1st Advantage MortgageAbout 66% of Elmore County homes are owner-occupied, and the median household income is $65,359. 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
- Elmore County, ID: the basics
- Household income in Elmore County
- Housing costs in Elmore County
- How Elmore County residents earn a living
- Towns and communities in Elmore County
- The counties around Elmore County
- Who lives in Elmore County, in numbers
- What the numbers mean for Elmore County borrowers
- What a median Elmore County budget can carry
- Idaho rules that apply in Elmore County
- Checklist for Elmore County applicants
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
Elmore County, ID: the basics
With an estimated 29,321 residents (ACS 2020 to 2024), Elmore County ranks 13th of 44 in Idaho for population. Land area is 3,075 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 10 per square mile. No metropolitan area includes Elmore County in the 2023 federal delineation, so its numbers stand on their own rather than as part of a metro. Mountain Home is the biggest of its 4 Census places, at roughly 16,493 people (56% of the county total).
Household income in Elmore County
The median household income in Elmore County is $65,359; statewide it is $77,800, so Elmore County runs 16% below Idaho as a whole.
| Households earning | Elmore County | +/- vs Idaho |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 22.1% | +3.0 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 48.3% | +4.5 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 25.3% | -2.7 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 4.4% | -4.8 pts |
About 22% of households earn under $35,000, while 30% clear $100,000. 10.5% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 10.6%). The Gini index of income inequality is 0.403 (0 is perfect equality). For a borrower in Elmore County, the county median is only context: a lender looks at the income you can document, so pay stubs, benefit letters or tax returns matter more than any average.
Housing costs in Elmore County
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $1,243 in Elmore County versus $1,238 statewide. 44% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 16% spend half or more. With a median value of $316,500, a typical Elmore County house costs 4.8 times what the median household earns in a year. 66% of Elmore County households own their home and 34% rent. The median year built is 1988.
| Home costs | Elmore County | Idaho | U.S. middle county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $1,243/mo | $1,238/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $316,500 | $418,600 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 66% | 72% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 44% | 47% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 30% | 27% | n/a |
How Elmore County residents earn a living
By the Census industry count, 18% of employed Elmore County residents work in education and health care and 12% in manufacturing. Agriculture, forestry and mining stands out: 10% of workers here, versus 4% statewide. ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 6.0% in Elmore County. Long commutes are the exception here: 14% of workers spend 45 minutes or longer getting to work.
| Industry | Share of Elmore County workers | vs Idaho |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 17.5% | -4.9 pts |
| Manufacturing | 11.9% | +2.5 pts |
| Retail trade | 10.9% | -0.7 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 10.2% | +1.5 pts |
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 9.8% | +5.8 pts |
| Public administration | 9.8% | +4.9 pts |
Shorter commutes usually mean lower vehicle costs, which can leave more room for a payment, or for paying a loan off early.
Towns and communities in Elmore County
The table lists the 4 largest of 4 Census places in Elmore County, by population. Together all 4 hold about 21,469 people, so roughly 27% of residents live outside any named place. Mountain Home AFB has the highest median household income on the list ($74,196) and Glenns Ferry the lowest ($51,840), counting places with at least 500 residents. This guide covers each of the 4 places and the rural areas around them.
| Place | Type | Population | Median income | Median rent | From county center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mountain Home | city | 16,493 | $63,125 | $1,155 | 21 mi |
| Mountain Home AFB | CDP | 3,219 | $74,196 | $1,903 | 31 mi |
| Glenns Ferry | city | 1,438 | $51,840 | $646 | 32 mi |
| Hammett | CDP | 319 | n/a | $1,075 | 31 mi |
CDP: census-designated place, an unincorporated community mapped for statistics.
The counties around Elmore County
Nearest neighbors first, measured between county centers (36 to 65 miles). Income ranges from $57,955 in Camas County to $91,502 in Ada County; 3 of these neighbors top Elmore County's median.
| Nearby county | Center to center | Household income | Gross rent | Owner-occupied |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elmore County | - | $65,359 | $1,243/mo | 66% |
| Camas County, ID | 36 mi | $57,955 | $1,000/mo | 80% |
| Ada County, ID | 39 mi | $91,502 | $1,577/mo | 71% |
| Boise County, ID | 43 mi | $78,774 | $850/mo | 90% |
| Gooding County, ID | 44 mi | $63,559 | $880/mo | 71% |
| Canyon County, ID | 64 mi | $76,488 | $1,347/mo | 76% |
| Gem County, ID | 65 mi | $64,605 | $1,038/mo | 76% |
Who lives in Elmore County, in numbers
Degree holders: 22% of adults over 25. About 9% go without health insurance.
| Residents | Elmore County | Idaho | Middle U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 33.1 | 37.3 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 22.4% | 31.8% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 12.0% | 8.1% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 9.1% | 9.1% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 4.2% | 3.7% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 4.5% | 13.3% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 10.5% | 10.6% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 6.0% | 3.7% | 4.4% |
| One-way commute | Share of Elmore County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 47.7% |
| 15 to 29 min | 27.6% |
| 30 to 44 min | 10.6% |
| 45 to 59 min | 6.1% |
| 60+ min | 8.1% |
What the numbers mean for Elmore County borrowers
Where the Elmore County numbers stand out, and why it matters for a loan:
- Debt consolidation. One fixed payment can save money only if the written APR and fees beat what you pay now (guide).
- Requirements. Lenders weigh credit history, documented income and existing debt (what to gather).
- Credit reports. Pull free reports at AnnualCreditReport.com and dispute errors before applying.
What a median Elmore County budget can carry
The debt-to-income ratio is the main affordability test lenders use. Applied to Elmore County's medians:
- Median income divided by twelve: $5,447 before taxes
- Median rent: $1,243, or 23 cents of every gross dollar
- Under a 40% cap, $2,179 total minus rent leaves $936
Car, student loan and card payments come out of that room first. Try your own numbers in the calculator.
Idaho rules that apply in Elmore County
No county office licenses personal lenders. For Elmore County, check the Idaho Department of Finance. Federal complaints: consumerfinance.gov. The Idaho guide covers state rules in more detail.
Checklist for Elmore County applicants
Steps that save money for Elmore County residents:
- Know the exact dollar figure you need before talking to a lender.
- Line up offers side by side: APR, fees in dollars, total cost.
- Verify the Idaho license before giving out your Social Security number.
- Pick the shortest term whose payment still fits.
Related local guides
For statewide rules and data, see the Idaho guide.
Frequently asked questions
What does a typical Elmore County household make?
About $65,359 a year at the median (ACS 2020-24), 16% below the Idaho median.
How does Elmore County rent compare with Idaho?
$1,243 locally, close to the state figure.
Does this page cover Mountain Home?
Yes, along with the other 3 Census places in Elmore County, such as Mountain Home AFB, Glenns Ferry, Hammett.
Is the fit check different in Elmore County?
No. It is identical everywhere, and it never looks at your neighborhood.
Who do I complain to about a lender in Elmore County?
Start with the Idaho Department of Finance, then the CFPB complaint portal. Keep copies of every message.