Lava Hot Springs, ID

Idaho · Metropolitan Area

Lava Hot Springs is a small town in Idaho with a population of 251. Residents earn $36,364 per year, which is 52% below the national average.

3.0 /5.0
B Good
251 Population 359/sq mi density
$36,364 Median Income $35,530 per capita
$241,100 Home Value $444,361 Zillow
$843 Median Rent
45°F Avg Temperature
B
Overall
3.0 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.2 / 5.0
$36,364 median income, 5.8% unemployment
C+
Affordability
2.9 / 5.0
$241,100 home value, $843/mo rent
C+
Education
2.8 / 5.0
22.2% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $36,364
52% lower than US avg
Home Value $241,100
14% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 22.2%
34% lower than US avg
Median Rent $843
28% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 33.0%
3% higher than US avg
Unemployment 5.8%
61% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 0.0%
100% lower than US avg

How Lava Hot Springs Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population251
Median Age51.5 yrs
Density359/mi²
Male / Female53% / 47%
Largest GroupWhite 100%

Economy

B
Median Income$36,364
Per Capita$35,530
Unemployment5.8%
Poverty0.0%
County GDP$4,410M
Commute30 min

Housing

C+
Home Value$241,100
Rent$843
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$444,361

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity33.0%
UninsuredN/A
Depression25.0%
Heart Disease5.5%

Climate

Avg Temp45°F
AQI33 (Good)
Rain18.3 in/yr
Elevation4,997 ft

Education

C+
Bachelor's+22.2%
High School+95.8%
School Score5.43

Community

2024 VoteR 61% / D 36%
Commute30 min
Libraries6

Is Lava Hot Springs a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Lava Hot Springs receives an overall livability score of 3.0 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include affordable housing, a low poverty rate. Areas to be aware of include above-average unemployment, below-average incomes. Lava Hot Springs offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Lava Hot Springs is $36,364, 52% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate of 5.8% is somewhat elevated compared to the national rate of 3.6%. Only 0.0% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 30 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Lava Hot Springs is $241,100, 14% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $843 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. The price-to-income ratio of 6.6x means housing costs are stretched relative to local earnings.

Education

22.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 95.8% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.4/10.

Climate & Weather

Lava Hot Springs has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 45°F. Winters average 23°F in January while summers reach 69°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 18.3 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 33.

Lava Hot Springs has a population of 251 with a density of 359 people per square mile. The median age is 51.5 years, 32% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (100%).

Population

251
Total Population
359
People / sq mi
51.5yrs
Median Age
32% above US avg
0.7mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 53.4%
Female 46.6%

Race & Ethnicity

Lava Hot Springs vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only97.9%
25% above US avg
Spanish2.1%
84% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Lava Hot Springs vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Lava Hot Springs is $36,364, which is 52% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 5.8% (above the 3.6% US average). 0.0% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 30 minutes.

Income: Lava Hot Springs vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$36,364
52% below US avg
Per Capita Income$35,530
Avg Weekly Wage$918
IRS Avg AGI$66,137

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment5.8%
61% above US avg
Poverty Rate0.0%
100% below US avg
Establishments (County)3,231
County GDP$4,410M

Business (County)

Restaurants229
Healthcare434
Retail333
Manufacturing61

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$4,038
15% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate1.67%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time29.7 min
Work from Home27.2%

Walkability

The median home value in Lava Hot Springs is $241,100, 14% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $843 (28% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $444,361.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$241,100
14% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$444,361

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$843
28% below US avg

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$898
1 Bedroom$950
2 Bedrooms$1,173
3 Bedrooms$1,619
4 Bedrooms$1,949

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied58.3%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$4,038
15% above US avg
Effective Rate1.67%
In Lava Hot Springs, 33.0% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 25.0% report depression. 21.1% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Lava Hot Springs vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity33.0%
3% above US avg
Diabetes8.6%
Heart Disease5.5%
High Blood Pressure29.9%
Asthma10.9%
COPD6.3%
Stroke2.9%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking16.9%
Physical Inactivity21.1%
Depression25.0%
Mental Distress17.5%
Physical Distress13.9%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate81.0%
Checkup Rate72.3%
Premature Death9,368/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.6/10
Exercise Access74.2%
Healthcare Facilities434

Crime Rates: Lava Hot Springs vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)8

Safety Score

Lava Hot Springs has an average annual temperature of 45°F (7°C). Winters average 23°F in January while summers reach 69°F in July. Annual precipitation is 18.3 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 33.

Temperature

23°F Jan (-5°C) 69°F Jul (21°C)
Annual Average45.0°F
17% below US avg
January Average23°F (-5°C)
July Average69°F (21°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall18.3 inches
52% below US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median33.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation4,997 ft (1,523 m)
Area0.7 sq mi (1.8 km²)
Population Density359/sq mi
Coordinates42.6201°N, 112.0099°W
County FIPS16005
It is classified as Metro — under 250K. 22.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (34% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 25.1-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 60.9%
D 35.8%

Winner: Republican by 25.1 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+22.2%
34% below US avg
High School+95.8%
School Test Score5.43
C+ Education Grade (2.8/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 3Metro — under 250K
Population Density359/sq mi
Total Area0.7 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries6
Healthcare Facilities434
Restaurants229
Retail Stores333

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)8

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute29.7 min
Work from Home27.2%

Nearby Cities

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