A quick profile of Butte County
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Butte County's population at 2,684; only 41 of Idaho's 44 county-level areas are larger. Butte County spans 2,236 square miles; with 2,684 people, that is 1.2 per square mile. The federal metro definitions (OMB, July 2023) place it in the Idaho Falls, ID metropolitan area. Largest place: Arco, about 850 residents (32% of Butte County); 3 Census places in all. At 2,684 people, Butte County is a small survey sample, so small differences in these figures may be noise.
The $53,015 median and what sits around it
Butte County households have a median income of $53,015 (ACS 2020 to 2024), which ranks 43rd of 44 in Idaho.
| Households earning | Butte County | +/- vs Idaho |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 28.9% | +9.8 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 52.9% | +9.2 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 14.6% | -13.3 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 3.5% | -5.7 pts |
29% under $35,000 and 18% at $100,000 or more: that is the Butte County income split. The poverty rate is 19.3%, 9 points higher than the state's 10.6%. Income inequality, measured by the Gini index, comes to 0.416 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 Butte County median.
Employment and commuting in Butte County
Agriculture, forestry and mining employs 19% of working residents, the largest share; professional and administrative services is next with 16%. Compared with Idaho, the county leans toward agriculture, forestry and mining (19% against 4%). ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 4.4% in Butte County. Commutes of 45 minutes-plus: 10%; under 15 minutes: 51%. Households without a car make up 5.7% of the total (3.7% statewide).
| Where residents work | Butte County | Difference from Idaho |
|---|---|---|
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 18.7% | +14.7 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 16.0% | +5.5 pts |
| Education and health care | 15.5% | -6.9 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 8.7% | 0.0 pts |
| Other services | 7.5% | +2.9 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 6.6% | +1.6 pts |
If your hours swing with the season or with overtime, size a loan payment against your base pay, not your best month.
What stands out in Butte County
Ranked against the other 42 county-level areas in Idaho, these are the Butte County figures furthest from the middle.
- On households without a vehicle, Butte County sits near the top of Idaho at 5.7%, the highest of 43. Without a car, transit and ride costs belong in the budget before any payment.
- Few Idaho counties match Butte County on median gross rent: $608/mo here, $1,238/mo for the state, ranking the lowest of 44. Lower rent can leave more room for a payment.
- Few Idaho counties match Butte County on the poverty rate: 19.3% here, 10.6% for the state, ranking 2nd highest of 44. Free help, such as utility and rent assistance, should come before any loan.
- Few Idaho counties match Butte County on median household income: $53,015 here, $77,800 for the state, ranking 2nd lowest of 44. A lean local median makes the size of the loan the most important choice.
Renting and owning in Butte County
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $608 in Butte County versus $1,238 statewide. 44% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 11% spend half or more. Butte County homes are worth $217,600 at the median, a 4.1-to-1 ratio to income. 78% of Butte County households own their home and 22% rent. The median home was built in 1971, so roofs, wiring and heating systems are a common source of repair bills.
| Cost | Butte County | Idaho figure | Higher or lower |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vacant units | 20% | 10% | +9.4 pts |
| Owners | 78% | 72% | +5.4 pts |
| Median gross rent | $608/mo | $1,238/mo | 51% lower |
| Median home value | $217,600 | $418,600 | 48% lower |
| Burdened owners | 31% | 27% | +3.1 pts |
| Rent-burdened renters | 44% | 47% | -2.9 pts |
Butte County owners: get one secured and one unsecured quote, then compare the total cost and what you would put up as collateral (side by side).
Nearby counties: income, rent, ownership
The six counties whose centers lie closest to Butte County's, from 44 to 67 miles away. Income ranges from $55,208 in Clark County to $92,566 in Blaine County; all six of these neighbors top Butte County's median.
| Nearby county | Center to center | Household income | Gross rent | Owner-occupied |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Butte County | - | $53,015 | $608/mo | 78% |
| Jefferson County, ID | 44 mi | $86,679 | $1,138/mo | 83% |
| Blaine County, ID | 44 mi | $92,566 | $1,338/mo | 74% |
| Bingham County, ID | 51 mi | $77,878 | $874/mo | 81% |
| Clark County, ID | 58 mi | $55,208 | $773/mo | 61% |
| Minidoka County, ID | 62 mi | $70,377 | $900/mo | 69% |
| Custer County, ID | 67 mi | $67,574 | $691/mo | 77% |
Butte County towns compared
3 Census places fall mainly inside Butte County; the 3 biggest are below. They account for 1,173 residents, leaving about 56% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. Live in one of these Butte County communities, or between them? This is your local guide.
| Place | Type | Population | Median income | Median rent | From county center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arco | city | 850 | $37,644 | $564 | 7 mi |
| Moore | city | 228 | $70,625 | n/a | 10 mi |
| Butte City | city | 95 | n/a | $383 | 6 mi |
$4,418 a month: the Butte County median budget
Butte County's $53,015 median income, run through a debt-to-income check:
- $4,418 a month: gross income for a household at the Butte County median
- Median rent: $608, or 14 cents of every gross dollar
- With a 36% ceiling, about $982 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
Homeowners in Butte County should swap in their mortgage, taxes and insurance for rent.
Local borrowing considerations for Butte County
Butte County-specific points to check:
- Mobile homes in Butte County. At 17% of units, they are a big part of local housing; check whether yours is titled as real or personal property.
- Help that costs nothing. About 517 Butte County residents live in poverty; see free options before a loan.
- Fraud. Gift cards, wire transfers or fees to unlock a loan mean walk away (report it).
Butte County households compared
Bachelor's degree or higher: 18% of Butte County adults. Uninsured, Butte County: 7.8%; Idaho: 9.1%.
| Measure | Butte County | Gap to Idaho | Gap to typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's or higher | 17.5% | -14.3 pts | -4.6 pts |
| Poverty rate | 19.3% | +8.7 pts | +6.1 pts |
| Median age | 41.3 | +4.0 yrs | -0.2 yrs |
| No high school diploma | 10.9% | +2.8 pts | n/a |
| Work from home | 16.0% | +2.7 pts | +7.3 pts |
| No vehicle | 5.7% | +2.0 pts | +0.3 pts |
| No health insurance | 7.8% | -1.2 pts | 0.0 pts |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 4.4% | +0.6 pts | 0.0 pts |
| Travel time to work | Workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 50.6% |
| 15 to 29 min | 20.3% |
| 30 to 44 min | 19.1% |
| 45 to 59 min | 3.0% |
| 60+ min | 7.0% |
Checklist for Butte County applicants
Four checks before you sign anything:
- Know the exact dollar figure you need before talking to a lender.
- Ask each lender for the APR and all fees in writing.
- Check the license, then the reviews, then the offer.
- Never pay a fee up front to get a loan.
Idaho lender licensing
No county office licenses personal lenders. For Butte County, check the Idaho Department of Finance. Federal complaints: consumerfinance.gov. See the Idaho state guide for the statewide picture.
Keep exploring
For statewide rules and data, see the Idaho guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median household income in Butte County?
$53,015 a year in the 2020 to 2024 Census survey, versus $77,800 for Idaho. It ranks 43rd of 44 in the state.
What do renters pay in Butte County?
$608 a month at the median, about 14% of median household income.
I live in a small Butte County town. Is this my guide?
Yes. If your town has no city guide, this county page is the local one; it covers Arco, Moore, Butte City.
Does living in Butte 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 Butte County resident as anyone. Lenders decide under fair-lending law.
What agency protects Butte County borrowers?
The Idaho Department of Finance at the state level and the CFPB federally.