CountyScore

Butte County

Idaho · ID

#2 in Idaho
77.6
County Score

County Report Card

About Butte County, Idaho

Butte County ranks in national top quartile

Butte County's composite score of 77.6 places it in the 78th percentile nationally, well above the national median of 50.0. This is among the strongest livability ratings across all U.S. counties reviewed.

Idaho's third-best county by composite score

Butte County scores 77.6 against Idaho's state average of 72.5, making it one of the state's top-performing counties. Only Boundary County (75.1) and Caribou County (77.3) rank comparably in this group.

Unbeatable housing costs and affordability

Butte County's defining strength is its extraordinary affordability, with a cost score of 90.2—the highest in this group—and median home values of just $195,800 with rents averaging only $525 monthly. An effective tax rate of 0.504% adds to the fiscal advantage, making it one of America's most affordable counties.

Income and health concerns require focus

The county faces significant headwinds on income, with a score of 11.6 and median household income of only $43,281—the lowest among peer counties. Health outcomes (66.2) also lag, suggesting disparities in healthcare access, employment opportunity, or economic vitality.

Best for those prioritizing rock-bottom costs

Butte County suits retirees, fixed-income households, and those seeking the absolute lowest cost of living in Idaho. While income and health metrics signal economic constraints, exceptional housing affordability and low taxes make it uniquely valuable for those with limited or stable, modest incomes.

Score breakdown

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

Tax88.1Cost90.2SafetyComing SoonHealth66.2SchoolsComing SoonIncome11.6Risk95.6WaterComing Soon
🏛88.1
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠90.2
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼11.6
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤66.2
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡95.6
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 Butte County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Deuel County
South Dakota
77.6
Median income: $79,556
Hand County
South Dakota
77.6
Median income: $72,054
LaSalle Parish
Louisiana
77.5
Median income: $67,077
Daniels County
Montana
77.5
Median income: $58,000
Copper River Census Area
Alaska
77.7
Median income: $75,053

Deep Dives

Butte County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Butte County

via TaxByCounty

Butte offers exceptional tax affordability

Butte County's 0.504% effective tax rate sits comfortably below the national median, and its median property tax of $986 represents just 37% of the national median of $2,690. This ultra-low bill places Butte in roughly the 25th percentile nationally—one of America's most tax-friendly counties.

Butte ranks near Idaho's bottom tier

At 0.504%, Butte County sits just slightly below Idaho's 0.508% state average, ranking it among the lowest-tax counties statewide. The median home value of just $195,800—the lowest among our eight surveyed counties—drives down tax bills despite a moderate effective rate.

Butte stands out for affordability

Butte's $986 median tax bill dramatically undercuts neighboring Camas County ($1,050) and Cassia County ($1,141), despite comparable or slightly higher tax rates. The difference lies in Butte's significantly lower median home values, making it an exceptional choice for budget-conscious homeowners.

Butte median tax just $986 yearly

The typical Butte County property valued at $195,800 carries an annual tax burden of only $986—the lowest among our surveyed counties. Even with mortgage-related assessments, Butte bills average $1,141, and free-and-clear owners pay closer to $902.

Don't skip appeals in rural areas

Rural counties like Butte sometimes struggle with outdated or scattered comparable data, potentially inflating assessments. If your property tax seems misaligned with the local market, file an appeal—even modest savings compound significantly on tight budgets.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Butte County

via CostByCounty

Idaho's most affordable county overall

Butte County renters spend just 14.6% of income on rent—well below the national affordability target—though median income of $43,281 trails the national median by $31,474. This rural mountain county offers genuine affordability for those prioritizing low housing costs.

Butte leads Idaho's affordability rankings

At 14.6%, Butte's rent-to-income ratio beats Idaho's 16.8% average by over 2 percentage points, the best ratio in the state. Median rent of just $525 runs less than 60% of the state average, making Butte Idaho's undisputed housing bargain.

The region's rent rock bottom

Butte's $525 monthly rent dramatically undercuts every peer: Camas ($992), Bonneville ($1,054), and even lower-cost Boundary ($867). This isolated county's minimal housing supply keeps costs remarkably low—a genuine outlier in the state.

Trade wages for housing relief

Butte households earn $43,281 annually while paying just $525 rent or $594 ownership—the state's most favorable rent-to-income math. At 14.6% of income, renters enjoy cushion unmatched anywhere else in Idaho, though overall income is the state's lowest.

Butte County: affordability above all else

If housing cost is your absolute priority, Butte delivers—$525 rent and $594 owner costs are unbeatable in Idaho or regionally. Just understand the tradeoff: median incomes run significantly lower here, and job opportunities remain limited in this remote mountain setting.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Butte County

via IncomeByCounty

Butte faces significant income gap

Butte County's median household income of $43,281 falls dramatically short of the national median of $74,755—a shortfall of 42%. This represents one of the lowest household income levels in the nation, reflecting severe economic challenges in this rural county.

Idaho's lowest-earning county

Butte's $43,281 median household income ranks at the bottom of Idaho's 44 counties, trailing the state average of $65,770 by over $22,000. Per capita income of $25,940 is the lowest in Idaho and significantly below the state average of $32,503, indicating systemic wage challenges.

Severely behind all regional peers

Butte's $43,281 income trails Camas County ($55,536) by $12,255 and lags Bonneville County ($76,646) by $33,365. The county faces a stark income disadvantage compared to every neighboring county, suggesting limited local employment opportunities in higher-wage sectors.

Low rent burden masks affordability crisis

While Butte's rent-to-income ratio of 14.6% appears favorable, the metric masks a deeper affordability crisis: households earning only $43,281 cannot comfortably cover essentials like healthcare, food, and transportation after paying rent. The median home value of $195,800 remains out of reach for most residents without significant down-payment assistance.

Focus on stability, then growth

Butte residents should prioritize financial stability through budgeting and debt reduction before attempting investment strategies. Exploring vocational training, remote work opportunities, and relocation resources can create pathways to higher earnings, while local nonprofits and government programs may offer financial counseling to stretch limited household budgets.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Butte County

via HealthByCounty

Butte faces significant longevity gap

Butte County residents live to just 74.3 years, a stark 4.6 years below the US average of 78.9 years. The county's 20.0% poor or fair health rate far exceeds national averages, placing Butte among America's most challenged health communities.

Lowest life expectancy in Idaho

At 74.3 years, Butte County's life expectancy is 3.2 years below Idaho's state average of 77.5 years, making it the lowest among the eight counties profiled. This dramatic shortfall signals urgent public health needs requiring immediate attention and resources.

Struggling far behind regional peers

Butte's 74.3-year life expectancy trails every neighboring county, falling 3.8 years behind Bonner County and 2.6 years behind Boundary County. The county's 20% poor or fair health rate—highest in the region—reflects deep underlying health challenges distinct from its neighbors.

Healthcare infrastructure severely limited

Primary care provider data remains unavailable for Butte County, but the 36 mental health providers per 100,000 residents ranks among the region's lowest. Despite a manageable 10.0% uninsured rate, residents struggle with sheer lack of healthcare infrastructure to serve those with coverage.

Ensure your family has coverage

Even though Butte's uninsured rate is relatively low at 10%, the county's severe healthcare infrastructure gaps mean every covered resident must have access to the few available providers. Visit healthcare.gov to lock in coverage and secure your place in the system.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Butte County

via RiskByCounty

Butte is Idaho's lowest-risk county

Butte County scores just 4.42, ranking among the nation's lowest composite risk counties. This exceptionally low score reflects minimal flood, tornado, and wildfire threats.

Safest county in all of Idaho

At 4.42, Butte's composite risk is 89% below Idaho's state average of 38.51, making it the safest county in the state by a substantial margin. Few counties nationwide achieve such low hazard exposure.

Dramatically safer than nearby counties

Butte's 4.42 score is a fraction of Camas County's 5.98 and vastly lower than Bonneville's 82.41 across the state. Its remote, high-elevation location in central Idaho isolates it from major hazard corridors.

Minimal natural disaster exposure here

Butte County faces negligible tornado risk (3.02) and minimal flood risk (9.13), with wildfire at 45.50 being the only moderate concern. Earthquake exposure of 45.90 is the highest relative hazard, though still below national norms.

Standard insurance typically sufficient

Butte's exceptional risk profile means standard homeowners insurance provides solid protection for most residents. However, those in forested areas should still confirm wildfire coverage given your 45.50 wildfire exposure score.

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.