Blaine
Idaho

What stands out

Against every county in America, Blaine County is unusual in three ways: the median home price is among the priciest in America ($1.1M), the home price against local income is among the most stretched in America (6.4 years of income), and life expectancy is among the longest in America (84.3 years). Within Idaho it ranks 1st of 43 counties for the median home price.

Where you are

You live in Blaine County, Idaho. 24,248 people live here with you. The population grew 0.6% last year, and more Americans moved out than in (net -174).

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 $81,794 a year, higher than 89% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $60,713. Unemployment runs 2.5%, lower than 83% of American counties. 13% of workers work from home; for the rest the average commute is 16 minutes each way.

Idaho takes 5.0% of that median income in state income tax, about $4,080 a year.

Home

The median home costs $1.1M, pricier than almost every county in America, about 6.4 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $1,226 a month. Property tax is 0.41% of home value, roughly $2,319 a year on that median home, lower than 94% of American counties. 75% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 3.1 per 1,000 residents, lower than 87% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 12 people per 100,000 in 2024.

A child born here can expect to live 84.3 years, longer than almost every county in America. There are 72 active physicians in the county, about 29.7 per 10,000 people. Medicare rates the local hospitals 4.0 of 5 stars. 14.0% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 3.07 where 3.0 is national grade level, higher than 60% of American counties. 92% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Democratic by 37 points. 84% 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 45°F, highs near 57 and lows near 32, colder than 92% of American counties. About 18 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 42 out of 100, safer than 58% of American counties; the county has had 10 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 213 Mbps down, faster than 56% of American counties. There are 10 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 2.3 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people, 4 breweries, 1 National Park Service site.