Ada County, Idaho

County Distress Index: Normal · 35.7 | 524,673 people · 23rd most distressed in Idaho
American Default Research

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Ada County, ID falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 35.7 — 2439th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Housing Cost Burden, where a large share of households spend more than 30% of income on housing. Within Idaho, it ranks 23rd of 44 counties. Among its 5 neighboring counties, 3 show more distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Ada County's primary driver is Housing Cost Burden at 71.2 — above the national median.

Housing Cost Burden Primary driver 71.2
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 80
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 63
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 79
Homeownership Rate 65
Economic Vitality 55.9
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 72
Rent-to-Income Ratio 58
Business Formation Rate 8
House Price Change (YoY) 63
Legal Distress 44.8
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 45
Consumer Credit Distress 21.1
Debt in Collections 15
Medical Debt 34
Auto Loan Delinquency 27
Credit Card Delinquency 14
Uninsured Rate 37
Subprime Credit Population 14
Structural Poverty 9.7
Unemployment Rate 27
Poverty Rate 7
Income vs. State Median 9
Child Poverty Rate 4
Disability Rate 11
Transfer Income Dependency 6

Scores are percentile-based: 50 = national median, higher = more distressed.

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Ada County
Ada County, ID 35.7 Normal —
Canyon County, ID 54.8 Elevated +19.1
Owyhee County, ID 52.9 Elevated +17.3
Elmore County, ID 43.4 Normal +7.7
Gem County, ID 34.7 Healthy -1.0
Boise County, ID 29.1 Healthy -6.5

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Ada County
Norfolk County, MA 35.3 Normal -0.4
Lake County, IL 36.1 Normal +0.4
Dakota County, MN 36.1 Normal +0.4
Dane County, WI 35.0 Healthy -0.7
Utah County, UT 36.5 Normal +0.8

Download Data

Export all distress indicators for Ada County as a CSV file.

Find Help in Ada County

HUD-Approved Housing Counselors

Free foreclosure prevention and financial counseling near Ada County.

DEBT REDUCTION SERVICES, INC. DBA MONEY FIT
Boise
877-688-3328
Financial CounselingFinancial CounselingFair HousingPost-Purchase
IDAHO HOUSING AND FINANCE ASSOCIATION
BOISE
877-695-2655 Website
Foreclosure PreventionFinancial CounselingFinancial CounselingHome Improvement/Rehab
IDAHO HOUSING AND FINANCE ASSOCIATION
Boise
877-695-2655 Website
Foreclosure PreventionFinancial CounselingHomeless/DisplacementPost-Purchase
JESSE TREE
Boise
209-383-9486 Website
Financial CounselingFair HousingHomeless/DisplacementRental Help
NEIGHBORHOOD HOUSING SERVICES INC DBA NEIGHBORWORKS BOISE
Boise
208-343-4065
Foreclosure PreventionPre-PurchaseHomebuyer EducationRental Help

See all counselors in Idaho →

Find an Attorney

Idaho State Bar Lawyer Referral Service offers a lawyer referral service for bankruptcy, foreclosure defense, and consumer rights.

Idaho State Bar Lawyer Referral Service 208-334-4500

Free Legal Aid

Legal aid organizations serving Ada County residents at no cost.

Idaho Legal Aid Services, Inc. 208-336-8980
Idaho Volunteer Lawyers Program 208-334-4500

American Default Research does not endorse, rate, or rank any provider. Verify attorney credentials with your state bar.

Need legal help? Find a foreclosure defense attorney in Idaho →

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the distress score for Ada County, Idaho?

    Ada County has a County Distress Index score of 35.7 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 2,439th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 23rd in Idaho out of 44 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Ada County?

    The primary driver of distress in Ada County is Housing Cost Burden, where the county scores 71.2 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Rent-Burdened (30%+), Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+), Mortgage-Burdened (30%+).

  • How does Ada County compare to neighboring counties?

    Ada County (35.7) can be compared to its 5 neighboring counties: Canyon County, ID (54.8); Owyhee County, ID (52.9); Elmore County, ID (43.4).

  • How is the County Distress Index calculated?

    The County Distress Index uses PCA-weighted percentile scoring across five statistically derived factors: Consumer Credit Distress (47.5%), Housing Cost Burden (22.3%), Structural Poverty (13.6%), Economic Vitality (9.2%), and Legal Distress (7.4%). Each county's indicators are ranked against all 3,144 U.S. counties. A score of 50 means the county is at the national median; higher scores indicate greater distress.

  • How often is the CDI updated?

    Annually, aligned to Census American Community Survey and Urban Institute Debt in America release windows — the slowest-moving source inputs. Between annual refreshes, faster-cadence indicators (BLS unemployment, QCEW wages) may drive light mid-year updates if a specific component moves meaningfully. Current data compiled April 14, 2026; next full refresh early 2027.

  • What does the Normal zone mean?

    The CDI divides counties into five zones: Healthy (below 46), Normal (46–55), Elevated (55–71), Serious (71–86), and Crisis (86 and above). Ada County's score of 35.7 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

  • What data sources power Ada County's CDI score?

    Ada County's CDI score draws on Urban Institute Debt in America (Equifax credit-bureau panel), U.S. Census Bureau (American Community Survey 5-year, Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates), Bureau of Labor Statistics (LAUS, QCEW), U.S. Courts Administrative Office (F-5A bankruptcy filings), and HUD Fair Market Rents. Every number on this page traces to one of these public sources.

  • What is the population of Ada County?

    Ada County, Idaho has a population of approximately 524,673 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a large county.