Lincoln County, Idaho

County Distress Index: Normal · 38.4 | 5,450 people · 18th most distressed in Idaho
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Lincoln County, ID falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 38.4 — 2288th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Structural Poverty, where household incomes are relatively strong and poverty rates are low. Within Idaho, it ranks 18th 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. Lincoln County's primary driver is Structural Poverty at 41.4 — above the national median.

Structural Poverty Primary driver 41.4
Unemployment Rate 67
Poverty Rate 38
Income vs. State Median 57
Child Poverty Rate 39
Disability Rate 27
Transfer Income Dependency 25
Housing Cost Burden 41.0
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 27
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 45
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 81
Homeownership Rate 36
Economic Vitality 38.7
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 38
Rent-to-Income Ratio 18
Business Formation Rate 46
House Price Change (YoY) 95
Consumer Credit Distress 37.3
Debt in Collections 35
Medical Debt 31
Auto Loan Delinquency 37
Credit Card Delinquency 5
Uninsured Rate 90
Subprime Credit Population 50
Legal Distress 31.7
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 32

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Lincoln County
Lincoln County, ID 38.4 Normal —
Minidoka County, ID 44.5 Normal +6.2
Jerome County, ID 39.6 Normal +1.2
Gooding County, ID 38.7 Normal +0.3
Camas County, ID 27.2 Healthy -11.1
Blaine County, ID 20.5 Healthy -17.9

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Lincoln County
Kiowa County, CO 38.4 Normal -0.0
Highland County, VA 38.3 Normal -0.0
Thomas County, KS 38.3 Normal -0.0
Hancock County, KY 38.3 Normal -0.1
Kit Carson County, CO 38.5 Normal +0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Lincoln 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 Lincoln 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 Lincoln County, Idaho?

    Lincoln County has a County Distress Index score of 38.4 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 2,288th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 18th in Idaho out of 44 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Lincoln County?

    The primary driver of distress in Lincoln County is Structural Poverty, where the county scores 41.4 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Unemployment Rate, Poverty Rate, Income vs. State Median.

  • How does Lincoln County compare to neighboring counties?

    Lincoln County (38.4) can be compared to its 5 neighboring counties: Minidoka County, ID (44.5); Jerome County, ID (39.6); Gooding County, ID (38.7).

  • 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). Lincoln County's score of 38.4 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

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

    Lincoln 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 Lincoln County?

    Lincoln County, Idaho has a population of approximately 5,450 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.