RANK #406 / 1001 NAT · POP 181,996
1YR FORECAST: -0.2%
5YR OUTLOOK: +30%
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.
Kootenai County's data profile doesn't fit any single market profile cleanly — its housing, labor, and demographic signals pull in different directions (home prices +2.5% YoY, population +2.4%, wages +5.9%). About 414 U.S. counties show this kind of mixed-signal pattern.
See all 414 Idiosyncratic Markets counties →Overvalued relative to economy
Prices detached from rents
Housing looks overvalued at 22.2x — 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.
Bars show trailing 12-month growth. The dashed Forecast bars are the model's next-12-month projection; the whisker marks the ±1% range (cooling–accelerating).
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 1001 counties.
Kootenai County scores 59/100 on the Boom Town Index, landing in the middle of the pack among 1001 U.S. counties (#406). Median household income is $81,861 and job growth is running at +1.1%. The data points to a county with mixed signals — some positive indicators alongside areas that lag faster-growing peers.
Kootenai County leans toward the expensive side. A median home value of $518,700 against an income-to-home-value ratio of 0.16 means housing eats a bigger share of local earnings than the national norm. Renters face $1,492/month on average.
Kootenai County is growing on multiple fronts. Population is up +2.4% year-over-year while employers added jobs at a +1.1% clip. Home values shifted +2.5% in the past year.
Not particularly — 1.32% 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.