We examine what this data means for renters, landlords, and those interested in Shoshone County real estate. Specifically, we’ll explore the economic factors driving evictions, compare local trends against statewide patterns, and discuss policy implications for improving housing stability. Understanding these dynamics is essential for anyone following Shoshone County news o
r considering homes for sale in Shoshone County Idaho.
Understanding Idaho Policy Institute’s 2020 Eviction Data
What is the Idaho Policy Institute
The Idaho Policy Institute operates within Boise State University’s School of Public Service with a clear directive: provide objective research to inform decision making [1]. Staff, students, and faculty researchers help public, private, and nonprofit leaders use evidence-based practices to address challenges facing Idaho communities [1]. This focus on rigorous, defensible research guides every study the organization produces [2].
Launched in August 2016, the institute fills a gap in state-level policy analysis by offering public-policy research, economic forecasts, demographic studies, and technical assistance [3]. The organization leverages expertise across Idaho universities, not just Boise State, connecting research faculty and students to tackle complex questions [3]. For eviction research specifically, IPI began establishing baseline data to track how housing displacement affects Idaho renters over time.
Defining formal eviction rates
A formal eviction occurs when a court orders a tenant to leave and pay damages after a landlord files eviction paperwork [4]. This differs significantly from eviction filings, which represent cases submitted to the court system but may not result in actual displacement [4]. In fact, roughly 1,600 Idahoans were formally evicted from their homes in 2019, even though 2,673 renters received eviction filings that year [4].
The formal eviction rate calculation divides the number of households with formal evictions by the total number of renting households in a specific area [5]. Idaho’s statewide eviction rate stood at 1.4% in 2019, translating to 4.4 evictions per day [4]. Informal evictions fall outside this data entirely. These occur when tenants voluntarily leave under threat of eviction before paperwork gets filed or before their court date, avoiding extra legal fees and potential wage garnishment [4].
How eviction data is collected in Idaho
IPI requests data for all eviction filings statewide from Idaho courts annually [5]. The preparation process involves several steps to ensure accuracy. Researchers first remove all commercial evictions, focusing exclusively on household evictions [5]. Next, they eliminate serial evictions, which occur when a household receives multiple filings in the same calendar year [5]. Only the most recent filing for each household appears in the final dataset [5].
Cases receive designation as formal evictions only if awarded in favor of the plaintiff [5]. All other cases count as eviction filings with no eviction [5]. Researchers pair this court data with American Community Survey 5-year estimates to calculate rates per county [5]. This methodology provides the foundation for understanding housing stability patterns across Shoshone County and statewide.
Shoshone County Idaho: 2020 Eviction Rates and Trends
Overview of Shoshone County demographics
Nestled in northern Idaho’s panhandle, Shoshone County recorded a population of 13,169 residents in 2020 [5]. The county’s demographic profile shows an aging population, with 23.9% of residents aged 65 and over [5]. White residents comprise 93.5% of the population [5], reflecting limited racial diversity compared to urban centers.
The poverty rate stands at 15.4% [5], indicating existing financial stress before pandemic disruptions. Owner-occupied housing dominates, representing 74% of occupied units [5], which correspondingly means a smaller renter population. This rural characteristic shapes how eviction data appears statistically. With approximately 1,500 renter households, each formal eviction represents a larger proportional impact than in counties with tens of thousands of renters.
Formal eviction rate 2020 Shoshone County Idaho data
The Idaho Policy Institute formal eviction rate 2020 Shoshone County shows several formal evictions occurred, though absolute numbers remained lower than populous counties [6]. The rate calculation divides formal evictions by total renter households, revealing how displacement affects this small community [6].
Rural counties like Shoshone often display higher per-household eviction rates despite lower absolute numbers [6]. Federal moratoriums and emergency rental assistance programs influenced 2020 figures, providing temporary shields for qualified tenants. Court disruptions and backlogs affected filing timing, which may have delayed some evictions from appearing in 2020 data [7].
Comparison with statewide Idaho eviction rates
While statewide formal evictions represented roughly 0.6% of renting households in 2020 [6], Shoshone County’s rate reflects unique local factors. The county’s formal eviction filing rate typically ran lower than urban counties in raw terms [7]. However, proportional rates tell a different story owing to the smaller denominator.
What the numbers reveal about housing stability
The 2020 data highlights rural housing vulnerabilities distinct from urban patterns. Shoshone County’s economy, historically dominated by mining, timber, and seasonal tourism [7], creates employment volatility tied to commodity prices. Limited rental stock means displaced families face fewer relocation options within the county, amplifying each eviction’s community impact.
Factors Behind Evictions in Shoshone County
Economic challenges facing renters
Financial strain predated pandemic disruptions in Shoshone County. Renter households face disproportionate economic pressure compared to homeowners. Statewide data shows renter households are twice as likely to be low or moderate-income as owner households, with only 34% of renters earning 80% of area median income or more, compared to 68% of owner households [4].
Cost burden affects 35% of all low or moderate-income renter households [4]. In Shoshone County specifically, average household income sits under $50,000 annually, meaning monthly housing payments around $1,200 qualify as affordable [8]. However, mining industry wages drastically skew that average, creating a bigger discrepancy in what’s truly affordable for the majority of the local workforce [8].
COVID-19 pandemic impact on evictions
Job losses in service and tourism sectors impacted many renters during 2020 [5]. Shoshone County’s unemployment rate reached 5.6%, ranking third highest among Idaho’s 44 counties [9]. Court operations faced disruptions and backlogs, which delayed filings and hearings [5]. The courthouse closed to the public, installing drop boxes for transactions [10].
Consequently, Governor Brad Little allocated $15 million in CARES Act funds for rental assistance, with another $200 million added through the American Rescue Plan Act [11]. These payments went directly to landlords to offset current and back rent [11]. By December 2020, Idaho renters owed between $73 million and $103 million in unpaid rent, with 34,000 households at risk of eviction [12].
Demographics most affected by evictions
Low-income households bore the brunt of displacement risk. Statewide, 4,067 households sat on Housing Choice Voucher waitlists [4]. Access to information and resources proved challenging in rural areas, potentially leaving some households unprotected despite available assistance programs [5].
Limited rental housing supply in Shoshone County
The rental market remains tight with limited new construction [5]. Scarcity of developable land constrains expansion [8]. Without county or city-owned land or private owners designating property specifically for development, overcoming community resistance proves difficult [8]. The county cannot house its workforce locally, failing to pay Spokane or Coeur d’Alene wages despite being only slightly cheaper [8].
Policy Implications and Recommendations for Shoshone County
Lessons from other Idaho counties
Ada County demonstrates measurable eviction prevention success. Jesse Tree helped nearly 1,200 families in 2023, maintaining a 95% success rate preventing homelessness [13]. The program costs $2,000 per family intervention compared to $53,000 annually for emergency services per homeless person [13]. By the same token, Boise City/Ada County Housing Authority maintained $27 million in rental assistance through spring 2023 [7].
Rental assistance and support programs
Idaho received $352 million total through Emergency Rental Assistance programs [14]. Idaho Housing and Finance Association administers Housing Choice Vouchers across 34 counties, requiring participants to contribute roughly 30% of income toward rent [15]. Shoshone County falls within Region 1, where St. Vincent De Paul serves as the Access Point for housing crisis assistance [16]. Waitlist times average 12-18 months [16].
Data collection challenges and improvements
HUD identifies two major barriers: inability to disaggregate eviction cases from civil cases, and lack of standardized electronic records [17]. Many states need court system changes and new legislation to provide data for national datasets [17]. Idaho Supreme Court records didn’t specify eviction cases before 2015 [18].
Future outlook for Shoshone County real estate
Median home prices reached $369,000 with 12.35% year-over-year growth [19]. Price-to-income ratios sit at 4.5 in Shoshone County [20]. Properties spend 98 days on market with 188 current listings [19].
Conclusion
Shoshone County’s eviction data reveals housing challenges that extend beyond statistics. Each displacement carries outsized impact in this rural community where rental options remain limited and economic volatility persists. Understanding these patterns helps landlords, renters, and policymakers address housing stability proactively rather than reactively. Whether you’re tracking Shoshone County real estate trends or seeking policy solutions, these insights provide a foundation for informed decisions that can strengthen housing security for vulnerable households.
References
[1] – https://www.boisestate.edu/sps-ipi/about/
[2] – https://www.cupso.org/resource/resmgr/general-resources/mission-vision-and-strategic-plans/cupso_member_mission_stateme.pdf
[3] – https://www.idahostatesman.com/news/local/education/boise-state-university/article118596088.html
[4] – https://commerce.idaho.gov/content/uploads/2020/04/Amended-2020-2024-Five-Year-Consolidated-Plan.pdf
[5] – https://hybridoo.com/idaho-policy-institute-formal-eviction-rate-2020-shoshone-county/
[6] – https://globeinsight.co.uk/idaho-policy-institute-formal-eviction-rate-2020-shoshone-county/
[7] – https://www.boisestatepublicradio.org/news/2022-12-12/emergency-rental-assistance-program-to-end-at-the-end-of-the-month-except-in-ada-county
[8] – https://cdapress.com/news/2025/jun/20/housing-shortage-causing-concern-for-silver-valley/
[9] – https://stacker.com/stories/idaho/shoshone-county-id/heres-how-unemployment-shoshone-county-idaho-compares
[10] – https://shoshonecounty.id.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/FY2020-Shoshone-County-Audited-Financial-Statements-2.pdf
[11] – https://www.route-fifty.com/management/2021/05/despite-federal-moratorium-eviction-rates-returning-ppandemic-levels/174257/
[12] – https://idahofiscal.org/untapped-federal-relief-critical-to-addressing-idaho-housing-issues/
[13] – https://idahocapitalsun.com/2024/07/18/treasure-valley-evictions-are-on-the-rise-but-rent-aid-is-working-to-keep-idahoans-in-their-homes/
[14] – https://www.idahopress.com/news/local/low-income-idahoan-renters-received-less-assistance-in-2021-than-in-other-states/article_acfd2e5b-4159-591f-9291-16999ec8aa51.html
[15] – https://www.idahohousing.com/renters/rental-assistance/
[16] – https://www.idahohousing.com/es/documents/housing-assistance-guide-english.pdf/
[17] – https://www.huduser.gov/portal/sites/default/files/pdf/Eviction-Database-Feasibility-Report-to-Congress-2021.pdf
[18] – https://www.idahohousing.com/blog/idaho-eviction-rate/
[19] – https://www.realtor.com/local/market/idaho/shoshone-county
[20] – https://interactive-map-ai.com/explore/us/ID/shoshone
