Latah
Idaho

What stands out

Three things set Latah County apart from the other 3,142 counties: high-school completion is among the highest in America (97%), life expectancy is in the top 2% of American counties (81.9 years), and winter sunshine is in the bottom 3% of American counties (-1.9 on the USDA scale). Within Idaho it ranks 2nd of 44 counties for high-school completion.

Where you are

You live in Latah County, Idaho. 39,872 people live here with you. The population grew 0.9% last year, and more Americans moved out than in (net -128).

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 $62,258 a year, higher than 55% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $49,203. Unemployment runs 2.5%, lower than 85% of American counties. 10% of workers work from home; for the rest the average commute is 17 minutes each way.

Idaho takes 4.9% of that median income in state income tax, about $3,045 a year.

Home

The median home costs $475K, pricier than 92% of American counties, about 3.6 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $852 a month. Property tax is 0.69% of home value, roughly $2,147 a year on that median home, lower than 66% of American counties. 60% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 3.7 per 1,000 residents, lower than 59% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 17 people per 100,000 in 2024.

A child born here can expect to live 81.9 years, longer than 98% of American counties. There are 66 active physicians in the county, about 16.6 per 10,000 people. Medicare rates the local hospitals 3.0 of 5 stars. 9.2% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 3.39 where 3.0 is national grade level, higher than 91% of American counties. 97% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Democratic by 4 points. 65% 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 49°F, highs near 60 and lows near 38, colder than 79% of American counties. About 29 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 17 out of 100, safer than 83% of American counties; the county has had 16 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 162 Mbps down, slower than 66% 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, 3 breweries, 4 museums.