Owyhee County
ID · Pop. 12,284 · Rural County
Owyhee County sits in Idaho across 7,668 square miles, home to 12,284 people at 1.6 per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on hay, corn, wheat. The median home price is $282,000, with an effective property tax rate of 0.48%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 7a with a 167-day growing season, average summer highs of 91.4°F and average winter lows of 26.5°F. Annual rainfall averages 7.6 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Public Health Serv Indian Hosp is 43.3 miles away, though without an in-county emergency room. Broadband reaches 72.4% 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 0.48% holds annual carrying costs down.
- A strong agricultural economy built on hay, corn, wheat means local markets, equipment, and know-how are in place.
- At 1.6 people per square mile, land is available with genuine space and privacy.
- A low unemployment rate of 4% reflects a stable local job base.
Cons
- Wildfire risk is very high, requiring defensible space, fire-resistant construction, and an evacuation plan.
- Annual rainfall of just 7.6 inches means irrigation and water storage are core requirements.
- Broadband reaches only 72.4% of homes, a real gap for remote work or online sales.
- The nearest hospital, Public Health Serv Indian Hosp, is 43.3 miles away, a real consideration for medical needs.
At a glance
Owyhee County, ID is a challenging place to homestead on the data.
- Homestead score
- 24/100
- Median home price
- $282k
- Property tax
- 0.48%
- Growing season
- 167 days (zone 7a)
- Annual rainfall
- 7.6"
- Broadband
- 72.4%
- Nearest hospital
- Public Health Serv Indian Hosp, 43.3 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Owyhee County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Owyhee County?
- Owyhee County is in USDA hardiness zone 7a with a 167-day growing season, average summer highs of 91.4°F, and average winter lows of 26.5°F. The established crops are hay, corn, wheat.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $282,000 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 72.4% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
- How close is healthcare?
- Public Health Serv Indian Hosp is 43.3 miles away, without an in-county emergency room.
Explore Idaho Resources
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More counties in Idaho
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The closest counties to Owyhee 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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