1st Advantage MortgageValley County (12,389 residents) has a $76,078 median household income and $1,117 median rent, by the latest Census five-year survey. Borrow only what the expense needs, pick the shortest affordable term, and walk away from any lender asking a Valley County applicant for an upfront fee.
On this page
- Valley County in brief
- Renting and owning in Valley County
- Work, industries and travel time in Valley County
- The $76,078 median and what sits around it
- Valley County against other Idaho counties
- Counties near Valley County
- Valley County communities by population
- $6,340 a month: the Valley County median budget
- More Valley County figures
- What the numbers mean for Valley County borrowers
- Idaho rules that apply in Valley County
- Checklist for Valley County applicants
- Keep exploring
- Frequently asked questions
Valley County in brief
Roughly 12,389 residents live in Valley County, Idaho, 28th by population among the state's 44 counties and county equivalents. Density: about 3.4 residents per square mile across 3,665 square miles of land. Metro status: none; Valley County sits outside the 2023 OMB metro areas. Of the 5 Census places inside Valley County, McCall leads by population with about 3,946; 3 of the 5 are incorporated.
Renting and owning in Valley County
Renters in Valley County pay a median of $1,117 a month, 10% below the Idaho figure of $1,238. Cost-burdened renters, paying 30%-plus of income: 22% in Valley County, 47% statewide. Home values center on $657,000, or 8.6 years of median income. In Valley County, 82% of occupied homes are owned by the people living in them. Half the housing stock was built before 1992. Nationally, Valley County's $1,117 rent is 27% above the middle county.
| Measure | Valley County | Idaho | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $1,117/mo | $1,238/mo | 10% lower |
| Median home value | $657,000 | $418,600 | 57% higher |
| Owners | 82% | 72% | +9.7 pts |
| Rent-burdened renters | 22% | 47% | -24.6 pts |
| Burdened owners | 40% | 27% | +12.1 pts |
| Mobile homes | 7.0% | 6.9% | +0.1 pts |
| Vacant units | 66% | 10% | +56.2 pts |
Because most Valley 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 Valley County
Education and health care (26%), construction (15%) and professional and administrative services (11%) lead Valley County's job mix. Compared with Idaho, the county leans toward construction (15% against 9%). Averaged over the five survey years, 4.8% of the labor force was out of work and looking. 50% of Valley County workers get to work in under 15 minutes, while 10% need 45 or more.
| Industry (employed residents 16+) | Valley County | Gap to Idaho |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 25.7% | +3.3 pts |
| Construction | 15.4% | +6.1 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 11.1% | +0.6 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 10.9% | +2.2 pts |
| Public administration | 9.2% | +4.3 pts |
| Retail trade | 7.8% | -3.8 pts |
Self-employed in Valley County? Two years of tax returns usually stand in for pay stubs.
The $76,078 median and what sits around it
Median household income in Valley County: $76,078 (2% below Idaho, $77,800).
| Income band | Share in Valley County | Difference from Idaho |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 21.1% | +2.1 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 40.9% | -2.9 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 28.2% | +0.2 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 9.8% | +0.6 pts |
21% under $35,000 and 38% at $100,000 or more: that is the Valley County income split. Valley County counts about 1,448 residents below the poverty line, 11.7% of the population. The Gini index of income inequality is 0.486 (0 is perfect equality). If your income is irregular, as it often is with tips, gig work or seasonal jobs, plan around your leaner months rather than the Valley County median.
Valley County against other Idaho counties
- The share of renters paying 30% or more of income for rent: 22% in Valley County, the lowest of 44 in Idaho. Lower rent burdens mean more renters have slack, but test your own numbers.
- On the housing vacancy rate, Valley County sits near the top of Idaho at 66%, the highest of 44. High vacancy often reflects seasonal or second homes.
- Median home value: $657,000 in Valley County. Only 2 of 44 Idaho counties are higher. High values mean many owners could borrow against equity; weigh that risk carefully.
Counties near Valley County
Six nearby counties, 41 to 78 miles away by the straight-line distance between their centers. 1 of the six report a higher median household income than Valley County; Boise County is highest at $78,774 and Washington County lowest at $54,000.
| County | Miles | Median household income | Median rent | Homeownership |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Valley County | - | $76,078 | $1,117/mo | 82% |
| Adams County, ID | 41 mi | $61,808 | $830/mo | 85% |
| Boise County, ID | 60 mi | $78,774 | $850/mo | 90% |
| Washington County, ID | 64 mi | $54,000 | $938/mo | 75% |
| Gem County, ID | 67 mi | $64,605 | $1,038/mo | 76% |
| Idaho County, ID | 69 mi | $66,325 | $789/mo | 81% |
| Custer County, ID | 78 mi | $67,574 | $691/mo | 77% |
Valley County communities by population
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 43% of Valley County residents live in one of the 5. McCall and every other Valley County community use this county guide.
| Town or CDP | Type | People | Median household income | Median gross rent | Miles from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| McCall | city | 3,946 | $60,253 | $1,134 | 24 mi |
| Cascade | city | 1,118 | $53,750 | n/a | 32 mi |
| Donnelly | city | 195 | n/a | $950 | 24 mi |
| Smiths Ferry | CDP | 66 | $87,292 | n/a | 45 mi |
| Yellow Pine | CDP | 17 | n/a | n/a | 10 mi |
$6,340 a month: the Valley County median budget
Valley County at the medians, through a lender's eyes (what DTI means):
- Median income divided by twelve: $6,340 before taxes
- Rent at the median, $1,117, takes 18% of that
- With a 43% ceiling, about $1,609 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
Lenders set their own limits and look beyond the ratio. The DTI calculator uses your figures instead of Valley County's.
More Valley County figures
In Valley County, 40% of adults have at least a four-year degree (32% in Idaho). Health coverage gaps: 8.8% of Valley County residents are uninsured.
| Valley County | vs Idaho | vs U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 46.9 | +9.6 yrs | +5.4 yrs |
| Bachelor's or higher | 40.1% | +8.3 pts | +18.0 pts |
| No high school diploma | 9.0% | +0.9 pts | n/a |
| No health insurance | 8.8% | -0.2 pts | +1.0 pts |
| No vehicle | 4.2% | +0.5 pts | -1.3 pts |
| Work from home | 16.9% | +3.6 pts | +8.2 pts |
| Poverty rate | 11.7% | +1.1 pts | -1.5 pts |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 4.8% | +1.0 pts | +0.4 pts |
| Minutes to work | Valley County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 49.9% |
| 15 to 29 min | 31.9% |
| 30 to 44 min | 7.9% |
| 45 to 59 min | 5.4% |
| 60+ min | 4.8% |
What the numbers mean for Valley County borrowers
The county's numbers point to a few situations that come up often for Valley County borrowers.
- Age 46.9 at the median. Many Valley County applicants document income with award letters; ask about early payoff.
- Consolidating cards in Valley County. Compare the total repaid, not the monthly figure (how).
- Fraud. Gift cards, wire transfers or fees to unlock a loan mean walk away (report it).
Idaho rules that apply in Valley County
No county office licenses personal lenders. For Valley County, check the Idaho Department of Finance. If a Valley County lender ignores a dispute, the CFPB complaint portal is the federal backstop. Statewide data and rules: Idaho guide.
Checklist for Valley County applicants
A short checklist for Valley County borrowers:
- 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.
- Read the final agreement; it must match the offer.
Keep exploring
Next step up from Valley County:
Frequently asked questions
What is the median household income in Valley County?
$76,078 a year in the 2020 to 2024 Census survey, versus $77,800 for Idaho. It ranks 10th of 44 in the state.
Can a Valley County renter afford a loan payment?
At the $1,117 median rent and $6,340 median monthly income, rent alone uses 18%; add other debts before a new payment.
Is home equity cheaper than a personal loan in Valley County?
Often, because the home secures it. With 82% of Valley County homes owner-occupied, weigh that lower cost against the risk to the house.
I live near McCall. Which guide is mine?
This one. McCall and the rest of Valley County have no separate city guide.
Does my county matter to the questionnaire?
Only your state does. Whether you live in Valley County or elsewhere in Idaho, the same rules apply.