Butte County, Idaho

County Distress Index: Healthy · 24.8 | 2,758 people · 41st most distressed in Idaho
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Butte County, ID ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 24.8 — 2969th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Structural Poverty, where income and poverty levels indicate moderate economic strain. Within Idaho, it ranks 41st 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. Butte County's primary driver is Structural Poverty at 64.3 — above the national median.

Structural Poverty Primary driver 64.3
Unemployment Rate 52
Poverty Rate 59
Income vs. State Median 83
Child Poverty Rate 66
Disability Rate 74
Transfer Income Dependency 49
Legal Distress 40.5
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 40
Economic Vitality 34.3
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 5
Rent-to-Income Ratio 89
Business Formation Rate 9
House Price Change (YoY) 68
Housing Cost Burden 20.5
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 8
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 12
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 75
Homeownership Rate 33
Consumer Credit Distress 11.2
Debt in Collections 5
Medical Debt 7
Auto Loan Delinquency 20
Credit Card Delinquency 5
Uninsured Rate 45
Subprime Credit Population 5

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Butte County
Butte County, ID 24.8 Healthy —
Lemhi County, ID 36.6 Normal +11.9
Clark County, ID 34.1 Healthy +9.3
Bingham County, ID 32.6 Healthy +7.8
Custer County, ID 31.0 Healthy +6.2
Jefferson County, ID 26.1 Healthy +1.3
Blaine County, ID 20.5 Healthy -4.3

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Butte County
Emmons County, ND 24.7 Healthy -0.1
Harlan County, NE 24.7 Healthy -0.1
Trego County, KS 24.7 Healthy -0.1
Kingsbury County, SD 24.6 Healthy -0.2
Oneida County, ID 24.5 Healthy -0.3

Download Data

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

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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 Butte 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 Butte County, Idaho?

    Butte County has a County Distress Index score of 24.8 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,969th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 41st in Idaho out of 44 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Butte County?

    The primary driver of distress in Butte County is Structural Poverty, where the county scores 64.3 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Unemployment Rate, Poverty Rate, Income vs. State Median.

  • How does Butte County compare to neighboring counties?

    Butte County (24.8) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Lemhi County, ID (36.6); Clark County, ID (34.1); Bingham County, ID (32.6).

  • 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). Butte County's score of 24.8 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Butte 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 Butte County?

    Butte County, Idaho has a population of approximately 2,758 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.