CountyScore

Lemhi County

Idaho · ID

#19 in Idaho
73.4
County Score

County Report Card

About Lemhi County, Idaho

Strong Rural Livability Above National Mark

Lemhi County's score of 73.4 comfortably exceeds the national median of 50.0, placing it in the top 47% of U.S. counties. The score reflects exceptional tax benefits and housing affordability that define this remote Idaho mountain community.

Near the Top of Idaho Rankings

Lemhi County scores 73.4 compared to Idaho's state average of 72.5, positioning it solidly above the middle tier of Idaho counties. This strong standing reflects careful balance between low costs, modest incomes, and reasonable tax policy.

Exceptional Tax Rates and Affordable Living

Lemhi County leads with a tax score of 91.2 and an effective tax rate of just 0.393%, the lowest in this entire county group. Combined with a cost score of 82.6 and median home value of $282,100, the county offers outstanding affordability—median gross rent is just $721/month.

Income Levels Significantly Below Peers

An income score of 17.4 and median household income of $52,057 represent the lowest earnings in this group, suggesting limited wealth-building opportunities. Healthcare access may also be constrained in this remote mountain county, as reflected in a health score of 67.1.

Ideal for Retirees and Remote Workers

Lemhi County perfectly suits retirees with fixed incomes, remote workers, and minimalists seeking ultra-low cost living and tax relief. Its mountain isolation and modest income base make it best for those whose income comes from outside the county.

Score breakdown

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

Tax91.2Cost82.6SafetyComing SoonHealth67.1SchoolsComing SoonIncome17.4Risk58.6WaterComing Soon
🏛91.2
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠82.6
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼17.4
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤67.1
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡58.6
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 Lemhi County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

DeKalb County
Indiana
73.4
Median income: $70,080
Sullivan County
Missouri
73.4
Median income: $55,500
Antelope County
Nebraska
73.4
Median income: $63,750
Grant County
Oregon
73.4
Median income: $59,800
Douglas County
South Dakota
73.4
Median income: $78,125

Deep Dives

Lemhi County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Lemhi County

via TaxByCounty

Lemhi County offers low national taxes

Lemhi County's effective tax rate of 0.393% produces a median property tax of just $1,109—59% below the national median of $2,690. The county ranks in the bottom quarter nationally for property tax burden.

Well below Idaho's state average

At 0.393%, Lemhi County's effective rate is substantially lower than Idaho's state average of 0.508%. The county ranks among the most tax-friendly in Idaho, placing it in the bottom tier statewide.

Among the lowest-taxed in the region

Lemhi County's 0.393% effective rate is surpassed only by Idaho County (0.342%) among nearby counties, with significantly lower taxes than Jerome County (0.639%) and Lewis County (0.666%). The county offers exceptional tax affordability.

Median tax payment: just $1,109 yearly

Lemhi County's median home value of $282,100 means typical homeowners pay approximately $1,109 annually in property taxes. That's roughly $92 monthly—one of the lowest monthly property tax obligations in Idaho.

Even low-tax counties benefit from appeals

While Lemhi County already offers favorable tax rates, assessment errors remain possible—and every dollar saved matters in a county with lower overall incomes. Review your assessment to ensure you're not overpaying, even in this tax-friendly area.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Lemhi County

via CostByCounty

Lemhi County: affordable rents on rural income

Lemhi County's 16.6% rent-to-income ratio is near the national norm, but achieved on a median household income of just $52,057—30% below the U.S. average of $74,755. This county squeezes affordability from limited earnings through consistently low housing costs.

Lowest income, reasonable rents statewide

Lemhi County's 16.6% rent-to-income ratio sits just below Idaho's 16.8% average, yet the median household income of $52,057 is the lowest in this region. The county achieves this balance through the state's lowest median rent of $721, demonstrating how rural markets adjust to local wage realities.

Rock-bottom rents support low-wage households

Lemhi's $721 median rent is the cheapest among all eight counties and 21% below the state median of $919, crucial for households earning just $52,057. Only Lewis County ($708) rents lower, and together these two counties serve as safety valves for Idaho's lowest-income working families.

Renters get a better deal than homeowners

Renters pay $721 monthly while homeowners spend $849 on the $282,100 median home value, a modest $128 gap. For the $52,057 median income, both are tight budgets, but renting provides slightly more financial breathing room and lower entry-to-housing cost.

Lemhi for renters prioritizing bare essentials

Lemhi County is Idaho's most affordable rental option at $721 per month, ideal for households earning below $55,000 who need maximum cost relief. Homeownership requires careful financial planning here; renters will stretch further on the county's limited median income of $52,057.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Lemhi County

via IncomeByCounty

Lemhi County significantly below national average

The median household income of $52,057 runs 30% below the U.S. median of $74,755, placing Lemhi County in the bottom quartile nationally. This substantial gap reflects limited employment diversity and geographic isolation in the Idaho wilderness region.

Third-lowest income in Idaho

Lemhi County's $52,057 trails the Idaho state average of $65,770 by $13,713, ranking second-lowest among the state's 44 counties. Only Lewis County ($49,643) earns less in this region.

Struggles against surrounding counties

At $52,057, Lemhi County falls behind all regional peers except Lewis County, including Latah ($65,179) and Lincoln ($66,038). The income disparity reflects Lemhi's distance from major employment centers and limited job opportunities.

Housing costs bite harder here

With a rent-to-income ratio of 16.6%, Lemhi households allocate one-sixth of median income to rent while facing a median home value of $282,100. The cost-to-income burden is steeper than in higher-earning counties, limiting savings for other priorities.

Maximize modest income through discipline

Lemhi County households earning $52,057 should prioritize budgeting and automatic savings even in modest amounts—5% of income directed to emergency funds or retirement can compound significantly. Explore rural development grants, business opportunities, or skill-training programs to boost household earning potential.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Lemhi County

via HealthByCounty

Lemhi County trails national life expectancy

At 75.3 years, Lemhi County falls nearly 1 year behind the U.S. average of 76.4 years. With 17.2% reporting poor or fair health, the county faces meaningful wellness challenges that warrant community attention.

Second-lowest life expectancy in Idaho

Lemhi County's 75.3-year life expectancy ranks second-worst among these eight counties, sitting 2.2 years below Idaho's 77.5-year average. Its 12.6% uninsured rate also exceeds the state average of 11.7%, creating dual access barriers.

Struggling in a rural region

Lemhi County's 75.3-year life expectancy trails nearby Idaho County by 3.1 years and Lewis County by 2.1 years. Its 12.6% uninsured rate mirrors broader rural Idaho challenges, though it's better than Jerome County's 16.1%.

Limited providers and higher uninsured rate

Lemhi County has 61 primary care and 166 mental health providers per 100,000 residents—modest for rural Idaho. At 12.6% uninsured, one in eight residents lack coverage, creating gaps in preventive care and chronic disease management.

Lemhi County needs expanded coverage

With 12.6% uninsured and limited providers, Lemhi County residents should prioritize coverage enrollment. Contact your county health office or call 1-877-KIDS-NOW to explore Medicaid and marketplace options that fit your family's needs.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Lemhi County

via RiskByCounty

Lemhi County carries very low national risk

Lemhi County's composite score of 41.44 and "Very Low" rating position it well below the national average for natural disaster exposure. The county's hazard profile remains relatively manageable overall.

Lemhi County slightly exceeds Idaho's average

At 41.44, Lemhi County scores just above the state average of 38.51, placing it in the middle range of Idaho's 44 counties. This positions the county as relatively typical for the state.

Lemhi County moderately outranks similar counties

Lemhi County's 41.44 exceeds Jerome County (21.47) and Lincoln County (9.06), but trails Idaho County (78.37) significantly. The county sits in Idaho's safer-than-average tier.

Wildfire and flood are primary concerns

Wildfire risk reaches 93.19 and flood risk scores 59.76—the county's two most serious hazards. Earthquake exposure is moderate at 53.47, while tornado risk remains minimal at 3.15.

Wildfire and flood coverage are non-negotiable

With wildfire at 93.19 and flood risk at 59.76, homeowners must secure both wildfire and flood insurance policies. Standard homeowners coverage excludes both hazards, leaving gaps that must be filled.

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.