Idaho is a low-cost-of-living state with a lot of natural attractions and amiable people. Not all Gem State cities, nevertheless, provide the same standard of living. The financial news website 24/7 Wall St. recently conducted research that found Mountain Home to be the worst place in Idaho to live.
What Makes Mountain Home the Worst City to Live in Idaho?
About 40 miles southeast of Boise, in the southern part of Idaho, sits the little city of Mountain Home. About 14,000 people call it home, the majority of whom are employed at the neighboring Mountain Home Air Force Base. Due in significant part to the military presence, the city’s economy is subject to swings in defense budget and personnel changes.
Mountain Home is the worst place in Idaho to live, per 24/7 Wall St., because of its high crime rate, low educational level, and bad economic situation. These numbers help to highlight the issues facing the city:
1.) At $48,472, Mountain Home has a median household income that is $15,000 below the national median and almost $10,000 below the state median.
2.) Mountain Home’s 15.8% poverty percentage is higher than both the state’s (11.2%) and the national (12.3%) figures.
3.) Mountain Home’s 6.5% unemployment rate is greater than both the state’s 3.7% and the national 4.4% rates.
4.) Mountain Home’s 85.9% high school graduation rate is less than both the state’s (89.7%) and the national’s (88.3%) rates.
5.) At 358 per 100,000 persons, Mountain Home has a higher violent crime rate than both the state and national averages of 230 and 368.
6.) Mountain Home’s property crime rate of 2,951 per 100,000 residents is greater than both the national rate of 2,110 and the state rate of 1,695.
Are There Any Positives About Living in Mountain Home?
There is still optimism in Mountain Home, despite all the obstacles. There are a few nice things about the city that could entice some people to live there or visit. To illustrate:
1.) Compared to the rest of the country and the state, Mountain Home’s cost of living is quite modest, with a typical home value of $156,800.
2.) The racial and ethnic composition of Mountain Home’s population is varied, including 75.6% white, 13.4% Hispanic, 3.8% Asian, 3.2% black, 2.1% Native American, and 1.9% other or mixed.
3.) The Bennett Hills, Bruneau Dunes State Park, the Snake River, and Mountain Home are all within easy driving distance.
4.) The town of Mountain Home celebrates its community spirit with a number of yearly events, including the Christmas Parade, the Mountain Home Country Music Festival, and the Air Force Appreciation Day.
Conclusion
The city of Mountain Home has a lot of problems, including a poor economy, low levels of education, and a high crime rate. 24-Hour Wall St. claims that these reasons make it the best place to call home in all of Idaho. On the other hand, there are a lot of good things about the city, like its diverse population, beautiful scenery, and cheap cost of living. Thus, although Mountain Home might not be the ideal spot to call home in Idaho, it certainly isn’t a bad spot to visit or explore, either.
Blue & Gold NLR Team is a dedicated journalist at blueandgoldnlr.com, where he provides insightful and up-to-date news coverage. With a passion for uncovering the truth and a commitment to delivering accurate information, Blue & Gold NLR Team brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the team. His work ensures readers stay informed about the latest events and developments.