countyscore
63.6
County Score
Property Tax 87.5Safety 76.2Income & Jobs 73.4

County Report Card

About Fremont County, Idaho

A National Leader in Livability

Fremont County boasts a composite score of 63.6, far exceeding the national median of 50.0. It is one of the highest-rated counties in the region, offering a superior quality of life.

Crushing the State Average

At 63.6, Fremont County easily clears the Idaho state average of 52.2. It ranks as a premier destination within Idaho for residents seeking a high-performing local government.

Robust Incomes and High Safety

Fremont excels with an income score of 73.4 and a safety score of 76.2. The median household income of $72,767 is among the highest in the area, paired with a favorable tax score of 87.5.

Significant Water Quality Concerns

Despite high marks elsewhere, the water score is a very low 3.3, indicating a need for better utility infrastructure. Affordable housing is also tightening, with a cost score of 51.5 as home values reach $281,800.

The Gold Standard for Idaho Living

Fremont County is the best fit for high-earning families and professionals who want a mix of safety, good schools, and low taxes. If you can manage private water solutions, the lifestyle here is nearly unmatched in the state.

2040608010087.551.576.257.158.373.461.83.345.6Tax87.5Cost51.5Safety76.2Health57.1Schools58.3Income73.4Risk61.8Water3.3Weather45.663.6/100
This county
National avg
4 above average2 below average

Fremont County DNA

D+overall

How Fremont County compares to the national average across 9 dimensions

Fremont County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Property Tax (87.5/100) but notably weak in Water Quality (3.3/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
87.5+35.5
Cost
51.5
Safety
76.2+21.200000000000003
Health
57.1
Schools
58.3
Income
73.4+22.400000000000006
Risk
61.8+14.799999999999997
Water
3.3-54.7
Weather
45.6-10.399999999999999
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Compare mortgage rates in Fremont County

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

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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$281,800

National median: $174,650

Median Rent

$803/mo

National median: $854/mo

Income Needed (home)

$281,800/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$32,120/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum3.9x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $72,767/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

14.6

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
Compare Fremont County with Hart County →Share on X

Counties with similar scores

Hart County
Kentucky
Median income: $49,653
63.6
Dixon County
Nebraska
Median income: $69,156
63.6
Clarke County
Virginia
Median income: $114,185
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Mineral County
West Virginia
Median income: $68,049
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Mingo County
West Virginia
Median income: $39,527
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Baca County
Colorado
Median income: $40,380
63.7
Dade County
Georgia
Median income: $58,936
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Washington County
Illinois
Median income: $75,652
63.7

Nearby counties

Madison County
Idaho
53.7
Clark County
Idaho
54.1
Teton County
Idaho
61.4
Jefferson County
Idaho
52.8
Teton County
Wyoming
62.4
Bonneville County
Idaho
41.4
Madison County
Montana
65.6
Gallatin County
Montana
44.2

Deep Dives

Fremont County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 11 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Fremont County

via TaxByCounty

Fremont County taxes rank well below national median

At 0.483% effective rate, Fremont County's property taxes run roughly one-fifth the national median of $2,690 annually. This places the county in approximately the 20th percentile nationally—among America's more tax-friendly counties.

Slightly below Idaho's statewide average

Fremont County's 0.483% effective rate sits below Idaho's 0.508% state average, ranking it in the lower-middle tier statewide. The county's median property tax of $1,360 trails the state median by $169 annually.

Among the region's more affordable tax counties

Fremont County's 0.483% rate ranks below most neighboring counties, outpaced only by Clark (0.292%) and Custer (0.305%). Residents save roughly $169 annually compared to the state median property tax.

Annual tax bill on median home value

On a median home value of $281,800, Fremont County homeowners typically pay about $1,360 per year in property taxes. With mortgage-related levies included, annual costs rise to approximately $1,378.

Challenge your assessment if costs seem high

Even in lower-taxed counties, assessment errors can occur and inflate your annual obligations. Filing a formal property assessment appeal can identify valuation mistakes and potentially lower your tax bill.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Fremont County

via CostByCounty

Fremont's affordability beats most of America

At 13.2%, Fremont County's rent-to-income ratio ranks among the nation's best, powered by relatively strong household income of $72,767 and modest $803 rents. This combination gives residents nearly a 20% margin below the national household-income median.

Fremont is Idaho's affordability champion

Fremont County's 13.2% rent-to-income ratio soundly beats Idaho's 16.8% state average, ranking it as the state's most affordable county for renters. Combined with above-average household incomes, Fremont demonstrates how strong earning power unlocks genuine affordability.

Best incomes paired with reasonable rents

Fremont County's $803 rent matches regional peers, but its $72,767 household income—the highest among nearby counties—makes the cost burden noticeably lighter. This income advantage over Custer, Clearwater, and Elmore gives residents the most cushion.

Renters pocket the most breathing room

At just 13.2% of income going to rent, Fremont households retain the largest surplus for savings and emergencies across the region. Homeowners invest $897/month in properties worth $281,800, supported by incomes that outpace peers.

Fremont is Idaho's affordability bellwether

If you earn a mid-to-upper-six-figure household income or seek the best rent-to-income ratio in Idaho, Fremont County is your answer. Cross-check against Franklin and Custer for your specific situation, but Fremont's economic strength is hard to beat.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Fremont County

via IncomeByCounty

Fremont County nearly matches U.S. income levels

Fremont County's median household income of $72,767 sits just $1,988 below the national median of $74,755, achieving 97% parity with the U.S. average. This exceptional alignment makes Fremont one of Idaho's strongest-earning rural counties.

Tops Idaho's state median by a wide margin

Fremont County's $72,767 median household income exceeds Idaho's state average of $65,770 by $6,997, ranking among the state's top earners. Per capita income of $32,085 matches the state average closely, indicating broad-based income strength.

Highest earner among all neighboring counties

Fremont County ($72,767) significantly outearns all peers in this dataset, with only Gem County ($66,245) approaching its income level. The county's $6,822 advantage over Franklin County reflects stronger labor market dynamics and higher-wage opportunities.

Superior housing affordability ratio

Fremont County's rent-to-income ratio of 13.2% is the lowest in this entire group, indicating exceptional housing affordability relative to earnings. A median home value of $281,800 remains very manageable given the strong income base.

Maximum potential for wealth accumulation

With housing costs at just 13.2% of income and near-national median earnings, Fremont County residents enjoy ideal conditions for aggressive wealth building. Investors here can afford to maximize retirement contributions, diversify into real estate, and establish college savings plans simultaneously.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Fremont County

via CrimeByCounty

Remarkably Low Crime Rates

Fremont County is remarkably secure, posting a safety score of 99.1. Its total crime rate of 569.6 per 100K is roughly one-fourth the national average of 2,385.5.

Surpassing Idaho Safety Averages

The county ranks comfortably above the Idaho state average safety score of 98.4. With three agencies reporting, the data provides a reliable picture of local security.

Safer than Rural Neighbors

Fremont's 569.6 crime rate is much lower than nearby Clark County’s 2513.3. It also performs better than the state average of 1027.1 per 100K residents.

Focus on Property Security

Violent crime is low at 81.4 per 100K, while property crime is the primary concern at 488.2. This breakdown indicates that most reported incidents involve theft rather than physical harm.

Maintaining Low Property Crime

Enhance your peace of mind by securing entry points and using smart doorbell cameras. These tools help maintain the county's low property crime levels through active surveillance.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Schools in Fremont County

via SchoolsByCounty

Top-Tier Performance in Fremont County

Fremont County manages 10 public schools across three districts, supporting 2,244 students. The infrastructure includes five elementary schools and four high schools, catering to a primarily rural population.

Exceptional Graduation Rates Lead the State

Fremont County delivers an impressive 97.0% graduation rate, far exceeding the state and national averages. The county's school score of 55.6 also beats the state average of 48.0, backed by $6,254 in per-pupil spending.

Traditional and Charter Options

The Fremont County Joint District is the largest, educating 2,222 students. The county also features the Island Park Charter School, which provides a specialized alternative for a small portion of the student body.

Rural Roots with Large Hub Schools

Nine of the ten schools are rural, yet Henrys Fork Elementary serves a substantial 603 students. This blend of rural settings and large, well-resourced hub schools defines the local educational experience.

Relocate for Academic Excellence

With one of the highest graduation rates in Idaho, Fremont County is a premier destination for families. Explore homes near St. Anthony or Ashton to take advantage of these top-rated school districts.

Full schools analysis on SchoolsByCounty

Disaster Risk in Fremont County

via RiskByCounty

Fremont County faces above-average risk

With a composite risk score of 38.26 and a Very Low rating, Fremont County closely mirrors the national average for natural disaster exposure. The county's risk reflects significant earthquake and wildfire vulnerability.

Moderate risk for an Idaho county

Fremont County's score of 38.26 sits just below Idaho's state average of 38.51, placing it squarely in the middle of the state's risk distribution. Several Idaho counties face higher hazard exposure; several face lower.

Earthquake risk centers Fremont's profile

Fremont County's earthquake risk of 82.92 is among the highest in south-central Idaho, exceeding Custer (79.29) and Teton County equivalents. This seismic exposure is the county's defining risk differentiator.

Earthquake and wildfire are top priorities

Fremont County faces earthquake risk of 82.92 and wildfire risk of 87.09, while flood (41.41) and tornado (6.77) pose lesser threats. The county's position in an active seismic belt makes earthquake the most distinctive hazard.

Earthquake coverage protects your investment

Fremont County residents should prioritize earthquake insurance alongside standard homeowners coverage, as earthquakes are excluded from most basic policies. Also secure wildfire coverage or a rider, and consider structural reinforcement in older homes.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

Water Quality in Fremont County

via WaterByCounty

Extreme Health Violation Rate Recorded

Fremont County receives an 'F' grade with a staggering 1,158.6 health violations per 100,000 residents. This rate is more than five times the Idaho state average of 207.0, based on 84 violations over five years.

Watershed Health Better Than Average

Despite drinking water issues, only 29.0% of 334 assessed water bodies are impaired, well below the state average of 41.6%. Temperature and sedimentation are the main causes for the 97 failing water bodies identified in 2022.

Monitoring Focuses on Ecosystem Data

Researchers have recorded 3,201 measurements from 28 monitoring sites in the last five years. The data primarily covers physical attributes and biological fish counts to track watershed health.

Henrys Fork Flow Below Average

The Henrys Fork at St. Anthony is flowing at 1,170 cfs, which is 62% of its long-term mean. Reduced flow levels affect the 1,770 square mile drainage area and may impact local water availability.

Critical Need for Water Testing

The extreme drinking water violation rate makes home testing and advanced filtration a top priority for every household. While the watershed is relatively healthy, the current low streamflow levels can worsen the concentration of existing contaminants.

Full water quality analysis on WaterByCounty

Weather & Climate in Fremont County

via WeatherByCounty

A Cold and Snowy High Country Climate

Fremont County is one of the coolest spots in the nation with an annual average of 41.1°F. It sits well below the national median temperature, reflecting its high-elevation geography.

Significantly Colder Than the Idaho Average

Averaging 41.1°F, Fremont County is more than 5 degrees colder than the Idaho state average of 46.5°F. However, it receives 21.1 inches of precipitation, making it wetter than the state average.

The Snowiest Corner of the Region

Fremont receives 70.1 inches of snow, far outpacing the 47.3 inches seen in neighboring Clark County. It is also significantly wetter than other eastern Idaho counties due to its mountain topography.

Long Winters and Very Brief Summers

Winters are harsh with a January average of 19.0°F and heavy snow. Summers are very mild, with only 7 days per year reaching 90°F and a July average of just 64.5°F.

Invest in Serious Winter Infrastructure

Heating and snow removal are the primary concerns for residents facing 70 inches of snow and 19°F Januarys. Air conditioning is rarely a priority, as extreme heat occurs only about one week per year.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Fremont County

via SoilByCounty

Fremont's Geological Soil Identity

Specific taxonomic and pH data for Fremont County are currently unavailable. In the broader context, Idaho soils tend toward a pH of 6.04, which is more acidic than the 6.5 national median.

Composition and Earth Texture

We lack specific sand, silt, and clay data for this region's soil. These percentages are the primary indicators of how well soil breathes and how much water it holds.

Idaho's Impressive Soil Scores

Fremont's organic matter is not currently recorded, but the state average is an outlier at 27.53%. This compares favorably to the 2.0% national average, suggesting high potential for Idaho lands.

Drainage Classes and Water Flow

The dominant drainage class is currently unassigned for Fremont County. Proper hydrologic classification helps residents manage heavy snowmelt and prevent seasonal flooding issues.

Hardy Crops for Zone 5a

Fremont County falls into USDA Hardiness Zone 5a, one of Idaho's cooler zones. Short-season potatoes and cold-weather greens are the most reliable choices for local gardens.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Fremont County

via LawnByCounty

Cold and Consistent: Fremont County Lawns

Fremont County scores a 32.9 on the lawn difficulty scale, placing it exactly on par with the Idaho state average. As a Hardiness Zone 5a region, the primary challenge here is the cold rather than extreme heat. Residents can expect a reliable but shorter window for active lawn growth.

Cool Summers with Decent Moisture

Fremont enjoys a cooler climate with only 7 days of extreme heat per year and 1428 growing degree days. It receives 21.1 inches of annual precipitation, which is higher than the state average and helps supplement irrigation needs. This cooler weather means less heat stress for grass compared to southern Idaho.

Preparing Your Soil for Cold Winters

Data regarding soil pH and texture is currently unavailable for this county. Given the 21.1 inches of annual rain, ensuring good drainage is essential to prevent ice damage to grass roots during the winter. A local soil test will help you determine if your ground needs amendments to reach the ideal 6.0-7.0 pH range.

Persistent Dryness Despite Cooler Temps

Fremont County has spent 53 weeks in drought over the past year, and 100% of the county is currently abnormally dry. Even with fewer heat days, the lack of consistent rain means you must still irrigate strategically. Focus on deep-root watering to help your lawn survive these extended dry periods.

Timing Your Lawn for Zone 5a

Cool-season grasses like Kentucky Bluegrass are ideal for the Zone 5a winters of Fremont County. You should aim to seed or sod after the final spring frost on May 21st for the best establishment. The growing season ends relatively early, with the first fall frost typically occurring by September 22th.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Fremont County's county score?
Fremont County, Idaho has a composite county score of 63.6 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 Fremont County rank among counties in Idaho?
Fremont County ranks #2 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 Fremont County, Idaho?
The median annual property tax in Fremont County is $1,360, with an effective tax rate of 0.48%. This earns Fremont County a tax score of 87.5/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Fremont County?
The median household income in Fremont County, Idaho is $72,767 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Fremont County earns an income score of 73.4/100 on CountyScore.
Is Fremont County, Idaho a good place to live?
Fremont County scores 63.6/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #2 in Idaho. The best way to evaluate Fremont 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 Fremont 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.