Bear Lake
Idaho

What stands out

Against every county in America, Bear Lake County is unusual in three ways: the overdose death rate is in the bottom 4% of American counties (0 per 100,000), the average temperature is in the bottom 5% of American counties (43°F), and natural-hazard risk is in the bottom 7% of American counties (7 of 100). Within Idaho it ranks 13th of 44 counties for the overdose death rate, counting from the bottom.

Where you are

You live in Bear Lake County, Idaho. 6,436 people live here with you, so most faces are familiar. The population grew 0.5% last year, and more Americans moved in than out (net +10).

Idaho has a flat 5.3% income tax and grew faster than almost any state between 2015 and 2023, driven by arrivals from California and Washington to the Boise area. Home prices in Ada County more than doubled in that stretch. The state offers a property-tax reduction for lower-income seniors and taxes Social Security for nobody.

Money

The typical household here brings in $63,244 a year, higher than 58% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $40,230. Unemployment runs 2.6%, lower than 80% of American counties. 10% of workers work from home.

Idaho takes 4.9% of that median income in state income tax, about $3,097 a year.

Home

The median home costs $399K, pricier than 86% of American counties, about 2.4 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $652 a month. Property tax is 0.51% of home value, roughly $994 a year on that median home, lower than 86% of American counties. 81% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 3.9 per 1,000 residents, higher than 53% of American counties.

A child born here can expect to live 77.7 years, longer than 72% of American counties. There are 5 active physicians in the county, about 7.8 per 10,000 people. 10.0% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 2.84 where 3.0 is national grade level, lower than 60% of American counties. 93% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 77 points, among the most lopsided counties in the country. 75% of eligible voters turned out. Under Idaho law you can carry a concealed handgun without a permit, abortion is banned with narrow exceptions, and marijuana is illegal.

Weather and risk

The year averages 43°F, highs near 56 and lows near 30, colder than 95% of American counties. About 23 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 7 out of 100, safer than 93% of American counties; the county has had 4 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 93 Mbps down, slower than 89% of American counties. There is 1 airport in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.8 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people.