Priest River, ID

Idaho

Priest River is a small town in Idaho with a population of 2,058. Residents earn $57,712 per year, which is 23% below the national average.

2.7 /5.0
C+ Fair
2,058 Population 919/sq mi density
$57,712 Median Income $32,957 per capita
$271,500 Home Value $532,069 Zillow
$748 Median Rent
45°F Avg Temperature
175 Violent Crime/100K 2,334 property/100K
C+
Overall
2.7 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.0 / 5.0
$57,712 median income, 0.5% unemployment
A
Affordability
4.0 / 5.0
$271,500 home value, $748/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
175 violent crimes/100K (54% below avg)
D
Education
1.8 / 5.0
9.8% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $57,712
23% lower than US avg
Home Value $271,500
4% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 175/100K
54% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 9.8%
71% lower than US avg
Median Rent $748
36% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 32.0%
0% lower than US avg
Unemployment 0.5%
86% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 7.8%
37% lower than US avg

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

People

Population2,058
Median Age43.3 yrs
Density919/mi²
Male / Female54% / 46%
Largest GroupWhite 87%

Economy

A
Median Income$57,712
Per Capita$32,957
Unemployment0.5%
Poverty7.8%
County GDP$2,546M
Commute26 min

Housing

A
Home Value$271,500
Rent$748
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$532,069

Crime

F
Violent175/100K
Property2,334/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault175/100K
Burglary467/100K

Health

Obesity32.0%
UninsuredN/A
Depression23.8%
Heart Disease5.5%

Climate

Avg Temp45°F
AQI33 (Good)
Rain32.6 in/yr
Elevation2,165 ft

Education

D
Bachelor's+9.8%
High School+89.8%
School Score5.43

Community

2024 VoteR 72% / D 26%
Commute26 min
EV Stations2
Libraries6

Is Priest River a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Priest River receives an overall livability score of 2.7 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C+. Key strengths include low unemployment, low crime rates, a low poverty rate. Areas to be aware of include below-average incomes. Priest River has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Priest River is $57,712, 23% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 0.5%. Only 7.8% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 26 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Priest River is $271,500, roughly aligned with the national median of $281,900. Renters pay a median of $748 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. A price-to-income ratio of 4.7x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Safety & Crime

Violent crime in Priest River is below the national average at 175 per 100,000 residents (U.S. avg: 380). Property crime occurs at a rate of 2,334 per 100,000, near the national average.

Education

9.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 89.8% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.4/10.

Climate & Weather

Priest River has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 45°F. Winters average 27°F in January while summers reach 65°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 32.6 inches, including 73.9 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 33.

Priest River has a population of 2,058 with a density of 919 people per square mile. The median age is 43.3 years, 11% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (87.4%), with 5.5% Hispanic.

Population

2,058
Total Population
919
People / sq mi
43.3yrs
Median Age
11% above US avg
2.2mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 53.9%
Female 46.1%

Race & Ethnicity

Priest River vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only99.8%
27% above US avg
Spanish0.2%
99% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Priest River vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Priest River is $57,712, which is 23% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 0.5% (below the 3.6% US average). 7.8% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 26 minutes.

Income: Priest River vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$57,712
23% below US avg
Per Capita Income$32,957
Avg Weekly Wage$995
IRS Avg AGI$85,752

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment0.5%
86% below US avg
Poverty Rate7.8%
37% 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 Rate1.63%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time26.0 min
Work from Home7.2%

Walkability

The median home value in Priest River is $271,500, 4% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $748 (36% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $532,069.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$271,500
4% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$532,069
Median List Price$412,450

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$412,450
$/Sq Ft$144
Homes Sold4
Sale-to-List Ratio98.4%
Price Drops42.9%
Inventory7

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$748
36% 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-Occupied72.4%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$4,433
27% above US avg
Effective Rate1.63%
In Priest River, 32.0% of adults are obese (below the 32.1% national rate). 23.8% report depression. 21.8% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Priest River vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity32.0%
0% below US avg
Diabetes8.3%
Heart Disease5.5%
High Blood Pressure28.1%
Asthma11.2%
COPD6.4%
Stroke3.0%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking17.5%
Physical Inactivity21.8%
Depression23.8%
Mental Distress17.8%
Physical Distress13.3%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate88.0%
Checkup Rate69.5%
Premature Death7,636/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.4/10
Exercise Access53.6%
Healthcare Facilities179
Priest River has a violent crime rate of 175 per 100,000 residents, 54% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 2,334 per 100,000 (19% above US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent175.0/100K
54% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape0.0/100K
Robbery0.0/100K
Assault175.0/100K

Property Crime

Total Property2,333.7/100K
19% above US avg
Burglary466.7/100K
Theft1,750.3/100K
Vehicle Theft116.7/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)11
FEMA Disasters91

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Priest River has an average annual temperature of 45°F (7°C). Winters average 27°F in January while summers reach 65°F in July. Annual precipitation is 32.6 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 33.

Temperature

27°F Jan (-3°C) 65°F Jul (19°C)
Annual Average44.7°F
17% below US avg
January Average27°F (-3°C)
July Average65°F (19°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall32.6 inches
14% below US avg
Snowfall73.9 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median33.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation2,165 ft (660 m)
Area2.2 sq mi (5.8 km²)
Population Density919/sq mi
Coordinates48.1843°N, 116.9054°W
County FIPS16017
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent. 9.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (71% 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+9.8%
71% below US avg
High School+89.8%
School Test Score5.43
D Education Grade (1.8/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 6Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent
Population Density919/sq mi
Total Area2.2 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 Commute26.0 min
Work from Home7.2%

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