Latah County, Idaho

County Distress Index: Normal · 36.7 | 41,301 people · 20th most distressed in Idaho
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Latah County, ID falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 36.7 — 2382nd 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 20th of 44 counties. It scores lower than all 5 of its neighboring counties.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Latah County's primary driver is Housing Cost Burden at 86.9 — worse than roughly 87% of U.S. counties.

Housing Cost Burden Primary driver 86.9
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 87
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 88
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 72
Homeownership Rate 92
Economic Vitality 45.6
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 48
Rent-to-Income Ratio 28
Business Formation Rate 44
House Price Change (YoY) 92
Structural Poverty 33.0
Unemployment Rate 34
Poverty Rate 56
Income vs. State Median 63
Child Poverty Rate 8
Disability Rate 17
Transfer Income Dependency 14
Consumer Credit Distress 16.8
Debt in Collections 8
Medical Debt 21
Auto Loan Delinquency 27
Credit Card Delinquency 9
Uninsured Rate 44
Subprime Credit Population 10
Legal Distress 8.9
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 9

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Latah County
Latah County, ID 36.7 Normal —
Shoshone County, ID 56.8 Elevated +20.1
Benewah County, ID 44.7 Normal +8.1
Whitman County, WA 41.1 Normal +4.4
Clearwater County, ID 40.5 Normal +3.9
Nez Perce County, ID 40.2 Normal +3.6

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Latah County
Lavaca County, TX 36.7 Normal +0.0
Morgan County, WV 36.7 Normal +0.1
Polk County, MN 36.6 Normal -0.1
New Kent County, VA 36.5 Normal -0.1
Richland County, IL 36.5 Normal -0.1

Download Data

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

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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

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Legal aid organizations serving Latah 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 Latah County, Idaho?

    Latah County has a County Distress Index score of 36.7 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 2,382nd nationally out of 3,144 counties and 20th in Idaho out of 44 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Latah County?

    The primary driver of distress in Latah County is Housing Cost Burden, where the county scores 86.9 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Rent-Burdened (30%+), Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+), Mortgage-Burdened (30%+).

  • How does Latah County compare to neighboring counties?

    Latah County (36.7) can be compared to its 5 neighboring counties: Shoshone County, ID (56.8); Benewah County, ID (44.7); Whitman County, WA (41.1).

  • 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). Latah County's score of 36.7 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

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

    Latah 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 Latah County?

    Latah County, Idaho has a population of approximately 41,301 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.