CountyScore

Lewis County

Idaho · ID

#13 in Idaho
74.5
County Score

County Report Card

About Lewis County, Idaho

Highest Score in Group, Well Above Average

Lewis County's composite score of 74.5 significantly exceeds the national median of 50.0, placing it in the top 49% of U.S. counties. The county delivers strong overall livability despite challenging natural hazard exposure.

Top Performer Among Idaho Counties

At 74.5, Lewis County ranks second highest in this county group and outperforms Idaho's state average of 72.5 by 2 points. This leadership position reflects competitive tax policy and exceptional housing affordability.

Unbeatable Affordability and Tax Relief

Lewis County delivers the lowest median home value in this group at $202,400 and the lowest median gross rent at $708/month, combined with a cost score of 84.2. A tax score of 83.5 and effective tax rate of 0.666% keeps overall financial burdens manageable for budget-conscious residents.

Natural Hazards and Low Incomes Concern

A risk score of 96.9—the highest in this group—indicates substantial exposure to natural disasters or environmental hazards requiring careful preparation. The income score of 15.8 and median household income of $49,643 represent the lowest earnings capacity, limiting economic mobility.

Best for Disaster-Resilient Budget Families

Lewis County suits retirees, remote workers, and families with strong natural disaster preparedness seeking maximum affordability. Its low housing costs and generous tax policy reward those willing to accept natural hazard risk and modest income potential.

Score breakdown

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

Tax83.5Cost84.2SafetyComing SoonHealth64.8SchoolsComing SoonIncome15.8Risk96.9WaterComing Soon
🏛83.5
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠84.2
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼15.8
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤64.8
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡96.9
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 Lewis County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Cleburne County
Alabama
74.5
Median income: $53,319
Gilpin County
Colorado
74.5
Median income: $88,654
Custer County
Idaho
74.5
Median income: $56,957
Franklin County
Indiana
74.5
Median income: $79,702
Posey County
Indiana
74.5
Median income: $79,124

Deep Dives

Lewis County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Lewis County

via TaxByCounty

Lewis County's taxes exceed national average

Lewis County's effective tax rate of 0.666% is among the nation's highest, with a median property tax of $1,348—roughly half the national median of $2,690. However, the county's lower home values explain this rate difference.

Highest effective rate in Idaho

At 0.666%, Lewis County's effective tax rate is the second-highest in the state, significantly above Idaho's average of 0.508%. The county ranks among the most heavily taxed statewide.

One of the region's highest tax burdens

Lewis County's 0.666% rate trails only Latah County (0.681%) in the region, exceeding Jerome County (0.639%) and all other nearby counties. The county carries a notably heavy tax load despite lower-priced homes.

Annual taxes: $1,348 on median home

With a median home value of $202,400, Lewis County homeowners pay approximately $1,348 per year in property taxes. At roughly $112 monthly, this represents a substantial portion of housing costs given the county's lower property values.

Assessment accuracy critical in high-rate county

Lewis County's high effective rate means even modest overassessments translate into meaningful annual overpayments. Filing an appeal or requesting a professional assessment review is particularly worthwhile in a county with such elevated tax rates.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Lewis County

via CostByCounty

Lewis County stretches lowest incomes furthest

Lewis County's 17.1% rent-to-income ratio slightly exceeds the national norm, yet the median household income of $49,643 is the region's lowest—34% below the U.S. average. The county compensates with the state's lowest median rent of $708, allowing bare-subsistence households to make housing work.

Lowest income, lowest rents in Idaho region

Lewis County has the highest rent-to-income ratio (17.1%) of all eight counties and significantly exceeds Idaho's 16.8% state average, despite offering the absolute lowest median rent at $708. This reflects a fundamental challenge: very low incomes leave little margin, even with rock-bottom housing costs.

Rents tie lowest but incomes lag peers

Lewis County's $708 rent ties Lemhi County for the region's lowest, but at $49,643 median income—the absolute bottom—renters here have less financial flexibility than anywhere else in this analysis. This county serves the region's most economically vulnerable households.

Ownership barely possible on local income

Renters pay $708 monthly while homeowners face $764 on the $202,400 median home value—the lowest home values in the region. For the $49,643 median income, ownership is a financial stretch; renters capture real savings and maintain essential liquidity.

Lewis County: last-resort affordability option

Lewis County offers the region's lowest rents ($708) but also the lowest median income ($49,643), making it a genuine struggle for any household expense beyond housing. Only relocate here if employment opportunity improves your current income; otherwise, nearby Lemhi ($52,057 income) or Idaho County ($60,975) offer better financial positioning.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Lewis County

via IncomeByCounty

Lewis County earns well below U.S. average

The median household income of $49,643 is 34% below the national median of $74,755, placing Lewis County in the bottom 10% of U.S. counties. This significant shortfall reflects limited employment options and economic challenges characteristic of remote rural areas.

Idaho's lowest household income

Lewis County ranks last among Idaho's 44 counties with a median household income of $49,643, trailing the state average of $65,770 by $16,127. The gap underscores severe economic pressures in this isolated region.

Struggles most in the region

At $49,643, Lewis County falls below all its peers, including Lemhi County ($52,057) and distant Lincoln County ($66,038). The income disadvantage reflects limited economic diversification and population outflow over recent decades.

Housing costs strain tight budgets

Lewis County's rent-to-income ratio of 17.1% means households dedicate roughly one-sixth of median income to housing, with a median home value of $202,400. While home values are the lowest here, the ratio is among the highest, indicating income pressure.

Seek support and opportunity expansion

With median income at $49,643, Lewis County residents should explore assistance programs, remote work opportunities, and local economic development initiatives. Even modest savings of $50–100 per month in a high-yield savings account builds resilience against emergencies.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Lewis County

via HealthByCounty

Lewis County has the lowest life expectancy

At 73.4 years, Lewis County's life expectancy is 3 years below the U.S. average of 76.4 years—the worst among these eight counties. With 19.4% reporting poor or fair health, the county faces significant population health challenges.

Critical health disparity in Idaho

Lewis County's 73.4-year life expectancy is a stark 4.1 years below Idaho's 77.5-year average, marking it as the state's lowest in this group. Its 11.3% uninsured rate aligns with state average, but provider scarcity compounds access problems.

Worst outcomes in the region

Lewis County's 73.4-year life expectancy falls 5 years behind Idaho County and 2.1 years behind Lemhi County. Despite having 27 primary care providers per 100,000, it has fewer mental health providers (134) than most peers, signaling mental health gaps.

Severe provider shortage, mixed coverage

Lewis County has only 27 primary care providers and 134 mental health providers per 100,000 residents—among Idaho's lowest. While 11.3% uninsured is near the state average, sparse providers mean residents struggle to get timely appointments even with coverage.

Lewis County needs urgent investment

Lewis County's low life expectancy demands action. Ensure your coverage is current at healthcare.gov, connect with telehealth options, and advocate for more local providers through your county commission and health board.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Lewis County

via RiskByCounty

Lewis County ranks among the nation's safest

Lewis County's composite score of just 3.09 and "Very Low" rating represent exceptional protection from natural disaster exposure. The county faces minimal risk across nearly all hazard categories compared to national averages.

Lewis County is Idaho's second-safest county

At 3.09, Lewis County trails only Lincoln County (9.06) in statewide safety, sitting dramatically below the state average of 38.51. The county consistently experiences the lowest natural disaster risk in Idaho.

Lewis County leads northern Idaho in safety

Lewis County's 3.09 vastly outpaces neighboring Kootenai County (78.98) and Idaho County (78.37), making it far safer than surrounding areas. The county represents one of Idaho's most protected regions.

Wildfire is the only notable local hazard

Wildfire risk reaches 85.94, but all other hazards—flood (11.99), earthquake (23.44), and tornado (2.80)—remain exceptionally low. The county's overall vulnerability stems almost entirely from fire exposure.

Wildfire coverage protects your primary risk

Even in Idaho's safest county, wildfire at 85.94 warrants confirmed coverage in your homeowners policy. Verify your current insurance includes wildfire protection—it's your main line of defense here.

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.