1st Advantage MortgageThe median Idaho County household earns $66,325, and 11% of residents live below the poverty line. Whatever your own numbers, compare written offers on APR, fees and total cost, and verify the lender is licensed in Idaho before sharing details.
On this page
- Getting oriented in Idaho County
- Paychecks and income spread in Idaho County
- Work, industries and travel time in Idaho County
- Rent, home values and ownership in Idaho County
- Cities, towns and CDPs in Idaho County
- How Idaho County compares with nearby counties
- Idaho County residents: age, schooling, coverage
- Reading the Idaho County data as a borrower
- Debt-to-income at Idaho County's medians
- Lender oversight for Idaho County
- Checklist for Idaho County applicants
- More guides for Idaho County
- Frequently asked questions
Getting oriented in Idaho County
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Idaho County's population at 17,432; only 19 of Idaho's 44 county-level areas are larger. It covers 8,477 square miles of land, or about 2 people per square mile. It sits outside every metropolitan statistical area in the July 2023 OMB delineation. Grangeville is the biggest of its 8 Census places, at roughly 3,515 people (20% of the county total).
Paychecks and income spread in Idaho County
Idaho County households have a median income of $66,325 (ACS 2020 to 2024), which ranks 27th of 44 in Idaho.
| Household income | Idaho County | vs Idaho |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 24.5% | +5.4 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 48.5% | +4.8 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 22.4% | -5.6 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 4.6% | -4.6 pts |
The spread is wide: 27% of Idaho County households make $100,000 or more, and 25% make less than $35,000. The poverty rate is 11.1%, 1 point higher than the state's 10.6%. Income from any regular source can count, including Social Security, pensions and disability benefits, as long as you can document it.
Work, industries and travel time in Idaho County
By the Census industry count, 22% of employed Idaho County residents work in education and health care and 13% in agriculture, forestry and mining. Agriculture, forestry and mining stands out: 13% of workers here, versus 4% statewide. ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 3.7% in Idaho County. About 69% drive to work alone and 11% have trips of 45 minutes or more.
| Where residents work | Idaho County | Difference from Idaho |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 22.3% | -0.1 pts |
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 13.1% | +9.1 pts |
| Retail trade | 11.5% | -0.1 pts |
| Manufacturing | 9.8% | +0.4 pts |
| Construction | 9.6% | +0.3 pts |
| Other services | 7.4% | +2.8 pts |
Shorter commutes usually mean lower vehicle costs, which can leave more room for a payment, or for paying a loan off early.
Rent, home values and ownership in Idaho County
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $789 in Idaho County versus $1,238 statewide. By the Census definition, 32% of Idaho County renters are cost-burdened. With a median value of $310,200, a typical Idaho County house costs 4.7 times what the median household earns in a year. Owners occupy 81% of homes. Median construction year: 1977.
| Cost | Idaho County | Idaho figure | Median county, U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $789/mo | $1,238/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $310,200 | $418,600 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 81% | 72% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 32% | 47% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 32% | 27% | n/a |
Because most Idaho County households own, home repairs are a frequent reason to borrow. An unsecured personal loan leaves the house out of the deal, while a HELOC uses it as collateral.
Cities, towns and CDPs in Idaho County
8 Census places fall mainly inside Idaho County; the 8 biggest are below. They account for 6,182 residents, leaving about 65% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. Among places of 500 or more people, median income runs from $45,938 in Kooskia to $79,271 in Cottonwood. Live in one of these Idaho County communities, or between them? This is your local guide.
| Place | Type | Population | Median income | Median rent | From county center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grangeville | city | 3,515 | $61,322 | $699 | 32 mi |
| Cottonwood | city | 1,131 | $79,271 | $1,010 | 45 mi |
| Kooskia | city | 687 | $45,938 | $831 | 32 mi |
| Riggins | city | 263 | $31,471 | $636 | 51 mi |
| Elk City | CDP | 202 | $61,103 | n/a | 2 mi |
| Stites | city | 165 | $28,438 | $731 | 30 mi |
| Ferdinand | city | 162 | $72,500 | $688 | 49 mi |
| White Bird | city | 57 | n/a | n/a | 41 mi |
CDPs are unincorporated communities the Census Bureau defines for counting.
How Idaho County compares with nearby counties
Six nearby counties, 53 to 83 miles away by the straight-line distance between their centers. 3 of the six report a higher median household income than Idaho County; Valley County is highest at $76,078 and Lewis County lowest at $51,615. Some neighbors are in Montana. Lender licensing is state by state, so a loan for a Idaho County resident follows Idaho rules.
| Adjacent area | How far | HH income (median) | Rent (median) | Owner share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Idaho County | - | $66,325 | $789/mo | 81% |
| Lewis County, ID | 53 mi | $51,615 | $737/mo | 76% |
| Clearwater County, ID | 58 mi | $60,000 | $875/mo | 83% |
| Ravalli County, MT | 67 mi | $71,283 | $1,054/mo | 79% |
| Valley County, ID | 69 mi | $76,078 | $1,117/mo | 82% |
| Nez Perce County, ID | 70 mi | $72,599 | $1,015/mo | 70% |
| Adams County, ID | 83 mi | $61,808 | $830/mo | 85% |
Idaho County residents: age, schooling, coverage
23% of Idaho County adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or more. About 14% go without health insurance.
| Measure | Idaho County | Idaho statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 49.4 | 37.3 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 22.6% | 31.8% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 8.1% | 8.1% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 14.2% | 9.1% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 3.0% | 3.7% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 9.9% | 13.3% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 11.1% | 10.6% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 3.7% | 3.7% | 4.4% |
| Minutes to work | Idaho County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 54.7% |
| 15 to 29 min | 20.9% |
| 30 to 44 min | 13.4% |
| 45 to 59 min | 3.5% |
| 60+ min | 7.5% |
Reading the Idaho County data as a borrower
What the Idaho County figures suggest, and what to check first:
- Medical bills. 14% of Idaho County residents are uninsured. Before borrowing for care, ask the provider about financial assistance and payment plans.
- Manufactured homes. 13% of Idaho County housing units are mobile homes, and their repairs are often paid with unsecured loans. Get the quote in writing.
- Older households. A 49.4 median age means fixed-income borrowing is common; a fixed payment and short term limit risk.
Debt-to-income at Idaho County's medians
Lenders compare monthly debt payments with gross monthly income, the debt-to-income ratio. For a Idaho County household at the medians it works out like this; treat it as an illustration only.
- Start: $5,527 gross per month ($66,325 / 12)
- Rent at the median, $789, takes 14% of that
- At 43%, room after rent is $1,588 a month
Two-income households and single earners in Idaho County land in very different places on this math, so run it for your own budget.
Lender oversight for Idaho County
No county office licenses personal lenders. For Idaho County, check the Idaho Department of Finance. Federal complaints: consumerfinance.gov. More on Idaho: Idaho personal loans.
Checklist for Idaho County applicants
Steps that save money for Idaho County residents:
- Write down what the expense costs; a smaller loan costs less.
- Prequalify with soft pulls where offered, then compare in writing.
- A Idaho license check takes minutes; do it first.
- Read the final agreement; it must match the offer.
More guides for Idaho County
The Idaho guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
What does a typical Idaho County household make?
About $66,325 a year at the median (ACS 2020-24), 15% below the Idaho median.
How much is rent in Idaho County?
Median gross rent, utilities included, is $789 a month; 32% of renters spend 30% or more of income on it.
Should Idaho County homeowners use home equity instead?
Maybe, but weigh the risk: 81% of Idaho County homes are owner-occupied, and a home-equity loan or line is secured by the house while a personal loan usually is not.
Which towns does the Idaho County guide cover?
Every community in the county, unincorporated areas included. The largest of its 8 Census places: Grangeville, Cottonwood, Kooskia, Riggins, Elk City.
Can Idaho 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.