Valley County
ID · Pop. 12,136 · Rural County
Valley County sits in Idaho across 3,665 square miles, home to 12,136 people at 3.3 per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated weak, built on hay, oats, cabbage. A median home price of $600,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.3% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 5a with a 62-day growing season, average summer highs of 79.5°F and average winter lows of 14.2°F. Annual rainfall averages 22.5 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. St Luke's Mccall is 24.4 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 59% 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 0.3% holds annual carrying costs down.
- At 3.3 people per square mile, land is available with genuine space and privacy.
- A median household income of $76,125 anchors the local economy.
Cons
- Wildfire risk is very high, requiring defensible space, fire-resistant construction, and an evacuation plan.
- A 62-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- A median home price of $600,000 raises the cost of entry relative to more affordable rural markets.
- Broadband reaches only 59% of homes, a real gap for remote work or online sales.
- The nearest hospital, St Luke's Mccall, is 24.4 miles away, a real consideration for medical needs.
At a glance
Valley County, ID is a challenging place to homestead on the data.
- Homestead score
- 20/100
- Median home price
- $600k
- Property tax
- 0.3%
- Growing season
- 62 days (zone 5a)
- Annual rainfall
- 22.5"
- Broadband
- 59%
- Nearest hospital
- St Luke's Mccall, 24.4 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Valley County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Valley County?
- Valley County is in USDA hardiness zone 5a with a 62-day growing season, average summer highs of 79.5°F, and average winter lows of 14.2°F. The established crops are hay, oats, cabbage.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $600,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.3%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 59% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
- How close is healthcare?
- St Luke's Mccall is 24.4 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 2 hospitals in the county.
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 Valley 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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