Washington County
ID · Pop. 10,866 · Rural County
Washington County is a rural county in Idaho, spanning 1,453 square miles with 10,866 residents at a density of 7.5 people per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on hay, wheat, corn. A median home price of $250,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.53% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 7a with a 131-day growing season, average summer highs of 88.8°F and average winter lows of 17.3°F. Annual rainfall averages 21 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Weiser Memorial Hospital is 16 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 86.1% 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 0.53% holds annual carrying costs down.
- A strong agricultural economy built on hay, wheat, corn means local markets, equipment, and know-how are in place.
- At 7.5 people per square mile, land is available with genuine space and privacy.
Cons
- Wildfire risk is very high, requiring defensible space, fire-resistant construction, and an evacuation plan.
- A 131-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- Annual rainfall of just 21 inches means irrigation and water storage are core requirements.
At a glance
Washington County, ID is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 60/100
- Median home price
- $250k
- Property tax
- 0.53%
- Growing season
- 131 days (zone 7a)
- Annual rainfall
- 21"
- Broadband
- 86.1%
- Nearest hospital
- Weiser Memorial Hospital, 16 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Washington County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Washington County?
- Washington County is in USDA hardiness zone 7a with a 131-day growing season, average summer highs of 88.8°F, and average winter lows of 17.3°F. The established crops are hay, wheat, corn.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $250,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.53%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 86.1% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
- How close is healthcare?
- Weiser Memorial Hospital is 16 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital 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 Washington 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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