Melba, ID

Idaho · Metropolitan Area

Melba is a small town in Idaho with a population of 624. Residents earn $53,500 per year, which is 29% below the national average.

2.9 /5.0
C+ Fair
624 Population 1,357/sq mi density
$53,500 Median Income $23,100 per capita
$306,000 Home Value $652,231 Zillow
$993 Median Rent
48°F Avg Temperature
C+
Overall
2.9 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.6 / 5.0
$53,500 median income, 0.7% unemployment
B
Affordability
3.4 / 5.0
$306,000 home value, $993/mo rent
D
Education
1.7 / 5.0
8.3% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $53,500
29% lower than US avg
Home Value $306,000
9% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 8.3%
75% lower than US avg
Median Rent $993
15% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 35.1%
9% higher than US avg
Unemployment 0.7%
81% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 15.7%
27% higher than US avg

How Melba Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population624
Median Age31.0 yrs
Density1,357/mi²
Male / Female46% / 54%
Largest GroupWhite 65%

Economy

B+
Median Income$53,500
Per Capita$23,100
Unemployment0.7%
Poverty15.7%
County GDP$45,455M
Commute31 min

Housing

B
Home Value$306,000
Rent$993
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$652,231

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity35.1%
UninsuredN/A
Depression23.7%
Heart Disease5.2%

Climate

Avg Temp48°F
AQI33 (Good)
Rain9.9 in/yr
Elevation2,656 ft

Education

D
Bachelor's+8.3%
High School+77.9%
School Score5.43

Community

2024 VoteR 54% / D 43%
Commute31 min
Libraries20

Is Melba a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Melba receives an overall livability score of 2.9 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C+. Key strengths include low unemployment. Areas to be aware of include below-average incomes. Melba has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Melba is $53,500, 29% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 0.7%. The poverty rate of 15.7% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 31 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Melba is $306,000, roughly aligned with the national median of $281,900. Renters pay a median of $993 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. The price-to-income ratio of 5.7x means housing costs are stretched relative to local earnings.

Education

8.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 77.9% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.4/10.

Climate & Weather

Melba experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 48°F. Winters average 30°F in January while summers reach 70°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 9.9 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 33.

Melba has a population of 624 with a density of 1,357 people per square mile. The median age is 31.0 years, 20% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (64.7%).

Population

624
Total Population
1,357
People / sq mi
31.0yrs
Median Age
20% below US avg
0.5mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 45.8%
Female 54.2%

Race & Ethnicity

Melba vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only76.7%
2% below US avg
Spanish23.3%
74% above US avg

Social Characteristics

Melba vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Melba is $53,500, which is 29% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 0.7% (below the 3.6% US average). 15.7% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 31 minutes.

Income: Melba vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$53,500
29% below US avg
Per Capita Income$23,100
Avg Weekly Wage$1,357
IRS Avg AGI$104,682

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment0.7%
81% below US avg
Poverty Rate15.7%
27% above US avg
Establishments (County)26,886
County GDP$45,455M

Business (County)

Restaurants1,244
Healthcare1,971
Retail1,642
Manufacturing477

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$4,790
37% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate1.57%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time30.8 min
Work from Home6.4%

Walkability

The median home value in Melba is $306,000, 9% above the national average. Monthly rent averages $993 (15% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $652,231.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$306,000
9% above US avg
Zillow ZHVI$652,231

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$993
15% 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-Occupied87.5%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$4,790
37% above US avg
Effective Rate1.57%
In Melba, 35.1% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 23.7% report depression. 24.8% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Melba vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity35.1%
9% above US avg
Diabetes10.3%
Heart Disease5.2%
High Blood Pressure29.0%
Asthma11.2%
COPD6.2%
Stroke2.9%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking15.5%
Physical Inactivity24.8%
Depression23.7%
Mental Distress17.2%
Physical Distress14.1%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate81.5%
Checkup Rate71.3%
Premature Death5,738/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.7/10
Exercise Access91.6%
Healthcare Facilities1,971

Crime Rates: Melba vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)19

Safety Score

Melba has an average annual temperature of 48°F (9°C). Winters average 30°F in January while summers reach 70°F in July. Annual precipitation is 9.9 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 33.

Temperature

30°F Jan (-1°C) 70°F Jul (21°C)
Annual Average47.8°F
11% below US avg
January Average30°F (-1°C)
July Average70°F (21°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall9.9 inches
74% below US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median33.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation2,656 ft (810 m)
Area0.5 sq mi (1.2 km²)
Population Density1,357/sq mi
Coordinates43.3736°N, 116.5319°W
County FIPS16001
It is classified as Metro — 250K–1M. 8.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (75% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 10.3-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 53.8%
D 43.4%

Winner: Republican by 10.3 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+8.3%
75% below US avg
High School+77.9%
School Test Score5.43
D Education Grade (1.7/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 2Metro — 250K–1M
Population Density1,357/sq mi
Total Area0.5 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries20
Healthcare Facilities1,971
Restaurants1,244
Retail Stores1,642

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)19

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute30.8 min
Work from Home6.4%

Nearby Cities

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