CountyScore

Bonner County

Idaho · ID

#36 in Idaho
69.4
County Score

County Report Card

About Bonner County, Idaho

Bonner County beats national average

With a composite score of 69.4, Bonner County ranks well above the national median of 50.0, placing it in the 69th percentile nationally. This strong performance reflects a county that outpaces most American peers in overall livability factors.

Slightly below Idaho's median performance

Bonner County scores 69.4 against Idaho's state average of 72.5, ranking it in the middle of the state's county distribution. While not a top performer statewide, the county remains solidly above the national baseline.

Tax advantages and affordable housing

Bonner County's standout strength is its exceptionally low tax burden, with a tax score of 91.1 and an effective tax rate of just 0.396%. The county also delivers reasonable housing costs, with a cost score of 72.7 and median home values of $433,400, paired with modest rents of $1,059 per month.

Income and risk concerns limit potential

The county's income score of 25.9 significantly lags behind state norms, with a median household income of $65,168 that trails higher-earning Idaho counties. A risk score of 22.7 also signals vulnerability in areas like disaster resilience or economic disruption that warrant closer attention.

Best for tax-conscious, modest-income families

Bonner County suits retirees and working families prioritizing low taxes and stable, affordable housing over high wage growth. The combination of excellent tax efficiency and reasonable housing costs makes it attractive to those seeking fiscal responsibility and predictability over rapid income advancement.

Score breakdown

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

Tax91.1Cost73.7SafetyComing SoonHealth72.1SchoolsComing SoonIncome25.9Risk22.7WaterComing Soon
🏛91.1
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠73.7
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼25.9
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤72.1
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡22.7
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 Bonner County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Baxter County
Arkansas
69.4
Median income: $48,427
Desha County
Arkansas
69.4
Median income: $36,064
Bleckley County
Georgia
69.4
Median income: $53,005
Dawson County
Georgia
69.4
Median income: $88,986
Lamar County
Georgia
69.4
Median income: $68,457

Deep Dives

Bonner County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Bonner County

via TaxByCounty

Bonner taxes run cooler than nation

At 0.396%, Bonner County's effective tax rate sits well below the national median, meaning homeowners here pay significantly less in property taxes as a percentage of home value than most Americans. The median property tax bill of $1,716 falls short of the national median of $2,690, putting Bonner in roughly the 30th percentile nationally—a genuine advantage for homeowners.

Bonner ranks lowest in Idaho

Bonner County has Idaho's lowest effective property tax rate at 0.396%, well below the state average of 0.508%. This makes Bonner the most tax-friendly county in Idaho for property owners, though the median home value here ($433,400) is substantially higher than most other Idaho counties.

Bonner outpaces northern Idaho peers

Bonner's 0.396% rate beats Boundary County (0.416%) and Kootenai County's regional cluster, making it the tax bargain of North Idaho. Homeowners in neighboring Boundary County pay about $283 more annually on similar-value properties, illustrating how Bonner's favorable rate adds up.

Average Bonner home costs $1,716 yearly

A homeowner with a median-value property of $433,400 pays approximately $1,716 in annual property taxes. Factoring in mortgage-related assessments can push that to $1,869, though owners without mortgages typically pay closer to $1,513.

Consider appealing if overassessed

Even in Idaho's favorable tax environment, many homeowners discover their property is assessed above fair market value. If your property tax bill seems out of line with recent sales in your neighborhood, filing a simple appeal with the county assessor could significantly reduce your annual burden.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Bonner County

via CostByCounty

Bonner rents strain incomes nationally

Bonner County renters spend 19.5% of their income on rent—well above the national sweet spot of roughly 15-18%. While the county's median income of $65,168 lags the national median of $74,755, housing costs here bite deeper than they do for typical American households.

Idaho's affordability gap grows here

At 19.5%, Bonner's rent-to-income ratio exceeds Idaho's state average of 16.8%, ranking the county among the least affordable in the state. Median rent of $1,059 also runs $140 above the state average, putting pressure on local renters.

Pricier than northern Idaho peers

Bonner's $1,059 rent outpaces both Boundary County ($867) and Caribou County ($800), making it the costliest among its rural northern neighbors. The higher rents reflect Bonner's proximity to recreational amenities and Coeur d'Alene's growing appeal as a relocation destination.

Nearly 20 cents of every dollar

Bonner renters spend $1,059 monthly while homeowners face $1,015, yet both eat into a median income of just $65,168. That 19.5% rental burden leaves households squeezed after paying for other essentials.

Consider Bonner carefully if renting

If you're relocating to north Idaho, compare Bonner's tight rental market to Boundary ($867) or Caribou ($800)—you could save $2,000–$3,000 annually in neighboring counties. Owner costs are moderate at $1,015/month, making home purchase the better long-term bet here.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Bonner County

via IncomeByCounty

Bonner trails national income average

Bonner County's median household income of $65,168 falls about 13% below the national median of $74,755. While this gap is notable, Bonner households earn considerably more than the poorest-performing counties nationwide, placing the county in the middle range nationally.

Just below Idaho's county median

Bonner's $65,168 median household income sits slightly below Idaho's state average of $65,770, ranking the county near the middle of Idaho's 44 counties. The county's per capita income of $37,755 substantially exceeds the state average of $32,503, suggesting strong earning potential among individual workers.

Competitive with northern Idaho peers

Bonner earns $2,730 more than neighboring Boundary County ($62,438) and $2,515 less than nearby Caribou County ($66,653). Among its regional cohort, Bonner performs solidly, ranking in the upper-middle tier for household income in northern Idaho.

Housing remains affordable here

Bonner's rent-to-income ratio of 19.5% is well within the 30% affordability threshold recommended by housing experts, meaning renters spend roughly one-fifth of their income on housing. The median home value of $433,400 requires careful planning, but the county's strong per capita income of $37,755 suggests households have capacity to save.

Build savings with regional advantages

Bonner residents earning above the county median have opportunities to build wealth through homeownership and long-term investing. With affordable rent-to-income ratios and solid per capita earnings, now is the time to establish emergency funds and explore retirement accounts to maximize future financial security.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Bonner County

via HealthByCounty

Bonner outpaces US on life expectancy

Bonner County residents live to 78.8 years on average, nearly a year longer than the US average of 78.9 years. The county's 16.4% poor or fair health rate sits below the national average, suggesting residents report better overall health status than many American communities.

Life expectancy tops Idaho average

At 78.8 years, Bonner County exceeds Idaho's state average of 77.5 years by 1.3 years. This ranks Bonner among the healthier counties in the state, outperforming most peers on this key longevity metric.

Healthier than most regional peers

Bonner's 78.8-year life expectancy beats neighboring Boundary County (78.1 years) and Spokane County's tier. The county's uninsured rate of 11.1% is actually better than Idaho's 11.7% average, putting it in a favorable position regionally.

Strong mental health care, tight primary care

Bonner has excellent mental health provider density at 249 per 100,000 residents, but primary care availability lags at 49 per 100,000. With 11.1% uninsured, most residents have coverage, though those without face long drives to primary care services.

Check your coverage options today

Even with strong statewide health, 11.1% of Bonner residents remain uninsured. Visit healthcare.gov or Idaho's state exchange to explore plans that fit your family's needs and budget.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Bonner County

via RiskByCounty

Bonner's risk ranks relatively low nationally

Bonner County scores 77.29 on composite risk, placing it in the relatively low category compared to the national average. This score reflects above-average flood and wildfire exposure, but below-average tornado and earthquake threats.

Higher risk than most Idaho counties

At 77.29, Bonner's composite risk score sits well above Idaho's state average of 38.51, making it one of the state's higher-risk counties. The county faces significantly elevated hazard exposure compared to most of its peers.

More exposed than nearby counties

Bonner's score of 77.29 exceeds Boundary County's 26.08 and Kootenai County's typical profile, reflecting its unique geography in northern Idaho. Wildfire and flood risks drive this difference in the sparsely populated northern region.

Wildfires and floods threaten Bonner

Wildfire risk reaches 82.70 and flood risk 86.96 in Bonner County, the two dominant hazards shaping emergency preparedness here. Tornado risk remains very low at 10.31, while earthquake exposure is moderate at 55.76.

Prioritize flood and wildfire coverage

Standard homeowners insurance typically excludes flood and wildfire damage, so Bonner residents should secure separate policies for these high-risk scenarios. Given your county's 86.96 flood score and 82.70 wildfire score, these coverages are essential investments.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

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