Jerome
Idaho

What stands out

Three things set Jerome County apart from the other 3,142 counties: rainfall is among the driest in America (8 inches a year), high-school completion is in the bottom 3% of American counties (75%), and the uninsured rate is in the top 6% of American counties (18.9%). Within Idaho it ranks 1st of 44 counties for rainfall, counting from the bottom.

Where you are

You live in Jerome County, Idaho. 24,474 people live here with you. The population grew 0.9% last year, and more Americans moved in than out (net +0).

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 $67,347 a year, higher than 68% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $51,608. Unemployment runs 2.5%, lower than 84% of American counties. 5% of workers work from home; for the rest the average commute is 18 minutes each way.

Idaho takes 4.9% of that median income in state income tax, about $3,314 a year.

Home

The median home costs $406K, pricier than 87% of American counties, about 3.4 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $793 a month. Property tax is 0.63% of home value, roughly $1,468 a year on that median home, lower than 74% of American counties. 73% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 4.3 per 1,000 residents, higher than 72% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 10 people per 100,000 in 2024.

A child born here can expect to live 77.3 years, longer than 67% of American counties. There are 20 active physicians in the county, about 8.2 per 10,000 people. 18.9% 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. 75% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 49 points, among the most lopsided counties in the country. 58% 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 52°F, highs near 65 and lows near 40, colder than 65% of American counties. About 8 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 22 out of 100, safer than 78% of American counties; the county has had 6 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 213 Mbps down, faster than 56% of American counties. There are 3 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.6 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people, 1 National Park Service site.