Nez Perce County
ID · Pop. 42,477 · Suburban County
Nez Perce County is a suburban county in Idaho, spanning 848 square miles with 42,477 residents at a density of 50.1 people per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on wheat, hay, chickpeas. The median home price is $291,000, with an effective property tax rate of 0.87%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 7b with a 108-day growing season, average summer highs of 73.8°F and average winter lows of 22°F. Annual rainfall averages 22.5 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. St Joseph Regional Medical Center is 13.8 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 0.87% holds annual carrying costs down.
- Broadband reaches 100% 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 3.7% reflects a stable local job base.
Cons
- Wildfire risk is very high, requiring defensible space, fire-resistant construction, and an evacuation plan.
- A 108-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
Nez Perce County, ID is a mixed homesteading prospect — weigh the tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 53/100
- Median home price
- $291k
- Property tax
- 0.87%
- Growing season
- 108 days (zone 7b)
- Annual rainfall
- 22.5"
- Broadband
- 100%
- Nearest hospital
- St Joseph Regional Medical Center, 13.8 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Nez Perce County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Nez Perce County?
- Nez Perce County is in USDA hardiness zone 7b with a 108-day growing season, average summer highs of 73.8°F, and average winter lows of 22°F. The established crops are wheat, hay, chickpeas.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $291,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.87%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 100% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- St Joseph Regional Medical Center is 13.8 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 Nez Perce 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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