Boise
Idaho

What stands out

Three things set Boise County apart from the other 3,142 counties: homeownership is in the top 2% of American counties (86%), the home price against local income is in the top 4% of American counties (4.5 years of income), and the overdose death rate is in the bottom 4% of American counties (0 per 100,000). Within Idaho it ranks 2nd of 44 counties for homeownership.

Where you are

You live in Boise County, Idaho. 7,809 people live here with you, so most faces are familiar. The population grew 1.9% last year, and more Americans moved in than out (net +106).

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 $70,776 a year, higher than 76% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $40,427. Unemployment runs 3.8%, higher than 62% of American counties. 15% of workers work from home; for the rest the average commute is 31 minutes each way.

Idaho takes 4.9% of that median income in state income tax, about $3,496 a year.

Home

The median home costs $487K, pricier than 93% of American counties, about 4.5 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $737 a month. Property tax is 0.42% of home value, roughly $1,544 a year on that median home, lower than 94% of American counties. 86% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 3.5 per 1,000 residents, lower than 70% of American counties.

A child born here can expect to live 79.0 years, longer than 84% of American counties. There is 1 active physician in the county, about 1.3 per 10,000 people. 9.7% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 3.27 where 3.0 is national grade level, higher than 86% of American counties. 95% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 47 points, among the most lopsided counties in the country. 77% 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 46°F, highs near 58 and lows near 34, colder than 89% of American counties. About 34 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 62 out of 100, riskier than 62% of American counties; the county has had 7 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 77 Mbps down, slower than 93% of American counties. There are 8 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 1.5 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people.