Washington County, Idaho

County Distress Index: Elevated · 54.8 | 11,425 people · 3rd most distressed in Idaho
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Washington County, ID registers elevated household financial distress with a score of 54.8 — 1289th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Housing Cost Burden, where a large share of households spend more than 30% of income on housing. Within Idaho, it ranks 3rd of 44 counties. Among its 5 neighboring counties, 4 show less distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Washington County's primary driver is Housing Cost Burden at 70.0 — above the national median.

Housing Cost Burden Primary driver 70.0
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 68
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 74
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 83
Homeownership Rate 56
Economic Vitality 70.0
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 85
Rent-to-Income Ratio 71
Business Formation Rate 26
House Price Change (YoY) 76
Structural Poverty 65.1
Unemployment Rate 69
Poverty Rate 49
Income vs. State Median 84
Child Poverty Rate 45
Disability Rate 61
Transfer Income Dependency 71
Consumer Credit Distress 44.2
Debt in Collections 31
Medical Debt 35
Auto Loan Delinquency 76
Credit Card Delinquency 12
Uninsured Rate 63
Subprime Credit Population 56
Legal Distress 38.7
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 39

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Washington County
Washington County, ID 54.8 Elevated —
Malheur County, OR 56.2 Elevated +1.5
Baker County, OR 42.9 Normal -11.9
Payette County, ID 35.6 Normal -19.1
Gem County, ID 34.7 Healthy -20.1
Adams County, ID 33.1 Healthy -21.7

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Washington County
Jefferson County, IL 54.8 Elevated -0.0
Lyon County, KS 54.8 Elevated +0.0
Lee County, TX 54.9 Elevated +0.1
Phelps County, MO 54.7 Elevated -0.1
Ohio County, KY 54.7 Elevated -0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Washington 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 Washington 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 Washington County, Idaho?

    Washington County has a County Distress Index score of 54.8 out of 100, placing it in the Elevated zone. It ranks 1,289th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 3rd in Idaho out of 44 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Washington County?

    The primary driver of distress in Washington County is Housing Cost Burden, where the county scores 70.0 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Rent-Burdened (30%+), Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+), Mortgage-Burdened (30%+).

  • How does Washington County compare to neighboring counties?

    Washington County (54.8) can be compared to its 5 neighboring counties: Malheur County, OR (56.2); Baker County, OR (42.9); Payette County, ID (35.6).

  • 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 Elevated 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). Washington County's score of 54.8 sits in the Elevated zone (55–71).

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

    Washington 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 Washington County?

    Washington County, Idaho has a population of approximately 11,425 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.