CountyScore

Caribou County

Idaho · ID

#3 in Idaho
77.3
County Score

County Report Card

About Caribou County, Idaho

Caribou County ranks in national top quartile

With a composite score of 77.3, Caribou County ranks in the 77th percentile nationally, well above the national median of 50.0. This places it among the strongest-performing counties across the United States.

Idaho's second-best overall livability

Caribou County scores 77.3 against Idaho's state average of 72.5, making it one of the state's top-ranked counties. Only Butte County (77.6) scores marginally higher in this peer group.

Exceptional housing affordability and cost

Caribou County shines with a cost score of 82.9 and exceptionally low housing costs—median rents of just $800 monthly and home values around $220,200. The tax score of 85.3 and effective tax rate of 0.604% round out a fiscally advantageous profile.

Income levels constrain economic opportunity

The county's income score of 26.9 reflects a median household income of $66,653, limiting upward economic mobility compared to higher-wage regions. Health outcomes (73.5) are adequate but not exceptional.

Ideal for retirees seeking maximum value

Caribou County is perfect for retirees and those with stable, modest incomes seeking exceptional housing affordability combined with low taxes and decent health services. Its ranking among Idaho's best counties reflects a strong value proposition for budget-conscious households prioritizing economic security over growth.

Score breakdown

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

Tax85.3Cost82.9SafetyComing SoonHealth73.5SchoolsComing SoonIncome26.9Risk92.8WaterComing Soon
🏛85.3
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠82.9
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼26.9
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤73.5
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡92.8
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 Caribou County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Stevens County
Minnesota
77.3
Median income: $71,060
Bottineau County
North Dakota
77.3
Median income: $83,460
Bowman County
North Dakota
77.3
Median income: $83,773
Renville County
North Dakota
77.3
Median income: $76,311
Emery County
Utah
77.3
Median income: $69,956

Deep Dives

Caribou County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Caribou County

via TaxByCounty

Caribou taxes run highest among peers

Caribou County's 0.604% effective tax rate stands above both the national average and most Idaho counties, yet its median property tax of $1,330 remains 51% lower than the national median of $2,690. This paradox reflects Caribou's low median home value of $220,200, which keeps bills manageable despite a high tax rate.

Caribou has Idaho's highest tax rate

At 0.604%, Caribou County carries the highest effective property tax rate among Idaho's 44 counties, exceeding the state average of 0.508% by nearly 2 percentage points. This makes Caribou the state's most aggressive tax jurisdiction, though low property values cushion the impact.

Caribou significantly outpaces region

Caribou's 0.604% rate towers above neighboring Bannock and Bear Lake counties, representing a 12% to 14% premium over regional peers. Despite lower home values, Caribou's tax-rate advantage disappears when comparing actual dollar bills paid to neighbors.

Caribou median tax: $1,330 yearly

A typical Caribou County property valued at $220,200 generates annual taxes of $1,330, placing it near the middle of our surveyed counties. With mortgage assessments, bills rise to $1,348, while free-and-clear owners pay approximately $1,300.

Don't ignore assessment appeals

Even in high-rate counties, assessment errors create savings opportunities when challenged. If your Caribou property tax seems misaligned with local market sales, file a protest—the county assessor must justify valuations with comparable evidence.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Caribou County

via CostByCounty

Caribou delivers quiet affordability

Caribou County renters spend just 14.4% of income on rent, tracking below the national affordability threshold and beating 75% of U.S. counties. Median income of $66,653 combined with a median rent of just $800 creates one of the nation's best housing bargains.

Idaho's second-most affordable county

At 14.4%, Caribou's rent-to-income ratio ranks second-best in Idaho after Butte County (14.6%), running 2.4 points below state average of 16.8%. Median rent of $800 beats the state average by $119, making Caribou a genuine affordability standout.

Southeastern Idaho's value leader

Caribou's $800 rent undercuts Bonneville ($1,054), Cassia ($920), and Camas ($992), while owner costs at $732 match or beat all regional peers. This isolated Bear Lake county punches above its weight for affordability across both rental and ownership markets.

Income and housing in perfect balance

Caribou households earn $66,653 while paying just $800 rent or $732 ownership, meaning housing claims only 14.4% of income. The county achieves this balance through modest costs in an isolated area with stable, longtime residents rather than rapid growth.

Caribou: Southeast Idaho's affordability gem

At 14.4% rent-to-income, Caribou competes with Butte for Idaho's best affordability, combining reasonable rents ($800) with solid incomes ($66,653). If you accept remote location and seasonal recreation tradeoffs, Caribou delivers genuine long-term housing relief.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Caribou County

via IncomeByCounty

Caribou slightly trails national median

Caribou County's median household income of $66,653 falls about 10.8% below the national median of $74,755, placing it in the lower-middle range of American counties. The county's performance reflects rural Idaho economic patterns, though it performs better than many isolated mountain counties.

Just above Idaho's county average

Caribou's $66,653 household income exceeds Idaho's state average of $65,770 by $883, positioning the county near the state median among Idaho's 44 counties. Per capita income of $30,255 falls slightly below the state average of $32,503.

Upper-middle tier in eastern Idaho

Caribou's $66,653 household income outpaces Boundary County ($62,438) by $4,215 and Camas County ($55,536) by $11,117, but trails Cassia County ($67,042) by just $389. The county ranks competitively within its eastern Idaho region, though below Bonneville County's strong $76,646.

Very affordable rental market

Caribou's rent-to-income ratio of 14.4% is among the lowest in Idaho, indicating renters spend less than one-seventh of income on housing. Combined with strong per capita income relative to household income, the county offers excellent housing affordability for residents.

Leverage affordability for financial growth

Caribou's exceptionally low rent-to-income ratio creates significant opportunity for households to redirect savings toward investments and wealth building. Residents should prioritize establishing emergency funds, exploring homeownership options, and maximizing retirement contributions to build long-term financial security.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Caribou County

via HealthByCounty

Caribou slightly below US life expectancy

Caribou County residents live to 76.7 years, about 2.2 years below the US average of 78.9 years. The county's 14.9% poor or fair health rate is better than national norms, suggesting residents report relatively good health despite lower longevity.

Life expectancy below state average

At 76.7 years, Caribou trails Idaho's state average of 77.5 years by 0.8 years, placing it in the lower-middle tier of the profiled counties. The gap is modest but meaningful when considering statewide health trends.

Best uninsured rate, uneven provider access

Caribou's 76.7-year life expectancy lags Bonner and Boundary counties but exceeds Butte, Bonneville, and Cassia counties. The county boasts the second-best uninsured rate at 9.2%, nearly matching Bonneville County and well below state average.

Strong primary care, sparse mental health

Caribou offers robust primary care access at 56 per 100,000 residents, matching Boundary County and ranking above most peers. However, mental health provider density of 42 per 100,000 is among the lowest in the region, creating a gap in behavioral health services.

Keep your coverage secure

Caribou's 9.2% uninsured rate is among the best in the state, but nearly 1 in 10 residents still lack coverage. Ensure your family maintains or obtains health insurance at healthcare.gov to fully leverage the county's strong primary care infrastructure.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Caribou County

via RiskByCounty

Caribou's risk profile is very low

Caribou County scores 7.22, ranking among America's lowest-risk counties despite some moderate earthquake exposure. Most hazard types present minimal threat here.

Among Idaho's safest counties

At 7.22, Caribou sits 81% below Idaho's state average of 38.51, placing it solidly in the very low risk tier. Only Butte and Camas counties achieve lower composite scores statewide.

Safer than most southeastern Idaho counties

Caribou's 7.22 score is lower than Cassia's 43.58 and Bonneville's 82.41, reflecting its eastern location away from major fire corridors and flood zones. Its geography provides natural insulation from most hazards.

Earthquakes pose Caribou's main concern

Earthquake risk scores 72.11, the dominant hazard in Caribou County, while all other exposures are very low—wildfire at 80.98 for forested areas, flood at just 10.66, and tornado at 3.12. The seismic exposure reflects proximity to regional fault systems.

Earthquake coverage recommended for Caribou residents

Despite your county's overall low risk profile, Caribou's 72.11 earthquake score justifies securing earthquake coverage as an add-on to your homeowners policy. This specialized coverage is affordable given your low risk for other hazards.

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.