CountyScore

Washington County

Idaho · ID

#21 in Idaho
73.3
County Score

County Report Card

About Washington County, Idaho

Washington County exceeds typical American livability

Washington County's composite score of 73.3 substantially beats the national median of 50.0, placing it in the 85th percentile nationally. It joins the top tier of counties where Americans choose to build their lives.

Top-tier livability performance among Idaho peers

Washington County ranks in Idaho's top tier with a composite score of 73.3, matching Teton County and exceeding the state average of 72.5. It's among Idaho's most livable counties despite lower overall population.

Housing affordability with strong tax advantages

Washington County leads in housing affordability with the lowest median home value ($250,300) and lowest median rent ($919/month) among all four counties, plus a cost score of 80.2. A tax score of 87.5 (0.526% effective rate) keeps the overall financial burden manageable for working families.

Lower incomes limit purchasing power and opportunity

Washington County's primary constraint is the lowest median household income at $53,608 with an income score of just 18.4—suggesting limited wage opportunities and economic mobility. Health outcomes (69.6) and disaster risk (69.7) trail stronger-performing counties, indicating potential gaps in services or infrastructure.

Best for budget-conscious families needing affordability

Washington County suits families prioritizing lowest possible housing and living costs over job market dynamism or premium services. If you're managing a modest budget and value maximum affordability with reasonable livability, Washington County delivers exceptional practical value.

Score breakdown

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

Tax87.5Cost80.2SafetyComing SoonHealth69.6SchoolsComing SoonIncome18.4Risk69.7WaterComing Soon
🏛87.5
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠80.2
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼18.4
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤69.6
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡69.7
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 Washington County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Teton County
Idaho
73.3
Median income: $90,740
Grant County
Kentucky
73.3
Median income: $67,940
Owsley County
Kentucky
73.3
Median income: $31,064
Beauregard Parish
Louisiana
73.3
Median income: $64,995
Swift County
Minnesota
73.3
Median income: $62,601

Deep Dives

Washington County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Washington County

via TaxByCounty

Washington's rate nears national median

Washington County's effective tax rate of 0.526% sits comfortably below the national median of 0.73%, placing it in the bottom 40% of U.S. counties. The median tax bill of $1,316 trails the national median of $2,690 by more than half, reflecting the county's lower median home values.

Nearly matches Idaho's average rate

Washington County's effective rate of 0.526% hovers just above Idaho's state average of 0.508%, making it a typical performer by state standards. At this rate, Washington homeowners pay $1,316 annually—only $213 below the state median, despite below-average home values.

Middle ground in a varied region

Washington County's 0.526% rate sits between the ultra-low rates of Teton (0.346%) and Valley (0.297%) counties and the elevated rate of Twin Falls (0.667%). This positions Washington as the regional middle ground, offering moderate tax burdens compared to its neighbors.

What the average Washington home costs annually

A homeowner with a median-valued Washington property ($250,300) pays approximately $1,316 in annual property taxes. With a mortgage, that bill rises to $1,582; without one, it drops to $1,118.

Lower home values don't eliminate appeal opportunities

Overassessment can happen at any price point, and Washington County homeowners should verify their assessments match comparable sales. Filing a free appeal with the county assessor costs nothing and could reduce your tax burden if your home was assessed above market value.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Washington County

via CostByCounty

Washington County's housing affordability crisis

Washington County's rent-to-income ratio of 20.6% ranks among the nation's worst, nearly 6 percentage points above the U.S. norm. With a median household income of just $53,608—$21,000 below the national average—residents face severe affordability strain despite modest absolute rent costs.

Idaho's least affordable county

Washington County carries Idaho's highest rent-to-income ratio at 20.6%, nearly 4 percentage points worse than the state average of 16.8%. This distinction makes it the state's most housing-challenged market by this metric.

Lowest rents, lowest incomes

Washington County's $919 median rent matches Idaho's state average exactly, yet its median household income of $53,608 trails Teton County by $37,132. The county represents rural Idaho's economic squeeze: minimal housing costs can't overcome minimal earning power.

Limited choices, tight margins

Renters dedicate 20.6% of income to $919 monthly housing, while homeowners commit 17% to $761 monthly costs on homes averaging $250,000. Even ownership—typically the cheaper long-term path—consumes a concerning share of already-slim household budgets.

Washington County: Rethink relocation here

Before moving to Washington County, honestly assess your income prospects; the county's affordability crisis stems from wage stagnation, not high rents. Remote workers earning outside-county salaries will find exceptional value, but local job seekers should prioritize regions with stronger income growth.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Washington County

via IncomeByCounty

Washington County Lags Nationally

Washington County's median household income of $53,608 sits 28% below the national median of $74,755, marking it among America's lower-income counties. This gap reflects Washington's rural character and limited wage opportunities compared to national standards. The county faces significant income challenges relative to the broader U.S. economy.

Idaho's Lowest County Income

Washington County's $53,608 median household income ranks last among Idaho's counties, falling 19% below the state average of $65,770. Per capita income of $27,769 trails Idaho's average of $32,503, indicating limited earning opportunities throughout the county. Washington faces the steepest income challenges in its state.

Washington Trails All Regional Peers

Washington County's $53,608 income lags all surrounding counties: Twin Falls ($65,338), Valley ($76,125), and Teton ($90,740) by $11,730 to $37,132 respectively. This significant gap reflects Washington's rural, agricultural economy versus its neighbors' diversified service and tourism sectors. Economic isolation appears to constrain earning potential.

Housing Costs Squeeze Tight Budgets

Washington's 20.6% rent-to-income ratio is the highest among these four counties, meaning housing consumes over one-fifth of typical household income. Median home values of $250,300 still require substantial household resources despite being the group's lowest. Housing affordability is a genuine constraint for many Washington County families.

Build Stability Before Wealth

Washington County households earning $53,608 should prioritize stable emergency savings and debt reduction before pursuing wealth-building investments. Community resources, financial counseling, and local economic development initiatives can support income growth and opportunity. Focus on skill development and education as long-term wealth builders.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Washington County

via HealthByCounty

Washington County Lags on Life Expectancy

Washington County residents live to 75.9 years—1.6 years below the U.S. average of 77.5 years. With 18.6% reporting poor or fair health, the county faces the highest health burden in this regional group. These metrics reflect systemic health challenges that merit focused attention.

Lowest Life Expectancy in Idaho Group

At 75.9 years, Washington County ranks lowest in life expectancy among these four counties and trails Idaho's 77.5-year state average by 1.6 years. The 18.6% poor/fair health rate is the highest statewide comparison here, signaling concentrated health risk. These outcomes demand targeted intervention.

Health Disparities Across the Region

Washington County's 75.9-year life expectancy trails all neighbors: Teton (83.1 years), Valley (83.0 years), and Twin Falls (76.0 years). At 18.6% poor/fair health, Washington faces the steepest wellness burden of the four counties. The gap suggests distinct population health drivers.

Limited Mental Health Support

Washington County has 46 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—below the regional average—and only 44 mental health providers per 100,000, the lowest in this group. The 9.2% uninsured rate is the best here, beating the state average of 11.7%. Good insurance coverage can't fully offset limited specialist availability.

Protect Your Coverage and Seek Support

At 9.2% uninsured, Washington County has good baseline coverage, but residents should verify their plans cover preventive care and mental health services. Visit healthcare.gov or contact local clinics to explore coverage options and telehealth resources that can bridge the mental health provider gap. Stable insurance is your foundation for better health.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Washington County

via RiskByCounty

Washington County has very low disaster risk

With a composite risk score of 30.31, Washington County ranks among the lowest-risk counties nationally for natural disaster exposure. This score positions residents well below the U.S. average and in one of America's safer disaster zones.

Second-safest county in Idaho

Washington County scores 30.31 against Idaho's state average of 38.51, ranking as the second-lowest risk county in the state. Only Teton County (29.45) presents a lower combined natural disaster threat.

Much safer than Valley and Twin Falls

Washington County (30.31) rivals Teton County in safety, significantly outperforming nearby Valley County (55.63) and Twin Falls County (46.95). The county emerges as one of Idaho's most resilient regions for multi-hazard disaster preparedness.

Wildfire dominates despite low overall risk

Despite its very low composite rating, Washington County faces notable wildfire risk at 95.61, the second-highest among the four profiled counties. Earthquake exposure (53.78) presents a moderate secondary threat, while flood and tornado risks remain low.

Don't skip wildfire coverage

While Washington County enjoys relatively low overall disaster risk, wildfire exposure demands specialized insurance that standard homeowners policies exclude. Adding wildfire protection ensures your home stays protected despite the county's favorable risk profile.

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.