1st Advantage MortgageJefferson County households have a median income of $86,679 and median rent of $1,138 a month (ACS 2020 to 2024). 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
- Jefferson County, ID: the basics
- Household income in Jefferson County
- Jefferson County housing compared with Idaho
- Work, industries and travel time in Jefferson County
- How Jefferson County compares with nearby counties
- Towns and communities in Jefferson County
- A Jefferson County household budget, worked through
- Reading the Jefferson County data as a borrower
- Jefferson County residents: age, schooling, coverage
- Lender oversight for Jefferson County
- A Jefferson County borrower's checklist
- More guides for Jefferson County
- Frequently asked questions
Jefferson County, ID: the basics
Roughly 33,154 residents live in Jefferson County, Idaho, 12th by population among the state's 44 counties and county equivalents. Spread over 1,094 square miles, that works out to roughly 30.3 residents per square mile. It is one of the counties that make up the Idaho Falls, ID metropolitan statistical area (OMB, 2023). The Census Bureau counts 6 places in the county (6 incorporated, 0 census-designated); the largest is Rigby, with about 5,404 residents, or 16% of the county.
Household income in Jefferson County
At $86,679, the typical Jefferson County household income is 32% above the median U.S. county ($65,681).
| Households earning | Jefferson County | +/- vs Idaho |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 16.1% | -2.9 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 44.8% | +1.1 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 30.8% | +2.9 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 8.2% | -1.0 pts |
The spread is wide: 39% of Jefferson County households make $100,000 or more, and 16% make less than $35,000. 9.7% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 10.6%). Income inequality, measured by the Gini index, comes to 0.375 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 Jefferson County median.
Jefferson County housing compared with Idaho
A typical Jefferson County rental runs $1,138 a month including utilities, which is 8% below Idaho. By the Census definition, 28% of Jefferson County renters are cost-burdened. Home values center on $408,400, or 4.7 years of median income. 83% of Jefferson County households own their home and 17% rent.
| Housing | Jefferson County | Idaho statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $1,138/mo | $1,238/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $408,400 | $418,600 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 83% | 72% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 28% | 47% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 27% | 27% | n/a |
Because most Jefferson 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.
Work, industries and travel time in Jefferson County
The biggest employer of Jefferson County residents, by industry, is education and health care at 25% of workers, followed by construction (12%). Education and health care stands out: 25% of workers here, versus 22% statewide. Averaged over the five survey years, 2.7% of the labor force was out of work and looking. 12% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 8% work from home. Households without a car make up 1.3% of the total (3.7% statewide).
| Top industries | Jefferson County share | +/- vs Idaho |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 24.8% | +2.4 pts |
| Construction | 11.5% | +2.2 pts |
| Retail trade | 10.6% | -1.0 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 9.9% | -0.6 pts |
| Manufacturing | 9.1% | -0.4 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 5.9% | +0.8 pts |
Shorter commutes usually mean lower vehicle costs, which can leave more room for a payment, or for paying a loan off early.
How Jefferson County compares with nearby counties
The six counties whose centers lie closest to Jefferson County's, from 33 to 51 miles away. None of the six report a higher median household income than Jefferson County; Bonneville County is highest at $79,068 and Butte County lowest at $53,015.
| Nearby county | Center to center | Household income | Gross rent | Owner-occupied |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jefferson County | - | $86,679 | $1,138/mo | 83% |
| Madison County, ID | 33 mi | $60,160 | $1,014/mo | 40% |
| Clark County, ID | 34 mi | $55,208 | $773/mo | 61% |
| Bingham County, ID | 40 mi | $77,878 | $874/mo | 81% |
| Butte County, ID | 44 mi | $53,015 | $608/mo | 78% |
| Bonneville County, ID | 45 mi | $79,068 | $1,133/mo | 72% |
| Fremont County, ID | 51 mi | $72,683 | $864/mo | 83% |
Towns and communities in Jefferson County
6 Census places fall mainly inside Jefferson County; the 6 biggest are below. They account for 7,892 residents, leaving about 76% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. Rigby has the highest median household income on the list ($85,056) and Roberts the lowest ($62,188), counting places with at least 500 residents. None of the 6 has its own city guide, so this page covers all of them.
| Place in county | Status | Population (ACS) | Median HH income | Monthly rent | Distance from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rigby | city | 5,404 | $85,056 | $1,180 | 22 mi |
| Menan | city | 876 | $80,833 | $1,313 | 17 mi |
| Roberts | city | 609 | $62,188 | n/a | 11 mi |
| Mud Lake | city | 491 | $69,167 | $1,077 | 9 mi |
| Lewisville | city | 453 | $83,750 | $933 | 17 mi |
| Hamer | city | 59 | $84,167 | n/a | 11 mi |
A Jefferson County household budget, worked through
The debt-to-income ratio is the main affordability test lenders use. Applied to Jefferson County's medians:
- Monthly gross at the median, Jefferson County: $7,223
- 16% goes to median rent ($1,138)
- At 36%, room after rent is $1,462 a month
Two-income households and single earners in Jefferson County land in very different places on this math, so run it for your own budget.
Reading the Jefferson County data as a borrower
Where the Jefferson County numbers stand out, and why it matters for a loan:
- Check your file. An error fixed before you apply can change the offers a Jefferson County borrower sees (free reports).
- Requirements. Lenders weigh credit history, documented income and existing debt (what to gather).
- Fraud. Gift cards, wire transfers or fees to unlock a loan mean walk away (report it).
Jefferson County residents: age, schooling, coverage
College graduates make up 27% of the adult population. 7.8% of residents have no health coverage.
| Residents | Jefferson County | Idaho | Middle U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 32.8 | 37.3 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 27.4% | 31.8% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 6.7% | 8.1% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 7.8% | 9.1% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 1.3% | 3.7% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 7.6% | 13.3% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 9.7% | 10.6% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 2.7% | 3.7% | 4.4% |
| Travel time to work | Workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 24.6% |
| 15 to 29 min | 44.1% |
| 30 to 44 min | 19.2% |
| 45 to 59 min | 3.9% |
| 60+ min | 8.3% |
Lender oversight for Jefferson County
Jefferson County borrowers fall under statewide rules, enforced by the Idaho Department of Finance. A CFPB complaint gets forwarded to the company for a response. The Idaho guide covers state rules in more detail.
A Jefferson County borrower's checklist
A short checklist for Jefferson County borrowers:
- Price the Jefferson County expense first and borrow that amount, no more.
- Shop at least three lenders, including one Jefferson County-area credit union.
- Verify the Idaho license before giving out your Social Security number.
- Keep a small cushion so one surprise bill does not mean another loan.
More guides for Jefferson County
The Idaho guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median household income in Jefferson County?
$86,679 a year in the 2020 to 2024 Census survey, versus $77,800 for Idaho. It ranks 4th of 44 in the state.
How much is rent in Jefferson County?
Median gross rent, utilities included, is $1,138 a month; 28% of renters spend 30% or more of income on it.
Which towns does the Jefferson County guide cover?
Every community in the county, unincorporated areas included. The largest of its 6 Census places: Rigby, Menan, Roberts, Mud Lake, Lewisville.
Does my county matter to the questionnaire?
Only your state does. Whether you live in Jefferson County or elsewhere in Idaho, the same rules apply.
Who regulates personal lenders for Jefferson County residents?
The Idaho Department of Finance licenses consumer lenders in Idaho; the CFPB takes complaints about any lender, and the FTC wants to hear about fee-first offers.