CountyScore

Adams County

Idaho · ID

#10 in Idaho
74.6
County Score

County Report Card

About Adams County, Idaho

Adams County Ranks in Top 25%

Adams County's composite score of 74.6 significantly outpaces the national median of 50.0, placing it in the top quartile of U.S. counties. This rural Idaho county punches well above its weight in overall livability.

Above State Average Despite Rural Setting

Adams County exceeds Idaho's state average of 72.5 with a score of 74.6, ranking it among the state's most livable counties. This makes it one of Idaho's rural success stories in balancing affordability with quality of life.

Exceptional Affordability and Tax Advantages

Adams County stands out with a cost score of 81.3 and the lowest effective tax rate in this group at 0.413%, making it highly affordable. Median rent is just $823/month and home values average $327,300, creating genuine economic accessibility.

Limited Income Opportunities

The income score of 22.1 is the lowest in this county group, with median household income at $59,286. Limited employment diversity and lower wage opportunities are tradeoffs for the county's exceptional affordability.

Ideal for Budget-Minded Rural Families

Adams County appeals to retirees, remote workers, and families prioritizing low cost of living and minimal tax burden over high local wages. The community rewards self-sufficiency and entrepreneurship in a genuinely affordable setting.

Score breakdown

5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.

Tax90.7Cost81.3SafetyComing SoonHealth71.9SchoolsComing SoonIncome22.1Risk60.5WaterComing Soon
🏛90.7
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠81.3
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼22.1
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤71.9
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡60.5
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncomeincomebycounty.com
Compare Adams County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Rio Blanco County
Colorado
74.6
Median income: $72,620
Lincoln County
Idaho
74.6
Median income: $66,038
McLean County
Kentucky
74.6
Median income: $70,549
Madison County
North Carolina
74.6
Median income: $58,628
Mountrail County
North Dakota
74.6
Median income: $81,292

Deep Dives

Adams County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Adams County

via TaxByCounty

Adams County taxes well below national level

Adams County's effective tax rate of 0.413% ranks significantly below the national median of 0.49%, placing it in the lower half of U.S. counties. With a median property tax of just $1,351 compared to the national median of $2,690, Adams County offers one of the most affordable tax burdens in the country.

One of Idaho's lowest tax counties

At 0.413%, Adams County's effective tax rate falls below Idaho's state average of 0.508% by 19%, ranking it among the state's most tax-friendly counties. The median tax payment of $1,351 is 12% below the state average of $1,529, making it a relative bargain within Idaho.

Adams rates low in the region

Adams County's 0.413% rate is among the lowest in its region, significantly below Bannock County (0.718%) to the southeast and only slightly higher than Boise County (0.370%) to the southwest. For homeowners seeking low tax burden, Adams represents an attractive regional option.

Adams County annual tax estimate

On a median home valued at $327,300, Adams County homeowners pay an estimated $1,351 per year in property taxes. Those with mortgages pay slightly more ($1,672), while outright owners pay less ($1,063), reflecting variations in assessment and exemption eligibility.

Review your Adams assessment anyway

Even in low-tax Adams County, some homeowners may still be overassessed. Taking 30 minutes to compare your assessed value against recent comparable sales could uncover assessment errors worth challenging with the county assessor.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Adams County

via CostByCounty

Adams rents are affordable by national measure

Adams County's rent-to-income ratio of 16.7% sits just below the national standard, with residents spending $823 monthly on a median household income of $59,286. Though income here lags the national median of $74,755 by $15,469, renters achieve respectable affordability through lower-cost housing.

Adams among Idaho's most affordable counties

Adams County's 16.7% rent-to-income ratio matches Idaho's state average of 16.8%, placing it squarely in the middle of the affordability pack. At just $823 monthly, median rent runs $96 below the statewide median, offering relief for lower-income households.

Adams balances low income with low costs

Adams County's median rent of $823 undercuts neighboring Bannock County ($879) and Benewah County ($853) by modest margins, though incomes here are 8-13% lower. Homebuyers benefit from median values around $327,300, competitive with the broader region.

Housing takes 16.7% of already-tight budgets

With a median household income of just $59,286, Adams County residents allocate $823 monthly to rent and $811 to ownership costs—reasonable percentages on limited resources. The trade-off: lower absolute housing costs mean less income stress, but overall earning power constrains household finances.

Adams offers rural affordability for budget-conscious movers

If you're prioritizing affordability over urban amenities, Adams County delivers housing costs well below state and national norms. The challenge is economic opportunity; weigh housing savings against potential income limitations before making the move.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Adams County

via IncomeByCounty

Adams County lags far behind national earnings

At $59,286, Adams County's median household income trails the U.S. median of $74,755 by nearly $15,500. This 21% shortfall places the county well below national norms, reflecting limited economic opportunities in this rural region.

Among Idaho's lowest-earning counties

Adams County's $59,286 median falls more than $6,400 below Idaho's state average of $65,770. The county ranks near the bottom of Idaho's income ladder, constrained by its small population and agricultural base.

Adams trails neighboring Gem and Valley

Adams County's median income of $59,286 underperforms nearby counties with more diverse economies. The rural character and limited employment diversity create earning challenges for households across the region.

Housing remains affordable in Adams

At 16.7%, Adams County's rent-to-income ratio sits comfortably below the 15% affordability threshold. With median home values around $327,300, housing remains one of the few economic bright spots for residents managing limited incomes.

Maximize savings despite modest earnings

Lower housing costs in Adams County create an opportunity to prioritize emergency savings and retirement contributions. Even on modest incomes, building consistent savings habits and exploring employer retirement plans can compound into meaningful wealth over time.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Adams County

via HealthByCounty

Adams County above national health marks

At 79.2 years, Adams County's life expectancy exceeds the U.S. average of 76.1 years by just over three years. However, 16.7% of Adams residents report poor or fair health, edging closer to the national rate of 17.8%.

Adams County outpaces Idaho average

Adams County's 79.2-year life expectancy ranks second in Idaho, surpassing the state average of 77.5 years by 1.7 years. Its 16.7% poor/fair health rate sits slightly above Idaho's typical county profile.

Adams keeps pace with Ada and Boise

Adams County (79.2 years) trails Ada (79.7) by half a year but matches Boise County nearly exactly. At 65 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, Adams falls short of Ada's 89 but serves its population competently compared to smaller neighboring counties.

Uninsured residents challenge Adams health

Adams County's 11.4% uninsured rate aligns closely with Idaho's 11.7% average, leaving roughly 1 in 9 residents without coverage. The county provides 102 mental health providers per 100,000 residents, below Ada's robust 414 but adequate for a smaller population.

Don't be among the uninsured in Adams

With 11.4% of Adams County uninsured, health emergencies can trigger financial crisis for many families. Explore your options at healthcare.gov or contact Idaho's Department of Health and Welfare to find affordable coverage.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Adams County

via RiskByCounty

Adams County has below-average disaster risk

At 39.57, Adams County's composite risk score sits well below the national average of 50, earning a 'very low' rating. This favorable position reflects relatively balanced hazard exposure, though wildfire remains a notable concern in this rural mountain county.

Safest county in Idaho by composite risk

Adams County's score of 39.57 sits just above Idaho's state average of 38.51, making it one of the state's lowest-risk counties. Its 'very low' rating is the most favorable classification in the state, driven by exceptionally low tornado and earthquake risks.

Adams is among Idaho's safest counties

Adams County's 39.57 score rivals the safety of Bear Lake County (6.58) and exceeds Benewah County (19.88), positioning it as a relatively secure region. Only a handful of Idaho counties match this low-risk profile.

Wildfire is your primary natural hazard

Adams County's wildfire risk score of 96.72 is exceptionally high, standing as the county's dominant threat despite its overall 'very low' composite rating. Flood risk (35.88) and earthquake risk (37.37) are both well below state and national averages, making wildfire preparedness the key priority.

Wildfire insurance should be your focus

Standard homeowners policies don't cover wildfire damage—a critical gap in Adams County where wildfire risk is extreme. Residents should secure dedicated wildfire insurance or rider coverage and maintain defensible space around structures, while flood and earthquake coverage can be lower priorities.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

🏛Property Tax🏠Cost of Living💼Income & Jobs🛡Safety❤Health🎓Schools⚡Disaster Risk💧Water Quality

Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS — informational only.