Jefferson County
ID · Pop. 32,234 · Suburban County
Jefferson County is a suburban county in Idaho, spanning 1,094 square miles with 32,234 residents at a density of 29.5 people per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on hay, wheat, barley. The median home price is $335,000, with an effective property tax rate of 0.53%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 4b with a 98-day growing season, average summer highs of 84.3°F and average winter lows of 8°F. Annual rainfall averages 9.6 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Madison Memorial Hospital is 27.4 miles away, though without an in-county emergency room. Broadband reaches 100% 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 100% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- A strong agricultural economy built on hay, wheat, barley means local markets, equipment, and know-how are in place.
- A low unemployment rate of 2.9% reflects a stable local job base.
- A low poverty rate of 9.2% signals a relatively stable local economy.
Cons
- Wildfire risk is very high, requiring defensible space, fire-resistant construction, and an evacuation plan.
- A 98-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- Annual rainfall of just 9.6 inches means irrigation and water storage are core requirements.
- The nearest hospital, Madison Memorial Hospital, is 27.4 miles away, a real consideration for medical needs.
- Average winter lows of 8°F demand serious cold-weather infrastructure for livestock and water systems.
At a glance
Jefferson County, ID is a challenging place to homestead on the data.
- Homestead score
- 25/100
- Median home price
- $335k
- Property tax
- 0.53%
- Growing season
- 98 days (zone 4b)
- Annual rainfall
- 9.6"
- Broadband
- 100%
- Nearest hospital
- Madison Memorial Hospital, 27.4 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Jefferson County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Jefferson County?
- Jefferson County is in USDA hardiness zone 4b with a 98-day growing season, average summer highs of 84.3°F, and average winter lows of 8°F. The established crops are hay, wheat, barley.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $335,000 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 100% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Madison Memorial Hospital is 27.4 miles away, without an in-county emergency room.
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 Jefferson 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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