Latah County Public RecordsIdaho

As of 2022, Latah County, ID has a population of approximately 40,300. The median age is about 30 years, reflecting a younger demographic due to the presence of the University of Idaho. Gender distribution is nearly even, with 50.2% male and 49.8% female. Racially, the county is 87% White, 4% Asian, 3% Hispanic or Latino, 2% two or more races, 1.4% Black, and less than 1% Native American or Pacific Islander.

Latah County, Idaho, had approximately 25,000 registered voters as of 2022. The county conducts primary, general, and local elections, typically seeing turnout rates around 60% in presidential years. In 2020, Joe Biden won Latah County with 50.2% of the vote, a Democratic stronghold in Idaho. Key issues include education and land use. There are 14 polling locations across the county, administered by the Latah County Clerk’s office. Voters register as Republican (about 42%), Democrat (38%), or unaffiliated. Major parties are the Idaho Republican and Democratic parties, with administration overseen by local election officials.

Latah County, Idaho, boasts a high educational attainment, with over 95% of adults holding a high school diploma and nearly 50% possessing a bachelor’s degree or higher, driven by the presence of the University of Idaho in Moscow. The county has 13 public schools, including 4 high schools, with average test scores above the Idaho state average. School safety is a priority, reflected in low incident rates. Adult education and continuing programs are supported by both the university and community colleges, fostering lifelong learning and strong academic achievement across Latah County.

As of 2023, Latah County, ID has an unemployment rate of approximately 2.7%. Major industries include educational services (36%), driven by the University of Idaho, followed by health care (13%), and retail trade (11%). Top occupation types are education, office/administrative support, and food preparation. About 68% of residents work within the county, while roughly 32% commute, primarily to neighboring Nez Perce and Whitman counties. The average commute time is 16 minutes, reflecting the county’s compact size and concentration of employment in and around Moscow, the county seat.

Latah County, ID, features a homeownership rate of around 57%, with a median home value near $325,000 in 2023. Median rent is approximately $1,100 monthly. The area’s housing stock includes single-family homes, apartments, and student housing, driven by the presence of the University of Idaho in Moscow, the county seat. Neighborhoods like Indian Hills and Fort Russell are popular. Property values have risen about 7% year-over-year, reflecting regional growth. Property tax rates average 0.76% of assessed value, below the national average, making housing comparatively affordable despite recent value increases.

Latah County, ID, is generally considered safe, with a crime rate lower than the national average. In 2022, the county reported a total of 291 crimes—259 property crimes and 32 violent crimes—translating to a crime rate of approximately 10.0 per 1,000 residents. Moscow, the county seat, accounts for the majority of incidents. Latah County Sheriff's Office and local police actively work on prompt crime reporting and community safety, resulting in a downward trend in overall crime over recent years.