Skip to content

Oneida County

ID · Pop. 4,681 · Rural County

64/100Homestead Score

Oneida County, Idaho covers 1,199 square miles with a population of 4,681 and a density of 3.9 people per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on hay, wheat, mustard. The median home price is $228,000, with an effective property tax rate of 0.51%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 6a with a 116-day growing season, average summer highs of 85.1°F and average winter lows of 15.3°F. Annual rainfall averages 13.2 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Nell J Redfield Memorial Hospital is 13.8 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 90.9% of homes. On the hazard side, wildfire risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.

Property Tax: 0.51%
Growing Season: 116 days
Broadband: 90.9%
Density: 3.9/sq mi

Pros

  • A low effective property tax rate of 0.51% holds annual carrying costs down.
  • Broadband reaches 90.9% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
  • A strong agricultural economy built on hay, wheat, mustard means local markets, equipment, and know-how are in place.
  • At 3.9 people per square mile, land is available with genuine space and privacy.
  • A low unemployment rate of 2.9% reflects a stable local job base.

Cons

  • Wildfire risk is very high, requiring defensible space, fire-resistant construction, and an evacuation plan.
  • A 116-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
  • Annual rainfall of just 13.2 inches means irrigation and water storage are core requirements.

At a glance

Oneida County, ID is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.

Homestead score
64/100
Median home price
$228k
Property tax
0.51%
Growing season
116 days (zone 6a)
Annual rainfall
13.2"
Broadband
90.9%
Nearest hospital
Nell J Redfield Memorial Hospital, 13.8 mi

Taxes & Cost of Living

Property Tax Rate0.51%
Median Household Income$72,563
Poverty Rate11.8%

Land & Building

Median Home Price$228K

Climate & Growing

USDA Zone6a
Growing Season116 days
Annual Rainfall13.2 inches
Avg Summer High85.1°F
Avg Winter Low15.3°F
Top CropsHay, Wheat, Mustard

Natural Disaster Risk

Drought2/10
Wildfire9/10
Tornado1/10
Flood1/10

Healthcare

Nearest HospitalNell J Redfield Memorial Hospital (13.8 mi)
Emergency RoomYes
Healthcare Facilities1

Infrastructure & Community

Broadband Coverage90.9%

Business & Employment

Unemployment Rate2.9%
Ag EconomyStrong

Homesteading in Oneida County: FAQ

What is the growing season like in Oneida County?
Oneida County is in USDA hardiness zone 6a with a 116-day growing season, average summer highs of 85.1°F, and average winter lows of 15.3°F. The established crops are hay, wheat, mustard.
How affordable is land and property here?
The median home price is $228,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.51%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
Is broadband internet available?
Broadband reaches 90.9% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
How close is healthcare?
Nell J Redfield Memorial Hospital is 13.8 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital in the county.

Explore Idaho Resources

Partner links — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you

Nearby counties

The closest counties to Oneida 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.