countyscore
53.7
County Score
Property Tax 89.5Income & Jobs 87.8Safety 74.7

County Report Card

About Jefferson County, Idaho

Steady Performance on a National Scale

Jefferson County posts a composite score of 52.8, placing it slightly above the national median of 50.0. This indicates a balanced quality of life that meets or exceeds typical American standards.

Matching the Idaho Average

With a score of 52.8, the county aligns closely with the Idaho state average of 52.2. It offers a representative Idaho lifestyle, blending economic opportunity with regional norms.

Strong Incomes and Favorable Taxes

Prosperity is visible in an income score of 86.8 and a median household income of $82,952. Residents also benefit from a low tax burden, reflected in a high tax score of 82.9.

Housing and Environmental Pressures

Rapid growth may be impacting affordability, as the cost score sits at a low 19.3 with median home values reaching $335,000. Low scores in water and school categories suggest these areas require more long-term focus.

A Hub for Working Families

Jefferson County is best suited for established professionals who value higher-than-average household incomes. It attracts families who can navigate a tighter housing market in exchange for strong economic fundamentals.

2040608010089.518.474.764.123.887.859.917.437.9Tax89.5Cost18.4Safety74.7Health64.1Schools23.8Income87.8Risk59.9Water17.4Weather37.953.7/100
This county
National avg
5 above average4 below average

Jefferson County DNA

Foverall

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

Jefferson County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Property Tax (89.5/100) but notably weak in Water Quality (17.4/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
89.5+37.5
Cost
18.4-29.6
Safety
74.7+19.700000000000003
Health
64.1+14.099999999999994
Schools
23.8-30.2
Income
87.8+36.8
Risk
59.9+12.899999999999999
Water
17.4-40.6
Weather
37.9-18.1
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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$408,400

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$1,138/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$408,400/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$45,520/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum4.7x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $86,679/yr
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Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

15.5

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

Madison County
Idaho
53.1
Clark County
Idaho
52.6
Bingham County
Idaho
48.7
Bonneville County
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Fremont County
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Butte County
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Teton County
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Bannock County
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Deep Dives

Jefferson County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 9 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

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

Safety in Jefferson County

via CrimeByCounty

Jefferson County ranks high for security

Jefferson County boasts a safety score of 99.0, reflecting a very secure community by national standards. The total crime rate of 602.2 per 100K sits nearly 75% below the national average of 2,385.5.

A leader in Idaho safety

Jefferson outperforms the Idaho average safety score of 98.4 and stays well below the state’s total crime rate of 1,027.1. This performance places it among the safest corridors in the region.

Safer than busier regional hubs

At 602.2 crimes per 100K, Jefferson remains significantly safer than more populated areas like Jerome. It maintains a distinct reputation for peace compared to neighboring counties with higher traffic volumes.

Extremely low violent crime rates

Violent crime is nearly non-existent here at just 41.4 per 100K, far lower than the Idaho state average of 252.9. Most reports involve property crimes, which account for 560.8 incidents per 100K.

Simple deterrents for property safety

Because property crime makes up the bulk of local incidents, simple steps like motion-sensor lights provide effective deterrents. Stay engaged with your neighbors to maintain the county's impressive safety record.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Jefferson County

via WeatherByCounty

Dry and chilly in the High Desert

Jefferson County maintains a cool annual average of 44.8°F, well below the national median. With only 11.2 inches of annual precipitation, it is significantly drier than the average American county.

Below the Idaho state temperature average

At 44.8°F, the county sits roughly 1.7 degrees cooler than the Idaho statewide average of 46.5°F. Its precipitation level of 11.2 inches is also notably lower than the state's 17-inch average.

Sharing the cold with Idaho County

Jefferson County matches Idaho County's 44.8°F average temperature exactly, despite being on the other side of the state. However, it receives less than half the annual snowfall of its western peer, totaling just 20.4 inches.

Frigid winters and arid summer days

Winter is biting with a January average of 20.5°F, which is much colder than many neighboring regions. July brings relief with a 69.2°F average, though the county still sees 22 days above 90°F.

Winterize for deep freezes

Heating systems must be robust to handle the 20°F January average, and pipes require extra insulation against the dry cold. Summer planning should account for the 22 days of extreme heat despite the generally cool annual average.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Jefferson County

via SoilByCounty

The Hidden Soil Profile of Jefferson

Jefferson County currently lacks specific data regarding its dominant soil taxonomic order and pH levels. Consequently, we cannot determine how it stacks up against the national median pH of 6.5. Local environmental assessments are necessary for precise soil identification.

Analyzing Earth Composition

There is no available data for the percentages of sand, silt, and clay in the local soil. This makes it difficult to predict drainage speeds or nutrient retention across the county. Individual soil testing remains the most reliable method for local farmers.

Fertility and Water Capacity

Organic matter and available water capacity (AWC) figures are not currently recorded for this area. This leaves the county's growing potential an open question compared to the state AWC average of 0.269 in/in. Jefferson's agricultural success relies on localized knowledge and management.

Navigating Drainage and Hydrology

Official drainage classes and hydrologic groups are absent from the current data profile. This missing information requires builders to exercise caution with foundation and irrigation planning. Always check site-specific drainage before starting a project.

Cool Climate Growth in Zone 5a

Jefferson County sits in hardiness zone 5a, indicating a shorter and cooler growing season. Focus on hardy vegetables and short-season crops to maximize your harvest. With proper planning, your garden can flourish despite the chilly winters.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Jefferson County

via LawnByCounty

A Tough Environment for Turf

Jefferson County earns a lawn difficulty score of 28.4, making it one of the more challenging places in Idaho to maintain green space. As a Zone 5a region, the winters are significantly harsher than the state average. This low score reflects the need for intensive irrigation and winter protection for sensitive grass varieties.

Arid Conditions and High Elevation Temps

Annual precipitation is a sparse 11.2 inches, far below the national ideal of 30-50 inches. This massive moisture deficit means your lawn depends almost entirely on supplemental irrigation. You will also manage 22 extreme heat days and 2054 growing degree days, which creates a condensed but intense growing season.

Preparing the Foundation

Local soil data is limited, but the arid climate often results in alkaline soil that may require acidification to reach the target 6.0-7.0 pH level. Without specific drainage data, it is best to incorporate organic matter to improve water retention in this dry environment. A basic soil test is your first step to identifying nutrient deficiencies before the season begins.

Navigating Abnormally Dry Spells

The entire county is currently classified as abnormally dry, and residents have faced 46 weeks of drought over the past year. Since there is currently no severe drought area, standard water conservation measures like mulching and raising mower heights can effectively preserve moisture. Efficient irrigation is the key to keeping your turf alive through these persistent dry cycles.

Maximize Your Short Window

Focus on cold-hardy varieties like Fine Fescue or Kentucky Bluegrass that can handle Zone 5a winters. Your growing window is tight, beginning after the late spring frost on June 3 and ending by October 5. Start early to ensure your grass is established before the hard Idaho winter sets in.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Jefferson County's county score?
Jefferson County, Idaho has a composite county score of 53.7 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 Jefferson County rank among counties in Idaho?
Jefferson County ranks #20 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 Jefferson County, Idaho?
The median annual property tax in Jefferson County is $1,824, with an effective tax rate of 0.45%. This earns Jefferson County a tax score of 89.5/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Jefferson County?
The median household income in Jefferson County, Idaho is $86,679 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Jefferson County earns an income score of 87.8/100 on CountyScore.
Is Jefferson County, Idaho a good place to live?
Jefferson County scores 53.7/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #20 in Idaho. The best way to evaluate Jefferson 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 Jefferson 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.