Boise County, Idaho

County Distress Index: Healthy · 29.1 | 8,517 people · 36th most distressed in Idaho
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Boise County, ID ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 29.1 — 2797th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Economic Vitality, where wages are low relative to housing costs, business formation lags, and the local economy lacks dynamism. Within Idaho, it ranks 36th of 44 counties. Among its 5 neighboring counties, 4 show more distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Boise County's primary driver is Economic Vitality at 79.9 — worse than roughly 80% of U.S. counties.

Economic Vitality Primary driver 79.9
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 95
Rent-to-Income Ratio 88
Business Formation Rate 21
House Price Change (YoY) 95
Structural Poverty 36.8
Unemployment Rate 67
Poverty Rate 21
Income vs. State Median 27
Child Poverty Rate 38
Disability Rate 43
Transfer Income Dependency 35
Consumer Credit Distress 26.0
Debt in Collections 15
Medical Debt 35
Auto Loan Delinquency 5
Credit Card Delinquency 42
Uninsured Rate 72
Subprime Credit Population 19
Legal Distress 19.6
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 20
Housing Cost Burden 13.3
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 5
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 6
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 77
Homeownership Rate 5

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Boise County
Boise County, ID 29.1 Healthy —
Elmore County, ID 43.4 Normal +14.2
Ada County, ID 35.7 Normal +6.5
Gem County, ID 34.7 Healthy +5.5
Custer County, ID 31.0 Healthy +1.9
Valley County, ID 22.0 Healthy -7.1

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Boise County
McPherson County, NE 29.1 Healthy -0.0
Haines Borough, AK 29.2 Healthy +0.1
Lipscomb County, TX 29.0 Healthy -0.2
Morton County, KS 28.9 Healthy -0.2
Phelps County, NE 28.9 Healthy -0.3

Download Data

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

Find Help in Boise 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 Boise 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 Boise County, Idaho?

    Boise County has a County Distress Index score of 29.1 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,797th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 36th in Idaho out of 44 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Boise County?

    The primary driver of distress in Boise County is Economic Vitality, where the county scores 79.9 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Wage-to-Rent Ratio, Rent-to-Income Ratio, Business Formation Rate.

  • How does Boise County compare to neighboring counties?

    Boise County (29.1) can be compared to its 5 neighboring counties: Elmore County, ID (43.4); Ada County, ID (35.7); 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). Boise County's score of 29.1 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Boise 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 Boise County?

    Boise County, Idaho has a population of approximately 8,517 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.