Latah County
ID · Pop. 40,315 · Suburban County
Latah County is a suburban county in Idaho, spanning 1,076 square miles with 40,315 residents at a density of 37.5 people per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on wheat, hay, chickpeas. The median home price is $343,000, with an effective property tax rate of 0.68%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 6b with a 96-day growing season, average summer highs of 78.1°F and average winter lows of 23.8°F. Annual rainfall averages 25.9 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Gritman Medical Center is 14.2 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 99.8% 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 0.68% 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 wheat, hay, chickpeas 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 96-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- Flood risk is high, so low-lying parcels deserve careful evaluation before purchase.
At a glance
Latah County, ID is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 55/100
- Median home price
- $343k
- Property tax
- 0.68%
- Growing season
- 96 days (zone 6b)
- Annual rainfall
- 25.9"
- Broadband
- 99.8%
- Nearest hospital
- Gritman Medical Center, 14.2 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Latah County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Latah County?
- Latah County is in USDA hardiness zone 6b with a 96-day growing season, average summer highs of 78.1°F, and average winter lows of 23.8°F. The established crops are wheat, hay, chickpeas.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $343,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.68%. 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?
- Gritman Medical Center is 14.2 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital in the county.
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More counties in Idaho
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The closest counties to Latah 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.