Lincoln County
ID · Pop. 5,276 · Rural County
Lincoln County is a rural county in Idaho, spanning 1,201 square miles with 5,276 residents at a density of 4.4 people per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on hay, corn, haylage. A median home price of $207,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.48% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 6a with a 110-day growing season, average summer highs of 82.7°F and average winter lows of 14.3°F. Annual rainfall averages 11.1 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. St Luke's Jerome is 25.9 miles away, though without an in-county emergency room. Broadband reaches 97.2% 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 0.48% holds annual carrying costs down.
- Broadband reaches 97.2% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- A strong agricultural economy built on hay, corn, haylage means local markets, equipment, and know-how are in place.
- At 4.4 people per square mile, land is available with genuine space and privacy.
- A low poverty rate of 9.4% signals a relatively stable local economy.
Cons
- Wildfire risk is very high, requiring defensible space, fire-resistant construction, and an evacuation plan.
- A 110-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- Annual rainfall of just 11.1 inches means irrigation and water storage are core requirements.
- The nearest hospital, St Luke's Jerome, is 25.9 miles away, a real consideration for medical needs.
- Average winter lows of 14.3°F demand serious cold-weather infrastructure for livestock and water systems.
At a glance
Lincoln County, ID is a mixed homesteading prospect — weigh the tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 50/100
- Median home price
- $207k
- Property tax
- 0.48%
- Growing season
- 110 days (zone 6a)
- Annual rainfall
- 11.1"
- Broadband
- 97.2%
- Nearest hospital
- St Luke's Jerome, 25.9 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Lincoln County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Lincoln County?
- Lincoln County is in USDA hardiness zone 6a with a 110-day growing season, average summer highs of 82.7°F, and average winter lows of 14.3°F. The established crops are hay, corn, haylage.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $207,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.48%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 97.2% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- St Luke's Jerome is 25.9 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 Lincoln 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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