countyscore
65.4
County Score
Disaster Risk 92.8Property Tax 73.9Safety 72.7

County Report Card

About Caribou County, Idaho

A premier national performer

Caribou County earns an impressive composite score of 65.4, placing it among the top counties in the nation. It far exceeds the national median of 50.0 across multiple categories.

Leading the pack in Idaho

Caribou’s 65.4 score is significantly higher than the Idaho average of 52.2. It stands out as a model for livability and safety within the state's borders.

Superior safety and health

The county shines with a risk score of 92.8 and a safety score of 72.7. Residents also benefit from a strong health score of 67.5 and a median home value of $220,200.

Higher tax burden and water

While strong overall, the tax score of 73.9 is lower than many Idaho neighbors due to a 0.604% effective rate. A water score of 36.7 also indicates room for infrastructure improvement.

Top choice for balanced living

Caribou is arguably the best all-around option for families in this group. It offers a rare combination of high safety, good health outcomes, and manageable housing costs.

2040608010073.963.872.767.553.658.392.836.736.5Tax73.9Cost63.8Safety72.7Health67.5Schools53.6Income58.3Risk92.8Water36.7Weather36.565.4/100
This county
National avg
5 above average2 below average

Caribou County DNA

D+overall

How Caribou County compares to the national average across 9 dimensions

Caribou County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Disaster Risk (92.8/100) but notably weak in Water Quality (36.7/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
73.9+21.900000000000006
Cost
63.8+15.799999999999997
Safety
72.7+17.700000000000003
Health
67.5+17.5
Schools
53.6
Income
58.3
Risk
92.8+45.8
Water
36.7-21.299999999999997
Weather
36.5-19.5
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Compare mortgage rates in Caribou County

Whether buying or refinancing in Caribou County, compare rates from top lenders to find the best deal.

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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$220,200

National median: $174,650

Median Rent

$800/mo

National median: $854/mo

Income Needed (home)

$220,200/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$32,000/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum3.3x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $66,653/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

56.2

per 100K

Data from Federal Reserve (FRED), U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, and CMS NPPES.

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncome & Jobsincomebycounty.comSafetycrimebycounty.comHealthhealthbycounty.comSchoolsschoolsbycounty.comDisaster Riskriskbycounty.comWater Qualitywaterbycounty.comWeather & Climateweatherbycounty.comSoil Qualitysoilbycounty.comLawn Carelawnbycounty.comFarmers Marketsmarketsbycounty.comView on Mapcountyscore.com/map
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Nearby counties

Bear Lake County
Idaho
63.3
Bannock County
Idaho
42.2
Franklin County
Idaho
59.6
Lincoln County
Wyoming
65.1
Bonneville County
Idaho
41.4
Oneida County
Idaho
59.3
Bingham County
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48.6
Power County
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48

Deep Dives

Caribou County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 11 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

Safety in Caribou County

via CrimeByCounty

Caribou County is Exceptionally Secure

Caribou County earns a top-tier safety score of 99.0. Its total crime rate of 651.7 per 100K is about four times lower than the national average of 2,385.5.

Well Above the Idaho Safety Average

The county's safety score of 99.0 beats the Idaho average of 98.4. Residents enjoy a total crime rate of 651.7, which is much lower than the state's average of 1,027.1.

Consistent Low Crime Among Peers

Caribou County mirrors the safety profile of Butte County, with nearly identical crime rates near 651 per 100K. This makes it one of the quietest regions in southeastern Idaho.

Low Rates for Violent and Property Crime

The violent crime rate is 212.5 and the property crime rate is 439.2 per 100K. These figures are significantly lower than national averages, indicating a peaceful daily life for most residents.

Keep Your Caribou Property Secure

While crime is low, locking garage doors and outbuildings is a recommended practice in rural settings. Maintaining visibility around your property lines helps keep the community safe.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Schools in Caribou County

via SchoolsByCounty

Nine Schools Serving Three Districts

Caribou County manages nine public schools serving 1,594 students across three school districts. The infrastructure is well-distributed, featuring three elementary, two middle, and four high school buildings.

Elite Graduation Rates in Caribou

The county achieves an exceptional 92.7% graduation rate, placing it well above both Idaho and national averages. Local investment is also strong, with $6,836 spent per pupil and a composite school score of 54.6.

Soda Springs and Grace Districts

Soda Springs Joint District is the largest, educating 922 students across four schools. The Grace Joint and North Gem districts also play vital roles, providing localized education with no charter schools currently operating in the county.

Rural Roots with Town Centers

Seven of the county's nine schools are in rural settings, while two serve as town centers with an average school size of 177 students. Howard E Thirkill Primary is the largest school with 362 students, highlighting the county's focus on early education.

Relocate Near High-Achieving Schools

Strong academic outcomes make Caribou County a top choice for families moving to Eastern Idaho. Consider homes in Soda Springs or Grace to take advantage of some of the highest graduation rates in the state.

Full schools analysis on SchoolsByCounty

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

Water Quality in Caribou County

via WaterByCounty

Failing Grade with Low Violation Rate

Caribou County holds an F grade with two health violations recorded in the SDWIS database. Its rate of 41.5 per 100,000 residents is much lower than the state's average violation rate of 207.0.

Widespread Impairment in Caribou

More than half of the county's assessed water bodies—56.3%—are impaired according to the 2022 ATTAINS cycle. Sedimentation, phosphorus, and E. coli are the leading causes of water quality failure across 358 sites.

Extensive Physical and Biological Tracking

A network of 171 sites has produced 10,554 measurements in recent years. Data collection focuses on physical water characteristics and biological assessments of fish and aquatic life.

No Active USGS Streamgage Data

There is currently no representative USGS streamgage data available for primary waterways in Caribou County. Despite this lack of live flow data, the county continues to monitor health compliance across its public systems.

Address Sediment and Nutrient Load

Because 56% of local waters are impaired by sediment and phosphorus, residents should monitor for water clarity and potential algal issues. Practicing good watershed stewardship and ensuring proper well maintenance can help mitigate these risks.

Full water quality analysis on WaterByCounty

Weather & Climate in Caribou County

via WeatherByCounty

A High Altitude Rocky Mountain Climate

Caribou County's annual average temperature of 43.0°F is nearly 10 degrees below the national median. It receives a modest 15.4 inches of precipitation annually, typical for the high mountain basins.

Colder and Drier Than Idaho Benchmarks

Caribou County is 3.5 degrees colder than the Idaho state average of 46.5°F. Its 15.4 inches of precipitation is just under the state average of 17.0 inches.

Slightly Warmer Winters Than Butte County

Caribou County's winter average of 22.7°F is about three degrees warmer than Butte County. It shares a similar arid profile with Bonneville County, with both averaging around 15 inches of moisture.

Chilly Winters and Mild Summer Evenings

Winter temperatures average 22.7°F, while summer averages are a comfortable 63.7°F. Despite the cool average, the county still sees 20 days per year where temperatures reach 90°F.

Preparing for Thermal Swings and Dryness

The 20 days of extreme heat combined with cold 21.5°F Januarys require versatile HVAC systems. While snowfall data is limited, the winter averages suggest residents should be prepared for significant frost and ice.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Caribou County

via SoilByCounty

Southeastern Soil Foundations

Caribou County's soil pH data is not currently recorded, but it likely follows the Idaho state average of 6.04. Compared to the national median of 6.5, these soils are slightly more acidic, which can influence mineral solubility and plant health. Local testing is recommended to determine the exact needs of your land.

Texture and Drainage

Data on sand, silt, and clay content for Caribou County is unavailable in this dataset. This composition is the primary factor in how your soil retains moisture and nutrients during the growing season. Identifying whether your soil is sandy or clay-heavy will help you tailor your watering schedule.

Potential for High Yields

Specific organic matter percentages are missing, but Idaho's state average of 27.53% far exceeds the national average of 2.0%. This indicates that the regional soils have high biological potential if managed correctly. The state's average water capacity of 0.269 in/in provides a solid benchmark for local moisture retention.

Hydrology in High Elevation

Drainage classifications are not currently mapped for Caribou County, making local observation essential during the spring melt. Understanding how water interacts with your soil is critical for preventing erosion and protecting local watersheds. Always check your site's drainage before starting new construction or planting.

Growing in Zone 5a

Caribou County is located in hardiness zone 5a, requiring plants that can survive a rigorous winter. Focus on short-season crops like kale, radishes, and early-maturing potatoes to ensure a successful harvest. Start your garden today and enjoy the unique rewards of high-altitude growing.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Caribou County

via LawnByCounty

Caribou County's Rugged Lawn Environment

Caribou County has a lawn difficulty score of 28.2, which is lower than the Idaho state average of 33.3. This 5a hardiness zone is one of the coldest in the region, making it much more difficult to grow a lawn than the national median score of 50.0. Expect to put in significant effort to maintain green space in this high-altitude climate.

Cold Winters and Dry Summers

Annual precipitation is only 15.4 inches, necessitating a carefully managed sprinkler system. With 20 extreme heat days and 1,648 growing degree days, the heat is moderate, but the short overall season limits how much your grass can recover from damage. The cool nights and low humidity define the mowing and maintenance schedule here.

Healthy Soil for Cold Climates

With no specific county soil data available, residents should look for signs of compaction and poor drainage. High-elevation areas like Caribou County often benefit from regular core aeration to help air and water reach the roots in tough soil. Mixing in organic compost will help provide the nutrients that cool-season grasses need to survive harsh winters.

Navigating the Dry Spells

The county spent 37 weeks in drought over the last year, and 100% of the area is currently classified as abnormally dry. Water conservation is critical, and residents should avoid mowing too low, as taller grass helps keep the soil surface cool. Deep watering every few days is more effective than daily light sprinkling in this environment.

Planting for Durability

In a 5a zone, you must choose the most cold-tolerant grasses available, such as Kentucky bluegrass or fine fescues. Since frost can be unpredictable in high elevations, wait until the soil is consistently warm before seeding. These varieties are best equipped to enter dormancy during the long, cold winters and bounce back in the spring.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Caribou County's county score?
Caribou County, Idaho has a composite county score of 65.4 out of 100 on CountyScore. This score is calculated from a weighted average of available data dimensions including property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools.
How does Caribou County rank among counties in Idaho?
Caribou County ranks #1 among all counties in Idaho on CountyScore's composite ranking. Rankings are based on available data dimensions and updated as new data is added.
What are property taxes like in Caribou County, Idaho?
The median annual property tax in Caribou County is $1,330, with an effective tax rate of 0.60%. This earns Caribou County a tax score of 73.9/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Caribou County?
The median household income in Caribou County, Idaho is $66,653 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Caribou County earns an income score of 58.3/100 on CountyScore.
Is Caribou County, Idaho a good place to live?
Caribou County scores 65.4/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #1 in Idaho. The best way to evaluate Caribou County is to compare individual dimension scores — property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools — based on your personal priorities. Use CountyScore to compare Caribou County with other counties side by side.
By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & Data Editor

ByCounty Network

Property TaxCost of LivingIncome & JobsSafetyHealthSchoolsDisaster RiskWater QualityWeather & ClimateSoil QualityLawn CareFarmers Markets

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