Gem County
ID · Pop. 19,854 · Suburban County
Gem County is a suburban county in Idaho, spanning 560 square miles with 19,854 residents at a density of 35.5 people per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on hay, wheat, corn. The median home price is $367,000, with an effective property tax rate of 0.39%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 7a with a 162-day growing season, average summer highs of 86.7°F and average winter lows of 17.2°F. Annual rainfall averages 21.9 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Valor Health is 13.3 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 95.6% 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 0.39% holds annual carrying costs down.
- Broadband reaches 95.6% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- A low unemployment rate of 3.7% reflects a stable local job base.
- A low poverty rate of 10.4% signals a relatively stable local economy.
Cons
- Wildfire risk is very high, requiring defensible space, fire-resistant construction, and an evacuation plan.
- A 162-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- Annual rainfall of just 21.9 inches means irrigation and water storage are core requirements.
- A median home price of $367,000 raises the cost of entry relative to more affordable rural markets.
At a glance
Gem County, ID is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 61/100
- Median home price
- $367k
- Property tax
- 0.39%
- Growing season
- 162 days (zone 7a)
- Annual rainfall
- 21.9"
- Broadband
- 95.6%
- Nearest hospital
- Valor Health, 13.3 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Gem County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Gem County?
- Gem County is in USDA hardiness zone 7a with a 162-day growing season, average summer highs of 86.7°F, and average winter lows of 17.2°F. The established crops are hay, wheat, corn.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $367,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.39%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 95.6% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Valor Health is 13.3 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 Gem 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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