John Lettieri, President and CEO of Economic Innovation Group | Official Website
John Lettieri, President and CEO of Economic Innovation Group | Official Website
Among Idaho’s counties, Custer County saw the largest increase in transfer dependency over the past 10 years, surging 9.5% from 17.6% in 2012 to 27.1% in 2022, and up 18.5% from just 8.6% in 1970. In dollar terms, government transfers per capita in Custer County jumped from $8,329 in 2012 to $13,931 in 2022, a stark contrast to the $1,611 recorded in 1970.
Lewis County followed with the second-largest increase in transfer dependency, increasing 5.7% from 33.5% in 2012 to 39.2% in 2022, and an overall increase of 30.3% from 1970’s 8.9% transfer dependency. This trend is reflected in per capita amounts, with residents of Lewis County receiving an average of $23,712 in transfer income in 2022, up from $18,714 in 2012 and more than double the $1,611 recorded in 1970.
Additionally, Lewis County had the highest percentage of income derived from government transfers, at 39.2% in 2022, making it the county with the highest overall transfer dependency. Clearwater County and Shoshone County followed closely behind, with transfer dependency rates of 35.8% and 31.9% in 2022, respectively.
Compared to 1970, Lewis County increased by 30.3%, while Clearwater County and Shoshone County have increased by 28.6% and 24.2%, respectively, showing sustained reliance on government transfers. Residents in Lewis County received an average of $23,712 in transfers per capita, with Clearwater County and Shoshone County close behind at $15,567 and $14,430, respectively.
For comparison, the statewide average was 18% in 2022, showing a higher dependency than the national average of 17.6%. On a per capita level, this translates to $10,187 per resident in 2022, compared to $11,542 nationwide.
Government transfer payments are non-repayable funds provided by federal, state, or local governments to support individuals in need. These payments aim to stabilize economic conditions and provide financial support during hardships. Key programs include Social Security transfers (retirement benefits), Medicare transfers (healthcare for seniors), Medicaid transfers (healthcare for low-income individuals), and income maintenance transfers (financial assistance for basic needs).
In Idaho, reliance on government transfers was just 8% (or $1,742 per capita in inflation-adjusted 2022 dollars) in 1970. This has since increased to 18% (or $10,187 per capita) in 2022, reflecting a total increase of 10% since 1970. This shift is largely influenced by increased healthcare costs, and economic transformations that have reshaped income sources across the U.S.
In 2022, the primary government transfer programs in Idaho included:
- Social Security: $3,654 (35.9% of total transfers)
- Medicare: $2,308 (22.7% of total transfers)
- Medicaid: $1,787 (17.5% of total transfers)
- Income Maintenance Programs: $1,172 (11.5% of total transfers)
With 16.9% of the population aged 65 and older, Idaho has a significant demand for programs like Social Security and Medicare. However, counties with higher poverty rates also show elevated Medicaid and income maintenance participation.
Government transfers have long been a modest financial safety net, historically comprising only a small fraction of Americans' income. However, since the 1970s—sometimes dubbed the “Great Transfer-mation”—dependency has surged from 8.2% (or $2,022 per capita in inflation-adjusted 2022 dollars) in 1970 to 17.6% (or $11,542 per capita) in 2022 nationwide. In Idaho, reliance on government transfers has similarly increased from 8% (or $1,742 per capita) in 1970 to 18% (or $10,187 per capita) in 2022, reflecting broader national trends.
According to the Economic Innovation Group’s analysis, these trends are not merely short-term responses to economic pressures but rather reflect a profound, long-term transformation in how government support is integrated into American life. The study illustrates that structural shifts—from rising healthcare expenses and demographic changes to stagnant wages—have significantly increased dependency on government transfers.
| County | Dependency on Transfers (%) | Change Since 2012 | Change Since 1970 | Per Capita Amount (2022) | Per Capita Change Since 2012 | Per Capita Change Since 1970 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ada County | 13.6% | 0% | 7.2% | $9,155 | $2,267 | $7,451 |
| Adams County | 28.8% | 2.1% | 19.9% | $12,587 | $2,673 | $10,585 |
| Bannock County | 24.4% | 1.7% | 15.9% | $11,567 | $2,954 | $9,841 |
| Bear Lake County | 25.4% | 2.4% | 13.2% | $12,303 | $2,998 | $10,284 |
| Benewah County | 31% | 1.5% | 19.2% | $13,500 | $2,599 | $11,133 |
| Bingham County | 21.9% | 1.9% | 14.8% | $10,256 | $2,829 | $8,849 |
| Blaine County | 5.9% | -0.9% | -0.6% | $9,846 | $3,507 | $8,157 |
| Boise County | 22.9% | 0.2% | 12.7% | $12,264 | $3,010 | $10,096 |
| Bonner County | 23.1% | 0.3% | 10.9% | $12,012 | $2,856 | $9,829 |
| Bonneville County | 15.6% | -0.5% | 9.7% | $9,841 | $2,458 | $8,505 |
| Boundary County | 28.6% | 3.7% | 18.7% | $12,998 | $3,604 | $10,950 |
| Butte County | 25.5% | 0.9% | 18.8% | $13,668 | $4,192 | $12,127 |
| Camas County | 16.1% | 0% | 9.8% | $9,957 | $3,130 | $7,916 |
| Canyon County | 21.5% | -2.3% | 10.7% | $9,757 | $1,855 | $7,598 |
| Caribou County | 22.2% | 4.6% | 17.7% | $10,742 | $3,023 | $9,638 |
| Cassia County | 17.4% | 1.3% | 10.6% | $9,491 | $2,541 | $8,062 |
| Clark County | 16.2% | 2.1% | 12.5% | $7,653 | $2,159 | $6,250 |
| Clearwater County | 35.8% | 2.8% | 28.6% | $15,567 | $3,594 | $13,970 |
| Custer County | 27.1% | 9.5% | 18.5% | $13,931 | $5,602 | $12,320 |
| Elmore County | 24.5% | 5% | 21.1% | $10,611 | $3,294 | $9,677 |
| Franklin County | 20.3% | 3.4% | 10.9% | $8,997 | $2,976 | $7,326 |
| Fremont (includes Yellowstone Park) County | 22.1% | 0.6% | 14.1% | $10,277 | $2,947 | $8,799 |
| Gem County | 27.4% | 0.1% | 16.2% | $12,846 | $3,067 | $10,861 |
| Gooding County | 15.7% | 1.5% | 3.5% | $11,453 | $3,469 | $9,229 |
| Idaho County | 29.4% | 4.1% | 20.9% | $13,047 | $4,298 | $11,333 |
| Jefferson County | 17.3% | 0.7% | 9.9% | $7,854 | $1,896 | $6,520 |
| Jerome County | 19.1% | 2.2% | 10% | $8,698 | $1,946 | $6,905 |
| Kootenai County | 18.9% | -1.3% | 8.4% | $11,409 | $2,648 | $9,194 |
| Latah County | 17.2% | 1.7% | 9.7% | $9,028 | $2,554 | $7,622 |
| Lemhi County | 30.5% | 3.8% | 19.3% | $16,460 | $5,408 | $14,363 |
| Lewis County | 39.2% | 5.7% | 30.3% | $23,712 | $4,998 | $21,352 |
| Lincoln County | 22.4% | 1.9% | 14.1% | $11,553 | $3,218 | $9,910 |
| Madison County | 21.8% | 0.5% | 15.5% | $6,059 | $970 | $5,121 |
| Minidoka County | 19.8% | 3% | 13.2% | $9,498 | $2,670 | $8,183 |
| Nez Perce County | 23.2% | 0.8% | 14.1% | $12,605 | $2,863 | $10,543 |
| Oneida County | 25.6% | 2% | 15.8% | $11,965 | $3,466 | $9,829 |
| Owyhee County | 21.1% | -0.4% | 12.3% | $10,160 | $2,506 | $8,467 |
| Payette County | 23.4% | 2.1% | 11.4% | $11,375 | $2,630 | $9,201 |
| Power County | 20.5% | 3.2% | 15.8% | $9,782 | $2,543 | $8,494 |
| Shoshone County | 31.9% | 2.1% | 24.2% | $14,430 | $2,562 | $12,801 |
| Teton County | 11.9% | -1.3% | 2.4% | $7,372 | $2,584 | $5,625 |
| Twin Falls County | 21.5% | 0.1% | 12.5% | $10,519 | $2,025 | $8,523 |
| Valley County | 18% | 1.4% | 10.7% | $11,643 | $3,346 | $9,594 |
| Washington County | 31.6% | 5.3% | 19.1% | $13,714 | $3,814 | $11,459 |
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