Jerome County, Idaho

County Distress Index: Normal · 39.6 | 25,479 people · 16th most distressed in Idaho
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Jerome County, ID falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 39.6 — 2217th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Economic Vitality, where employment and wage conditions show moderate stress. Within Idaho, it ranks 16th of 44 counties. Among its 5 neighboring counties, 3 show more distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Jerome County's primary driver is Economic Vitality at 55.1 — above the national median.

Economic Vitality Primary driver 55.1
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 69
Rent-to-Income Ratio 65
Business Formation Rate 29
House Price Change (YoY) 3
Legal Distress 52.9
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 53
Consumer Credit Distress 40.3
Debt in Collections 37
Medical Debt 30
Auto Loan Delinquency 40
Credit Card Delinquency 27
Uninsured Rate 90
Subprime Credit Population 43
Structural Poverty 36.6
Unemployment Rate 34
Poverty Rate 40
Income vs. State Median 67
Child Poverty Rate 31
Disability Rate 22
Transfer Income Dependency 19
Housing Cost Burden 29.0
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 14
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 20
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 89
Homeownership Rate 44

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Jerome County
Jerome County, ID 39.6 Normal —
Twin Falls County, ID 50.2 Elevated +10.7
Minidoka County, ID 44.5 Normal +5.0
Cassia County, ID 43.1 Normal +3.5
Gooding County, ID 38.7 Normal -0.9
Lincoln County, ID 38.4 Normal -1.2

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Jerome County
Shelby County, KY 39.5 Normal -0.0
Montgomery County, IL 39.5 Normal -0.0
Caledonia County, VT 39.6 Normal +0.0
Stone County, MO 39.5 Normal -0.1
Benton County, MN 39.6 Normal +0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Jerome 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 Jerome 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 Jerome County, Idaho?

    Jerome County has a County Distress Index score of 39.6 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 2,217th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 16th in Idaho out of 44 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Jerome County?

    The primary driver of distress in Jerome County is Economic Vitality, where the county scores 55.1 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Wage-to-Rent Ratio, Rent-to-Income Ratio, Business Formation Rate.

  • How does Jerome County compare to neighboring counties?

    Jerome County (39.6) can be compared to its 5 neighboring counties: Twin Falls County, ID (50.2); Minidoka County, ID (44.5); Cassia County, ID (43.1).

  • 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 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). Jerome County's score of 39.6 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

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

    Jerome 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 Jerome County?

    Jerome County, Idaho has a population of approximately 25,479 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.