Benewah County's composite score of 72.5 substantially exceeds the national median of 50.0, placing it in the top third of U.S. counties. This northwest Idaho county delivers solid livability despite its rural character.
2 / 5
Meeting Idaho's State Average Exactly
Benewah County scores exactly 72.5, matching Idaho's state average and placing it in the middle-upper tier of Idaho's 44 counties. This represents balanced performance across the livability spectrum.
3 / 5
Strong Tax Position and Good Affordability
Benewah County scores 86.8 in taxes with an effective rate of 0.550% and 80.3 in costs, offering solid affordability. Median rent of $853/month and home values averaging $255,800 create accessible housing for middle-income families.
4 / 5
Lower Income and Health Concerns
The income score of 20.3 and median household income of $56,553 rank among the lowest in this group, limiting wealth-building prospects. Health scores of 62.8 also trail many comparable counties, suggesting potential healthcare access or quality gaps.
5 / 5
For Values-Driven Rural Families
Benewah County suits families and workers prioritizing affordability and community over maximum income potential. The county rewards those seeking a quiet, tax-friendly lifestyle while accepting modest wage opportunities and need for local healthcare improvement.
Benewah County's composite score of 72.5 substantially exceeds the national median of 50.0, placing it in the top third of U.S. counties. This northwest Idaho county delivers solid livability despite its rural character.
Meeting Idaho's State Average Exactly
Benewah County scores exactly 72.5, matching Idaho's state average and placing it in the middle-upper tier of Idaho's 44 counties. This represents balanced performance across the livability spectrum.
Strong Tax Position and Good Affordability
Benewah County scores 86.8 in taxes with an effective rate of 0.550% and 80.3 in costs, offering solid affordability. Median rent of $853/month and home values averaging $255,800 create accessible housing for middle-income families.
Lower Income and Health Concerns
The income score of 20.3 and median household income of $56,553 rank among the lowest in this group, limiting wealth-building prospects. Health scores of 62.8 also trail many comparable counties, suggesting potential healthcare access or quality gaps.
For Values-Driven Rural Families
Benewah County suits families and workers prioritizing affordability and community over maximum income potential. The county rewards those seeking a quiet, tax-friendly lifestyle while accepting modest wage opportunities and need for local healthcare improvement.
Score breakdown
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🏛86.8
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
Benewah County's effective tax rate of 0.550% exceeds the national median of 0.49% by 12%, placing it in the upper-middle range of U.S. counties. The median property tax of $1,407 falls well below the national median of $2,690, thanks to Benewah's lower median home values.
Benewah exceeds Idaho's average rate
At 0.550%, Benewah County's effective tax rate surpasses Idaho's state average of 0.508% by 8%, ranking it in the upper half of state counties. The median tax of $1,407 is 8% below the state average of $1,529, suggesting a rate-value balance in the county.
Benewah's place in the north Idaho region
Benewah County's 0.550% rate sits between Bannock County (0.718%) to the southeast and Boise County (0.370%) to the west. Regionally, Benewah represents a moderate tax position for northern Idaho counties.
Benewah County homeowner tax estimates
On a median home valued at $255,800, Benewah County homeowners pay approximately $1,407 annually in property taxes. Notably, mortgage-holders and outright owners pay nearly identically ($1,410 vs. $1,401), indicating consistent assessment practices across ownership types.
Benewah appeal process worth exploring
Benewah County homeowners facing higher-than-expected tax bills should verify their assessed values against recent comparable sales. Even small assessment corrections can produce meaningful annual savings in a county with moderate tax rates.
Benewah County's rent-to-income ratio of 18.1% ranks above the national standard, with renters spending $853 monthly on a median household income of just $56,553. This county's lower earnings, paired with above-average rent burden, leaves households with less breathing room than the national typical.
Benewah County's 18.1% rent-to-income ratio exceeds Idaho's state average of 16.8%, placing it among the state's least affordable markets. With the state's lowest median household income in this dataset at $56,553, renters here struggle more than most state peers.
Benewah rents high, incomes low—a tough combo
Benewah County's median rent of $853 exceeds Bear Lake County ($687) and approaches Bannock County ($879), while incomes fall well below all neighbors. This combination ranks Benewah among the state's most financially stressed markets for renters.
Rent consumes over one-fifth of lean budgets
Benewah County renters allocate $853 monthly to housing on a median income of $56,553, consuming 18.1% of earnings before other expenses. Homeowners fare slightly better at $835 monthly, but both paths strain household finances in this lower-income county.
Benewah offers low costs, but limited income potential
Relocating to Benewah County means affordable rents paired with economic constraints; it suits those with remote income or retirement savings. Without strong local job markets, newcomers should carefully assess whether the modest housing savings justify limited earning opportunities.
At $56,553, Benewah County's median household income trails the U.S. median of $74,755 by 24%—among the deepest shortfalls in the region. Limited employment diversity in this north-central Idaho county constrains household earning potential.
Idaho's second-lowest earning county
Benewah County's $56,553 median household income ranks among Idaho's lowest, falling $9,200 below the state average of $65,770. The county's small population and rural character limit economic opportunities and wage growth.
Benewah faces the steepest income challenges
At $56,553, Benewah County's median income trails all surveyed neighbors, including Bannock ($64,080) and Bear Lake ($67,304). The county's isolation and dependence on forestry and local services create persistent income constraints.
Housing costs consume significant income share
Benewah County's 18.1% rent-to-income ratio ranks among the highest, indicating housing costs claim nearly one-fifth of median earnings. With median home values at $255,800, housing affordability pressures persist despite lower absolute prices.
Prioritize building an emergency fund
In Benewah County, financial resilience requires disciplined savings despite modest incomes and higher housing-cost burdens. Focus on establishing a three-month emergency reserve, then gradually build retirement contributions and explore low-cost index fund investing for long-term wealth growth.
At 73.9 years, Benewah County's life expectancy falls 2.2 years below the U.S. average of 76.1 years—a significant gap signaling serious public health challenges. With 19.4% reporting poor or fair health, Benewah far exceeds the national 17.8% rate.
Idaho's most urgent health challenge
Benewah County's 73.9-year life expectancy ranks lowest in Idaho, trailing the state average of 77.5 years by 3.6 years. The county's 19.4% poor/fair health rate also represents one of Idaho's worst health outcomes.
Benewah lags all comparable counties
At 73.9 years, Benewah trails even Bingham County (75.1) and Bannock (75.2) by over a year, indicating concentrated health disparities. With only 30 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, Benewah faces the second-worst provider shortage in this group.
High uninsured rates worsen Benewah crisis
Benewah's 13.9% uninsured rate tops Idaho's 11.7% average—nearly one in seven residents lack coverage when facing health emergencies. The county offers 280 mental health providers per 100,000 residents, yet the combination of poverty, lack of insurance, and limited primary care drives poor outcomes.
Benewah: health coverage is urgent now
With 13.9% uninsured and life expectancy nearly 2.2 years below the nation, Benewah residents cannot afford gaps in coverage. Visit healthcare.gov or contact Idaho's health department immediately to enroll and access preventive care that could extend and improve lives.
Benewah County's composite risk score of 19.88 sits well below the national average of 50, earning a 'very low' rating. This favorable position reflects moderate exposure across most hazard categories, with no single threat dominating the county's natural disaster profile.
Among Idaho's lowest-risk counties
Benewah County's score of 19.88 falls comfortably below Idaho's state average of 38.51, placing it in the state's safest tier. Only a handful of Idaho counties enjoy comparable safety levels.
Benewah is safer than most regional peers
Benewah County's 19.88 score is substantially lower than Ada County (87.75) and Boise County (48.92) in the central region, though similar to Bear Lake County's 6.58. This makes Benewah one of northern Idaho's safer communities.
Flood risk moderately elevated for Benewah
Benewah County's flood risk of 46.91 is its highest hazard score and moderately above state average, reflecting the county's proximity to water features and mountain terrain. Wildfire (74.78) and earthquake (26.43) risks are lower, while tornado risk is minimal at 5.09.
Flood insurance is your main coverage need
Benewah County residents should prioritize flood insurance, which is not covered by standard homeowners policies, especially if near waterways or flood-prone zones. Standard coverage should adequately protect against other hazards in this relatively safe county.