Gem County, Idaho

County Distress Index: Healthy · 34.7 | 21,071 people · 25th most distressed in Idaho
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Gem County, ID ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 34.7 — 2492nd 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 25th of 44 counties. Among its 7 neighboring counties, 4 show more distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Gem County's primary driver is Economic Vitality at 65.7 — above the national median.

Economic Vitality Primary driver 65.7
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 85
Rent-to-Income Ratio 66
Business Formation Rate 18
House Price Change (YoY) 61
Structural Poverty 49.3
Unemployment Rate 38
Poverty Rate 28
Income vs. State Median 68
Child Poverty Rate 25
Disability Rate 66
Transfer Income Dependency 57
Legal Distress 40.7
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 41
Consumer Credit Distress 28.8
Debt in Collections 31
Medical Debt 24
Auto Loan Delinquency 30
Credit Card Delinquency 13
Uninsured Rate 77
Subprime Credit Population 23
Housing Cost Burden 23.6
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 23
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 8
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 57
Homeownership Rate 38

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Gem County
Gem County, ID 34.7 Healthy —
Canyon County, ID 54.8 Elevated +20.1
Washington County, ID 54.8 Elevated +20.1
Ada County, ID 35.7 Normal +1.0
Payette County, ID 35.6 Normal +1.0
Adams County, ID 33.1 Healthy -1.6
Boise County, ID 29.1 Healthy -5.5
Valley County, ID 22.0 Healthy -12.7

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Gem County
Lincoln County, WI 34.7 Healthy 0.0
Wyandot County, OH 34.7 Healthy -0.0
Stevens County, WA 34.7 Healthy -0.0
Alcona County, MI 34.7 Healthy +0.0
Woodford County, KY 34.6 Healthy -0.0

Download Data

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

Find Help in Gem County

Find an Attorney

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 Gem 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 Gem County, Idaho?

    Gem County has a County Distress Index score of 34.7 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,492nd nationally out of 3,144 counties and 25th in Idaho out of 44 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Gem County?

    The primary driver of distress in Gem County is Economic Vitality, where the county scores 65.7 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Wage-to-Rent Ratio, Rent-to-Income Ratio, Business Formation Rate.

  • How does Gem County compare to neighboring counties?

    Gem County (34.7) can be compared to its 7 neighboring counties: Canyon County, ID (54.8); Washington County, ID (54.8); Ada County, ID (35.7).

  • 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). Gem County's score of 34.7 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Gem 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 Gem County?

    Gem County, Idaho has a population of approximately 21,071 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.