1st Advantage MortgageAbout 76% of Lewis County homes are owner-occupied, and the median household income is $51,615. 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
- Lewis County, ID: the basics
- The Lewis County job picture
- Paychecks and income spread in Lewis County
- Housing costs in Lewis County
- Counties near Lewis County
- Towns and communities in Lewis County
- What a median Lewis County budget can carry
- Local borrowing considerations for Lewis County
- People and households in Lewis County
- Checklist for Lewis County applicants
- Who licenses lenders for Lewis County residents
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
Lewis County, ID: the basics
Roughly 3,682 residents live in Lewis County, Idaho, 41st by population among the state's 44 counties and county equivalents. It covers 479 square miles of land, or about 8 people per square mile. It sits outside every metropolitan statistical area in the July 2023 OMB delineation. The Census Bureau counts 5 places in the county (5 incorporated, 0 census-designated); the largest is Kamiah, with about 1,084 residents, or 29% of the county. Because Lewis County is small, the survey's margins of error are wide; treat the numbers as approximate.
The Lewis County job picture
The biggest employer of Lewis County residents, by industry, is education and health care at 24% of workers, followed by agriculture, forestry and mining (14%). Agriculture, forestry and mining stands out: 14% of workers here, versus 4% statewide. ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 2.4% in Lewis County. 13% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 13% work from home. Only 3.4% of homes here go without a vehicle.
| Industry (employed residents 16+) | Lewis County | Gap to Idaho |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 23.6% | +1.2 pts |
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 14.1% | +10.1 pts |
| Manufacturing | 10.9% | +1.5 pts |
| Construction | 8.8% | -0.5 pts |
| Other services | 7.5% | +2.9 pts |
| Public administration | 7.1% | +2.3 pts |
Industry shapes paperwork. Salaried and public jobs are easy to verify, while hourly, tipped, commission or contract earners in Lewis County should have bank statements and tax returns ready.
Paychecks and income spread in Lewis County
The median household income in Lewis County is $51,615; statewide it is $77,800, so Lewis County runs 34% below Idaho as a whole.
| Income band | Share in Lewis County | Difference from Idaho |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 32.5% | +13.4 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 45.7% | +2.0 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 19.5% | -8.5 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 2.3% | -6.9 pts |
About 32% of households earn under $35,000, while 22% clear $100,000. The poverty rate is 15.3%, 5 points higher than the state's 10.6%. The Gini index of income inequality is 0.471 (0 is perfect equality). Income from any regular source can count, including Social Security, pensions and disability benefits, as long as you can document it.
Housing costs in Lewis County
A typical Lewis County rental runs $737 a month including utilities, which is 40% below Idaho. By the Census definition, 31% of Lewis County renters are cost-burdened. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $225,300, about 4.4 times the median household income. The ownership rate is 76%.
| Home costs | Lewis County | Idaho | U.S. middle county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $737/mo | $1,238/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $225,300 | $418,600 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 76% | 72% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 31% | 47% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 39% | 27% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 12.5% | 6.9% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 14% | 10% | 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).
Counties near Lewis County
Six nearby counties, 17 to 55 miles away by the straight-line distance between their centers. Income ranges from $60,000 in Clearwater County to $72,599 in Nez Perce County; all six of these neighbors top Lewis County's median. Some neighbors are in Washington. Lender licensing is state by state, so a loan for a Lewis County resident follows Idaho rules.
| County | Distance | Median income | Median rent | Owners |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lewis County | - | $51,615 | $737/mo | 76% |
| Nez Perce County, ID | 17 mi | $72,599 | $1,015/mo | 70% |
| Asotin County, WA | 39 mi | $72,283 | $1,043/mo | 73% |
| Latah County, ID | 43 mi | $65,424 | $929/mo | 59% |
| Clearwater County, ID | 47 mi | $60,000 | $875/mo | 83% |
| Idaho County, ID | 53 mi | $66,325 | $789/mo | 81% |
| Garfield County, WA | 55 mi | $64,884 | $791/mo | 77% |
Towns and communities in Lewis County
Here are the 5 most populous of the county's 5 Census places, with income and rent from the same 2020 to 2024 survey. About 67% of Lewis County residents live in one of the 5. Nezperce has the highest median household income on the list ($62,857) and Kamiah the lowest ($36,071), counting places with at least 500 residents. Median rent ranges from $525 in Nezperce to $959 in Craigmont. No Lewis County place has a separate guide yet; this county page serves all 5.
| Community | Type | Residents | Household income (median) | Rent (median) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kamiah | city | 1,084 | $36,071 | $543 | 19 mi |
| Nezperce | city | 522 | $62,857 | $525 | 9 mi |
| Craigmont | city | 509 | $60,000 | $959 | 2 mi |
| Winchester | city | 302 | $45,208 | $817 | 10 mi |
| Reubens | city | 68 | $76,250 | n/a | 8 mi |
What a median Lewis County budget can carry
Lewis County at the medians, through a lender's eyes (what DTI means):
- $51,615 a year is $4,301 of gross monthly income
- Less median rent of $737, which is 17% of it
- With a 40% ceiling, about $984 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
If your rent is above $737, the room shrinks dollar for dollar.
Local borrowing considerations for Lewis County
The county's numbers point to a few situations that come up often for Lewis County borrowers.
- Hospital bills in Lewis County. For the 11% of residents without coverage, the provider's charity-care program comes before any loan (details).
- 13% mobile homes. Many are not titled as real estate, so home-equity options may not apply; an unsecured loan is the usual route.
- Retirees. At a median age of 49.0, many borrowers here rely on award letters as proof of income; favor no prepayment penalty.
People and households in Lewis County
21% of Lewis County adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or more. 11.1% of residents have no health coverage.
| Lewis County | Idaho | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 49.0 | 37.3 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 21.3% | 31.8% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 8.6% | 8.1% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 11.1% | 9.1% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 3.4% | 3.7% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 12.6% | 13.3% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 15.3% | 10.6% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 2.4% | 3.7% | 4.4% |
| Minutes to work | Lewis County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 47.5% |
| 15 to 29 min | 19.8% |
| 30 to 44 min | 19.9% |
| 45 to 59 min | 3.7% |
| 60+ min | 9.1% |
Checklist for Lewis County applicants
Steps that save money for Lewis County residents:
- Size the loan to the bill, not to the most a lender offers.
- Compare the total repaid on every offer, not just the payment.
- Verify the Idaho license before giving out your Social Security number.
- Keep a small cushion so one surprise bill does not mean another loan.
Who licenses lenders for Lewis County residents
Before sharing details with a lender, a Lewis County resident can confirm its license with the Idaho Department of Finance. Problems with a lender can also go to the CFPB. See the Idaho state guide for the statewide picture.
Related local guides
For statewide rules and data, see the Idaho guide.
Frequently asked questions
How much do households in Lewis County earn?
The median is $51,615; 22% earn $100,000 or more and 32% under $35,000. A lender uses your own documented income, not this figure.
Is Lewis County expensive for renters?
Median rent is $737 against $1,238 statewide, and 31% of renter households are cost-burdened.
Does this page cover Kamiah?
Yes, along with the other 4 Census places in Lewis County, such as Nezperce, Craigmont, Winchester.
Does living in Lewis County change what I qualify for?
Not in our fit check, which uses only the amount, credit range, income and payments you enter, the same for a Lewis County resident as anyone. Lenders decide under fair-lending law.
Who regulates personal lenders for Lewis 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.