Clearwater County
ID · Pop. 8,921 · Rural County
Clearwater County, Idaho covers 2,457 square miles with a population of 8,921 and a density of 3.6 people per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated weak, built on hay, wheat, haylage. The median home price is $241,000, with an effective property tax rate of 0.6%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 6a with a 103-day growing season, average summer highs of 76°F and average winter lows of 19.4°F. Annual rainfall averages 40.2 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Clearwater Valley Hospital and Clinics is 31.5 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 99.6% 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 0.6% holds annual carrying costs down.
- Broadband reaches 99.6% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- At 3.6 people per square mile, land is available with genuine space and privacy.
- Annual rainfall of 40.2 inches supports rain-fed gardens and pasture in most years.
Cons
- Wildfire risk is very high, requiring defensible space, fire-resistant construction, and an evacuation plan.
- A 103-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- The nearest hospital, Clearwater Valley Hospital and Clinics, is 31.5 miles away, a real consideration for medical needs.
- The agricultural economy is rated weak, so local farm markets, suppliers, and services are limited.
At a glance
Clearwater County, ID is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 64/100
- Median home price
- $241k
- Property tax
- 0.6%
- Growing season
- 103 days (zone 6a)
- Annual rainfall
- 40.2"
- Broadband
- 99.6%
- Nearest hospital
- Clearwater Valley Hospital and Clinics, 31.5 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Clearwater County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Clearwater County?
- Clearwater County is in USDA hardiness zone 6a with a 103-day growing season, average summer highs of 76°F, and average winter lows of 19.4°F. The established crops are hay, wheat, haylage.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $241,000 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 99.6% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Clearwater Valley Hospital and Clinics is 31.5 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 2 hospitals 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 Clearwater 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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