Coeur d'Alene
RANK #371 / 996 NAT · POP 173,396
1YR FORECAST: +1.4%
5YR OUTLOOK: +27%
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.
Overvalued relative to economy
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.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Source: CDC/NCHS vital statistics via County Health Rankings (2020–2022 avg). Rates per 100,000 population. Grade based on homicide rate relative to national average (~6.3). Learn more →
Source: EPA Air Quality System (2021–2023). Grade based on 3-year average median AQI. Learn about AQI →
| 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.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
With a Boom Town Index score of 62/100, Kootenai County sits in the upper half of all 996 ranked counties. and median household income stands at $71,949 — indicators that suggest solid fundamentals even if it's not among the fastest-growing counties in ID.
Kootenai County leans toward the expensive side. A median home value of $407,000 against an income-to-home-value ratio of 0.18 means housing eats a bigger share of local earnings than the national norm. Renters face $1,216/month on average.
Kootenai County's population is growing — up +3.0% YoY — while the job market is roughly flat (employment change of +0.4%). Home values shifted +2.7% over the past year. In-migration is outpacing local hiring, which often points to remote workers or retirees driving the headcount.
Not particularly — 1.21% of Kootenai County's population moved in from another state, which is below the national average. Most residents are long-term locals rather than recent transplants.