Hunt & Live

Clark County, ID

806 residents · 1,763 sq mi · 0.5/sq mi · 100% rural

Climate
40.3°F
16.7" rain/yr
Water
dry sub-humid
Aridity index 1
Hardiness
Zone 7a
Winter low ~0.6°F
97
Prepper Suitability
worsebetter
National rank: #1 of 3,109
Locator map
Location within the continental US

Prepper Assessment

Living in this area offers a vast and rural environment, characterized by a low population density of 0.5 people per square mile. The climate features an annual mean temperature of 40.3°F with a growing season suitable for USDA zone 7a. The average summer high reaches 80.1°F, allowing for a variety of crops, while the annual precipitation of 16.7 inches provides a moderate water supply, though it is classified as dry sub-humid.

Significant natural hazards include a notable risk of avalanches (FEMA rank 79) and wildfires (FEMA rank 65), which could pose challenges for self-sufficient living. The area experiences a lower violence percentile (78/100), indicating relative safety, but the potential for landslides and earthquakes should not be overlooked. Additionally, the cost of living is reasonable with a median home price of $172,500, but access to broadband is only available to 68% of households, which could limit connectivity for remote work or research.

This county may be a good fit for those seeking a remote lifestyle with a focus on agricultural self-sufficiency and a lower population density. Individuals comfortable with the risks of natural hazards and who prioritize affordability may thrive here. However, those seeking robust internet access or more urban amenities may find the area lacking, making it a potential dealbreaker for some homesteaders.

AI-generated analysis based on county data (climate, hazards, density, housing, economy). For general orientation only.

Key Facts

Top 10% nationally
National prepper rank: #306 of 3,109.
#2 in ID
Top 5 counties in Idaho out of 44.
Dominant hazard: avalanche
FEMA ranks avalanche risk at 79/100 here — the leading natural threat.
Extremely rural
Only 0.5 people per square mile — fewer than 5/sqmi places you in the bottom 5% nationally for density.
Climate profile
Classified as dry sub-humid with a 40.3°F annual mean and 16.7" of annual precipitation. USDA hardiness zone 7a.
Housing & taxes
Median home value $172,500.

Score Breakdown

Violence
8
percentile (lower = safer)
Disasters
1
percentile (lower = safer)
Density
0
percentile (lower = emptier)
Overall FEMA Risk
0.8
NRI composite (0-100)

Natural Hazard Profile (FEMA NRI)

Avalanche 79
Cold Wave 13
Drought 16
Earthquake 31
Hail 2
Heat Wave 5
Riverine Flood 2
Ice Storm 0
Landslide 49
Lightning 3
Strong Wind 2
Tornado 2
Volcano 23
Wildfire 65
Winter Weather 15

Monthly Climate (1991–2020 normals)

Average temperature
JFMAMJ JASOND
Monthly precipitation (inches)
JFMAMJ JASOND
Summer high
80.1°F
Winter low
10.6°F
Heating degree days
9,131
Cooling degree days
147

Housing & Economy

Median home value
$172,500
Median HH income
$53,500
Price to income
3.2×
Property tax rate
0.4%
~$686/yr median

Community Profile

Median age
37.6
Homeownership
70.5%
Poverty rate
9.2%
Unemployment
1.9%

Connectivity

Broadband households
68.2%
No internet access
10.9%

Explore Clark County Further

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Data sources. Prepper scores are national percentile ranks of firearm fatalities (County Health Rankings 2024 / CDC WONDER), FEMA National Risk Index 2023 composite disaster score, and population density (ACS 2022 + TIGER 2022 land area). Climate from NOAA nClimDiv 1991–2020 normals. Hardiness zone is estimated from climate data and may differ from the official USDA PHZM. Demographics and housing from Census ACS 5-year 2022. All scores are for comparison purposes only and do not constitute advice about where to live.