28 / 100

Kootenai County, ID

RANK #716 / 996  ·  POP 173,396  ·  ID

PROJECTED GROWTH: -0.0%

Kootenai County ranks in the bottom tier of U.S. counties on economic momentum.

[01] Why Kootenai County?

Lake Coeur d'Alene, known for its scenic beauty and recreational opportunities, is a central feature of Kootenai County, Idaho. Located in northern Idaho, the county seat, Coeur d'Alene, sits on the lake's majestic shores. Kootenai County is approximately 32 miles east of Spokane, Washington, with Interstate 90 providing a direct commute. The community offers a blend of natural scenery and access to outdoor activities, including over 100 miles of pedestrian and bicycle paths like the Centennial Trail, which extends from Spokane through Post Falls to Coeur d'Alene. Residents and visitors engage in boating, fishing, hiking, and skiing, with three ski resorts located within an hour's drive.

Kootenai County attracts individuals and families seeking a lifestyle that balances natural beauty with modern conveniences. The public schools in the county are rated above average. Public transportation, known as Citylink, operates six bus routes in urban areas like Coeur d'Alene and Post Falls, with no fare charged to riders. The economy is diversified, with growth in sectors such as healthcare, education, and light manufacturing. Local initiatives focus on expanding and diversifying the economic and employment base while maintaining the area's quality of life.

[02] Market Snapshot

Housing Ratio
8.1x

Overvalued relative to economy

GDP Growth
+4.4%

Well above national median

Home Prices
+2.7%

Outpacing national median

Climate & Terrain
3.5

Favorable climate & terrain

Price/Rent
20x

Above national median (13x)

Housing looks overvalued at 8.1x — home prices are high relative to local economic output. Climate and geography support a structural premium. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.

[03] Signal Profile

[04] Home Value Growth vs National

Kootenai County U.S. National

The Numbers

DEMOGRAPHICS
Population
173,396
+3.02% YoY
Median Household Income
$71,949
Median Home Value
$407,000
+2.67% 12mo
Median Rent
$1,216
Average Annual Pay
$55,888
+5.3% YoY
Employment
71,068
+0.4% YoY
Income-to-Home-Value
0.1768
Less affordable than average
Migration Inflow
1.21%
of pop. from another state

Market Activity

REAL ESTATE
Median Sale Price
$558,042
Days on Market
52
Moderate pace
Months of Supply
3.1
Balanced market
Sale-to-List Ratio
98.4%
Near asking price
Sold Above List
17.8%
Listings w/ Price Drops
15.9%
Building Permits (2024)
1,587
Single-Family Permits
1,371

Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →

[05] Capital Investment

$112M
TOTAL
PROJECT AMOUNT STATUS
I-90 and State Route 41 Interchange Reconstruction
Idaho Transportation Department
$82M Under Construction
Idaho Route 53 and Pleasant View Interchange Construction
Idaho Transportation Department
$30M Under Construction

Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.

[06] Score Breakdown

GDP Growth +4.4% 77 percentile
Population Growth +3.0% 96 percentile
Income Growth +10.8% 89 percentile
Vacancy Rate 0.7% 84 percentile
Home Price Change +2.7% 68 percentile
Rent Growth +2.7% 44 percentile
Price/Rent 20x 9 percentile

Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.

[07] Frequently Asked Questions

Is Kootenai County, ID a good place to move to?

Kootenai County has a Boom Town Index score of 28/100, ranking #716 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +0.4% and a median household income of $71,949, it faces some economic headwinds compared to faster-growing counties.

Is Kootenai County affordable?

The median home value in Kootenai County is $407,000 with median rent at $1,216/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.1768, which is less affordable than the national average.

Is Kootenai County growing or shrinking?

Population growth: +3.0% year-over-year. Job growth: +0.4%. Home values changed +2.7% in the past 12 months.

[08] Similar Metros

Mercer County, NJ 38 Richland County, SC 38 Montgomery County, VA 38 Carteret County, NC 38 Douglas County, OR 38 Richmond city, VA 38 Middlesex County, MA 38 Kern County, CA 38