Caribou County, Idaho

County Distress Index: Normal · 37.1 | 7,219 people · 19th most distressed in Idaho
American Default Research

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Caribou County, ID falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 37.1 — 2359th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Housing Cost Burden, where housing costs consume a moderate share of household income. Within Idaho, it ranks 19th of 44 counties. Among its 6 neighboring counties, 4 show less distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Caribou County's primary driver is Housing Cost Burden at 64.1 — above the national median.

Housing Cost Burden Primary driver 64.1
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 63
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 87
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 70
Homeownership Rate 11
Legal Distress 49.3
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 49
Structural Poverty 33.5
Unemployment Rate 64
Poverty Rate 18
Income vs. State Median 40
Child Poverty Rate 19
Disability Rate 34
Transfer Income Dependency 30
Consumer Credit Distress 26.7
Debt in Collections 16
Medical Debt 68
Auto Loan Delinquency 8
Credit Card Delinquency 41
Uninsured Rate 43
Subprime Credit Population 10
Economic Vitality 21.2
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 5
Rent-to-Income Ratio 9
Business Formation Rate 55
House Price Change (YoY) 75

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Caribou County
Caribou County, ID 37.1 Normal —
Bannock County, ID 52.1 Elevated +14.9
Bonneville County, ID 41.6 Normal +4.5
Bingham County, ID 32.6 Healthy -4.5
Bear Lake County, ID 30.3 Healthy -6.8
Franklin County, ID 26.9 Healthy -10.2
Lincoln County, WY 17.1 Healthy -20.1

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Caribou County
Sierra County, CA 37.1 Normal +0.0
Roger Mills County, OK 37.1 Normal +0.0
Lincoln County, KS 37.2 Normal +0.1
Schuyler County, MO 37.0 Normal -0.1
Boyd County, NE 37.0 Normal -0.1

Download Data

Export all distress indicators for Caribou 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 Caribou 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 Caribou County, Idaho?

    Caribou County has a County Distress Index score of 37.1 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 2,359th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 19th in Idaho out of 44 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Caribou County?

    The primary driver of distress in Caribou County is Housing Cost Burden, where the county scores 64.1 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Rent-Burdened (30%+), Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+), Mortgage-Burdened (30%+).

  • How does Caribou County compare to neighboring counties?

    Caribou County (37.1) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Bannock County, ID (52.1); Bonneville County, ID (41.6); 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 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). Caribou County's score of 37.1 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

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

    Caribou 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 Caribou County?

    Caribou County, Idaho has a population of approximately 7,219 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.