Jefferson County, Idaho

County Distress Index: Healthy · 26.1 | 34,198 people · 39th most distressed in Idaho
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Jefferson County, ID ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 26.1 — 2927th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Legal Distress, where bankruptcy filings are moderately elevated. Within Idaho, it ranks 39th of 44 counties. Among its 6 neighboring counties, 5 show more distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Jefferson County's primary driver is Legal Distress at 57.4 — above the national median.

Legal Distress Primary driver 57.4
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 57
Economic Vitality 53.5
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 90
Rent-to-Income Ratio 30
Business Formation Rate 11
House Price Change (YoY) 22
Consumer Credit Distress 24.1
Debt in Collections 18
Medical Debt 48
Auto Loan Delinquency 13
Credit Card Delinquency 19
Uninsured Rate 55
Subprime Credit Population 18
Housing Cost Burden 17.5
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 10
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 9
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 84
Homeownership Rate 9
Structural Poverty 11.8
Unemployment Rate 16
Poverty Rate 6
Income vs. State Median 16
Child Poverty Rate 7
Disability Rate 8
Transfer Income Dependency 14

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Jefferson County
Jefferson County, ID 26.1 Healthy —
Bonneville County, ID 41.6 Normal +15.5
Madison County, ID 39.8 Normal +13.7
Clark County, ID 34.1 Healthy +8.0
Fremont County, ID 33.3 Healthy +7.1
Bingham County, ID 32.6 Healthy +6.5
Butte County, ID 24.8 Healthy -1.3

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Jefferson County
Wabasha County, MN 26.1 Healthy -0.0
Jones County, IA 26.1 Healthy -0.0
Seward County, NE 26.2 Healthy +0.1
Shelby County, IL 26.2 Healthy +0.1
Otoe County, NE 26.2 Healthy +0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Jefferson 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 Jefferson 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 Jefferson County, Idaho?

    Jefferson County has a County Distress Index score of 26.1 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,927th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 39th in Idaho out of 44 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Jefferson County?

    The primary driver of distress in Jefferson County is Legal Distress, where the county scores 57.4 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Bankruptcy Filing Rate.

  • How does Jefferson County compare to neighboring counties?

    Jefferson County (26.1) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Bonneville County, ID (41.6); Madison County, ID (39.8); Clark County, ID (34.1).

  • 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). Jefferson County's score of 26.1 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Jefferson 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 Jefferson County?

    Jefferson County, Idaho has a population of approximately 34,198 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.