countyscore
38.9
County Score
Disaster Risk 78.6Property Tax 68Income & Jobs 66.1

County Report Card

About Jerome County, Idaho

Below the National Median Score

Jerome County's composite score of 40.4 trails the national median of 50.0. This suggests that the county faces significant headwinds across several key livability dimensions compared to the rest of the country.

Trailing the Idaho State Average

The county's overall score of 40.4 is notably lower than the Idaho state average of 52.2. Jerome County ranks among the more challenging environments in the state for public services and health outcomes.

High Environmental Resilience

A standout risk score of 78.6 indicates that Jerome County is relatively safe from natural disasters. The county also maintains a decent tax score of 69.9, providing some relief to its residents.

Critical Gaps in Education

The county struggles with a very low school score of 4.5 and a health score of 34.4. These figures point to a significant need for improvement in local public institutions and healthcare access.

Best for Self-Sufficient Households

Jerome County is most appropriate for those who are less dependent on public school systems and local health services. It offers a low-disaster-risk environment for residents who value stability over institutional rankings.

204060801006830.639.234.44.566.178.647.635.4Tax68Cost30.6Safety39.2Health34.4Schools4.5Income66.1Risk78.6Water47.6Weather35.438.9/100
This county
National avg
3 above average6 below average

Jerome County DNA

Foverall

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

Jerome County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Disaster Risk (78.6/100) but notably weak in Schools (4.5/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
68+16
Cost
30.6-17.4
Safety
39.2-15.799999999999997
Health
34.4-15.600000000000001
Schools
4.5-49.5
Income
66.1+15.099999999999994
Risk
78.6+31.599999999999994
Water
47.6-10.399999999999999
Weather
35.4-20.6
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Compare mortgage rates in Jerome County

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

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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$271,800

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$966/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$271,800/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$38,640/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum3.8x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $71,724/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

8.1

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

Lincoln County
Idaho
52.8
Twin Falls County
Idaho
40
Minidoka County
Idaho
45.7
Gooding County
Idaho
48
Cassia County
Idaho
47.4
Blaine County
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Camas County
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Power County
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Deep Dives

Jerome County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Jerome County

via TaxByCounty

Jerome County's taxes beat national median

Jerome County's effective rate of 0.639% yields a median property tax of $1,623—roughly 40% lower than the national median of $2,690. The county ranks in the lower-to-middle tier nationally for tax burden.

Above state average, but not by much

Jerome County's 0.639% rate exceeds Idaho's state average of 0.508%, making it one of the state's higher-taxed counties. The county ranks in the upper third among Idaho's 44 counties.

Higher effective rate than most peers

Jerome County's 0.639% rate tops nearby Kootenai County (0.471%), Lincoln County (0.479%), and Lemhi County (0.393%). Only Lewis County (0.666%) and Latah County (0.681%) exceed Jerome's effective rate in the region.

Median home costs $1,623 annually in taxes

On Jerome County's median home value of $254,000, homeowners owe approximately $1,623 per year in property taxes. That's roughly $135 monthly—reflecting the county's above-average but still reasonable rate.

Assessment errors are worth investigating

With Jerome County's higher-than-average effective rate, it's especially important to verify your assessment is accurate and competitive. An appeal could yield meaningful savings if your property is overvalued relative to comparable homes.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in Jerome County

via IncomeByCounty

Jerome County moderately below U.S. median

The median household income of $69,338 falls about 7% short of the national median of $74,755. Jerome County ranks in the middle range of U.S. counties, placing it near the 50th percentile for household earnings nationwide.

Slightly above Idaho's state average

At $69,338, Jerome County exceeds Idaho's median household income of $65,770 by roughly $3,600. The county ranks in the upper third of Idaho's 44 counties, reflecting solid economic fundamentals.

Outpaces most southern Idaho peers

Jerome County's $69,338 surpasses Lincoln ($66,038), Lemhi ($52,057), and Lewis ($49,643), though it trails Jefferson County's leading $82,952. The regional income variation reflects differences in agricultural productivity and diversification.

Affordable housing leaves room to save

Jerome County's rent-to-income ratio of 14.9% is the lowest among these eight counties, meaning households spend less than 15% of income on rent. The median home value of $254,000 is well-aligned with the county's median household earnings.

Low housing costs create savings opportunity

Because housing consumes just 14.9% of income, Jerome County households can redirect 10–12% toward investments, emergency funds, or retirement accounts. Take advantage of this favorable ratio by establishing automatic contributions to a 401(k), IRA, or brokerage account.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Jerome County

via CrimeByCounty

Jerome County remains safer than national average

Jerome County carries a safety score of 97.8, which indicates it is safer than many jurisdictions across the country. Its total crime rate of 1,385.1 per 100K remains well below the national mark of 2,385.5.

Monitoring rates above state average

The county's total crime rate sits above the Idaho state average of 1,027.1 per 100K. This puts it in a more active category for local law enforcement compared to the state's most rural areas.

Higher activity than rural neighbors

Compared to nearby rural counties, Jerome sees a higher frequency of incidents per capita. It experiences 1,385.1 crimes per 100K, reflecting its position as a busier regional crossroads.

Property crime drives local statistics

Property crime reaching 1,066.4 incidents per 100K is the primary driver of the local crime rate. Violent crime sits at 318.7 per 100K, which is higher than the Idaho average of 252.9.

Strategic security for Jerome residents

Strengthening home security is a smart move given that property crime is the primary local concern. Installing visible cameras can help protect your assets and discourage opportunistic theft.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Jerome County

via WeatherByCounty

A warm pocket in the Intermountain West

Jerome County's 49.6°F average temperature is closer to the national median than many of its Idaho neighbors. The climate is distinctly arid, receiving only 10.4 inches of annual precipitation.

One of Idaho's warmer regions

The county is significantly warmer than the state average, topping 46.5°F by more than three degrees. It is also much drier, falling nearly 7 inches short of the Idaho average annual precipitation.

Warmer and drier than the North

Jerome is nearly 3 degrees warmer annually than Kootenai County and significantly drier than most northern Idaho regions. It shares a similar high-heat profile with neighboring Lincoln County.

High heat and dry winters

Summer is intense here, featuring 43 days of temperatures at or above 90°F and a July average of 73.8°F. While specific snowfall data is limited, the winter average sits at a relatively mild 30.0°F.

Prioritize cooling and water conservation

With 43 extreme heat days, efficient air conditioning is a primary necessity for Jerome County residents. Xeriscaping and water-wise landscaping are also recommended due to the low 10.4-inch annual rainfall.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Jerome County

via SoilByCounty

Defining Jerome's Underground Identity

Specific data on soil texture, pH, and taxonomic order is currently missing for Jerome County. This leaves its acidity levels unquantified compared to the national median of 6.5. Local growers should seek out extension service tests for better clarity.

Unknown Mineral Makeup

Detailed measurements for sand, silt, and clay are not listed in the current soil records. These proportions are vital for understanding how easily soil can be worked or how well it drains. Without this data, the county’s physical soil traits remain a mystery.

Measuring Potential in the Soil

No current data exists for organic matter or available water capacity (AWC) in Jerome. We cannot yet compare these levels to the state averages of 27.53% organic matter or 0.269 in/in AWC. High-performance agriculture here depends on site-level soil analysis.

Planning for Water and Drainage

There is no recorded information on the dominant drainage class or hydrologic group for this region. This data gap makes it harder to predict flood risks or irrigation needs for large-scale farming. Homeowners and developers should conduct their own hydrologic assessments.

Start Planting in Zone 6b

Jerome County is located in hardiness zone 6b, offering a moderate window for gardening. This zone is ideal for many common vegetables and ornamental shrubs. Embrace the local climate and start your backyard garden project this season.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Jerome County

via LawnByCounty

High-Heat Lawn Management

Jerome County's lawn difficulty score of 30.3 is slightly more favorable than some neighbors but still sits below the state average of 33.3. Sitting in Zone 6b, the area experiences significant temperature swings that test the resilience of any turfgrass. Success here requires a strategy focused on heat tolerance and water efficiency.

Intense Summer Heat and Dry Air

With 43 days per year reaching 90°F or higher, Jerome County is significantly hotter than the Idaho average of 30 days. This heat, combined with just 10.4 inches of annual rain, makes irrigation mandatory for survival. The high growing degree day count of 2650 means your lawn will grow aggressively if properly watered and fed.

Building Healthy Soil

Specific soil metrics are not currently available, but the high heat and low rainfall often lead to mineral buildup in local soils. It is critical to test your pH levels, as lawns perform best when kept between 6.0 and 7.0. Adding compost or peat moss can help the soil hold onto the precious water you apply during the hot summer months.

Staying Green in Dry Times

Jerome has endured 37 weeks of drought in the past year, and the entire county remains abnormally dry today. To save water, allow your grass to grow to 3 or 4 inches, which shades the soil and reduces evaporation. This practice helps the lawn survive even when the 43 days of extreme heat arrive.

Planting for Success in Zone 6b

Heat-tolerant blends of Kentucky Bluegrass or Turf-Type Tall Fescue are excellent choices for this climate. Your spring window opens after May 2, providing a long season before the first fall frost on October 14. Take advantage of the 2650 growing degree days to establish a deep, resilient root system early in the season.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Jerome County's county score?
Jerome County, Idaho has a composite county score of 38.9 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 Jerome County rank among counties in Idaho?
Jerome County ranks #43 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 Jerome County, Idaho?
The median annual property tax in Jerome County is $1,725, with an effective tax rate of 0.63%. This earns Jerome County a tax score of 68/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Jerome County?
The median household income in Jerome County, Idaho is $71,724 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Jerome County earns an income score of 66.1/100 on CountyScore.
Is Jerome County, Idaho a good place to live?
Jerome County scores 38.9/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #43 in Idaho. The best way to evaluate Jerome 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 Jerome 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.