1st Advantage MortgageMinidoka County households have a median income of $70,377 and median rent of $900 a month (ACS 2020 to 2024). A loan makes sense only if its total cost beats your alternatives and the payment fits your budget. Check the lender's Idaho license first.
On this page
- Getting oriented in Minidoka County
- Paychecks and income spread in Minidoka County
- Renting and owning in Minidoka County
- Employment and commuting in Minidoka County
- Neighboring counties at a glance
- The communities that make up Minidoka County
- Budget math at the Minidoka County median
- Borrowing situations common in Minidoka County
- People and households in Minidoka County
- Who licenses lenders for Minidoka County residents
- Before you sign
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
Getting oriented in Minidoka County
Minidoka County is home to about 22,208 people, according to the Census Bureau's 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey, which makes it the 18th most populous of 44 county-level areas in Idaho. It covers 757 square miles of land, or about 29 people per square mile. It sits outside every metropolitan statistical area in the July 2023 OMB delineation. Of the 5 Census places inside Minidoka County, Rupert leads by population with about 6,190; 5 of the 5 are incorporated.
Paychecks and income spread in Minidoka County
The median household income in Minidoka County is $70,377; statewide it is $77,800, so Minidoka County runs 10% below Idaho as a whole.
| Yearly household income | Minidoka County | Gap to Idaho |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 23.8% | +4.7 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 45.0% | +1.3 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 26.1% | -1.9 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 5.1% | -4.2 pts |
About 24% of households earn under $35,000, while 31% clear $100,000. The poverty rate is 14.5%, 4 points higher than the state's 10.6%. Income inequality, measured by the Gini index, comes to 0.442 here. For a borrower in Minidoka County, the county median is only context: a lender looks at the income you can document, so pay stubs, benefit letters or tax returns matter more than any average.
Renting and owning in Minidoka County
Renters in Minidoka County pay a median of $900 a month, 27% below the Idaho figure of $1,238. 36% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 18% spend half or more. Home values center on $262,600, or 3.7 years of median income. The ownership rate is 69%.
| Home costs | Minidoka County | Idaho | U.S. middle county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $900/mo | $1,238/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $262,600 | $418,600 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 69% | 72% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 36% | 47% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 26% | 27% | n/a |
Employment and commuting in Minidoka County
By the Census industry count, 18% of employed Minidoka County residents work in manufacturing and 16% in education and health care. The sharpest difference from the state is in agriculture, forestry and mining, at 13% locally and 4% for Idaho. ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 3.4% in Minidoka County. About 81% drive to work alone and 5% have trips of 45 minutes or more.
| Industry (employed residents 16+) | Minidoka County | Gap to Idaho |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing | 18.1% | +8.6 pts |
| Education and health care | 15.7% | -6.7 pts |
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 13.2% | +9.3 pts |
| Retail trade | 11.5% | -0.1 pts |
| Other services | 8.7% | +4.1 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 6.4% | -4.1 pts |
A lender verifies what your own job pays. The county's industry mix tells you about the local economy, not about your application.
Neighboring counties at a glance
Nearest neighbors first, measured between county centers (28 to 60 miles). Blaine County leads the group on income ($92,566), Power County trails ($61,146), and Minidoka County out-earns 2 of the six.
| County | Miles | Median household income | Median rent | Homeownership |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minidoka County | - | $70,377 | $900/mo | 69% |
| Lincoln County, ID | 28 mi | $71,453 | $1,021/mo | 79% |
| Jerome County, ID | 34 mi | $71,724 | $966/mo | 75% |
| Cassia County, ID | 40 mi | $70,830 | $1,000/mo | 69% |
| Blaine County, ID | 40 mi | $92,566 | $1,338/mo | 74% |
| Power County, ID | 42 mi | $61,146 | $767/mo | 74% |
| Gooding County, ID | 60 mi | $63,559 | $880/mo | 71% |
The communities that make up Minidoka County
The table lists the 5 largest of 5 Census places in Minidoka County, by population. Together all 5 hold about 11,801 people, so roughly 47% of residents live outside any named place. Paul has the highest median household income on the list ($66,500) and Rupert the lowest ($54,741), counting places with at least 500 residents. This guide covers each of the 5 places and the rural areas around them.
| Name | Kind | Pop. | Income | Rent | Miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rupert | city | 6,190 | $54,741 | $856 | 17 mi |
| Heyburn | city | 3,693 | $64,179 | $996 | 21 mi |
| Paul | city | 1,586 | $66,500 | $828 | 19 mi |
| Minidoka | city | 179 | $41,736 | $1,333 | 10 mi |
| Acequia | city | 153 | n/a | $1,188 | 13 mi |
Budget math at the Minidoka County median
The debt-to-income ratio is the main affordability test lenders use. Applied to Minidoka County's medians:
- $70,377 a year is $5,865 of gross monthly income
- Less median rent of $900, which is 15% of it
- 36% debt-to-income limit: $1,211 left for all other debt payments
If your rent is above $900, the room shrinks dollar for dollar.
Borrowing situations common in Minidoka County
A few patterns in the Minidoka County data, and the practical point behind each:
- Medical bills. 13% of Minidoka County residents are uninsured. Before borrowing for care, ask the provider about financial assistance and payment plans.
- Scams. A fee demanded before funding is a red flag; report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov (spotting scams).
- Getting ready. Gather pay stubs or benefit letters before you apply (checklist).
People and households in Minidoka County
College graduates make up 16% of the adult population. About 13% go without health insurance.
| Measure | Minidoka County | Idaho statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 34.9 | 37.3 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 15.7% | 31.8% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 17.0% | 8.1% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 13.4% | 9.1% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 5.6% | 3.7% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 4.7% | 13.3% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 14.5% | 10.6% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 3.4% | 3.7% | 4.4% |
| Commute length | Minidoka County |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 43.1% |
| 15 to 29 min | 42.2% |
| 30 to 44 min | 10.2% |
| 45 to 59 min | 1.6% |
| 60+ min | 2.9% |
Who licenses lenders for Minidoka County residents
No county office licenses personal lenders. For Minidoka County, check the Idaho Department of Finance. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau accepts complaints nationwide. The Idaho guide covers state rules in more detail.
Before you sign
Before you apply, wherever you live in Minidoka County:
- Get a written quote for whatever you are paying for in Minidoka County.
- Line up offers side by side: APR, fees in dollars, total cost.
- A Idaho license check takes minutes; do it first.
- Keep a small cushion so one surprise bill does not mean another loan.
Related local guides
The Idaho guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median household income in Minidoka County?
$70,377 a year in the 2020 to 2024 Census survey, versus $77,800 for Idaho. It ranks 19th of 44 in the state.
How much is rent in Minidoka County?
Median gross rent, utilities included, is $900 a month; 36% of renters spend 30% or more of income on it.
What are the biggest places in Minidoka County?
By population: Rupert, Heyburn, Paul, Minidoka, Acequia. The county has 5 Census places in all.
Does living in Minidoka 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 Minidoka County resident as anyone. Lenders decide under fair-lending law.
Who regulates personal lenders for Minidoka 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.