Gem
Idaho

What stands out

If you had to describe Gem County in numbers, start here: population growth is in the top 3% of American counties (+3.0% a year), the home price against local income is in the top 5% of American counties (4.5 years of income), and the property tax rate is in the bottom 6% of American counties (0.42%). Within Idaho it ranks 3rd of 44 counties for population growth.

Where you are

You live in Gem County, Idaho. 19,250 people live here with you. The population grew 3.0% last year, and more Americans moved in than out (net +403).

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 $65,204 a year, higher than 63% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $44,976. Unemployment runs 2.9%, lower than 70% of American counties. 10% of workers work from home.

Idaho takes 4.9% of that median income in state income tax, about $3,201 a year.

Home

The median home costs $484K, pricier than 92% of American counties, about 4.5 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $831 a month. Property tax is 0.42% of home value, roughly $1,374 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 3.7 per 1,000 residents, lower than 58% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 14 people per 100,000 in 2024.

A child born here can expect to live 76.0 years, longer than 52% of American counties. There are 19 active physicians in the county, about 9.9 per 10,000 people. 14.1% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 2.65 where 3.0 is national grade level, lower than 87% of American counties. 90% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 62 points, among the most lopsided counties in the country. 76% 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 51°F, highs near 63 and lows near 39, colder than 70% of American counties. About 21 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 49 out of 100, safer than 51% of American counties; the county has had 7 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 167 Mbps down, slower than 64% of American counties. There are 5 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.6 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people.