Income and Poverty in the State of Idaho

Black or African American headed households had a median household income that was 15.7 percent less than the overall median reported in 2000, with a reported median of $37,050. Hispanic Householders in Idahorecorded a median income of $33,918, this income level is 22.8 percent less than the areas median income level for all households. According to the 2000 Census, the Asian headed households in the area have median household incomes of $53,523. This household income level is 21.8 percent greater than the reported median household income, in the state, for all households. The American Indian and Alaska Native householders in Idaho had a median income of $34,341, this was 21.9 percent less than the areas median level for all households. In the State of Idaho, White headed households reported a median household income (2005 Dollars) of $44,770 according to the 2000 Dencennial Census, which was 1.8 percent greater than the median income in 2000.

Contrasted against to other States throughout the US, the State of Idaho can be understood to have a medium-high rate of poverty among the people, accounting a rate of 11.8 percent of the individuals existing in families with incomes under the poverty level in 1999. The American Indian and Alaska Native race/ethnicity demographic category, owns the foremost rate of poverty with 25.2 percent of the 2000 population living in poverty. People that are of the age Under 5 years have the largest percent of population in poverty in Idaho, having 17.3 percent of the population in this age category living in poverty.

According to the 2000 Census, the counties in the State of Idaho range, in terms of rate a poverty, from a high of 30.5 percent in Madison County to a low of 7.4 percent in Franklin County.

Top ten counties in terms of poverty rate in the State of Idaho
Total Percent of Population Living Below Poverty

1. Madison County (30.5 percent)
2. Clark County (19.9 )
3. Butte County (18.2 percent)
4. Owyhee County (16.9 percent)
5. Latah County (16.7 percent)
6. Shoshone County (16.4 percent)
7. Idaho County (16.3 percent)
8. Power County (16.1 percent)
9. Boundary County (15.7 percent)
10. Bonner County (15.5 percent)


Compared to States across the United States, the State of Idaho was reported to have a medium-low median income for all households of $43,959 (2005 Dollars). This median is 11.8 percent lower than the median household income in the United States of $49,133.

As the median household income witnessed a decline since 2000 in the State of Idaho, the Race/Ethnicity category that felt the biggest decline in the household income level was the American Indian and Alaska Native category. This category saw a decline of 47.4 percent since 2000. The White population category was least influenced by the median household income decline in Idaho, encountering a 14 percent increase in median income, since the values reporting the 2000 Decennial Census.

The states median household income has declined from the inflation-adjusted 2000 income levels. The income level has decreased to $41,443, posting a 5.7 percent decline. The State of Idaho ranks 24 of 46 states when comparing total percent of decline in median household income in the United States.

The poverty rate in the State of Idaho has increased by 2.1 percent since the amount published in 2000, moving from 11.8 percent to 13.9 percent.

According to the 2000 Census, the counties in the State of Idaho range, in terms of total household income, from a high of $59,080 in Blaine County to a low of $33,157 in Owyhee County.

Top ten counties in highest household income in the State of Idaho
Total Annual Household Income (Adjusted to 2005 Dollars)

1. Blaine County ($59,080)
2. Ada County ($53,984 )
3. Teton County ($49,103)
4. Bonneville County ($48,912)
5. Boise County ($45,222)
6. Kootenai County ($44,172)
7. Jefferson County ($44,152)
8. Caribou County ($44,003)
9. Valley County ($43,205)
10. Bannock County ($42,919)


Datasource: U.S. Bureau of the Census. 2000 Decennial Census. 2005 American Community Survey.