1st Advantage MortgageAbout 71% of Gooding County homes are owner-occupied, and the median household income is $63,559. 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
- Gooding County by the numbers
- Employment and commuting in Gooding County
- Income in Gooding County compared with Idaho
- Gooding County housing compared with Idaho
- The communities that make up Gooding County
- How Gooding County compares with nearby counties
- Gooding County residents: age, schooling, coverage
- Local borrowing considerations for Gooding County
- Room for a loan payment in Gooding County
- Lender oversight for Gooding County
- A Gooding County borrower's checklist
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
Gooding County by the numbers
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Gooding County's population at 15,931; only 20 of Idaho's 44 county-level areas are larger. It covers 729 square miles of land, or about 22 people per square mile. Under the July 2023 OMB definitions, Gooding County is not part of any metropolitan area. Of the 4 Census places inside Gooding County, Gooding leads by population with about 3,778; 4 of the 4 are incorporated.
Employment and commuting in Gooding County
Education and health care employs 19% of working residents, the largest share; agriculture, forestry and mining is next with 18%. The sharpest difference from the state is in agriculture, forestry and mining, at 18% locally and 4% for Idaho. The survey's unemployment rate for Gooding County averages 3.8% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 3.7%). About 76% drive to work alone and 14% have trips of 45 minutes or more. Only 2.9% of homes here go without a vehicle.
| Industry | Share of Gooding County workers | vs Idaho |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 19.2% | -3.2 pts |
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 18.4% | +14.5 pts |
| Construction | 12.1% | +2.8 pts |
| Manufacturing | 10.0% | +0.6 pts |
| Retail trade | 9.6% | -2.0 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 6.7% | +1.7 pts |
Industry shapes paperwork. Salaried and public jobs are easy to verify, while hourly, tipped, commission or contract earners in Gooding County should have bank statements and tax returns ready.
Income in Gooding County compared with Idaho
Half of Gooding County households take in less than $63,559 a year and half take in more, 18% below the Idaho median of $77,800. In the state ranking that is 32nd of 44.
| Households earning | Gooding County | +/- vs Idaho |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 26.7% | +7.7 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 49.7% | +5.9 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 18.4% | -9.6 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 5.2% | -4.0 pts |
About 27% of households earn under $35,000, while 24% clear $100,000. 13.0% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 10.6%). The Gini index of income inequality is 0.430 (0 is perfect equality). None of these numbers decides a Gooding County application. Lenders weigh your own documented income against your own debts.
Gooding County housing compared with Idaho
Renters in Gooding County pay a median of $880 a month, 29% below the Idaho figure of $1,238. 44% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 13% spend half or more. With a median value of $250,900, a typical Gooding County house costs 3.9 times what the median household earns in a year. Owners occupy 71% of homes. The median home was built in 1976, so roofs, wiring and heating systems are a common source of repair bills.
| Measure | Gooding County | Idaho | Median U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $880/mo | $1,238/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $250,900 | $418,600 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 71% | 72% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 44% | 47% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 26% | 27% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 7% | 10% | n/a |
The communities that make up Gooding County
The table lists the 4 largest of 4 Census places in Gooding County, by population. Together all 4 hold about 8,264 people, so roughly 48% of residents live outside any named place. Hagerman has the highest median household income on the list ($59,808) and Gooding the lowest ($41,899), counting places with at least 500 residents. No Gooding County place has a separate guide yet; this county page serves all 4.
| Place | Type | Population | Median income | Median rent | From county center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gooding | city | 3,778 | $41,899 | $861 | 6 mi |
| Wendell | city | 2,981 | $57,266 | $815 | 15 mi |
| Hagerman | city | 1,276 | $59,808 | $991 | 12 mi |
| Bliss | city | 229 | $65,500 | n/a | 7 mi |
How Gooding County compares with nearby counties
Nearest neighbors first, measured between county centers (34 to 52 miles). Blaine County leads the group on income ($92,566), Camas County trails ($57,955), and Gooding County out-earns 1 of the six.
| County | Distance | Median income | Median rent | Owners |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gooding County | - | $63,559 | $880/mo | 71% |
| Lincoln County, ID | 34 mi | $71,453 | $1,021/mo | 79% |
| Jerome County, ID | 34 mi | $71,724 | $966/mo | 75% |
| Camas County, ID | 37 mi | $57,955 | $1,000/mo | 80% |
| Twin Falls County, ID | 44 mi | $67,409 | $1,089/mo | 70% |
| Elmore County, ID | 44 mi | $65,359 | $1,243/mo | 66% |
| Blaine County, ID | 52 mi | $92,566 | $1,338/mo | 74% |
Gooding County residents: age, schooling, coverage
Degree holders: 16% of adults over 25. 19.1% of residents have no health coverage.
| Measure | Gooding County | Idaho statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 38.1 | 37.3 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 16.2% | 31.8% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 19.2% | 8.1% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 19.1% | 9.1% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 2.9% | 3.7% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 8.3% | 13.3% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 13.0% | 10.6% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 3.8% | 3.7% | 4.4% |
| Minutes to work | Gooding County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 45.5% |
| 15 to 29 min | 25.7% |
| 30 to 44 min | 14.9% |
| 45 to 59 min | 7.9% |
| 60+ min | 6.0% |
Local borrowing considerations for Gooding County
What the Gooding County figures suggest, and what to check first:
- Hospital bills in Gooding County. For the 19% of residents without coverage, the provider's charity-care program comes before any loan (details).
- 16% mobile homes. Many are not titled as real estate, so home-equity options may not apply; an unsecured loan is the usual route.
- Debt consolidation. One fixed payment can save money only if the written APR and fees beat what you pay now (guide).
Room for a loan payment in Gooding County
How much room does a median Gooding County budget have? Take median income, subtract median rent, and check what is left under a few common debt-to-income limits.
- Median income divided by twelve: $5,297 before taxes
- Less median rent of $880, which is 17% of it
- With a 36% ceiling, about $1,027 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
Subtract what you already pay on other debts. A new payment should fit in what remains, with some to spare.
Lender oversight for Gooding County
The Idaho Department of Finance is the place to verify any lender's Idaho license. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau accepts complaints nationwide. See the Idaho state guide for the statewide picture.
A Gooding County borrower's checklist
Quick steps for Gooding County:
- Write down what the expense costs; a smaller loan costs less.
- Ask each lender for the APR and all fees in writing.
- A Idaho license check takes minutes; do it first.
- Lock paid-off cards after consolidating so balances stay at zero.
Related local guides
The Idaho guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median household income in Gooding County?
$63,559 a year in the 2020 to 2024 Census survey, versus $77,800 for Idaho. It ranks 32nd of 44 in the state.
How much is rent in Gooding County?
Median gross rent, utilities included, is $880 a month; 44% of renters spend 30% or more of income on it.
What are the biggest places in Gooding County?
By population: Gooding, Wendell, Hagerman, Bliss. The county has 4 Census places in all.
Can Gooding County residents use the questionnaire?
Yes. It asks the same questions in every Idaho county, lists every requirement up front and does not affect your credit score.
Is there a Gooding County office that licenses lenders?
No, licensing is statewide. In Idaho it is the Idaho Department of Finance.