Payette County
ID · Pop. 26,190 · Suburban County
Payette County is a suburban county in Idaho, spanning 407 square miles with 26,190 residents at a density of 64.3 people per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on hay, corn, sugarbeets. A median home price of $311,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.44% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 7a with a 162-day growing season, average summer highs of 86.9°F and average winter lows of 22.2°F. Annual rainfall averages 11.2 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Saint Alphonsus Medical Center - Ontario, Inc is 11.4 miles away, though without an in-county emergency room. Broadband reaches 97.8% 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 0.44% holds annual carrying costs down.
- Broadband reaches 97.8% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- A low poverty rate of 9% signals a relatively stable local economy.
Cons
- Wildfire risk is very high, requiring defensible space, fire-resistant construction, and an evacuation plan.
- A 162-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- Annual rainfall of just 11.2 inches means irrigation and water storage are core requirements.
- The nearest hospital, Saint Alphonsus Medical Center - Ontario, Inc, is 11.4 miles away, a real consideration for medical needs.
At a glance
Payette County, ID is a mixed homesteading prospect — weigh the tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 47/100
- Median home price
- $311k
- Property tax
- 0.44%
- Growing season
- 162 days (zone 7a)
- Annual rainfall
- 11.2"
- Broadband
- 97.8%
- Nearest hospital
- Saint Alphonsus Medical Center - Ontario, Inc, 11.4 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Payette County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Payette County?
- Payette County is in USDA hardiness zone 7a with a 162-day growing season, average summer highs of 86.9°F, and average winter lows of 22.2°F. The established crops are hay, corn, sugarbeets.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $311,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.44%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 97.8% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Saint Alphonsus Medical Center - Ontario, Inc is 11.4 miles away, without an in-county emergency room.
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More counties in Idaho
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The closest counties to Payette 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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