1st Advantage MortgageThe median Clearwater County household earns $60,000, and 13% 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
- Clearwater County, ID: the basics
- Income in Clearwater County compared with Idaho
- What it costs to live in Clearwater County
- Jobs and commutes in Clearwater County
- Clearwater County towns compared
- Clearwater County and the counties next door
- A Clearwater County household budget, worked through
- Before borrowing in Clearwater County
- Clearwater County households compared
- Licensing and complaints for Clearwater County
- Checklist for Clearwater County applicants
- More guides for Clearwater County
- Frequently asked questions
Clearwater County, ID: the basics
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Clearwater County's population at 9,012; only 30 of Idaho's 44 county-level areas are larger. Spread over 2,457 square miles, that works out to roughly 3.7 residents per square mile. It sits outside every metropolitan statistical area in the July 2023 OMB delineation. The Census Bureau counts 4 places in the county (4 incorporated, 0 census-designated); the largest is Orofino, with about 3,260 residents, or 36% of the county. Because Clearwater County is small, the survey's margins of error are wide; treat the numbers as approximate.
Income in Clearwater County compared with Idaho
The median household income in Clearwater County is $60,000; statewide it is $77,800, so Clearwater County runs 23% below Idaho as a whole. Only 35 Idaho counties post a higher median.
| Income band | Share in Clearwater County | Difference from Idaho |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 28.5% | +9.4 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 43.9% | +0.1 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 23.6% | -4.4 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 4.0% | -5.2 pts |
About 29% of households earn under $35,000, while 28% clear $100,000. Census counts 13.2% of Clearwater County residents in poverty, against 10.6% across Idaho. A household earning below the $60,000 median should test any payment carefully; one earning above it should still pick the shortest term it can manage.
What it costs to live in Clearwater County
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $875 in Clearwater County versus $1,238 statewide. 46% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 27% spend half or more. Home values center on $268,200, or 4.5 years of median income. Owners occupy 83% of homes. The median home was built in 1977, so roofs, wiring and heating systems are a common source of repair bills.
| Cost | Clearwater County | Idaho figure | Median county, U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $875/mo | $1,238/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $268,200 | $418,600 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 83% | 72% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 46% | 47% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 31% | 27% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 20.5% | 6.9% | 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).
Jobs and commutes in Clearwater County
The biggest employer of Clearwater County residents, by industry, is education and health care at 27% of workers, followed by manufacturing (12%). The sharpest difference from the state is in education and health care, at 27% locally and 22% for Idaho. ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 4.5% in Clearwater County. About 75% drive to work alone and 20% have trips of 45 minutes or more.
| Industry | Share of Clearwater County workers | vs Idaho |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 26.8% | +4.4 pts |
| Manufacturing | 12.3% | +2.9 pts |
| Retail trade | 11.3% | -0.3 pts |
| Construction | 9.6% | +0.3 pts |
| Public administration | 8.2% | +3.3 pts |
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 7.6% | +3.6 pts |
If your hours swing with the season or with overtime, size a loan payment against your base pay, not your best month.
Clearwater County towns compared
The table lists the 4 largest of 4 Census places in Clearwater County, by population. Together all 4 hold about 4,064 people, so roughly 55% of residents live outside any named place. Live in one of these Clearwater County communities, or between them? This is your local guide.
| Name | Kind | Pop. | Income | Rent | Miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Orofino | city | 3,260 | $53,438 | $949 | 31 mi |
| Pierce | city | 360 | $53,906 | n/a | 14 mi |
| Weippe | city | 320 | $29,946 | n/a | 24 mi |
| Elk River | city | 124 | $54,904 | n/a | 26 mi |
Clearwater County and the counties next door
The six counties whose centers lie closest to Clearwater County's, from 41 to 58 miles away. Income ranges from $51,615 in Lewis County to $72,599 in Nez Perce County; 4 of these neighbors top Clearwater County's median. Some neighbors are in Montana. Lender licensing is state by state, so a loan for a Clearwater County resident follows Idaho rules.
| Neighbor | Distance | Income | Rent | Own |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clearwater County | - | $60,000 | $875/mo | 83% |
| Mineral County, MT | 41 mi | $63,450 | $801/mo | 81% |
| Lewis County, ID | 47 mi | $51,615 | $737/mo | 76% |
| Shoshone County, ID | 48 mi | $55,527 | $943/mo | 74% |
| Latah County, ID | 52 mi | $65,424 | $929/mo | 59% |
| Idaho County, ID | 58 mi | $66,325 | $789/mo | 81% |
| Nez Perce County, ID | 58 mi | $72,599 | $1,015/mo | 70% |
A Clearwater County household budget, worked through
Lenders compare monthly debt payments with gross monthly income, the debt-to-income ratio. For a Clearwater County household at the medians it works out like this; treat it as an illustration only.
- Median income divided by twelve: $5,000 before taxes
- Less median rent of $875, which is 18% of it
- $925: what a 36% ratio leaves once rent is paid
Lenders set their own limits and look beyond the ratio. The DTI calculator uses your figures instead of Clearwater County's.
Before borrowing in Clearwater County
What the Clearwater County figures suggest, and what to check first:
- Hospital bills in Clearwater County. For the 11% of residents without coverage, the provider's charity-care program comes before any loan (details).
- Vehicle repairs. 20% of Clearwater County workers commute 45+ minutes, so a breakdown can cost a paycheck. Get two written estimates.
- 20% 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. Clearwater County's median age is 52.2. Social Security and pensions count as income when documented.
Clearwater County households compared
College graduates make up 18% of the adult population. 11.2% of residents have no health coverage.
| People and households | Clearwater County | Idaho | Median county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 52.2 | 37.3 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 17.5% | 31.8% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 8.0% | 8.1% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 11.2% | 9.1% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 3.6% | 3.7% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 10.1% | 13.3% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 13.2% | 10.6% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 4.5% | 3.7% | 4.4% |
| Minutes to work | Clearwater County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 49.4% |
| 15 to 29 min | 26.5% |
| 30 to 44 min | 4.1% |
| 45 to 59 min | 7.7% |
| 60+ min | 12.3% |
Licensing and complaints for Clearwater County
Consumer lenders serving Clearwater 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. More on Idaho: Idaho personal loans.
Checklist for Clearwater County applicants
Four checks before you sign anything:
- Get a written quote for whatever you are paying for in Clearwater County.
- Compare the total repaid on every offer, not just the payment.
- Confirm the lender is licensed in Idaho.
- Confirm the first due date before setting up autopay.
More guides for Clearwater County
For statewide rules and data, see the Idaho guide.
Frequently asked questions
Is Clearwater County a high-income county?
Its $60,000 median ranks 36th of 44 Idaho counties and compares with $65,681 for the median U.S. county.
Is Clearwater County expensive for renters?
Median rent is $875 against $1,238 statewide, and 46% of renter households are cost-burdened.
I own my home in Clearwater County. Personal loan or HELOC?
A HELOC uses the house as collateral; a personal loan usually does not. With 83% of homes owner-occupied here, many readers can compare both in writing.
Which towns does the Clearwater County guide cover?
Every community in the county, unincorporated areas included. The largest of its 4 Census places: Orofino, Pierce, Weippe, Elk River.
Will a Clearwater County address affect my match?
Beyond confirming Idaho as your state, no. Your answers about amount, credit, income and payments are all that count.