Gooding County, Idaho Eviction Risk: Very Low

Gooding County sits in the Snake River Plain of south-central Idaho with a total population of 8,264 spread across four cities: Gooding, Wendell, Hagerman, and Bliss. The county carries a Low eviction risk score of 2.3/10, yet that headline number masks meaningful variation at the city level. The city of Gooding itself scores 2.7/10 - the highest in the county - while Hagerman comes in at 1.9/10, the lowest. Landlords operating across multiple Gooding County jurisdictions should not treat the countywide average as uniform ground truth.

The economic picture deserves close attention. Average rent across the county runs $869 per month, and the average rent burden - what renters pay relative to household income - is 29.6%. The county poverty rate of 23.9% is notably elevated, which puts pressure on rent collection and increases the likelihood that eviction proceedings, once initiated, will be contested. Renters make up 31.2% of households. That combination of modest rents, high poverty, and a significant renter share means that cash-flow disruptions at the tenant level can move quickly into legal territory. Idaho eviction laws's eviction statute, Idaho Code § 6-301 et seq. (Forcible Entry and Detainer), permits a 3-day notice for non-payment and a 3-day cure notice for lease violations, so the front end of the process is fast - but contested cases can take 45 to 120 days to resolve in court.

Gooding County ranks 5th riskiest out of 44 Idaho counties, placing it in the higher-risk third of the state. Only four Idaho counties carry higher scores. Court filing fees for an eviction action run $160 to $260, sheriff lockout fees add another $30 to $120, and attorney costs range from $500 to $2,500 depending on case complexity. Idaho does not require just cause for eviction, has no rent cap, and state law preempts any local rent control ordinance - so Gooding County cities cannot independently enact tenant protections beyond what state law provides. Landlords should note that Idaho Code § 6-320 governs both retaliation claims and habitability standards; a well-documented maintenance record is the clearest defense against either type of counterclaim in a contested proceeding.

Scores reflect the Eviction Risk Map composite model, which weighs local rent burden, poverty, renter share, legal framework, and historical eviction patterns. Gooding County's 2.3/10 average spans a city-level range of 1.9 (Hagerman) to 2.7 (city of Gooding).