Caribou County
ID · Pop. 7,118 · Rural County
Caribou County, Idaho covers 1,764 square miles with a population of 7,118 and a density of 4 people per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on wheat, hay, barley. A median home price of $220,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.6% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 5a with a 72-day growing season, average summer highs of 80.4°F and average winter lows of 10°F. Annual rainfall averages 15.9 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Caribou Memorial Hospital is 10 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 59% 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 0.6% holds annual carrying costs down.
- Caribou Memorial Hospital, with an emergency room, is just 10 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- A strong agricultural economy built on wheat, hay, barley means local markets, equipment, and know-how are in place.
- At 4 people per square mile, land is available with genuine space and privacy.
- A low unemployment rate of 3.9% reflects a stable local job base.
Cons
- Wildfire risk is very high, requiring defensible space, fire-resistant construction, and an evacuation plan.
- A 72-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- Annual rainfall of just 15.9 inches means irrigation and water storage are core requirements.
- Broadband reaches only 59% of homes, a real gap for remote work or online sales.
- Average winter lows of 10°F demand serious cold-weather infrastructure for livestock and water systems.
At a glance
Caribou County, ID is a mixed homesteading prospect — weigh the tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 42/100
- Median home price
- $220k
- Property tax
- 0.6%
- Growing season
- 72 days (zone 5a)
- Annual rainfall
- 15.9"
- Broadband
- 59%
- Nearest hospital
- Caribou Memorial Hospital, 10 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Caribou County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Caribou County?
- Caribou County is in USDA hardiness zone 5a with a 72-day growing season, average summer highs of 80.4°F, and average winter lows of 10°F. The established crops are wheat, hay, barley.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $220,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.6%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 59% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
- How close is healthcare?
- Caribou Memorial Hospital is 10 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 Caribou 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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