NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Nov. 3, 2026
Media Contact: Will.Hoenike@labor.idaho.gov

Idaho continued to have a high population of young people, experienced rising household income and saw a smaller share of cost burdened households in 2025, according to recently released data from the U.S. Census Bureau.

Idaho increases slightly in median age but remains seventh youngest state

Nationally, the median age of U.S. residents increased by 0.3 years to 39.5 years in 2025. Idaho’s median age increased by a smaller 0.1 year to 37.9, ranking as the seventh youngest in the U.S. (Utah was the youngest at 32.6 years.) When comparing Idaho’s median age in urban versus rural areas, urban areas were just under 36 years while rural areas were more than six years older at just over 42.

Idaho’s share of households with at least one member under the age of 18 was 31% in 2025 — higher than the U.S. average of 28% and fourth highest in the nation. Although this average was relatively high for Idaho overall, it varied from nearly 32% within metropolitan or micropolitan areas to 24% outside of these designated areas. Even within metropolitan areas, this average ranged from a high of nearly 42% in Idaho Falls to a low of under 24% in Lewiston.

The state tied with Nebraska for the third highest child dependency ratio — a measurement that compares the number of youths under age 18 for every 100 working age adults age 18-64. Increasing slightly from 2024, Idaho’s child dependency ratio of 40 remained higher than the U.S.’s ratio of 35, as shown in Figure 1 below.

Figure 1. Child dependency ratio for the highest and lowest states, 2025Source: U.S. Census Bureau, “2025 American Community Survey.”

A high child dependency ratio may explain why a relatively small share (59%) of Idaho children under age 6 had both parents participating in the labor force in 2025 compared with the U.S.’s average of 70%.

In contrast, Idaho’s share of households with at least one member over the age of 60 was on par with the U.S. at over 43% in 2025, experiencing a significant increase from its 38% share in 2015. Similarly, the state’s share of households with retirement income also grew over the past 10 years from 20% to 26% — only slightly higher than the U.S.’s share of 25%.

Idaho household income increases and share of cost burdened renters decreases

The median household income increased by 1.2% in Idaho to $84,234 while the U.S. average increased 1.1% to $84,780 in 2025. For Idaho’s metropolitan areas, annual median household income ranged from a low of $67,000 in Pocatello to a high of over $92,000 in Boise.

While household income showed a small increase over the year, the inflation-adjusted median housing value statewide held relatively stable at just under $458,000. By metropolitan area, the median housing value ranged from a low of $332,000 in Pocatello to a high of $569,000 in Coeur d’Alene.

A person is considered cost burdened if they spend at least 30% of their monthly income on housing expenses. In Idaho, approximately 28% of homeowners with a mortgage and 45% of renters were cost burdened in 2025, compared with the national shares of 30% and 48%, respectively. Despite more of Idaho’s renters than homeowners being considered cost burdened in 2025, this was still an improvement from the 48% share of cost burdened renters in 2024.

Idaho has a lower share of households using public sewer, electric vehicles and solar panels than the U.S. average

In 2025, the census began requesting information on the share of households using public sewer, electric vehicles and solar panels. As shown in Figure 2 below, Idaho had lower rates than the U.S. for these metrics.

Figure 2. Utilization rates for public sewer, electric vehicles and solar panels in 2025Source: U.S. Census Bureau, “2025 American Community Survey.”

While Idaho had significantly lower shares of households with electric vehicles and solar panels, more than three out of every four occupied housing units were served by public sewer, which is only slightly lower than the national average.

Idaho’s public sewer usage was offset by higher rates of home ownership and a larger concentration of detached single-family homes in 2025. The state had over 71% of its housing units occupied by homeowners and 73% comprised of detached single-family homes, while the U.S.’s shares were 65% and 61%, respectively.

Idaho also had a much higher share of housing units that had been built since 2020 at just under 10% — nearly double the U.S. average of 5%. By metropolitan area, this ranged from a high of over 13% in Boise (ranking in the top 10 for growth rate in the U.S.) to a low of 1% in Lewiston.

Notes on census data

Data for this release is sourced from the one-year estimates from the 2025 American Community Survey. The one-year data estimates cover geographic areas with a minimum population of 65,000 residents.

This release covers statewide data, including six metropolitan statistical areas (Boise, Coeur d’Alene, Idaho Falls, Lewiston, Pocatello, Twin Falls) and six of the state’s nine urban counties (Ada, Bannock, Bonneville, Canyon, Kootenai and Twin Falls). The census defines an urban area as having either: 1) at least 2,000 housing units, or 2) a resident population above 5,000. Any area that does not meet the urban definition is classified as rural.

Lower populated areas are covered within the five-year estimates, which are generally released to the public the following spring.

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