Adams County
ID · Pop. 4,599 · Rural County
Adams County is a rural county in Idaho, spanning 1,363 square miles with 4,599 residents at a density of 3.4 people per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated weak, built on hay, haylage. The median home price is $327,000, with an effective property tax rate of 0.41%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 6a with a 53-day growing season, average summer highs of 86.7°F and average winter lows of 17.9°F. Annual rainfall averages 21.7 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. St Luke's Mccall is 17.3 miles away, though without an in-county emergency room. Broadband reaches 66.9% of homes. On the hazard side, wildfire risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.41% holds annual carrying costs down.
- At 3.4 people per square mile, land is available with genuine space and privacy.
- A median household income of $59,286 anchors the local economy.
Cons
- Wildfire risk is very high, requiring defensible space, fire-resistant construction, and an evacuation plan.
- A 53-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- Annual rainfall of just 21.7 inches means irrigation and water storage are core requirements.
- Broadband reaches only 66.9% of homes, a real gap for remote work or online sales.
- The nearest hospital, St Luke's Mccall, is 17.3 miles away, a real consideration for medical needs.
At a glance
Adams County, ID is a challenging place to homestead on the data.
- Homestead score
- 36/100
- Median home price
- $327k
- Property tax
- 0.41%
- Growing season
- 53 days (zone 6a)
- Annual rainfall
- 21.7"
- Broadband
- 66.9%
- Nearest hospital
- St Luke's Mccall, 17.3 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Adams County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Adams County?
- Adams County is in USDA hardiness zone 6a with a 53-day growing season, average summer highs of 86.7°F, and average winter lows of 17.9°F. The established crops are hay, haylage.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $327,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.41%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 66.9% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
- How close is healthcare?
- St Luke's Mccall is 17.3 miles away, without an in-county emergency room.
Explore Idaho Resources
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LandWatch
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Lands of America
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AcreTrader
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More counties in Idaho
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The closest counties to Adams County by distance, including across state lines.
Data sources
Verified
Figures are sourced from public datasets: U.S. Census Bureau — ACS 5-year & Gazetteer, USDA NASS Census of Agriculture, USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals (1991–2020), FEMA National Risk Index, FCC Broadband Data Collection, BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, HIFLD Hospitals. Always confirm specifics locally before relying on them. See our methodology for how the homestead score is calculated.
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