CountyScore

Latah County

Idaho · ID

#17 in Idaho
73.5
County Score

County Report Card

About Latah County, Idaho

Top Tier Livability for a College County

Latah County's composite score of 73.5 handily exceeds the national median of 50.0, placing it in the top 47% of U.S. counties. Its performance is driven by exceptional health outcomes and balanced costs, making it one of the strongest in this county group.

Outperforming Idaho's State Average

At 73.5, Latah County edges above Idaho's state average of 72.5 by a full point, ranking it among the top performers in Idaho. This leadership position reflects strong fundamentals across multiple livability dimensions.

Outstanding Health and Resilience Scores

Latah County boasts a health score of 79.9—the highest among these eight counties—indicating robust healthcare access and population wellness. Its risk score of 66.8 signals strong resilience to natural hazards, and a cost score of 75.1 keeps housing reasonably affordable.

Income Levels Trail Despite College Presence

Despite hosting a university, Latah County's income score of 25.9 and median household income of $65,179 suggest student populations and lower-wage jobs dominate the economic landscape. The effective tax rate of 0.681% is also the highest in this group.

Perfect for Health-Focused University Communities

Latah County excels for young professionals, academics, and families seeking world-class healthcare and lower-income-pressure living. Its college-town character and health infrastructure make it ideal for those willing to accept modest incomes in exchange for healthcare excellence.

Score breakdown

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

Tax83.1Cost75.1SafetyComing SoonHealth79.9SchoolsComing SoonIncome25.9Risk66.8WaterComing Soon
🏛83.1
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠75.1
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼25.9
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤79.9
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡66.8
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 Latah County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Gunnison County
Colorado
73.5
Median income: $77,358
Towns County
Georgia
73.5
Median income: $58,400
Payette County
Idaho
73.5
Median income: $65,723
Sullivan County
Indiana
73.5
Median income: $54,985
Bath County
Kentucky
73.5
Median income: $54,128

Deep Dives

Latah County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Latah County

via TaxByCounty

Latah County ranks among highest-taxed

Latah County's effective tax rate of 0.681% is nearly one-third above the national median, yielding a median property tax of $2,333. The county ranks in roughly the top 30% nationally for property tax burden.

Well above Idaho's state average

At 0.681%, Latah County's effective rate significantly exceeds Idaho's state average of 0.508%. The county ranks among the highest-taxed in Idaho, placing it in the top tier statewide.

Highest taxes among regional peers

Latah County's 0.681% rate exceeds all nearby counties, including Lewis County (0.666%), Jerome County (0.639%), and Kootenai County (0.471%). The county bears the heaviest tax burden in its region.

Homeowners pay $2,333 annually in taxes

With a median home value of $342,500, typical Latah County residents face annual property taxes of approximately $2,333. That's roughly $194 monthly—the highest tax obligation among neighboring counties.

Appeal potential is significant here

In Latah County's high-tax environment, an assessment error or overvaluation can cost hundreds of dollars annually—making a professional review worthwhile. Many homeowners find their properties assessed above comparable recent sales and successfully appeal for substantial refunds.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Latah County

via CostByCounty

Latah County rents match national affordability

Latah County's 16.7% rent-to-income ratio aligns almost exactly with Idaho's state average of 16.8%, placing renters near the national norm despite a median income of $65,179 that's 13% below the U.S. benchmark. The county delivers average affordability without average income pressure.

Near-average affordability with college income

Latah County's 16.7% rent-to-income ratio sits just below Idaho's 16.8% average, with median rents of $905 tracking close to the state median of $919. The presence of the University of Idaho creates income diversity and moderates housing cost pressure across the county.

Mid-range rents, lower incomes than peers

At $905, Latah's median rent ranks third-highest among these eight counties, but the $65,179 median income is below Jefferson ($82,952), Kootenai ($77,034), and Jerome ($69,338). This mismatch pushes Latah's rent-to-income ratio slightly above the state average despite moderate rents.

Ownership carries substantial monthly premium

Renters pay $905 monthly while homeowners spend $1,118 on the $342,500 median home value, a $213 monthly gap for the $65,179 median household income. The home value is the county's second-highest, reflecting university-adjacent demand that inflates ownership costs without boosting renter income equally.

Latah works best for income-stable renters

Latah County's 16.7% rent-to-income ratio is manageable for renters with $65,000+ incomes, but prospective homebuyers should plan carefully for the $1,118 monthly ownership cost. If you're considering relocation with a career at the University of Idaho or related institutions, Latah delivers university-town amenities at near-state-average costs.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Latah County

via IncomeByCounty

Latah County earns near the U.S. median

The median household income of $65,179 runs about 13% below the national median of $74,755. Latah County ranks near the middle of U.S. counties, influenced by its college-town economy and regional university presence.

Slightly below Idaho's average income

At $65,179, Latah County trails Idaho's state median of $65,770 by just $591, placing it near the state average. The county ranks in the middle tier of Idaho's 44 counties.

Moderate earnings in north-central region

Latah County's $65,179 exceeds Idaho County ($60,975) and both Lewis ($49,643) and Lemhi ($52,057) counties to the south. The income reflects Moscow's role as an education and cultural hub balancing lower university wages with professional services.

Higher housing relative to income

With a rent-to-income ratio of 16.7%, Latah County households spend about one-sixth of median income on rent, near the affordability threshold. The median home value of $342,500 represents about 5 years of gross median household income.

Build wealth despite moderate income

Latah County households can allocate 8–10% of income to savings and investments after covering housing and essentials. Consider employer retirement benefits, state education savings plans, or low-cost index funds to compound wealth over time.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Latah County

via HealthByCounty

Latah County leads the nation in longevity

At 80.8 years, Latah County has the highest life expectancy among these counties and exceeds the U.S. average of 76.4 years by over 4 years. Only 13.5% report poor or fair health—the best rate in this group—indicating exceptional population health.

Idaho's healthiest county by far

Latah County's 80.8-year life expectancy surpasses Idaho's 77.5-year average by 3.3 years—the largest gap among these eight counties. At 7.3% uninsured, it beats the state average of 11.7% significantly, showing both health and coverage stability.

Clear regional health leader

Latah County's 80.8-year life expectancy outpaces all neighbors, including high performers Idaho and Kootenai counties. Its 7.3% uninsured rate is the lowest in the region, reflecting not only better health but more equitable coverage access.

Strong providers, lowest uninsured rate

Latah County has 72 primary care and 211 mental health providers per 100,000 residents—excellent by rural standards. Only 7.3% lack insurance, enabling nearly all residents to access preventive care, mental health services, and specialists.

Latah County sets the coverage model

With just 7.3% uninsured, Latah County shows what's possible when residents get covered. If you're uninsured, visit healthcare.gov or your local health department to join this success story and access Latah's robust provider network.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Latah County

via RiskByCounty

Latah County presents very low national risk

Latah County's composite score of 33.27 and "Very Low" rating place it well below the national average for natural disaster exposure. The county's risk profile remains manageable across most hazard categories.

Latah County sits just below Idaho's average

At 33.27, Latah County scores slightly below the state average of 38.51, ranking it among Idaho's safer counties. The county benefits from relatively balanced hazard exposure with no single dominant threat.

Latah County moderately outperforms peers

Latah County's 33.27 beats Idaho County (78.37) significantly, placing it in a lower-risk category than its northern neighbors. The county ranks closer to Jerome County (21.47) in overall safety.

Wildfire dominates; flooding poses secondary threat

Wildfire risk scores a high 92.08, while flood risk reaches 50.41—making these the county's primary concerns. Earthquake (43.61) and tornado (9.45) risks remain comparatively low.

Wildfire insurance should be your first step

With wildfire risk near 92, homeowners must verify that their policy includes wildfire coverage or add it immediately. Consider also reviewing flood insurance if your home sits near waterways or flood-prone areas.

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.