1st Advantage MortgagePower County households have a median income of $61,146 and median rent of $767 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
- Power County, ID: the basics
- Paychecks and income spread in Power County
- Rent, home values and ownership in Power County
- How Power County residents earn a living
- Cities, towns and CDPs in Power County
- Neighboring counties at a glance
- A Power County household budget, worked through
- Power County households compared
- Before borrowing in Power County
- Lender oversight for Power County
- Steps before you apply in Power County
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
Power County, ID: the basics
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Power County's population at 8,133; only 33 of Idaho's 44 county-level areas are larger. Spread over 1,404 square miles, that works out to roughly 5.8 residents per square mile. It sits outside every metropolitan statistical area in the July 2023 OMB delineation. Of the 3 Census places inside Power County, American Falls leads by population with about 4,712; 2 of the 3 are incorporated. Because Power County is small, the survey's margins of error are wide; treat the numbers as approximate.
Paychecks and income spread in Power County
Power County households have a median income of $61,146 (ACS 2020 to 2024), which ranks 34th of 44 in Idaho.
| Band | Power County | Compared with Idaho |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 21.1% | +2.1 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 51.5% | +7.7 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 26.4% | -1.6 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 1.0% | -8.2 pts |
The spread is wide: 27% of Power County households make $100,000 or more, and 21% make less than $35,000. Census counts 9.5% of Power County residents in poverty, against 10.6% across Idaho. None of these numbers decides a Power County application. Lenders weigh your own documented income against your own debts.
Rent, home values and ownership in Power County
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $767 in Power County versus $1,238 statewide. 32% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 25% spend half or more. Home values center on $212,900, or 3.5 years of median income. The ownership rate is 74%. The median home was built in 1975, so roofs, wiring and heating systems are a common source of repair bills.
| Power County | Idaho | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $767/mo | $1,238/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $212,900 | $418,600 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 74% | 72% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 32% | 47% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 24% | 27% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 5% | 10% | n/a |
In an owner-heavy county like Power County, many borrowers can also choose a home equity loan or line of credit. Those can price lower but put the house on the line, so compare the two in writing; our personal loan vs. HELOC guide walks through it.
How Power County residents earn a living
Agriculture, forestry and mining employs 30% of working residents, the largest share; education and health care is next with 20%. The sharpest difference from the state is in agriculture, forestry and mining, at 30% locally and 4% for Idaho. The survey's unemployment rate for Power County averages 5.6% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 3.7%). Long commutes are the exception here: 3% of workers spend 45 minutes or longer getting to work.
| Top industries | Power County share | +/- vs Idaho |
|---|---|---|
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 30.0% | +26.1 pts |
| Education and health care | 19.6% | -2.8 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 12.1% | +7.1 pts |
| Manufacturing | 8.3% | -1.1 pts |
| Construction | 5.8% | -3.5 pts |
| Retail trade | 4.7% | -6.9 pts |
If your hours swing with the season or with overtime, size a loan payment against your base pay, not your best month.
Cities, towns and CDPs in Power County
The table lists the 3 largest of 3 Census places in Power County, by population. Together all 3 hold about 5,502 people, so roughly 32% of residents live outside any named place. None of the 3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| American Falls | city | 4,712 | $57,783 | $737 | 6 mi |
| Arbon Valley | CDP | 562 | $61,750 | n/a | 19 mi |
| Rockland | city | 228 | $60,395 | n/a | 8 mi |
Neighboring counties at a glance
Bannock County is closest, 31 miles from center to center; the sixth, Franklin County, is 63 miles off. All of the six report a higher median household income than Power County; Bingham County is highest at $77,878 and Bannock County lowest at $66,499.
| County | Miles | Median household income | Median rent | Homeownership |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Power County | - | $61,146 | $767/mo | 74% |
| Bannock County, ID | 31 mi | $66,499 | $960/mo | 70% |
| Oneida County, ID | 39 mi | $74,954 | $859/mo | 88% |
| Minidoka County, ID | 42 mi | $70,377 | $900/mo | 69% |
| Bingham County, ID | 43 mi | $77,878 | $874/mo | 81% |
| Cassia County, ID | 49 mi | $70,830 | $1,000/mo | 69% |
| Franklin County, ID | 63 mi | $71,950 | $894/mo | 78% |
A Power County household budget, worked through
Here is the Power County median household run through a simple DTI check. Your numbers will differ.
- Median income divided by twelve: $5,096 before taxes
- Housing at the median rent of $767 uses 15%
- 35% debt-to-income limit: $1,016 left for all other debt payments
- At 45%, room after rent is $1,526 a month
If your rent is above $767, the room shrinks dollar for dollar.
Power County households compared
15% of Power County adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or more. 14.9% of residents have no health coverage.
| Indicator | Power County | All of Idaho | U.S. county median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 34.6 | 37.3 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 15.3% | 31.8% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 12.2% | 8.1% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 14.9% | 9.1% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 3.2% | 3.7% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 9.7% | 13.3% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 9.5% | 10.6% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 5.6% | 3.7% | 4.4% |
| Commute length | Power County |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 50.7% |
| 15 to 29 min | 30.5% |
| 30 to 44 min | 15.8% |
| 45 to 59 min | 1.9% |
| 60+ min | 1.1% |
Before borrowing in Power County
What the Power County figures suggest, and what to check first:
- Hospital bills in Power County. For the 15% of residents without coverage, the provider's charity-care program comes before any loan (details).
- 21% mobile homes. Many are not titled as real estate, so home-equity options may not apply; an unsecured loan is the usual route.
- Requirements. Lenders weigh credit history, documented income and existing debt (what to gather).
Lender oversight for Power County
Before sharing details with a lender, a Power 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.
Steps before you apply in Power County
Before you apply, wherever you live in Power County:
- Borrow the amount the job needs; extra cash adds interest.
- Prequalify with soft pulls where offered, then compare in writing.
- Check the license, then the reviews, then the offer.
- Pick the shortest term whose payment still fits.
Related local guides
For statewide rules and data, see the Idaho guide.
Frequently asked questions
How much do households in Power County earn?
The median is $61,146; 27% earn $100,000 or more and 21% under $35,000. A lender uses your own documented income, not this figure.
Is Power County expensive for renters?
Median rent is $767 against $1,238 statewide, and 32% of renter households are cost-burdened.
Should Power County homeowners use home equity instead?
Maybe, but weigh the risk: 74% of Power County homes are owner-occupied, and a home-equity loan or line is secured by the house while a personal loan usually is not.
What are the biggest places in Power County?
By population: American Falls, Arbon Valley, Rockland. The county has 3 Census places in all.
Does my county matter to the questionnaire?
Only your state does. Whether you live in Power County or elsewhere in Idaho, the same rules apply.