Blaine County
ID · Pop. 24,579 · Rural County
Blaine County sits in Idaho across 2,638 square miles, home to 24,579 people at 9.3 per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on hay, barley, legumes. The median home price is $664,000, with an effective property tax rate of 0.39%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 6a with a 97-day growing season, average summer highs of 81.5°F and average winter lows of 10°F. Annual rainfall averages 13 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. St Luke's Wood River Medical Center is 26.4 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 95.1% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, wildfire risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.39% holds annual carrying costs down.
- Broadband reaches 95.1% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- A strong agricultural economy built on hay, barley, legumes means local markets, equipment, and know-how are in place.
- At 9.3 people per square mile, land is available with genuine space and privacy.
- A low unemployment rate of 3.2% reflects a stable local job base.
Cons
- Wildfire risk is very high, requiring defensible space, fire-resistant construction, and an evacuation plan.
- Flood risk is very high, so careful parcel siting and flood insurance are essential.
- A 97-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- Annual rainfall of just 13 inches means irrigation and water storage are core requirements.
- A median home price of $664,000 raises the cost of entry relative to more affordable rural markets.
At a glance
Blaine County, ID is a challenging place to homestead on the data.
- Homestead score
- 35/100
- Median home price
- $664k
- Property tax
- 0.39%
- Growing season
- 97 days (zone 6a)
- Annual rainfall
- 13"
- Broadband
- 95.1%
- Nearest hospital
- St Luke's Wood River Medical Center, 26.4 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Blaine County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Blaine County?
- Blaine County is in USDA hardiness zone 6a with a 97-day growing season, average summer highs of 81.5°F, and average winter lows of 10°F. The established crops are hay, barley, legumes.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $664,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.39%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 95.1% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- St Luke's Wood River Medical Center is 26.4 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 Blaine 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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