Custer County, Idaho

County Distress Index: Healthy · 31.0 | 4,523 people · 34th most distressed in Idaho
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Custer County, ID ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 31.0 — 2701st nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Structural Poverty, where poverty rates are high, transfer income dependency is elevated, and household incomes lag well behind state and national medians. Within Idaho, it ranks 34th 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. Custer County's primary driver is Structural Poverty at 69.5 — above the national median.

Structural Poverty Primary driver 69.5
Unemployment Rate 87
Poverty Rate 59
Income vs. State Median 81
Child Poverty Rate 53
Disability Rate 95
Transfer Income Dependency 49
Economic Vitality 61.4
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 73
Rent-to-Income Ratio 60
Business Formation Rate 17
House Price Change (YoY) 95
Legal Distress 41.2
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 41
Housing Cost Burden 19.2
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 15
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 18
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 18
Homeownership Rate 31
Consumer Credit Distress 18.0
Debt in Collections 5
Medical Debt 33
Auto Loan Delinquency 20
Credit Card Delinquency 5
Uninsured Rate 85
Subprime Credit Population 5

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Custer County
Custer County, ID 31.0 Healthy —
Elmore County, ID 43.4 Normal +12.4
Lemhi County, ID 36.6 Normal +5.6
Boise County, ID 29.1 Healthy -1.9
Butte County, ID 24.8 Healthy -6.2
Valley County, ID 22.0 Healthy -9.0
Blaine County, ID 20.5 Healthy -10.5

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Custer County
Putnam County, IL 31.0 Healthy 0.0
Petroleum County, MT 31.1 Healthy +0.1
Hamilton County, NY 31.1 Healthy +0.1
Frontier County, NE 30.9 Healthy -0.1
Forest County, PA 31.1 Healthy +0.1

Download Data

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

    Custer County has a County Distress Index score of 31.0 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,701st nationally out of 3,144 counties and 34th in Idaho out of 44 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Custer County?

    The primary driver of distress in Custer County is Structural Poverty, where the county scores 69.5 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Unemployment Rate, Poverty Rate, Income vs. State Median.

  • How does Custer County compare to neighboring counties?

    Custer County (31.0) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Elmore County, ID (43.4); Lemhi County, ID (36.6); Boise County, ID (29.1).

  • 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). Custer County's score of 31.0 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Custer 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 Custer County?

    Custer County, Idaho has a population of approximately 4,523 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.