1st Advantage MortgageLincoln County households have a median income of $71,453 and median rent of $1,021 a month (ACS 2020 to 2024). For a Lincoln County borrower, the useful steps are the same anywhere: price the need, gather three written offers, and check the Idaho license.
On this page
- Lincoln County by the numbers
- Lincoln County against other Idaho counties
- Work, industries and travel time in Lincoln County
- Where Lincoln County households live
- Household income in Lincoln County
- Places inside Lincoln County
- Nearby counties: income, rent, ownership
- Debt-to-income, Lincoln County edition
- Borrowing situations common in Lincoln County
- Who lives in Lincoln County, in numbers
- Four steps for Lincoln County borrowers
- Lender oversight for Lincoln County
- Beyond Lincoln County
- Frequently asked questions
Lincoln County by the numbers
Lincoln County is home to about 5,358 people, according to the Census Bureau's 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey, which makes it the 37th most populous of 44 county-level areas in Idaho. Spread over 1,201 square miles, that works out to roughly 4.5 residents per square mile. Under the July 2023 OMB definitions, Lincoln County is not part of any metropolitan area. The Census Bureau counts 3 places in the county (3 incorporated, 0 census-designated); the largest is Shoshone, with about 1,911 residents, or 36% of the county. At 5,358 people, Lincoln County is a small survey sample, so small differences in these figures may be noise.
Lincoln County against other Idaho counties
The 3 Lincoln County numbers that rank furthest from typical in Idaho, and what each means for a borrower:
- On households without a vehicle, Lincoln County sits near the bottom of Idaho at 1.1%, the lowest of 43. Nearly every household has a vehicle, so repair costs are a common reason to borrow.
- Few Idaho counties match Lincoln County on the share of adults with a bachelor's degree: 11% here, 32% for the state, ranking the lowest of 44. Lenders weigh income and credit, not schooling.
- Lincoln County ranks 3rd lowest of 44 Idaho counties for the share of workers who work from home: 5.3%, against 13.3% statewide. Most workers travel to a job here, so commuting costs are part of the budget.
Work, industries and travel time in Lincoln County
Construction (20%), education and health care (16%) and manufacturing (13%) lead Lincoln County's job mix. The sharpest difference from the state is in construction, at 20% locally and 9% for Idaho. ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 4.9% in Lincoln County. Long commutes are common here: 36% of workers spend 45 minutes or longer getting to work. 1.1% of households have no vehicle.
| Industry | Share of Lincoln County workers | vs Idaho |
|---|---|---|
| Construction | 19.5% | +10.2 pts |
| Education and health care | 15.8% | -6.6 pts |
| Manufacturing | 13.2% | +3.8 pts |
| Retail trade | 12.2% | +0.6 pts |
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 11.0% | +7.1 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 7.6% | -3.0 pts |
Where long drives are the norm, a car repair is one of the most common surprise bills. A small repair fund can keep a breakdown from turning into a loan.
Where Lincoln County households live
$1,021 a month is the median gross rent in Lincoln County, 18% below the state. Cost-burdened renters, paying 30%-plus of income: 43% in Lincoln County, 47% statewide. Lincoln County homes are worth $255,600 at the median, a 3.6-to-1 ratio to income. In Lincoln County, 79% of occupied homes are owned by the people living in them. Half the housing stock was built before 1985. Against the median U.S. county, Lincoln County rent is 16% above.
| Home costs | Lincoln County | Idaho | Compared with Idaho |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mobile homes | 18.3% | 6.9% | +11.3 pts |
| Burdened owners | 36% | 27% | +9.0 pts |
| Owners | 79% | 72% | +6.8 pts |
| Median home value | $255,600 | $418,600 | 39% lower |
| Rent-burdened renters | 43% | 47% | -3.5 pts |
| Vacant units | 7% | 10% | -3.2 pts |
| Median gross rent | $1,021/mo | $1,238/mo | 18% lower |
Lincoln County owners: get one secured and one unsecured quote, then compare the total cost and what you would put up as collateral (side by side).
Household income in Lincoln County
Lincoln County households have a median income of $71,453 (ACS 2020 to 2024), which ranks 17th of 44 in Idaho.
| Household income | Lincoln County | vs Idaho |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 18.8% | -0.3 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 54.8% | +11.0 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 23.4% | -4.5 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 3.0% | -6.2 pts |
On the low end, 19% of Lincoln County households report under $35,000; at the top, 26% report $100,000-plus. 10.5% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 10.6%). Income inequality, measured by the Gini index, comes to 0.371 here. Income from any regular source can count, including Social Security, pensions and disability benefits, as long as you can document it.
Places inside Lincoln County
2,918 of Lincoln County's 5,358 residents live in its 3 Census places (54%); the 3 largest are listed. This guide covers each of the 3 places and the rural areas around them.
| Town or CDP | Type | People | Median household income | Median gross rent | Miles from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shoshone | city | 1,911 | $69,392 | $1,031 | 13 mi |
| Richfield | city | 586 | $67,500 | $761 | 4 mi |
| Dietrich | city | 421 | $73,750 | $967 | 8 mi |
Nearby counties: income, rent, ownership
Jerome County is closest, 21 miles from center to center; the sixth, Twin Falls County, is 51 miles off. Richest neighbor: Blaine County, $92,566. Poorest: Camas County, $57,955. Lincoln County: $71,453.
| County | Distance | Median income | Median rent | Owners |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lincoln County | - | $71,453 | $1,021/mo | 79% |
| Jerome County, ID | 21 mi | $71,724 | $966/mo | 75% |
| Minidoka County, ID | 28 mi | $70,377 | $900/mo | 69% |
| Blaine County, ID | 30 mi | $92,566 | $1,338/mo | 74% |
| Gooding County, ID | 34 mi | $63,559 | $880/mo | 71% |
| Camas County, ID | 47 mi | $57,955 | $1,000/mo | 80% |
| Twin Falls County, ID | 51 mi | $67,409 | $1,089/mo | 70% |
Debt-to-income, Lincoln County edition
The debt-to-income ratio is the main affordability test lenders use. Applied to Lincoln County's medians:
- $5,954 a month: gross income for a household at the Lincoln County median
- 17% goes to median rent ($1,021)
- With a 36% ceiling, about $1,123 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
Homeowners in Lincoln County should swap in their mortgage, taxes and insurance for rent.
Borrowing situations common in Lincoln County
Based on the Lincoln County data above, these borrowing questions are most likely to matter locally.
- Care without coverage. About 637 Lincoln County residents lack insurance; check charity care before a loan (how).
- Vehicle repairs. 36% of Lincoln County workers commute 45+ minutes, so a breakdown can cost a paycheck. Get two written estimates.
- Repairs on manufactured housing. With 18% of homes here, compare a personal loan with any dealer or park repair program.
Who lives in Lincoln County, in numbers
11% of Lincoln County adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or more. 11.9% of residents have no health coverage.
| Measure | Lincoln County | Gap to Idaho | Gap to typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 37.2 | -0.1 yrs | -4.3 yrs |
| Bachelor's or higher | 11.1% | -20.7 pts | -11.1 pts |
| No high school diploma | 16.0% | +7.8 pts | n/a |
| No health insurance | 11.9% | +2.8 pts | +4.0 pts |
| No vehicle | 1.1% | -2.6 pts | -4.3 pts |
| Work from home | 5.3% | -8.0 pts | -3.4 pts |
| Poverty rate | 10.5% | -0.1 pts | -2.7 pts |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 4.9% | +1.2 pts | +0.5 pts |
| Trip time | Share |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 29.9% |
| 15 to 29 min | 15.1% |
| 30 to 44 min | 18.5% |
| 45 to 59 min | 19.7% |
| 60+ min | 16.8% |
Four steps for Lincoln County borrowers
Before you apply, wherever you live in Lincoln County:
- Borrow the amount the job needs; extra cash adds interest.
- Prequalify with soft pulls where offered, then compare in writing.
- Look the lender up with the state regulator first.
- Never pay a fee up front to get a loan.
Lender oversight for Lincoln County
Before sharing details with a lender, a Lincoln County resident can confirm its license with the Idaho Department of Finance. Banks and credit unions have their own regulators, and the CFPB takes complaints about any lender. Statewide data and rules: Idaho guide.
Beyond Lincoln County
For statewide rules and data, see the Idaho guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median household income in Lincoln County?
$71,453 a year in the 2020 to 2024 Census survey, versus $77,800 for Idaho. It ranks 17th of 44 in the state.
What is the median rent in Lincoln County, ID?
$1,021 a month, utilities included, or $12,252 a year.
Is home equity cheaper than a personal loan in Lincoln County?
Often, because the home secures it. With 79% of Lincoln County homes owner-occupied, weigh that lower cost against the risk to the house.
Is Dietrich covered?
Yes. Dietrich is one of 3 Census places in Lincoln County, and this guide covers all of them.
Can Lincoln 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.