Ponderay, ID

Idaho

Ponderay is a small town in Idaho with a population of 1,456. Residents earn $50,119 per year, which is 33% below the national average.

2.1 /5.0
C Fair
1,456 Population 495/sq mi density
$50,119 Median Income $28,618 per capita
$391,700 Home Value
$988 Median Rent
46°F Avg Temperature
91 Violent Crime/100K 13,496 property/100K
C
Overall
2.1 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.5 / 5.0
$50,119 median income, 3.6% unemployment
C
Affordability
2.2 / 5.0
$391,700 home value, $988/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
91 violent crimes/100K (76% below avg)
D
Education
1.8 / 5.0
9.4% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $50,119
33% lower than US avg
Home Value $391,700
39% higher than US avg
Violent Crime 91/100K
76% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 9.4%
72% lower than US avg
Median Rent $988
15% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 32.4%
1% higher than US avg
Unemployment 3.6%
0% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 9.8%
21% lower than US avg

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

People

Population1,456
Median Age39.9 yrs
Density495/mi²
Male / Female48% / 52%
Largest GroupWhite 86%

Economy

B+
Median Income$50,119
Per Capita$28,618
Unemployment3.6%
Poverty9.8%
County GDP$2,546M
Commute10 min

Housing

C
Home Value$391,700
Rent$988
OwnershipN/A

Crime

F
Violent91/100K
Property13,496/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault91/100K
Burglary5,978/100K

Health

Obesity32.4%
UninsuredN/A
Depression23.5%
Heart Disease5.5%

Climate

Avg Temp46°F
AQI33 (Good)
Rain34.0 in/yr
Elevation2,132 ft

Education

D
Bachelor's+9.4%
High School+90.8%
School Score5.43

Community

2024 VoteR 72% / D 26%
Commute10 min
EV Stations2
Libraries6

Is Ponderay a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Ponderay receives an overall livability score of 2.1 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C. Key strengths include low crime rates. Areas to be aware of include below-average incomes. Ponderay has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Ponderay is $50,119, 33% below the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 3.6%, indicating a healthy job market. 9.8% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 10 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Ponderay is $391,700, 39% above the national median. Renters pay a median of $988 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. With a home price-to-income ratio of 7.8x, housing affordability is a significant challenge for many families.

Safety & Crime

Ponderay is a very safe community with a violent crime rate of 91 per 100,000 residents — well below the national average of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 13,496 per 100,000, 589% above the national average.

Education

9.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 90.8% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.4/10.

Climate & Weather

Ponderay experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 46°F. Winters average 28°F in January while summers reach 67°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 34.0 inches, including 62.0 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 33.

Ponderay has a population of 1,456 with a density of 495 people per square mile. The median age is 39.9 years, 3% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (86.1%), with 2.3% Hispanic, 6% Black.

Population

1,456
Total Population
495
People / sq mi
39.9yrs
Median Age
3% above US avg
2.9mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 48.4%
Female 51.6%

Race & Ethnicity

Ponderay vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only95.7%
22% above US avg
Spanish4.3%
68% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Ponderay vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Ponderay is $50,119, which is 33% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 3.6% (below the 3.6% US average). 9.8% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 10 minutes.

Income: Ponderay vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$50,119
33% below US avg
Per Capita Income$28,618
Avg Weekly Wage$995
IRS Avg AGI$85,752

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment3.6%
0% below US avg
Poverty Rate9.8%
21% below US avg
Establishments (County)2,496
County GDP$2,546M

Business (County)

Restaurants144
Healthcare179
Retail202
Manufacturing80

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$4,433
27% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate1.13%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time10.1 min
Work from Home4.5%

Walkability

The median home value in Ponderay is $391,700, 39% above the national average. Monthly rent averages $988 (15% below US avg).

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$391,700
39% above US avg

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

$/Sq Ft$355
Homes Sold2
Sale-to-List Ratio99.4%
Price Drops0.0%
Inventory7

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$988
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-Occupied30.7%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$4,433
27% above US avg
Effective Rate1.13%
In Ponderay, 32.4% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 23.5% report depression. 22.3% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity32.4%
1% above US avg
Diabetes8.6%
Heart Disease5.5%
High Blood Pressure28.6%
Asthma11.0%
COPD6.6%
Stroke3.0%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking17.6%
Physical Inactivity22.3%
Depression23.5%
Mental Distress17.5%
Physical Distress13.5%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate84.4%
Checkup Rate69.4%
Premature Death7,636/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.4/10
Exercise Access53.6%
Healthcare Facilities179
Ponderay has a violent crime rate of 91 per 100,000 residents, 76% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 13,496 per 100,000 (589% above US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent90.6/100K
76% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape0.0/100K
Robbery0.0/100K
Assault90.6/100K

Property Crime

Total Property13,496.4/100K
589% above US avg
Burglary5,978.3/100K
Theft7,518.1/100K
Vehicle Theft0.0/100K
Arson90.6/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)11
FEMA Disasters91

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Ponderay has an average annual temperature of 46°F (8°C). Winters average 28°F in January while summers reach 67°F in July. Annual precipitation is 34.0 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 33.

Temperature

28°F Jan (-2°C) 67°F Jul (19°C)
Annual Average46.1°F
15% below US avg
January Average28°F (-2°C)
July Average67°F (19°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall34.0 inches
11% below US avg
Snowfall62.0 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median33.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation2,132 ft (650 m)
Area2.9 sq mi (7.6 km²)
Population Density495/sq mi
Coordinates48.3048°N, 116.5366°W
County FIPS16017
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent. 9.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (72% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 46.1-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 71.9%
D 25.8%

Winner: Republican by 46.1 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+9.4%
72% below US avg
High School+90.8%
School Test Score5.43
D Education Grade (1.8/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 6Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent
Population Density495/sq mi
Total Area2.9 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations2
Alt Fuel Stations2
Public Libraries6
Healthcare Facilities179
Restaurants144
Retail Stores202

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)11
FEMA Disaster Declarations91
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute10.1 min
Work from Home4.5%

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