countyscore
43.6
County Score
Property Tax 80.1Safety 61Health 51.9

County Report Card

About Elmore County, Idaho

Below National Performance Levels

Elmore County registers a composite score of 42.5, which falls short of the national median of 50.0. This suggests there are significant trade-offs to living in this region compared to the average US county.

Lagging Behind State Averages

With a score of 42.5, Elmore County trails the Idaho state average of 52.2. It faces more development challenges than many of its neighboring counties.

Stable Safety and Moderate Taxes

The county’s strongest suits are its safety score of 61.0 and a tax score of 74.1. The effective tax rate of 0.604% keeps the fiscal burden manageable for the average household.

Critical Gaps in Schools and Cost

Education is a major concern with a school score of just 0.9, the lowest in this group. High median rent of $1,111 also contributes to a low cost score of 30.0, impacting overall affordability.

Best for Mobile Professionals

Elmore County is most suitable for childless professionals or military families who prioritize safety and tax stability over local school quality. The relatively high housing costs require a steady income to navigate comfortably.

2040608010080.127.66151.90.948.84814.836.8Tax80.1Cost27.6Safety61Health51.9Schools0.9Income48.8Risk48Water14.8Weather36.843.6/100
This county
National avg
1 above average4 below average

Elmore County DNA

Foverall

How Elmore County compares to the national average across nine baseline dimensions

Elmore County falls below the national average in most categories. The biggest gap is in Schools (0.9/100), though Property Tax (80.1/100) remains a relative bright spot.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
80.1+28.099999999999994
Cost
27.6-20.4
Safety
61
Health
51.9
Schools
0.9-53.1
Income
48.8
Risk
48
Water
14.8-43.2
Weather
36.8-19.200000000000003
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Compare mortgage rates in Elmore County

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

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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$316,500

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$1,243/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$316,500/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$49,720/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum4.8x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $65,359/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

31.0

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

Boise County
Idaho
57.7
Camas County
Idaho
57.1
Ada County
Idaho
45.7
Gooding County
Idaho
48
Owyhee County
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Canyon County
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Gem County
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Blaine County
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Deep Dives

Elmore County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 9 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Elmore County

via TaxByCounty

Elmore County taxes modest by national standards

At 0.604% effective rate, Elmore County's property taxes remain roughly one-quarter the national median of $2,690 annually. This places the county near the 40th percentile nationally—below the US average but moderate for rural Idaho.

Slightly above Idaho's average tax burden

Elmore County's 0.604% effective rate exceeds Idaho's 0.508% state average, ranking it in the upper-middle tier statewide. The county's median property tax of $1,680 surpasses the state median by $151 annually.

Among the region's higher-taxed counties

Elmore County's 0.604% rate nearly ties Clearwater County (0.601%) for the region's highest effective rate. Residents pay roughly $370 more annually than the state median property tax.

Annual tax bill on median home value

On a median home value of $278,300, Elmore County homeowners typically pay about $1,680 per year in property taxes. With mortgage-related levies included, annual costs rise to approximately $1,758.

Challenge your assessment if costs seem high

Many homeowners in higher-taxed counties are overassessed relative to comparable market values. Requesting a formal property assessment review can uncover errors and potentially reduce your annual tax liability.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in Elmore County

via IncomeByCounty

Elmore County income lags national average

Elmore County's median household income of $58,976 falls $15,779 short of the national median of $74,755, earning about 79% of the U.S. norm. This reflects Elmore's position as a rural agricultural and resource-based economy.

Below Idaho average, middle-tier statewide

Elmore County's $58,976 median trails Idaho's state average of $65,770 by approximately $6,800. Per capita income of $30,146 slightly undershoot the state per capita average of $32,503.

Competitive with regional rural counties

Elmore County ($58,976) ranks above Clark ($52,083) and Clearwater ($57,961) but below Custer ($56,957) and most higher-income neighbors. Franklin ($65,991) and Fremont ($72,767) significantly outpace Elmore economically.

Housing affordability concern in Elmore County

Elmore County's rent-to-income ratio of 22.6% exceeds the healthy 17% benchmark, indicating housing costs consume a larger share of household earnings. The median home value of $278,300 is rising relative to income, potentially challenging first-time homebuyers.

Prioritize debt reduction before investing

With housing costs at 22.6% of income, Elmore County residents should focus first on paying down high-interest debt and building emergency reserves. Once housing-related obligations stabilize, even $50–100 monthly contributions to retirement accounts create meaningful long-term gains.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Elmore County

via CrimeByCounty

Strong National Safety Standing

Elmore County earns a safety score of 98.6. Its total crime rate of 897.3 per 100K is much lower than the national benchmark of 2,385.5.

Exceeding Idaho Safety Marks

The county ranks better than the Idaho average safety score of 98.4. Local law enforcement maintains a total crime rate that is lower than the state average of 1027.1.

Lower Crime than Neighboring Counties

Elmore’s 897.3 crime rate is lower than neighboring Gooding County’s 966.4. It represents a safe middle ground compared to more urban Idaho counties.

Low Risk of Violent Crime

Property crime sits at 643.4 per 100K, while violent crime is recorded at 253.9. These numbers indicate that three out of four crimes in the county involve property rather than people.

Keep Your Entryways Secure

Keep your home secure by using smart locks and ensuring all entryways are well-lit. Community awareness and basic security hardware go a long way in preventing local theft.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Elmore County

via WeatherByCounty

Warmer and Drier Than National Norms

Elmore County features an annual average temperature of 52.6°F, which is much closer to the national median than most Idaho counties. Its climate is classified by long, hot summers and relatively mild winters.

One of the Warmest Spots in Idaho

With an annual average of 52.6°F, Elmore County is significantly warmer than the state average of 46.5°F. It is also quite dry, receiving only 10.6 inches of precipitation annually compared to the state's 17.0-inch average.

Beating the Heat of the Snake River Plain

Elmore is warmer than neighboring Gem County, which averages 49.7°F. It also experiences far more extreme heat days than northern neighbors like Clearwater.

Hot Summers and Mild Desert Winters

July is hot with an average of 77.1°F, contributing to a staggering 66 days per year of temperatures over 90°F. While snowfall data is limited, winters are relatively mild with a January average of 31.8°F.

Prepare for Intense Summer Heat

Reliable air conditioning is a must for the 66 days of extreme heat each year. Residents should also focus on water conservation given the low 10.6-inch annual precipitation rate.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Elmore County

via SoilByCounty

Exploring Elmore's Soil Characteristics

Elmore County's primary soil texture and taxonomic order are not currently documented in our database. Most Idaho soils average a pH of 6.04, which is slightly more acidic than the 6.5 national benchmark.

Composition Patterns for Local Growers

Missing sand, silt, and clay data means drainage must be assessed through individual soil tests. These ratios determine if a garden will drain quickly or hold water for longer periods.

Fertility Trends Across the State

Local organic matter levels are unknown, but Idaho's state average is 27.53%, significantly higher than the 2.0% national average. The state's water capacity average of 0.269 in/in provides a baseline for local potential.

Drainage Logic for Desert Landscapes

Drainage and hydrologic data is not yet available for this specific county. Proper drainage classification is critical for successful large-scale farming and home gardening alike.

Warm Summer Growth in Zone 7a

Elmore County sits in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a, offering a generous growing window. This climate is excellent for tomatoes, peppers, and other heat-loving summer vegetables.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Elmore County

via LawnByCounty

Heat and Aridity in Elmore County

With a difficulty score of 32.9, Elmore County is on par with the Idaho state average but trails the national median significantly. The 7a Hardiness Zone provides some flexibility, but the intense summer heat makes turf management a constant battle. Success requires a dedicated focus on irrigation and heat-tolerant grass varieties.

High Heat and Very Low Rainfall

Elmore County is exceptionally dry, receiving only 10.6 inches of rain annually. It faces 66 days of extreme heat over 90°F, more than double the Idaho average of 30 days. This combination of 3197 growing degree days and low moisture creates a high demand for supplemental watering to prevent grass from scorching.

Prepping Arid Soil for Success

Local data for soil texture and pH is unavailable, but arid Idaho soils frequently require amendments to lower pH and increase water retention. Without these adjustments, the 10.6 inches of annual rain will quickly drain away from thirsty roots. Testing for clay or sand content can help you tailor your watering schedule more effectively.

Managing 100% Abnormally Dry Conditions

The entire county is currently classified as abnormally dry, and residents have faced 38 weeks of drought over the past year. In this high-heat environment, water conservation through smart irrigation controllers is a game changer. Watering deeply and less frequently helps grass develop the deep roots necessary to survive 66 days of extreme heat.

Strategic Planting for a Hot Climate

Tall Fescue is a top recommendation for Elmore County because of its deep root system and heat tolerance in Zone 7a. The window for seeding opens after the last spring frost on May 1st, giving the lawn time to establish before the July heat peaks. Aim to have your grass well-rooted before the first fall frost arrives around October 8th.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Elmore County's county score?
Elmore County, Idaho has a composite county score of 43.6 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 Elmore County rank among counties in Idaho?
Elmore County ranks #38 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 Elmore County, Idaho?
The median annual property tax in Elmore County is $1,701, with an effective tax rate of 0.54%. This earns Elmore County a tax score of 80.1/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Elmore County?
The median household income in Elmore County, Idaho is $65,359 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Elmore County earns an income score of 48.8/100 on CountyScore.
Is Elmore County, Idaho a good place to live?
Elmore County scores 43.6/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #38 in Idaho. The best way to evaluate Elmore 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 Elmore County with other counties side by side.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, 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.