Jerome County
ID · Pop. 24,788 · Suburban County
Jerome County, Idaho covers 598 square miles with a population of 24,788 and a density of 41.5 people per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on hay, haylage, corn. A median home price of $254,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.64% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 6b with a 141-day growing season, average summer highs of 85.3°F and average winter lows of 19.6°F. Annual rainfall averages 10.9 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. St Luke's Jerome is 13.3 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 99.8% 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 0.64% holds annual carrying costs down.
- Broadband reaches 99.8% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- A strong agricultural economy built on hay, haylage, corn means local markets, equipment, and know-how are in place.
- A low unemployment rate of 3.3% reflects a stable local job base.
Cons
- Wildfire risk is very high, requiring defensible space, fire-resistant construction, and an evacuation plan.
- A 141-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- Annual rainfall of just 10.9 inches means irrigation and water storage are core requirements.
At a glance
Jerome County, ID is a mixed homesteading prospect — weigh the tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 54/100
- Median home price
- $254k
- Property tax
- 0.64%
- Growing season
- 141 days (zone 6b)
- Annual rainfall
- 10.9"
- Broadband
- 99.8%
- Nearest hospital
- St Luke's Jerome, 13.3 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Jerome County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Jerome County?
- Jerome County is in USDA hardiness zone 6b with a 141-day growing season, average summer highs of 85.3°F, and average winter lows of 19.6°F. The established crops are hay, haylage, corn.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $254,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.64%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 99.8% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- St Luke's Jerome is 13.3 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital in the county.
Explore Idaho Resources
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More counties in Idaho
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The closest counties to Jerome 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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