Lemhi County, Idaho

County Distress Index: Normal · 36.6 | 8,441 people · 21st most distressed in Idaho
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Lemhi County, ID falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 36.6 — 2384th 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 21st of 44 counties. It scores higher than all 7 of its neighboring counties.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Lemhi County's primary driver is Structural Poverty at 68.7 — above the national median.

Structural Poverty Primary driver 68.7
Unemployment Rate 69
Poverty Rate 46
Income vs. State Median 83
Child Poverty Rate 45
Disability Rate 90
Transfer Income Dependency 70
Housing Cost Burden 63.4
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 95
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 60
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 42
Homeownership Rate 13
Economic Vitality 43.6
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 42
Rent-to-Income Ratio 46
Business Formation Rate 18
House Price Change (YoY) 94
Legal Distress 19.9
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 20
Consumer Credit Distress 16.2
Debt in Collections 5
Medical Debt 56
Auto Loan Delinquency 5
Credit Card Delinquency 5
Uninsured Rate 38
Subprime Credit Population 12

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Lemhi County
Lemhi County, ID 36.6 Normal —
Clark County, ID 34.1 Healthy -2.6
Ravalli County, MT 34.0 Healthy -2.7
Beaverhead County, MT 33.6 Healthy -3.0
Idaho County, ID 33.5 Healthy -3.1
Custer County, ID 31.0 Healthy -5.6
Butte County, ID 24.8 Healthy -11.9
Valley County, ID 22.0 Healthy -14.6

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Lemhi County
Union County, IN 36.6 Normal +0.0
Audubon County, IA 36.6 Normal -0.0
Garfield County, WA 36.7 Normal +0.1
Grant County, KS 36.5 Normal -0.1
Webster County, NE 36.5 Normal -0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Lemhi 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 Lemhi 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 Lemhi County, Idaho?

    Lemhi County has a County Distress Index score of 36.6 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 2,384th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 21st in Idaho out of 44 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Lemhi County?

    The primary driver of distress in Lemhi County is Structural Poverty, where the county scores 68.7 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Unemployment Rate, Poverty Rate, Income vs. State Median.

  • How does Lemhi County compare to neighboring counties?

    Lemhi County (36.6) can be compared to its 7 neighboring counties: Clark County, ID (34.1); Ravalli County, MT (34.0); Beaverhead County, MT (33.6).

  • 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). Lemhi County's score of 36.6 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

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

    Lemhi 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 Lemhi County?

    Lemhi County, Idaho has a population of approximately 8,441 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.