Bannock County
ID · Pop. 88,457 · Suburban County
Bannock County, Idaho covers 1,112 square miles with a population of 88,457 and a density of 79.5 people per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on hay, wheat, haylage. A median home price of $267,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.72% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 5b with a 107-day growing season, average summer highs of 83°F and average winter lows of 13.4°F. Annual rainfall averages 16.6 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Portneuf Medical Center is 15.8 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 100% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is high, wildfire risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.72% holds annual carrying costs down.
- Broadband reaches 100% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- A low unemployment rate of 4% reflects a stable local job base.
Cons
- Wildfire risk is very high, requiring defensible space, fire-resistant construction, and an evacuation plan.
- A 107-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- Annual rainfall of just 16.6 inches means irrigation and water storage are core requirements.
- Average winter lows of 13.4°F demand serious cold-weather infrastructure for livestock and water systems.
At a glance
Bannock County, ID is a challenging place to homestead on the data.
- Homestead score
- 38/100
- Median home price
- $267k
- Property tax
- 0.72%
- Growing season
- 107 days (zone 5b)
- Annual rainfall
- 16.6"
- Broadband
- 100%
- Nearest hospital
- Portneuf Medical Center, 15.8 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Bannock County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Bannock County?
- Bannock County is in USDA hardiness zone 5b with a 107-day growing season, average summer highs of 83°F, and average winter lows of 13.4°F. The established crops are hay, wheat, haylage.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $267,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.72%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 100% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Portneuf Medical Center is 15.8 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital in the county.
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More counties in Idaho
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The closest counties to Bannock 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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