Jerome County, Idaho Demographics 2026

Population Overview

Jerome County is located in Idaho with a total population of 24,788. It is the 16th most populous county out of 44 in Idaho.

Age Demographics

The median age in Jerome County is 33.6 years. This is 9% lower than the state median of 37.1 years. With 30.0% of the population under 18, Jerome County has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Jerome County is $69,338. This is 7% lower than the state median of $74,636. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 12% lower. The poverty rate stands at 13.9%. This is 31% higher than the state poverty rate of 10.6%. The unemployment rate is 3.8%. This is 2% higher than the state rate of 3.7%. The median home value is $254,000. Housing costs are 32% lower than the state median of $376,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.7x. 75.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 4% higher than the state average of 72.4%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Jerome County is White (non-Hispanic), making up 57.5% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 38.5%. The Black or African American population (0.1%) is well below the state average of 0.7%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (38.5% vs 13.3%). The Asian population (0.1%) is well below the state average of 1.3%.

Education

13.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is among the lowest rates in the state, which may correlate with employment and income patterns. This is 57% lower than the state rate of 31.2%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 73.4%.