Kootenai
Idaho

What stands out

Three things set Kootenai County apart from the other 3,142 counties: 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 (4.8 years of income), and the median home price is in the top 4% of American counties ($605K). Within Idaho it ranks 4th of 44 counties for winter sunshine, counting from the bottom.

Where you are

You live in Kootenai County, Idaho. 173,396 people live here with you. The population grew 0.9% last year, and more Americans moved in than out (net +1,613).

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 $71,949 a year, higher than 78% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $55,888. Unemployment runs 3.2%, lower than 57% of American counties. 12% of workers work from home; for the rest the average commute is 20 minutes each way.

Idaho takes 4.9% of that median income in state income tax, about $3,558 a year.

Home

The median home costs $605K, pricier than 96% of American counties, about 4.8 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $1,088 a month. Property tax is 0.50% of home value, roughly $2,022 a year on that median home, lower than 88% of American counties. 72% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 3.7 per 1,000 residents, lower than 60% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 18 people per 100,000 in 2024.

A child born here can expect to live 78.5 years, longer than 80% of American counties. There are 442 active physicians in the county, about 25.5 per 10,000 people. Medicare rates the local hospitals 4.0 of 5 stars. 10.1% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 3.24 where 3.0 is national grade level, higher than 76% of American counties. 94% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 43 points, among the most lopsided counties in the country. 73% 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 48°F, highs near 59 and lows near 38, colder than 80% of American counties. About 27 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 61 out of 100, riskier than 61% of American counties; the county has had 18 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 238 Mbps down, faster than 68% of American counties. There are 11 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.8 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people, 7 breweries, 3 museums.