Bear Lake County
ID · Pop. 6,552 · Rural County
Bear Lake County sits in Idaho across 976 square miles, home to 6,552 people at 6.7 per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on hay, wheat, haylage. A median home price of $234,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.45% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 5a with a 83-day growing season, average summer highs of 81.4°F and average winter lows of 8.3°F. Annual rainfall averages 17.2 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Bear Lake Memorial Hospital is 2.5 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 73.3% 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 0.45% holds annual carrying costs down.
- Bear Lake Memorial Hospital, with an emergency room, is just 2.5 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- A strong agricultural economy built on hay, wheat, haylage means local markets, equipment, and know-how are in place.
- At 6.7 people per square mile, land is available with genuine space and privacy.
- A low unemployment rate of 3% reflects a stable local job base.
Cons
- Wildfire risk is very high, requiring defensible space, fire-resistant construction, and an evacuation plan.
- A 83-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- Annual rainfall of just 17.2 inches means irrigation and water storage are core requirements.
- Broadband reaches only 73.3% of homes, a real gap for remote work or online sales.
- Average winter lows of 8.3°F demand serious cold-weather infrastructure for livestock and water systems.
At a glance
Bear Lake County, ID is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 59/100
- Median home price
- $234k
- Property tax
- 0.45%
- Growing season
- 83 days (zone 5a)
- Annual rainfall
- 17.2"
- Broadband
- 73.3%
- Nearest hospital
- Bear Lake Memorial Hospital, 2.5 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Bear Lake County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Bear Lake County?
- Bear Lake County is in USDA hardiness zone 5a with a 83-day growing season, average summer highs of 81.4°F, and average winter lows of 8.3°F. The established crops are hay, wheat, haylage.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $234,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.45%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 73.3% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
- How close is healthcare?
- Bear Lake Memorial Hospital is 2.5 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital in the county.
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 Bear Lake 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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