Boise County
ID · Pop. 8,045 · Rural County
Boise County is a rural county in Idaho, spanning 1,900 square miles with 8,045 residents at a density of 4.2 people per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated weak, built on hay, herbs. The median home price is $424,000, with an effective property tax rate of 0.37%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 6b with a 74-day growing season, average summer highs of 81.5°F and average winter lows of 14.1°F. Annual rainfall averages 28 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. St Luke's Regional Medical Center is 35.2 miles away, though without an in-county emergency room. Broadband reaches 20.2% 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 0.37% holds annual carrying costs down.
- At 4.2 people per square mile, land is available with genuine space and privacy.
- A low poverty rate of 8.2% signals a relatively stable local economy.
Cons
- Wildfire risk is very high, requiring defensible space, fire-resistant construction, and an evacuation plan.
- A 74-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- A median home price of $424,000 raises the cost of entry relative to more affordable rural markets.
- Broadband reaches only 20.2% of homes, a real gap for remote work or online sales.
- The nearest hospital, St Luke's Regional Medical Center, is 35.2 miles away, a real consideration for medical needs.
At a glance
Boise County, ID is a challenging place to homestead on the data.
- Homestead score
- 21/100
- Median home price
- $424k
- Property tax
- 0.37%
- Growing season
- 74 days (zone 6b)
- Annual rainfall
- 28"
- Broadband
- 20.2%
- Nearest hospital
- St Luke's Regional Medical Center, 35.2 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Boise County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Boise County?
- Boise County is in USDA hardiness zone 6b with a 74-day growing season, average summer highs of 81.5°F, and average winter lows of 14.1°F. The established crops are hay, herbs.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $424,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.37%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 20.2% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
- How close is healthcare?
- St Luke's Regional Medical Center is 35.2 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 Boise 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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