Adams County, Idaho

County Distress Index: Healthy · 33.1 | 4,903 people · 30th most distressed in Idaho
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Adams County, ID ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 33.1 — 2577th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Structural Poverty, where income and poverty levels indicate moderate economic strain. Within Idaho, it ranks 30th of 44 counties. Among its 6 neighboring counties, 5 show more distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Adams County's primary driver is Structural Poverty at 63.5 — above the national median.

Structural Poverty Primary driver 63.5
Unemployment Rate 95
Poverty Rate 39
Income vs. State Median 76
Child Poverty Rate 60
Disability Rate 48
Transfer Income Dependency 62
Housing Cost Burden 34.3
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 21
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 46
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 77
Homeownership Rate 7
Consumer Credit Distress 31.2
Debt in Collections 9
Medical Debt 45
Auto Loan Delinquency 60
Credit Card Delinquency 5
Uninsured Rate 77
Subprime Credit Population 24
Economic Vitality 18.0
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 11
Rent-to-Income Ratio 34
Business Formation Rate 20
House Price Change (YoY) 5
Legal Distress 5.0
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 5

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Adams County
Adams County, ID 33.1 Healthy —
Washington County, ID 54.8 Elevated +21.7
Baker County, OR 42.9 Normal +9.8
Gem County, ID 34.7 Healthy +1.6
Wallowa County, OR 34.2 Healthy +1.1
Idaho County, ID 33.5 Healthy +0.4
Valley County, ID 22.0 Healthy -11.1

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Adams County
Sullivan County, PA 33.1 Healthy 0.0
Wibaux County, MT 33.1 Healthy -0.0
Stafford County, KS 33.1 Healthy +0.0
Adams County, IA 33.3 Healthy +0.2
Smith County, KS 33.3 Healthy +0.2

Download Data

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

Find Help in Adams County

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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 Adams County residents at no cost.

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

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

    Adams County has a County Distress Index score of 33.1 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,577th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 30th in Idaho out of 44 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Adams County?

    The primary driver of distress in Adams County is Structural Poverty, where the county scores 63.5 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Unemployment Rate, Poverty Rate, Income vs. State Median.

  • How does Adams County compare to neighboring counties?

    Adams County (33.1) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Washington County, ID (54.8); Baker County, OR (42.9); Gem County, ID (34.7).

  • 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 Healthy 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). Adams County's score of 33.1 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Adams 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 Adams County?

    Adams County, Idaho has a population of approximately 4,903 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.