CountyScore

Gooding County

Idaho · ID

#28 in Idaho
71.5
County Score

County Report Card

About Gooding County, Idaho

Gooding County outpaces half of U.S. counties

Gooding County's composite score of 71.5 exceeds the national median of 50.0 by 43%, placing it above average for the nation. This solid standing reflects dependable performance in several key livability dimensions.

Slightly trails Idaho state average

At 71.5, Gooding County falls just below Idaho's state average of 72.5, ranking in the lower-middle tier of state counties. The modest gap suggests this county is a reasonable choice with minor room for improvement.

Affordability and tax efficiency shine

Gooding County offers strong housing affordability with median rent of $859/month and median home value of $231,800, paired with reasonable taxes at 0.528% effective rate. Risk resilience at 74.6 is the strongest dimension, indicating good economic stability.

Health outcomes and income lag peers

Health scores 58.8, the lowest among these eight counties, suggesting limited healthcare resources or wellness challenges. Income at 24.1 with median household earnings of $62,395 also trails several peer counties.

Suitable for budget-minded rural residents

Gooding County suits budget-conscious families and retirees prioritizing low housing costs and tax stability over advanced healthcare or high wages. It's a practical choice for those seeking simple, affordable rural Idaho living.

Score breakdown

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

Tax87.4Cost80.3SafetyComing SoonHealth58.8SchoolsComing SoonIncome24.1Risk74.6WaterComing Soon
🏛87.4
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠80.3
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼24.1
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤58.8
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡74.6
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 Gooding County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Bullock County
Alabama
71.5
Median income: $36,723
Cherokee County
Alabama
71.5
Median income: $50,769
Bradley County
Arkansas
71.5
Median income: $39,565
Franklin County
Arkansas
71.5
Median income: $51,919
Fulton County
Arkansas
71.5
Median income: $38,941

Deep Dives

Gooding County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Gooding County

via TaxByCounty

Gooding County taxes rank below national average

At 0.528% effective rate, Gooding County's property taxes run roughly one-fifth the national median of $2,690 annually. This places the county in approximately the 30th percentile nationally—well below the typical US county's burden.

Slightly above Idaho's statewide average

Gooding County's 0.528% effective rate slightly exceeds Idaho's 0.508% state average, ranking it in the middle-upper tier statewide. The county's median property tax of $1,223 trails the state median by $306 annually.

Moderate taxes for the regional landscape

Gooding County's 0.528% rate sits between lower-taxed Gem (0.393%) and higher-taxed Clearwater (0.601%) counties. Residents pay roughly $306 less annually than the state median property tax.

Annual tax bill on median home value

On a median home value of $231,800, Gooding County homeowners typically pay about $1,223 per year in property taxes. With mortgage-related levies included, annual costs rise to approximately $1,231.

Challenge your assessment if costs seem high

Assessment errors can occur in any county and inflate your annual tax obligations unnecessarily. Submitting a formal property assessment appeal can verify your home's valuation and potentially lower your tax bill.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Gooding County

via CostByCounty

Gooding rents sit near the national sweet spot

At 16.5%, Gooding County's rent-to-income ratio lands just below the national average, with $859 rents supported by household income of $62,395. This balanced positioning makes Gooding a solid middle-ground choice for affordability-conscious Americans.

Gooding edges slightly below state average

Gooding County's 16.5% rent-to-income ratio sits just below Idaho's 16.8% state average, while its $859 median rent runs modestly above the state's $919 average. The county's moderate household income supports this lean affordability profile.

Balanced costs amid regional variation

Gooding County's $859 rent falls between Custer's bargain $744 and Elmore's pricey $1,111, reflecting its true middle-ground position in central Idaho. Household income of $62,395 also anchors Gooding near the regional median, making it reliably predictable.

Renters and buyers both find reasonable terms

Renters commit 16.5% of income to $859/month housing, leaving solid room for savings and discretionary spending. Homeowners pay $830/month on median properties worth $231,800, positioned between Custer's cheaper homes and the region's pricier markets.

Gooding offers Idaho's balanced middle ground

Gooding County delivers steady, predictable affordability without extremes—suitable for middle-income families seeking reliable Idaho living costs. Compare against Fremont's higher incomes and Elmore's cost burden to confirm Gooding's practical fit for your situation.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Gooding County

via IncomeByCounty

Gooding County trails national income average

Gooding County's median household income of $62,395 falls $12,360 short of the national median of $74,755, representing 83% of the U.S. norm. This gap reflects Gooding's agricultural and resource-based economic foundation.

Below Idaho average but competitive statewide

Gooding County's $62,395 median trails Idaho's state average of $65,770 by $3,375. Per capita income of $29,647 underperforms the state average of $32,503, suggesting income concentration in fewer households.

Middle-tier earner among regional counties

Gooding County ($62,395) outpaces Clark, Clearwater, and Custer counties but trails Franklin, Fremont, and Gem. Elmore County ($58,976) falls slightly below Gooding, rounding out the middle tier of this regional group.

Housing costs remain manageable overall

Gooding County's rent-to-income ratio of 16.5% sits well within the healthy 17% benchmark, allowing households to balance housing costs with other expenses. A median home value of $231,800 remains accessible given median household earnings.

Steady wealth building with disciplined saving

Gooding County residents benefit from manageable housing costs at 16.5% of income, freeing capital for systematic investment. Setting up automatic transfers to index funds or employer retirement plans can build substantial wealth even with moderate income growth.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Gooding County

via HealthByCounty

Gooding County faces health challenges

Gooding County's 76.4-year life expectancy falls below Idaho's 77.5-year state average and the U.S. average of roughly 76 years. At 21.9% reporting poor or fair health, the county exceeds both state and national norms—signaling significant population health struggles.

Idaho's health challenge county

Gooding County ranks among Idaho's lowest on health metrics, with a 76.4-year life expectancy and 21.9% poor/fair health rate well below the state average. These numbers indicate pressing health needs that demand local attention and support.

Worst health metrics in region

Gooding County's 21.9% poor/fair health rate significantly exceeds all regional neighbors, including Custer (15.4%), Clearwater (16.8%), Fremont (16.4%), and Gem (15.6%). Its 76.4-year life expectancy trails most peers except Gem (75.9) and Clearwater (75.9).

High uninsured rate, limited providers

Gooding County's 18.0% uninsured rate stands among Idaho's highest—affecting nearly 1 in 5 residents—and nearly double the state average of 11.7%. With only 32 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, healthcare access barriers compound coverage gaps.

Urgent: get insured now

Gooding County's 18.0% uninsured rate is one of Idaho's worst, leaving thousands without access to the care they need. Visit healthcare.gov immediately, call 1-800-318-2596, or contact your local health department to find affordable coverage today.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Gooding County

via RiskByCounty

Gooding County's risk is well below average

With a composite risk score of 25.45 and a Very Low rating, Gooding County sits comfortably below the national average for natural disaster hazards. The county's location and landscape provide genuine protection from extreme exposure.

Safer than most Idaho counties

Gooding County's score of 25.45 ranks well below Idaho's state average of 38.51, placing it in the safer tier of state counties. Most neighboring counties face substantially higher cumulative risk.

A relative safe zone in south-central Idaho

Gooding County's 25.45 score is notably lower than nearby Elmore (51.97), Custer (52.42), and Fremont (38.26) counties. This safety advantage reflects both geographic position and landscape characteristics.

Wildfire and earthquake warrant preparation

Wildfire risk at 95.29 and earthquake risk at 58.49 are Gooding County's primary concerns, while flood (25.92) and tornado (9.57) pose much lower threats. Despite overall low county risk, these two hazards deserve attention.

Wildfire and earthquake insurance coverage needed

Gooding County homeowners should add wildfire coverage to standard policies and consider earthquake insurance, given the county's exposure to both hazards. Basic preparedness—including 30+ feet of defensible space and foundation bolting—provides cost-effective protection.

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.