CountyScore

Lincoln County

Idaho · ID

#11 in Idaho
74.6
County Score

County Report Card

About Lincoln County, Idaho

Highest Score in Study, Well Above National Bar

Lincoln County's composite score of 74.6 stands as the highest in this eight-county group and far exceeds the national median of 50.0, placing it in the top 50% of U.S. counties. This strong ranking reflects balanced strengths across affordability, taxes, and risk management.

Idaho's Top Performer in This Group

At 74.6, Lincoln County ranks highest among these eight Idaho counties and outperforms the state average of 72.5 by 2.1 points. This top-tier performance places it among Idaho's best overall livability destinations.

Strong Tax Policy and Affordable Housing

Lincoln County leads with a tax score of 88.8 and an effective tax rate of 0.479%, keeping resident tax burdens low. A cost score of 79.9 and median home value of $206,700—the second-lowest in the group—provide exceptional housing affordability for families and retirees alike.

Modest Incomes and Hazard Exposure Remain

An income score of 26.5 and median household income of $66,038 reflect limited high-wage opportunities in this rural county. A risk score of 91.0, while strong, still indicates notable natural hazard exposure requiring community preparedness.

Top Choice for Affordable, Resilient Living

Lincoln County suits families and retirees seeking maximum value in housing and taxes while accepting modest income prospects. Its combination of low costs, reasonable tax rates, and solid risk management makes it the standout choice in this Idaho county cohort.

Score breakdown

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

Tax88.8Cost79.9SafetyComing SoonHealth64.1SchoolsComing SoonIncome26.5Risk91WaterComing Soon
🏛88.8
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠79.9
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼26.5
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤64.1
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡91
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 Lincoln County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Rio Blanco County
Colorado
74.6
Median income: $72,620
Adams County
Idaho
74.6
Median income: $59,286
McLean County
Kentucky
74.6
Median income: $70,549
Madison County
North Carolina
74.6
Median income: $58,628
Mountrail County
North Dakota
74.6
Median income: $81,292

Deep Dives

Lincoln County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Lincoln County

via TaxByCounty

Lincoln County: tax-friendly by national standards

Lincoln County's effective tax rate of 0.479% yields a median property tax of $991—63% below the national median of $2,690. The county ranks comfortably in the bottom third nationally for tax burden.

Just below Idaho's state average

At 0.479%, Lincoln County's effective rate sits marginally below Idaho's state average of 0.508%. The county ranks in the lower-middle tier among Idaho's 44 counties for overall tax burden.

Lower taxes than most regional peers

Lincoln County's 0.479% rate beats Jerome County (0.639%), Lewis County (0.666%), and Latah County (0.681%), though slightly higher than Lemhi County (0.393%). The county offers competitive tax rates for the region.

Median annual property tax: $991

With a median home value of $206,700, typical Lincoln County homeowners pay approximately $991 per year in property taxes. That's about $83 monthly—among the lowest recurring housing costs statewide.

Small savings compound over time

Even in a relatively tax-friendly county, a $100-200 annual overpayment adds up to thousands over a homeowner's lifetime. Take time to verify your assessment, especially if you've owned your home through recent market fluctuations.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Lincoln County

via CostByCounty

Lincoln County delivers accessible affordability

Lincoln County's 15.6% rent-to-income ratio beats both the national norm and Idaho's 16.8% state average, delivering genuine relief on rents of $860. The $66,038 median household income, though 12% below the national average, aligns well with housing costs to create one of the region's most livable affordability equations.

Best ratio among affordable counties

Lincoln County ranks among Idaho's most affordable at 15.6% rent-to-income, trailing only Jerome County (14.9%) and Idaho County (15.7%). The median rent of $860 sits near the state median of $919, suggesting balanced local housing markets that don't price out working families.

Rents and income balance smoothly

Lincoln County's $860 rent and $66,038 income create a ratio that sits right between lower-cost counties like Idaho ($797 rent) and pricier markets like Latah ($905). This middle-ground positioning makes Lincoln appealing for families seeking rural character without the affordability squeeze of higher-demand neighbors.

Ownership roughly equals renting cost

Renters pay $860 monthly while homeowners spend just $854 on the $206,700 median home value—nearly identical burdens. For the $66,038 median income, this near-parity is remarkable and suggests Lincoln offers excellent value for prospective homeowners seeking to build equity.

Lincoln County: balanced path to ownership

Lincoln County's 15.6% rent-to-income ratio and nearly equal rent-versus-ownership costs ($860 vs. $854) make it ideal for renters ready to transition to homeownership. If you're earning near the county's $66,038 median and value affordability with stability, Lincoln delivers one of the region's most balanced housing markets.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Lincoln County

via IncomeByCounty

Lincoln County moderately below U.S. median

The median household income of $66,038 falls about 12% short of the national median of $74,755. Lincoln County ranks near the 40th percentile nationally, placing it in the lower-middle income tier across America.

Slightly above Idaho's state average

At $66,038, Lincoln County edges past Idaho's state median of $65,770 by just $268, placing it near the state midpoint. The county ranks in the middle-to-upper third of Idaho's 44 counties.

Outperforms southern Idaho peers

Lincoln County's $66,038 exceeds both Lemhi ($52,057) and Lewis ($49,643) to the north, though it trails Jerome ($69,338) and Latah ($65,179). The income distribution reflects Lincoln's agricultural base balanced with limited urban employment options.

Low housing costs aid affordability

With a rent-to-income ratio of 15.6%, Lincoln County households spend less than 16% of median income on rent, well below the 30% affordability threshold. The median home value of $206,700 is the second-lowest among these eight counties, enhancing homeownership accessibility.

Leverage affordable housing advantage

Lincoln County's low housing burden leaves room for 8–10% of household income to flow toward savings, retirement, or investments. Build a financial foundation by automating deposits to emergency savings, then shift surpluses to tax-advantaged retirement accounts.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Lincoln County

via HealthByCounty

Lincoln County matches state average

At 77.5 years, Lincoln County's life expectancy matches Idaho's state average and slightly exceeds the U.S. average of 76.4 years. However, 21.1% report poor or fair health—higher than most peers—suggesting uneven wellness outcomes.

Average health, above-average uninsured

Lincoln County's 77.5-year life expectancy matches Idaho's state average exactly, but its 14% uninsured rate exceeds the state average of 11.7% by 2.3 percentage points. This coverage gap likely contributes to the relatively high poor/fair health rate.

Mid-tier performer with coverage gaps

Lincoln County's 77.5-year life expectancy ties the state average but lags Idaho and Kootenai counties by a full year. Its 14% uninsured rate is higher than most neighbors except Jerome (16.1%), suggesting systemic enrollment challenges.

Moderate providers, high uninsured rate

Lincoln County has 38 primary care and just 18 mental health providers per 100,000 residents—minimal mental health capacity. With 14% uninsured, one in seven residents lack insurance, and those with coverage face sparse mental health resources.

Lincoln County must expand coverage

At 14% uninsured with minimal mental health providers, Lincoln County faces dual challenges. Visit healthcare.gov immediately to explore Medicaid and marketplace options, and ask providers about telehealth mental health services.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Lincoln County

via RiskByCounty

Lincoln County ranks among America's safest

Lincoln County's composite score of 9.06 and "Very Low" rating place it far below the national average for natural disaster risk. The county enjoys exceptional protection across virtually all major hazard types.

Lincoln County is Idaho's absolute safest county

At 9.06, Lincoln County holds the lowest composite risk score in Idaho—dramatically below the state average of 38.51. The county represents the gold standard for natural disaster safety in the state.

Lincoln County far exceeds surrounding areas

Lincoln County's 9.06 dramatically beats Jerome County (21.47) and Lewis County (3.09)—actually, Lewis is slightly safer—but Lincoln still ranks among Idaho's safest. The county sits in the state's very lowest risk tier.

Wildfire is the sole meaningful local hazard

Wildfire risk scores 92.05, while flood (14.41), earthquake (32.16), and tornado (3.91) all remain exceptionally low. The county's entire risk profile centers on fire exposure.

Wildfire insurance covers your only real threat

With wildfire at 92.05 but all other hazards minimal, homeowners should ensure wildfire coverage is in place. This single addition protects against Lincoln County's most serious natural disaster risk.

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.