Valley County, Idaho

County Distress Index: Healthy · 22.0 | 12,644 people · 43rd most distressed in Idaho
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Valley County, ID ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 22.0 — 3033rd nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Economic Vitality, where wages keep pace with costs, business formation is healthy, and the local economy shows resilience. Within Idaho, it ranks 43rd of 44 counties. It scores lower than all 6 of its neighboring counties.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Valley County's primary driver is Economic Vitality at 40.1 — above the national median.

Economic Vitality Primary driver 40.1
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 67
Rent-to-Income Ratio 11
Business Formation Rate 6
House Price Change (YoY) 56
Housing Cost Burden 26.9
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 33
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 18
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 68
Homeownership Rate 5
Consumer Credit Distress 20.0
Debt in Collections 5
Medical Debt 15
Auto Loan Delinquency 51
Credit Card Delinquency 5
Uninsured Rate 65
Subprime Credit Population 8
Structural Poverty 17.8
Unemployment Rate 58
Poverty Rate 6
Income vs. State Median 14
Child Poverty Rate 11
Disability Rate 10
Transfer Income Dependency 16
Legal Distress 5.7
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 6

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Valley County
Valley County, ID 22.0 Healthy —
Lemhi County, ID 36.6 Normal +14.6
Gem County, ID 34.7 Healthy +12.7
Idaho County, ID 33.5 Healthy +11.5
Adams County, ID 33.1 Healthy +11.1
Custer County, ID 31.0 Healthy +9.0
Boise County, ID 29.1 Healthy +7.1

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Valley County
Union County, SD 21.9 Healthy -0.1
Buffalo County, WI 22.1 Healthy +0.1
Green County, WI 22.5 Healthy +0.5
Douglas County, MN 22.6 Healthy +0.5
Kewaunee County, WI 22.6 Healthy +0.6

Download Data

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

Find Help in Valley 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 Valley 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 Valley County, Idaho?

    Valley County has a County Distress Index score of 22.0 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 3,033rd nationally out of 3,144 counties and 43rd in Idaho out of 44 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Valley County?

    The primary driver of distress in Valley County is Economic Vitality, where the county scores 40.1 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Wage-to-Rent Ratio, Rent-to-Income Ratio, Business Formation Rate.

  • How does Valley County compare to neighboring counties?

    Valley County (22.0) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Lemhi County, ID (36.6); Gem County, ID (34.7); 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 Healthy 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). Valley County's score of 22.0 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Valley 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 Valley County?

    Valley County, Idaho has a population of approximately 12,644 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.