Valley
Idaho

What stands out

If you had to describe Valley County in numbers, start here: the average commute is among the shortest in America (10 minutes), life expectancy is among the longest in America (83.0 years), and the home price against local income is in the top 2% of American counties (5.4 years of income). Within Idaho it ranks 1st of 22 counties for the average commute, counting from the bottom.

Where you are

You live in Valley County, Idaho. 11,830 people live here with you. The population grew 1.6% last year, and more Americans moved in than out (net +208).

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 $72,878 a year, higher than 79% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $52,271. Unemployment runs 3.7%, higher than 61% of American counties. 18% of workers work from home; for the rest the average commute is 10 minutes each way.

Idaho takes 5.0% of that median income in state income tax, about $3,608 a year.

Home

The median home costs $678K, pricier than 97% of American counties, about 5.4 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $960 a month. Property tax is 0.35% of home value, roughly $1,672 a year on that median home, lower than 96% of American counties. 85% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 3.8 per 1,000 residents, lower than 52% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 17 people per 100,000 in 2024.

A child born here can expect to live 83.0 years, longer than almost every county in America. There are 23 active physicians in the county, about 19.4 per 10,000 people. 12.4% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 3.54 where 3.0 is national grade level, higher than 93% of American counties. 93% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 14 points. 77% 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 41°F, highs near 54 and lows near 28, colder than 98% of American counties. About 37 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 58 out of 100, riskier than 58% of American counties; the county has had 12 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 124 Mbps down, slower than 80% of American counties. There are 30 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 2.2 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people, 3 breweries.