Blaine County, Idaho

County Distress Index: Healthy · 20.5 | 25,041 people · 44th most distressed in Idaho
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Blaine County, ID ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 20.5 — 3065th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Economic Vitality, where employment and wage conditions show moderate stress. Within Idaho, it ranks 44th of 44 counties. It scores lower than all 9 of its neighboring counties.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Blaine County's primary driver is Economic Vitality at 53.3 — above the national median.

Economic Vitality Primary driver 53.3
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 84
Rent-to-Income Ratio 43
Business Formation Rate 5
House Price Change (YoY) 19
Housing Cost Burden 29.0
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 27
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 11
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 75
Homeownership Rate 44
Consumer Credit Distress 14.9
Debt in Collections 7
Medical Debt 31
Auto Loan Delinquency 15
Credit Card Delinquency 1
Uninsured Rate 67
Subprime Credit Population 4
Legal Distress 14.7
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 15
Structural Poverty 6.8
Unemployment Rate 16
Poverty Rate 4
Income vs. State Median 7
Child Poverty Rate 4
Disability Rate 14
Transfer Income Dependency 1

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Blaine County
Blaine County, ID 20.5 Healthy —
Minidoka County, ID 44.5 Normal +24.0
Elmore County, ID 43.4 Normal +22.9
Cassia County, ID 43.1 Normal +22.6
Lincoln County, ID 38.4 Normal +17.9
Power County, ID 32.8 Healthy +12.4
Bingham County, ID 32.6 Healthy +12.2
Custer County, ID 31.0 Healthy +10.5
Camas County, ID 27.2 Healthy +6.7
Butte County, ID 24.8 Healthy +4.3

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Blaine County
Summit County, UT 20.6 Healthy +0.1
Plymouth County, IA 20.2 Healthy -0.3
Saunders County, NE 20.8 Healthy +0.4
Brookings County, SD 20.1 Healthy -0.4
Botetourt County, VA 20.9 Healthy +0.4

Download Data

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

Find Help in Blaine County

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 Blaine 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 Blaine County, Idaho?

    Blaine County has a County Distress Index score of 20.5 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 3,065th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 44th in Idaho out of 44 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Blaine County?

    The primary driver of distress in Blaine County is Economic Vitality, where the county scores 53.3 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Wage-to-Rent Ratio, Rent-to-Income Ratio, Business Formation Rate.

  • How does Blaine County compare to neighboring counties?

    Blaine County (20.5) can be compared to its 9 neighboring counties: Minidoka County, ID (44.5); Elmore County, ID (43.4); Cassia County, ID (43.1).

  • 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). Blaine County's score of 20.5 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Blaine 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 Blaine County?

    Blaine County, Idaho has a population of approximately 25,041 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.