Elmore County, Idaho

County Distress Index: Normal · 43.4 | 29,724 people · 9th most distressed in Idaho
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Elmore County, ID falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 43.4 — 1995th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Economic Vitality, where employment and wage conditions show moderate stress. Within Idaho, it ranks 9th of 44 counties. Among its 8 neighboring counties, 6 show less distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Elmore County's primary driver is Economic Vitality at 63.2 — above the national median.

Economic Vitality Primary driver 63.2
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 81
Rent-to-Income Ratio 61
Business Formation Rate 47
House Price Change (YoY) 10
Legal Distress 58.1
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 58
Structural Poverty 48.4
Unemployment Rate 58
Poverty Rate 36
Income vs. State Median 62
Child Poverty Rate 34
Disability Rate 60
Transfer Income Dependency 40
Consumer Credit Distress 38.4
Debt in Collections 27
Medical Debt 45
Auto Loan Delinquency 11
Credit Card Delinquency 45
Uninsured Rate 78
Subprime Credit Population 48
Housing Cost Burden 37.7
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 35
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 14
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 62
Homeownership Rate 84

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Elmore County
Elmore County, ID 43.4 Normal —
Owyhee County, ID 52.9 Elevated +9.6
Twin Falls County, ID 50.2 Elevated +6.9
Gooding County, ID 38.7 Normal -4.6
Ada County, ID 35.7 Normal -7.7
Custer County, ID 31.0 Healthy -12.4
Boise County, ID 29.1 Healthy -14.2
Camas County, ID 27.2 Healthy -16.1
Blaine County, ID 20.5 Healthy -22.9

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Elmore County
Perry County, IN 43.4 Normal +0.0
Yates County, NY 43.3 Normal -0.1
Clarion County, PA 43.3 Normal -0.1
Pulaski County, IN 43.3 Normal -0.1
Iosco County, MI 43.2 Normal -0.1

Download Data

Export all distress indicators for Elmore 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

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Legal aid organizations serving Elmore 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 Elmore County, Idaho?

    Elmore County has a County Distress Index score of 43.4 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 1,995th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 9th in Idaho out of 44 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Elmore County?

    The primary driver of distress in Elmore County is Economic Vitality, where the county scores 63.2 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Wage-to-Rent Ratio, Rent-to-Income Ratio, Business Formation Rate.

  • How does Elmore County compare to neighboring counties?

    Elmore County (43.4) can be compared to its 8 neighboring counties: Owyhee County, ID (52.9); Twin Falls County, ID (50.2); Gooding County, ID (38.7).

  • 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 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). Elmore County's score of 43.4 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

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

    Elmore 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 Elmore County?

    Elmore County, Idaho has a population of approximately 29,724 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.