Clearwater
Idaho

What stands out

Three things set Clearwater County apart from the other 3,142 counties: winter sunshine is in the bottom 2% of American counties (-2.3 on the USDA scale), population growth is in the top 7% of American counties (+2.0% a year), and unemployment is in the top 9% of American counties (5.1%). Within Idaho it ranks 6th of 44 counties for winter sunshine, counting from the bottom.

Where you are

You live in Clearwater County, Idaho. 8,810 people live here with you, so most faces are familiar. The population grew 2.0% last year, and more Americans moved in than out (net +240).

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 $55,885 a year, lower than 64% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $50,553. Unemployment runs 5.1%, higher than 91% of American counties. 8% of workers work from home; for the rest the average commute is 23 minutes each way.

Idaho takes 4.8% of that median income in state income tax, about $2,707 a year.

Home

The median home costs $313K, pricier than 72% of American counties, about 2.9 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $824 a month. Property tax is 0.65% of home value, roughly $1,393 a year on that median home, lower than 71% of American counties. 80% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 3.8 per 1,000 residents, lower than 53% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 19 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 13 active physicians in the county, about 14.8 per 10,000 people. Medicare rates the local hospitals 2.0 of 5 stars. 10.0% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 3.20 where 3.0 is national grade level, higher than 86% of American counties. 92% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 58 points, among the most lopsided counties in the country. 63% 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 56 and lows near 35, colder than 89% of American counties. About 42 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 26 out of 100, safer than 74% of American counties; the county has had 15 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 147 Mbps down, slower than 72% of American counties. There are 7 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 1.2 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people, 1 brewery.