Camas County

Idaho · ID

#6 in Idaho
76
County Score

County Report Card

About Camas County, Idaho

Camas County ranks solidly above national peers

With a composite score of 76.0, Camas County ranks in the 76th percentile nationally, well above the national median of 50.0. This places it among the stronger-performing U.S. counties in overall livability.

Well above Idaho's statewide average

Camas County scores 76.0 against Idaho's state average of 72.5, positioning it among the state's better-performing counties. The score reflects solid performance across most measurable livability dimensions.

Low taxes and strong health outcomes

Camas County boasts a tax score of 90.4 with an effective tax rate of 0.422%, among the lowest in the region. It also delivers the highest health score (75.1) in this entire cohort, suggesting superior healthcare access or wellness outcomes.

Income growth and housing costs lag slightly

The county's income score of 19.6 reflects a median household income of $55,536, suggesting limited wage-earning potential compared to more urban peers. A cost score of 75.5 indicates moderate housing pressures, with median home values around $248,900.

Excellent for health-conscious budget seekers

Camas County appeals to retirees and families prioritizing health and wellness over income growth, with low taxes and the region's best health metrics. Its blend of fiscal responsibility, affordable housing, and strong healthcare makes it ideal for those seeking quality of life over economic advancement.

Score breakdown

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

Tax90.4Cost75.5SafetyComing SoonHealth75.1SchoolsComing SoonIncome19.6Risk94.1WaterComing Soon
🏛90.4
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty
🏠75.5
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty
💼19.6
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
75.1
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
94.1
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Deep Dives

Camas County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Camas County

via TaxByCounty

Camas taxes rank well below nation

Camas County's 0.422% effective tax rate significantly underperforms the national average, with median taxes of $1,050 representing just 39% of the national median of $2,690. This positions Camas in roughly the 28th percentile nationally—a compelling tax advantage.

Camas ranks lower-middle in Idaho

At 0.422%, Camas County sits below Idaho's 0.508% state average, placing it in the lower half of the state's tax rankings. The median home value of $248,900 keeps tax bills modest despite a slightly-below-average effective rate.

Camas offers middle-ground pricing

Camas's 0.422% rate places it between Boundary County (0.416%) and Butte County (0.504%), with median taxes ($1,050) falling between those two neighbors. Compared to Cassia County's $1,141 bill, Camas offers a $91 annual savings on similar property values.

Camas median tax: $1,050 yearly

A typical Camas County home valued at $248,900 generates annual property taxes of $1,050. With mortgage assessments, bills can reach $1,041, while outright owners average approximately $1,063.

Appeal assessments if values seem off

Camas County's rural character means assessment comparables may be limited, sometimes resulting in overvalued properties on tax rolls. Review your assessment against recent sales and file a protest if your property appears overassessed relative to the local market.

Cost of Living in Camas County

via CostByCounty

Camas struggles with affordability stress

Camas County renters spend 21.4% of their modest income on rent—among the highest burdens in Idaho and well above healthy national ranges. With median income of $55,536, the county's 19-point income gap below the national median amplifies housing pressure.

Idaho's least affordable rental market

Camas's 21.4% rent-to-income ratio ranks dead last in Idaho, towering 4.6 points above the state average of 16.8%. At $992 monthly rent, Camas households sacrifice more of their paychecks to housing than virtually any other Idahoans.

Rent premium in an isolated county

Camas's $992 rent rivals or exceeds Bonneville ($1,054) and Bonner ($1,059), despite lower incomes and smaller population than both neighbors. The disparity reflects limited housing supply in this isolated central Idaho county, keeping rents persistently elevated.

Over one-fifth of income to rent

Camas households earn $55,536 while paying $992 in rent or $978 for ownership—meaning 21.4% of income vanishes to rental housing. Ownership costs are nearly as high as rent ($978), offering little relief for homebuyers in this constrained market.

Renters should bypass Camas County

Camas's 21.4% rent-to-income ratio makes it Idaho's least affordable option for renters—compare to Boundary ($867) or Butte ($525) and save thousands annually. If you're relocating with modest income, nearly any other Idaho county offers better affordability mathematics.

Income & Jobs in Camas County

via IncomeByCounty

Camas lags national income average

Camas County's median household income of $55,536 trails the national median of $74,755 by roughly 26%, placing it in the lower tier of American counties. This significant gap reflects limited economic diversification and employment opportunities in this rural county.

Below Idaho's county average

Camas's $55,536 household income falls $10,234 below Idaho's state average of $65,770, positioning the county in the lower third of Idaho's 44 counties. Per capita income of $29,735 also underperforms the state average of $32,503, indicating limited individual earning power.

Weakest link in central Idaho

Camas earns $12,255 less than nearby Butte County ($43,281)—wait, that's reversed; Butte is lower. Actually, Camas at $55,536 exceeds Butte but trails Cassia County ($67,042) by $11,506 and significantly lags Bonneville County ($76,646) by $21,110. The county ranks in the lower half among regional peers.

Housing costs pinch household budgets

Camas's rent-to-income ratio of 21.4% pushes toward the affordability threshold, meaning renters spend over one-fifth of income on housing. Combined with a median household income of $55,536, the county leaves residents with limited discretionary income for saving and investing.

Maximize income growth opportunities

Camas residents earning below county median should explore skills training and higher-wage career transitions to boost household income. Those meeting or exceeding the $55,536 median can benefit from automated savings plans and employer retirement matching programs to build wealth despite tight housing costs.

Health in Camas County

via HealthByCounty

Limited data, but signs of concern

Life expectancy data is not currently available for Camas County, making national comparisons difficult. However, the county's 15.0% poor or fair health rate suggests health outcomes broadly comparable to national averages for self-reported wellness.

Data gap hampers state comparison

Without life expectancy figures, Camas cannot be directly ranked against Idaho's 77.5-year state average. The 15.0% poor or fair health rate sits slightly better than many state peers, but the missing longevity metric leaves a critical gap in understanding Camas's true health standing.

Uninsured rate highest in the region

Camas's 14.0% uninsured rate is the highest among these eight counties, significantly exceeding Idaho's 11.7% average. This access barrier compounds any underlying health challenges the county faces.

Minimal healthcare infrastructure reported

Primary care and mental health provider data remain unavailable for Camas County, suggesting limited healthcare infrastructure or reporting challenges. The 14.0% uninsured rate creates a double burden: sparse provider networks paired with fewer residents able to pay for care.

Make coverage a family priority

With 1 in 7 Camas County residents uninsured—the highest rate in this group—seeking coverage is urgent. Visit healthcare.gov or contact local community health centers to explore options and connect your family to the limited services available.

Disaster Risk in Camas County

via RiskByCounty

Camas ranks among America's safest

Camas County scores just 5.98 on composite risk, placing it in the very low category with minimal exposure to most hazards. Its high elevation and remote location shield it from major natural disaster threats.

Second-safest county in Idaho

At 5.98, Camas is nearly 85% below Idaho's state average of 38.51, making it one of only a handful of truly low-risk counties statewide. Only Butte County's 4.42 is lower.

Safer than all surrounding counties

Camas's 5.98 score contrasts sharply with Caribou's 7.22 and Cassia's 43.58, demonstrating the protected geography of central Camas County. Its isolation from major fault lines and fire corridors explains the dramatically lower risk.

Wildfire is Camas's only meaningful threat

Wildfire risk reaches 80.82, the only significant hazard in Camas County, while all other exposures are negligible—flood at 3.37, tornado at 1.72, and earthquake at 23.22. This concentrated risk simplifies emergency preparedness.

Wildfire coverage recommended despite low overall risk

Although Camas is among America's safest counties overall, your 80.82 wildfire score means standalone wildfire insurance is still prudent for those in forested areas. Standard homeowners policies exclude this hazard entirely.

ByCounty Network

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