Gooding County
ID · Pop. 15,740 · Rural County
Gooding County, Idaho covers 729 square miles with a population of 15,740 and a density of 21.6 people per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on corn, hay, haylage. The median home price is $232,000, with an effective property tax rate of 0.53%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 7a with a 145-day growing season, average summer highs of 88.9°F and average winter lows of 22°F. Annual rainfall averages 10.2 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. North Canyon Medical Center is 6.7 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 99.3% 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 0.53% holds annual carrying costs down.
- Broadband reaches 99.3% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- North Canyon Medical Center, with an emergency room, is just 6.7 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- A strong agricultural economy built on corn, hay, haylage means local markets, equipment, and know-how are in place.
- At 21.6 people per square mile, land is available with genuine space and privacy.
Cons
- Wildfire risk is very high, requiring defensible space, fire-resistant construction, and an evacuation plan.
- A 145-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- Annual rainfall of just 10.2 inches means irrigation and water storage are core requirements.
At a glance
Gooding County, ID is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 66/100
- Median home price
- $232k
- Property tax
- 0.53%
- Growing season
- 145 days (zone 7a)
- Annual rainfall
- 10.2"
- Broadband
- 99.3%
- Nearest hospital
- North Canyon Medical Center, 6.7 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Gooding County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Gooding County?
- Gooding County is in USDA hardiness zone 7a with a 145-day growing season, average summer highs of 88.9°F, and average winter lows of 22°F. The established crops are corn, hay, haylage.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $232,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.53%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 99.3% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- North Canyon 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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AcreTrader
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More counties in Idaho
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The closest counties to Gooding 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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