CountyScore

Jefferson County

Idaho · ID

#29 in Idaho
71.3
County Score

County Report Card

About Jefferson County, Idaho

Strong Performer Above the National Bar

Jefferson County's score of 71.3 nearly matches the national median of 50.0, placing it solidly in the top 42% of U.S. counties. The county delivers above-average livability across multiple dimensions, particularly in health and income metrics.

Slightly Underperforming State Baseline

Jefferson County scores 71.3 compared to Idaho's state average of 72.5, placing it just slightly below the middle tier of Idaho counties. This near-average standing reflects a county with competitive fundamentals but limited standout advantages.

Higher Incomes and Strong Health Outcomes

Jefferson County leads with a median household income of $82,952 and an income score of 37.5—nearly 20 points above Idaho County. Its health score of 72.3 and robust risk score of 59.9 indicate populations with access to quality healthcare and moderate hazard resilience.

Housing Costs Climbing Steadily

The cost score of 69.9 and median home value of $335,000 signal rising housing pressures that outpace affordability trends in neighboring counties. At a median gross rent of $1,098/month, renters may find budget constraints tighter than elsewhere in Idaho.

Right for Higher-Earning Professionals

Jefferson County appeals to professionals with solid incomes seeking healthcare quality and moderate natural disaster resilience over rock-bottom housing costs. It's best suited to dual-income households or established earners comfortable with above-average housing prices.

Score breakdown

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

Tax87.4Cost69.9SafetyComing SoonHealth72.3SchoolsComing SoonIncome37.5Risk59.9WaterComing Soon
🏛87.4
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠69.9
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼37.5
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤72.3
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡59.9
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 Jefferson County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Barbour County
Alabama
71.3
Median income: $44,290
Marengo County
Alabama
71.3
Median income: $44,205
Clark County
Arkansas
71.3
Median income: $50,985
Jefferson County
Florida
71.3
Median income: $56,984
Lafayette County
Florida
71.3
Median income: $60,692

Deep Dives

Jefferson County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Jefferson County

via TaxByCounty

Jefferson County: near national tax average

Jefferson County's effective tax rate of 0.530% sits close to the national median, with residents paying $1,775 annually—just 34% below the national median property tax of $2,690. The county ranks near the national middle for overall tax burden.

Slightly above Idaho's state average

At 0.530%, Jefferson County's effective rate edges above Idaho's state average of 0.508%. The county ranks in the middle range among Idaho's 44 counties for property tax rates.

Higher taxes than most nearby counties

Jefferson County's $1,775 median tax exceeds Lemhi County ($1,109) and Lincoln County ($991), but trails Latah County ($2,333). The county sits in the moderate-to-high tier for the region.

Homeowners pay $1,775 annually on typical home

With a median home value of $335,000, typical Jefferson County property owners face annual taxes of roughly $1,775. That's about $148 monthly—solidly in line with rural Idaho averages.

Assessment reviews worth considering

Even homeowners in moderately taxed counties benefit from reviewing their assessments, as overvaluation can compound over years. A local property tax appeal could save hundreds if your home is assessed above fair market value.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Jefferson County

via CostByCounty

Jefferson County punches above income weight

With a rent-to-income ratio of 15.9%, Jefferson County renters fare better than the national norm and nearly match the national average household income of $74,755—a rare combination in rural Idaho. At $82,952, the median household income here is 11% above the national benchmark, creating strong purchasing power.

High earners, moderate rents statewide

Jefferson County's 15.9% rent-to-income ratio sits just below Idaho's 16.8% state average, despite rents at $1,098 that exceed the state median by 19%. The key advantage is income: at $82,952, households earn significantly more than most Idaho counties, improving overall affordability.

More expensive rents, better paychecks

Jefferson County's $1,098 rent is the second-highest among these eight counties, but incomes here are also the strongest at $82,952. Compared to lower-income counties like Lemhi ($52,057) and Lewis ($49,643), Jefferson renters earn enough to weather higher housing costs without hardship.

Ownership carries premium costs here

Renters pay $1,098 monthly while homeowners face $1,218 in monthly costs on the $335,000 median home value—the mortgage burden actually exceeds rent. The $82,952 median income supports both, but prospective owners should budget carefully for the ownership premium in this county.

Jefferson: where higher pay meets higher rents

If career advancement is your priority, Jefferson County's strong incomes ($82,952) offset its steeper housing costs compared to neighbors. Renters considering the move should weigh the $1,098 rent against local wage opportunities—the math works better here than in lower-income counties with comparable rents.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Jefferson County

via IncomeByCounty

Jefferson County earns well above U.S. average

The median household income of $82,952 runs 11% higher than the national median of $74,755, placing Jefferson County in the top quartile nationally. This strong performance reflects a thriving agricultural and manufacturing base that supports above-average household earnings.

Idaho's highest-earning county

Jefferson County leads all 44 Idaho counties with a median household income of $82,952, nearly $17,200 above the state average of $65,770. This commanding position underscores the county's economic vitality and robust job market.

Outearns surrounding counties significantly

At $82,952, Jefferson County tops nearby Jerome ($69,338) and Lincoln ($66,038), demonstrating stronger economic momentum in the region. Only Kootenai County ($77,034) comes close, but Jefferson still maintains a clear income advantage.

Strong income supports high housing costs

The rent-to-income ratio of 15.9% keeps housing affordable despite a median home value of $335,000. Households earning the local median can comfortably cover shelter while maintaining healthy savings capacity.

Capitalize on above-average earnings power

Jefferson County households earning $82,952 have significant capacity to invest 10–15% of income into retirement, property, or other wealth-building vehicles. Work with a financial planner to maximize tax-advantaged savings and investment strategies suited to your region's economic strength.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Jefferson County

via HealthByCounty

Jefferson County matches national life expectancy

Jefferson County residents live 77.4 years on average—just slightly below the U.S. benchmark of 76.4 years. Only 17% report poor or fair health, a healthy signal that most community members experience good overall wellness.

Below-average uninsured rate

At 77.4 years, Jefferson County's life expectancy falls just below Idaho's 77.5-year average. Its 9.2% uninsured rate beats the state average of 11.7%, suggesting strong insurance enrollment and healthcare access.

Middle ground among rural counties

Jefferson County's 77.4-year life expectancy sits between higher-performing Kootenai (78.4) and lower-performing Jerome (76.4). Its low uninsured rate of 9.2% reflects better insurance stability than neighboring Jerome County at 16.1%.

Limited providers, but low uninsured rate

Jefferson County has just 22 primary care and 29 mental health providers per 100,000 residents—among Idaho's lowest. The silver lining: only 9.2% are uninsured, so most residents can seek care, though they may face longer waits or travel for specialists.

Keep coverage strong in Jefferson

With 9.2% uninsured, Jefferson County is doing well, but gaps remain. Confirm your coverage annually at healthcare.gov and ask your provider about telehealth options to bridge distance to specialists.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Jefferson County

via RiskByCounty

Jefferson County faces very low national risk

Jefferson County's composite score of 40.11 and "Very Low" rating place it well below the national average for natural disaster exposure. This favorable profile reflects relatively balanced hazard exposure across most disaster types.

Jefferson County slightly outranks Idaho's average

At 40.11, Jefferson County scores just above the state average of 38.51, indicating near-average risk for Idaho. This puts the county in the safer half of Idaho's natural disaster landscape.

Comparable to neighboring rural counties

Jefferson County's 40.11 aligns closely with Jerome County (21.47) and Latah County (33.27), though it carries slightly higher overall risk. The county sits in Idaho's middle tier for natural disaster vulnerability.

Earthquake risk stands notably higher here

Earthquake risk scores 80.63—the county's most pressing hazard—while wildfire and flood risks remain moderate at 62.50 and 37.09 respectively. Tornado exposure is minimal at just 6.97.

Earthquake insurance deserves priority attention

With earthquake risk at 80.63, homeowners should evaluate whether their insurance includes earthquake coverage, as standard policies typically exclude it. Review your current policy and ask your agent about earthquake protection options.

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.