Kootenai County, Idaho

County Distress Index: Normal · 41.5 | 185,010 people · 12th most distressed in Idaho
American Default Research

Behind on your mortgage or facing eviction? Take a 2-minute assessment to see your options.

Kootenai County, ID falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 41.5 — 2090th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Housing Cost Burden, where a large share of households spend more than 30% of income on housing. Within Idaho, it ranks 12th of 44 counties. Among its 4 neighboring counties, 3 show more distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Kootenai County's primary driver is Housing Cost Burden at 72.3 — above the national median.

Housing Cost Burden Primary driver 72.3
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 88
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 58
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 83
Homeownership Rate 61
Economic Vitality 68.3
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 88
Rent-to-Income Ratio 78
Business Formation Rate 4
House Price Change (YoY) 60
Legal Distress 64.3
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 64
Structural Poverty 29.0
Unemployment Rate 69
Poverty Rate 15
Income vs. State Median 26
Child Poverty Rate 14
Disability Rate 42
Transfer Income Dependency 20
Consumer Credit Distress 22.0
Debt in Collections 19
Medical Debt 18
Auto Loan Delinquency 10
Credit Card Delinquency 20
Uninsured Rate 62
Subprime Credit Population 24

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Kootenai County
Kootenai County, ID 41.5 Normal —
Shoshone County, ID 56.8 Elevated +15.3
Spokane County, WA 47.7 Normal +6.1
Benewah County, ID 44.7 Normal +3.2
Bonner County, ID 33.7 Healthy -7.9

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Kootenai County
Livingston County, NY 41.5 Normal 0.0
St. Louis County, MN 41.5 Normal -0.0
Bonneville County, ID 41.6 Normal +0.1
Wayne County, NY 41.7 Normal +0.2
Sussex County, NJ 41.8 Normal +0.3

Download Data

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

Find Help in Kootenai County

HUD-Approved Housing Counselors

Free foreclosure prevention and financial counseling near Kootenai County.

IDAHO HOUSING AND FINANCE ASSOCIATION--COEUR D'ALENE BRANCH OFFICE
Coeur D Alene
877-695-2655 Website
Foreclosure PreventionHomeless/DisplacementPre-PurchaseHomebuyer Education

See all counselors in Idaho →

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 Kootenai County residents at no cost.

Idaho Legal Aid Services, Inc. 208-336-8980
Idaho Volunteer Lawyers Program 208-334-4500

American Default Research does not endorse, rate, or rank any provider. Verify attorney credentials with your state bar.

Need legal help? Find a foreclosure defense attorney in Idaho →

Continue Reading

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the distress score for Kootenai County, Idaho?

    Kootenai County has a County Distress Index score of 41.5 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 2,090th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 12th in Idaho out of 44 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Kootenai County?

    The primary driver of distress in Kootenai County is Housing Cost Burden, where the county scores 72.3 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Rent-Burdened (30%+), Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+), Mortgage-Burdened (30%+).

  • How does Kootenai County compare to neighboring counties?

    Kootenai County (41.5) can be compared to its 4 neighboring counties: Shoshone County, ID (56.8); Spokane County, WA (47.7); Benewah County, ID (44.7).

  • 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). Kootenai County's score of 41.5 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

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

    Kootenai 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 Kootenai County?

    Kootenai County, Idaho has a population of approximately 185,010 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a mid county.