Custer County
ID · Pop. 4,411 · Rural County
Custer County sits in Idaho across 4,922 square miles, home to 4,411 people at 0.9 per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on hay, haylage, barley. The median home price is $296,000, with an effective property tax rate of 0.31%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 5b with a 80-day growing season, average summer highs of 82°F and average winter lows of 10.4°F. Annual rainfall averages 10.1 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. St Luke's Wood River Medical Center is 43.5 miles away, though without an in-county emergency room. Broadband reaches 69.4% 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 0.31% holds annual carrying costs down.
- At 0.9 people per square mile, land is available with genuine space and privacy.
- A low poverty rate of 11.5% signals a relatively stable local economy.
Cons
- Wildfire risk is very high, requiring defensible space, fire-resistant construction, and an evacuation plan.
- A 80-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- Annual rainfall of just 10.1 inches means irrigation and water storage are core requirements.
- Broadband reaches only 69.4% of homes, a real gap for remote work or online sales.
- The nearest hospital, St Luke's Wood River Medical Center, is 43.5 miles away, a real consideration for medical needs.
At a glance
Custer County, ID is a challenging place to homestead on the data.
- Homestead score
- 17/100
- Median home price
- $296k
- Property tax
- 0.31%
- Growing season
- 80 days (zone 5b)
- Annual rainfall
- 10.1"
- Broadband
- 69.4%
- Nearest hospital
- St Luke's Wood River Medical Center, 43.5 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Custer County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Custer County?
- Custer County is in USDA hardiness zone 5b with a 80-day growing season, average summer highs of 82°F, and average winter lows of 10.4°F. The established crops are hay, haylage, barley.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $296,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.31%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 69.4% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
- How close is healthcare?
- St Luke's Wood River Medical Center is 43.5 miles away, without an in-county emergency room.
Explore Idaho Resources
Partner links — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you
LandWatch
Browse rural land, farms, and ranches for sale across every state.
Lands of America
The largest listing site for rural property — farms, ranches, hunting land, and timberland.
AcreTrader
Invest in farmland online — vetted properties with passive income potential.
More counties in Idaho
All Idaho countiesNearby counties
The closest counties to Custer 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.
Your brand here — Reach our audience of professional directory owners and boost your sales.