Boundary
Idaho

What stands out

What stands out about Boundary County: winter sunshine is among the cloudiest in America (-2.4 on the USDA scale), the home price against local income is in the top 3% of American counties (4.9 years of income), and population growth is in the top 6% of American counties (+2.1% a year). Within Idaho it ranks 4th of 44 counties for winter sunshine, counting from the bottom.

Where you are

You live in Boundary County, Idaho. 12,335 people live here with you. The population grew 2.1% last year, and more Americans moved in than out (net +215).

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 $58,810 a year, lower than 55% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $51,133. Unemployment runs 3.8%, higher than 63% of American counties. 5% of workers work from home.

Idaho takes 4.9% of that median income in state income tax, about $2,862 a year.

Home

The median home costs $470K, pricier than 92% of American counties, about 4.9 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $774 a month. Property tax is 0.44% of home value, roughly $1,411 a year on that median home, lower than 92% of American counties. 78% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 4.0 per 1,000 residents, higher than 59% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 14 people per 100,000 in 2024.

A child born here can expect to live 78.3 years, longer than 78% of American counties. There are 9 active physicians in the county, about 7.3 per 10,000 people. 16.7% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 2.80 where 3.0 is national grade level, lower than 80% of American counties. 87% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 59 points, among the most lopsided counties in the country. 69% 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 44°F, highs near 53 and lows near 35, colder than 93% of American counties. About 39 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 20 out of 100, safer than 80% of American counties; the county has had 12 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 102 Mbps down, slower than 87% of American counties. There are 2 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.6 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people, 1 brewery.