Idaho County, Idaho

County Distress Index: Healthy · 33.5 | 17,890 people · 28th most distressed in Idaho
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Idaho County, ID ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 33.5 — 2562nd 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 28th of 44 counties. Among its 9 neighboring counties, 7 show more distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Idaho County's primary driver is Structural Poverty at 65.6 — above the national median.

Structural Poverty Primary driver 65.6
Unemployment Rate 72
Poverty Rate 51
Income vs. State Median 84
Child Poverty Rate 45
Disability Rate 54
Transfer Income Dependency 74
Economic Vitality 57.1
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 64
Rent-to-Income Ratio 58
Business Formation Rate 21
House Price Change (YoY) 86
Housing Cost Burden 38.6
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 56
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 34
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 24
Homeownership Rate 18
Consumer Credit Distress 20.2
Debt in Collections 16
Medical Debt 27
Auto Loan Delinquency 19
Credit Card Delinquency 8
Uninsured Rate 89
Subprime Credit Population 5
Legal Distress 15.7
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 16

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Idaho County
Idaho County, ID 33.5 Healthy —
Clearwater County, ID 40.5 Normal +7.0
Missoula County, MT 40.5 Normal +7.0
Nez Perce County, ID 40.2 Normal +6.7
Lemhi County, ID 36.6 Normal +3.1
Lewis County, ID 35.9 Normal +2.4
Wallowa County, OR 34.2 Healthy +0.6
Ravalli County, MT 34.0 Healthy +0.4
Adams County, ID 33.1 Healthy -0.4
Valley County, ID 22.0 Healthy -11.5

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Idaho County
Washburn County, WI 33.5 Healthy +0.0
Cass County, MN 33.5 Healthy -0.0
Burnett County, WI 33.6 Healthy +0.1
Sheridan County, WY 33.7 Healthy +0.1
Lyon County, MN 33.4 Healthy -0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Idaho County

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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 Idaho 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 Idaho County, Idaho?

    Idaho County has a County Distress Index score of 33.5 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,562nd nationally out of 3,144 counties and 28th in Idaho out of 44 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Idaho County?

    The primary driver of distress in Idaho County is Structural Poverty, where the county scores 65.6 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Unemployment Rate, Poverty Rate, Income vs. State Median.

  • How does Idaho County compare to neighboring counties?

    Idaho County (33.5) can be compared to its 9 neighboring counties: Clearwater County, ID (40.5); Missoula County, MT (40.5); Nez Perce County, ID (40.2).

  • 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). Idaho County's score of 33.5 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Idaho 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 Idaho County?

    Idaho County, Idaho has a population of approximately 17,890 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.