Lewis
Idaho

What stands out

What stands out about Lewis County: home internet speed is among the slowest in America (35 Mbps), winter sunshine is in the bottom 3% of American counties (-1.9 on the USDA scale), and natural-hazard risk is in the bottom 5% of American counties (5 of 100). Within Idaho it ranks 2nd of 44 counties for home internet speed, counting from the bottom.

Where you are

You live in Lewis County, Idaho. 3,630 people live here with you, so most faces are familiar. The population grew 0.4% last year, and more Americans moved in than out (net +38).

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 $46,484 a year, lower than 86% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $43,504. Unemployment runs 3.9%, higher than 67% of American counties. 9% of workers work from home.

Idaho takes 4.8% of that median income in state income tax, about $2,209 a year.

Home

The median home costs $290K, pricier than 67% of American counties, about 3.0 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $672 a month. Property tax is 0.70% of home value, roughly $1,295 a year on that median home, lower than 65% of American counties. 73% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 4.2 per 1,000 residents, higher than 68% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 20 people per 100,000 in 2024.

A child born here can expect to live 74.5 years, shorter than 64% of American counties. There is 1 active physician in the county, about 2.8 per 10,000 people. 11.3% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 3.00 where 3.0 is national grade level, higher than 66% of American counties. 90% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 61 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 49°F, highs near 60 and lows near 38, colder than 79% of American counties. About 24 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 5 out of 100, safer than 95% of American counties; the county has had 12 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 35 Mbps down, slower than almost every county in America. There are 3 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 1.3 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people.