Butte County
ID · Pop. 2,654 · Rural County
Butte County, Idaho covers 2,236 square miles with a population of 2,654 and a density of 1.2 people per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on hay, wheat, barley. The median home price is $196,000, with an effective property tax rate of 0.5%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 5a with a 88-day growing season, average summer highs of 82.3°F and average winter lows of 9.2°F. Annual rainfall averages 10.4 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Lost Rivers Medical Center is 6.7 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 61% of homes. On the hazard side, wildfire risk is high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.5% holds annual carrying costs down.
- A median home price of $196,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Lost Rivers Medical Center, with an emergency room, is just 6.7 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- A strong agricultural economy built on hay, wheat, barley means local markets, equipment, and know-how are in place.
- At 1.2 people per square mile, land is available with genuine space and privacy.
Cons
- A 88-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- Annual rainfall of just 10.4 inches means irrigation and water storage are core requirements.
- Broadband reaches only 61% of homes, a real gap for remote work or online sales.
- A poverty rate of 21.3% reflects a constrained local economy with limited off-farm income options.
- Average winter lows of 9.2°F demand serious cold-weather infrastructure for livestock and water systems.
At a glance
Butte County, ID is a mixed homesteading prospect — weigh the tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 49/100
- Median home price
- $196k
- Property tax
- 0.5%
- Growing season
- 88 days (zone 5a)
- Annual rainfall
- 10.4"
- Broadband
- 61%
- Nearest hospital
- Lost Rivers Medical Center, 6.7 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Butte County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Butte County?
- Butte County is in USDA hardiness zone 5a with a 88-day growing season, average summer highs of 82.3°F, and average winter lows of 9.2°F. The established crops are hay, wheat, barley.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $196,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.5%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 61% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
- How close is healthcare?
- Lost Rivers Medical Center is 6.7 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 Butte 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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