Shoshone County
ID · Pop. 13,580 · Rural County
Shoshone County sits in Idaho across 2,637 square miles, home to 13,580 people at 5.1 per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated weak, built on hay, haylage. The median home price is $223,000, with an effective property tax rate of 0.57%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 6b with a 122-day growing season, average summer highs of 77.7°F and average winter lows of 23.1°F. Annual rainfall averages 38 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Shoshone Medical Center is 17.9 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 74% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, wildfire risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.57% holds annual carrying costs down.
- At 5.1 people per square mile, land is available with genuine space and privacy.
- A median household income of $49,975 anchors the local economy.
Cons
- Wildfire risk is very high, requiring defensible space, fire-resistant construction, and an evacuation plan.
- Flood risk is very high, so careful parcel siting and flood insurance are essential.
- A 122-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- Broadband reaches only 74% of homes, a real gap for remote work or online sales.
- The agricultural economy is rated weak, so local farm markets, suppliers, and services are limited.
At a glance
Shoshone County, ID is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 59/100
- Median home price
- $223k
- Property tax
- 0.57%
- Growing season
- 122 days (zone 6b)
- Annual rainfall
- 38"
- Broadband
- 74%
- Nearest hospital
- Shoshone Medical Center, 17.9 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Shoshone County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Shoshone County?
- Shoshone County is in USDA hardiness zone 6b with a 122-day growing season, average summer highs of 77.7°F, and average winter lows of 23.1°F. The established crops are hay, haylage.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $223,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.57%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 74% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
- How close is healthcare?
- Shoshone Medical Center is 17.9 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 Shoshone 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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