Payette County, Idaho

County Distress Index: Normal · 35.6 | 27,279 people · 24th most distressed in Idaho
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Payette County, ID falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 35.6 — 2443rd nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Economic Vitality, where employment and wage conditions show moderate stress. Within Idaho, it ranks 24th 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. Payette County's primary driver is Economic Vitality at 46.9 — above the national median.

Economic Vitality Primary driver 46.9
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 59
Rent-to-Income Ratio 28
Business Formation Rate 23
House Price Change (YoY) 91
Housing Cost Burden 45.5
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 37
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 43
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 75
Homeownership Rate 50
Structural Poverty 43.2
Unemployment Rate 61
Poverty Rate 31
Income vs. State Median 48
Child Poverty Rate 32
Disability Rate 54
Transfer Income Dependency 36
Legal Distress 33.7
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 34
Consumer Credit Distress 27.0
Debt in Collections 27
Medical Debt 42
Auto Loan Delinquency 9
Credit Card Delinquency 9
Uninsured Rate 50
Subprime Credit Population 37

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Payette County
Payette County, ID 35.6 Normal —
Malheur County, OR 56.2 Elevated +20.6
Canyon County, ID 54.8 Elevated +19.2
Washington County, ID 54.8 Elevated +19.1
Gem County, ID 34.7 Healthy -1.0

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Payette County
Juniata County, PA 35.6 Normal 0.0
Richland County, MT 35.6 Normal +0.0
Gillespie County, TX 35.6 Normal -0.1
Ottawa County, OH 35.8 Normal +0.1
Waushara County, WI 35.8 Normal +0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Payette 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 Payette 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 Payette County, Idaho?

    Payette County has a County Distress Index score of 35.6 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 2,443rd nationally out of 3,144 counties and 24th in Idaho out of 44 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Payette County?

    The primary driver of distress in Payette County is Economic Vitality, where the county scores 46.9 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Wage-to-Rent Ratio, Rent-to-Income Ratio, Business Formation Rate.

  • How does Payette County compare to neighboring counties?

    Payette County (35.6) can be compared to its 4 neighboring counties: Malheur County, OR (56.2); Canyon County, ID (54.8); Washington County, ID (54.8).

  • 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). Payette County's score of 35.6 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

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

    Payette 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 Payette County?

    Payette County, Idaho has a population of approximately 27,279 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.