Lewis County, Idaho

County Distress Index: Normal · 35.9 | 3,739 people · 22nd most distressed in Idaho
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Lewis County, ID falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 35.9 — 2422nd 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 22nd of 44 counties. Among its 3 neighboring counties, 2 show more distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Lewis County's primary driver is Structural Poverty at 74.7 — above the national median.

Structural Poverty Primary driver 74.7
Unemployment Rate 61
Poverty Rate 49
Income vs. State Median 92
Child Poverty Rate 41
Disability Rate 95
Transfer Income Dependency 90
Legal Distress 63.3
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 63
Economic Vitality 55.4
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 64
Rent-to-Income Ratio 58
Business Formation Rate 21
House Price Change (YoY) 68
Housing Cost Burden 27.5
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 19
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 11
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 79
Homeownership Rate 51
Consumer Credit Distress 20.7
Debt in Collections 26
Medical Debt 35
Auto Loan Delinquency 5
Credit Card Delinquency 5
Uninsured Rate 80
Subprime Credit Population 10

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Lewis County
Lewis County, ID 35.9 Normal —
Clearwater County, ID 40.5 Normal +4.6
Nez Perce County, ID 40.2 Normal +4.3
Idaho County, ID 33.5 Healthy -2.4

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Lewis County
Valley County, MT 35.9 Normal 0.0
Ontonagon County, MI 35.9 Normal -0.0
Decatur County, KS 35.9 Normal +0.0
Keweenaw County, MI 35.8 Normal -0.1
Granite County, MT 35.8 Normal -0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Lewis 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 Lewis 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 Lewis County, Idaho?

    Lewis County has a County Distress Index score of 35.9 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 2,422nd nationally out of 3,144 counties and 22nd in Idaho out of 44 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Lewis County?

    The primary driver of distress in Lewis County is Structural Poverty, where the county scores 74.7 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Unemployment Rate, Poverty Rate, Income vs. State Median.

  • How does Lewis County compare to neighboring counties?

    Lewis County (35.9) can be compared to its 3 neighboring counties: Clearwater County, ID (40.5); Nez Perce County, ID (40.2); Idaho County, ID (33.5).

  • 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). Lewis County's score of 35.9 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

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

    Lewis 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 Lewis County?

    Lewis County, Idaho has a population of approximately 3,739 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.