Lemhi County
ID · Pop. 8,166 · Rural County
Lemhi County, Idaho covers 4,564 square miles with a population of 8,166 and a density of 1.8 people per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on hay, haylage, barley. The median home price is $282,000, with an effective property tax rate of 0.39%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 5b with a 125-day growing season, average summer highs of 81.3°F and average winter lows of 12.8°F. Annual rainfall averages 9.5 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Steele Memorial Medical Center is 16.9 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 100% 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 0.39% holds annual carrying costs down.
- Broadband reaches 100% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- At 1.8 people per square mile, land is available with genuine space and privacy.
- A low poverty rate of 11.8% signals a relatively stable local economy.
Cons
- Wildfire risk is very high, requiring defensible space, fire-resistant construction, and an evacuation plan.
- A 125-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- Annual rainfall of just 9.5 inches means irrigation and water storage are core requirements.
- Average winter lows of 12.8°F demand serious cold-weather infrastructure for livestock and water systems.
At a glance
Lemhi County, ID is a mixed homesteading prospect — weigh the tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 51/100
- Median home price
- $282k
- Property tax
- 0.39%
- Growing season
- 125 days (zone 5b)
- Annual rainfall
- 9.5"
- Broadband
- 100%
- Nearest hospital
- Steele Memorial Medical Center, 16.9 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Lemhi County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Lemhi County?
- Lemhi County is in USDA hardiness zone 5b with a 125-day growing season, average summer highs of 81.3°F, and average winter lows of 12.8°F. The established crops are hay, haylage, barley.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $282,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.39%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 100% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Steele Memorial Medical Center is 16.9 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 Lemhi 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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