Lewis County
ID · Pop. 3,649 · Rural County
Lewis County sits in Idaho across 479 square miles, home to 3,649 people at 7.6 per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on wheat, hay, grasses. The median home price is $202,000, with an effective property tax rate of 0.67%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 6b with a 115-day growing season, average summer highs of 77.1°F and average winter lows of 22°F. Annual rainfall averages 19.9 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. St Mary's Hospital is 13.3 miles away, though without an in-county 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 0.67% 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, grasses means local markets, equipment, and know-how are in place.
- At 7.6 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 115-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- Annual rainfall of just 19.9 inches means irrigation and water storage are core requirements.
- The nearest hospital, St Mary's Hospital, is 13.3 miles away, a real consideration for medical needs.
At a glance
Lewis County, ID is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 64/100
- Median home price
- $202k
- Property tax
- 0.67%
- Growing season
- 115 days (zone 6b)
- Annual rainfall
- 19.9"
- Broadband
- 99.8%
- Nearest hospital
- St Mary's Hospital, 13.3 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Lewis County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Lewis County?
- Lewis County is in USDA hardiness zone 6b with a 115-day growing season, average summer highs of 77.1°F, and average winter lows of 22°F. The established crops are wheat, hay, grasses.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $202,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.67%. 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 Mary's Hospital is 13.3 miles away, without an in-county emergency room.
Explore Idaho Resources
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LandWatch
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Lands of America
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AcreTrader
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More counties in Idaho
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The closest counties to Lewis 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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