Lincoln County

Lincoln County is a rural county in south-central Idaho, positioned between the Snake River Plain to the north and the higher-elevation rangelands and valleys that extend toward the Utah border. Established in 1895 and later reduced in size as several neighboring counties were created, it retains a distinctly agricultural and small-town character. The county is small in population, with only a few thousand residents, and settlement is concentrated in a handful of communities along key transportation corridors. The landscape is dominated by open sagebrush steppe, irrigated farmland, and broad valleys framed by foothills and mountain ranges, supporting ranching, crop production, and related services. Public lands and outdoor recreation also contribute to local activity, alongside government and education employment. Shoshone is the county seat and the principal administrative and commercial center, serving as the hub for civic institutions, schools, and regional services.

Lincoln County is a rural county in south-central Idaho, situated along the I-84 corridor between Twin Falls and the eastern Snake River Plain. The county seat is Shoshone, and the county includes smaller communities such as Richfield and Dietrich.

Population Size

According to the U.S. Census Bureau’s data.census.gov portal, Lincoln County had a total population of 5,127 in the 2020 Decennial Census (table topic: Decennial Census population counts for Lincoln County, Idaho).

Age & Gender

County-level age distribution and sex composition are published by the U.S. Census Bureau in the American Community Survey (ACS). The most commonly used county profiles are available through data.census.gov (ACS 5-year “Demographic and Housing Estimates”), including:

• Age distribution (shares by major age bands, median age)
• Gender ratio / sex composition (percent male and percent female)

For Lincoln County, Idaho, these figures are available in the ACS 5-year profile tables on data.census.gov (not in the Decennial Census headcount table).

Racial & Ethnic Composition

Race and Hispanic/Latino origin are provided for counties in the 2020 Decennial Census and are also published in ACS profile tables. The U.S. Census Bureau’s county tables for Lincoln County are accessible via data.census.gov (Lincoln County, ID race and Hispanic origin tables), which report:

• Race (e.g., White; Black or African American; American Indian and Alaska Native; Asian; Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander; Some Other Race; Two or More Races)
• Ethnicity (Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino)

Household & Housing Data

Household and housing characteristics are produced through the ACS (commonly used at the county level) and include counts and rates for households, occupancy, and housing stock characteristics. Lincoln County household and housing measures are published in ACS profile and detailed tables on data.census.gov (ACS 5-year “Selected Housing Characteristics” and “Demographic and Housing Estimates”), including:

• Total households and average household size
• Owner-occupied vs. renter-occupied housing
• Housing unit count and vacancy rate
• Household type (family vs. nonfamily; presence of children)
• Housing structure type and year built (ACS detailed housing tables)

For local government and planning resources, visit the Lincoln County official website.

Lincoln County, Idaho is a sparsely populated, largely rural county where long distances between communities and terrain can raise last‑mile broadband costs, making digital communication (including email) more dependent on available fixed and mobile infrastructure.

Direct county-level email-usage statistics are not typically published, so email adoption is inferred from household digital-access and demographic proxies reported by the American Community Survey (ACS). ACS tables on computer ownership and broadband subscriptions serve as primary indicators of residents’ practical ability to access email reliably at home. Lower broadband subscription rates and lower computer access are commonly associated with reduced routine email use and greater reliance on smartphones or public access points.

Age structure influences adoption because older populations tend to have lower uptake of new digital services; Lincoln County’s age distribution from U.S. Census Bureau data.census.gov provides the relevant proxy for likely variation in email use by cohort. Gender composition is available from the same source, but it is generally a weaker predictor of email access than broadband and age.

Connectivity constraints are shaped by rural network economics and coverage gaps documented by the FCC National Broadband Map.

County context and connectivity-relevant characteristics

Lincoln County is a sparsely populated rural county in south-central Idaho, with communities dispersed across the Magic Valley region and large areas of open rangeland and public land. Low population density and long distances between settlements increase the cost-per-user of cellular network buildout and can contribute to coverage gaps, especially outside incorporated places and along less-traveled corridors. Baseline geography, population, and housing context can be referenced through the U.S. Census Bureau’s county profiles on Census.gov QuickFacts (Lincoln County, Idaho).

Key distinction: network availability vs. household adoption

Network availability describes where mobile broadband service is offered (coverage footprints, technology generation such as LTE/5G, and advertised speeds).
Household adoption describes whether residents actually subscribe to mobile service and/or use mobile broadband as their primary internet connection.

County-level mobile adoption metrics are commonly available only in limited forms (often modeled estimates, multi-county survey geographies, or as “has a smartphone/cellular data plan” in broader survey products). For Lincoln County specifically, publicly released, county-resolved statistics for smartphone share or “mobile-only” internet reliance are limited compared with state-level reporting. Where county-level figures are not available from official sources, this overview describes the best-documented indicators and clearly labels limitations.

Mobile penetration or access indicators (where available)

Broadband subscription context (includes mobile and fixed, but does not isolate mobile precisely)

The U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey (ACS) provides county-level indicators related to internet subscriptions, but standard ACS county tables typically do not cleanly separate “mobile-only” broadband from other subscription types in a way that produces a precise mobile penetration rate for a small county. Lincoln County’s overall internet subscription and computer access context is available through data.census.gov (ACS tables for county geographies).

Limitation: ACS subscription tables are not a direct “mobile phone penetration” measure and do not consistently provide a county-resolved “smartphone ownership” rate.

Modeled service availability as a proxy for potential access

For mobile broadband, the most widely cited government source for coverage availability is the FCC’s Broadband Data Collection (BDC). This describes where providers report offering mobile broadband, not whether households subscribe.

• FCC broadband maps and availability data (including mobile) are published via FCC National Broadband Map.
• The FCC’s methodology and BDC program background are described on the FCC Broadband Data Collection pages.

Interpretation note: FCC-reported mobile availability indicates potential access but can overstate real-world performance in rugged terrain, indoors, and at cell edges.

Mobile internet usage patterns (4G, 5G availability)

4G LTE availability (network availability)

In rural Idaho counties, LTE is typically the baseline mobile broadband layer and is generally more geographically extensive than 5G. FCC BDC-based coverage layers on the FCC National Broadband Map can be used to view reported mobile broadband availability by technology and provider within Lincoln County.

Limitation: The FCC map provides reported availability, not measured throughput, latency, or congestion at specific locations or times.

5G availability (network availability)

5G deployment in rural counties is often concentrated near towns, highways, and higher-demand areas, with coverage footprints that can be discontinuous outside population centers. Lincoln County’s reported 5G availability can be examined through the same FCC availability layers on the FCC National Broadband Map.

Limitation: Public FCC layers indicate where providers claim 5G service is available; they do not quantify the share of residents actively using 5G-capable plans or devices in the county.

Observed usage patterns (adoption/behavior)

County-specific, publicly released statistics describing what proportion of residents actively use mobile internet (versus fixed service), how frequently they rely on mobile-only connections, or the split between LTE and 5G usage are generally not published at Lincoln County resolution by federal statistical programs.

At broader geographies, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) publishes internet-use and device-use indicators (including smartphone use) through its Internet Use Survey program, accessible via NTIA data. These are typically not Lincoln-County-specific.

Common device types (smartphones vs. other devices)

What is documented at county level

Public, county-resolved data on smartphone ownership share (smartphones vs. feature phones) is not commonly available from official statistical releases for a small county such as Lincoln County.

What is documented at broader geographies

At national and state levels, device-type indicators (smartphone use, computer/tablet access, and internet use patterns) are commonly reported via:

• NTIA internet use and device data (survey-based)
• U.S. Census Bureau surveys and tables accessed via data.census.gov (device and subscription context varies by table/year)

Limitation: These sources support Idaho-level or multi-county interpretations more readily than Lincoln County-specific device-type breakdowns.

Demographic and geographic factors influencing mobile usage and connectivity

Population density and settlement pattern (affects availability and quality)

• Dispersed residences and small population centers reduce the commercial incentive for dense tower placement, affecting coverage continuity and capacity.
• Travel corridors and town centers tend to have stronger and more modern coverage footprints than remote areas.

Baseline demographic and housing context for Lincoln County is summarized on Census.gov QuickFacts and in detailed tables on data.census.gov.

Terrain and land use (affects radio propagation and siting)

• Varied terrain and open landscapes can create line-of-sight advantages in some areas, while hills, buttes, and valleys can create dead zones and limit indoor reception.
• Large areas of non-urban land can constrain infrastructure density, and backhaul availability can be a limiting factor for high-capacity mobile sites.

Income, age distribution, and housing characteristics (affects adoption)

• Lower incomes and higher costs for service plans/devices can reduce subscription rates, even where service is available.
• Older age distributions can correlate with lower smartphone adoption and lower mobile data usage in many survey findings, though county-specific smartphone rates are not typically published for small counties.
• Housing patterns (single-family homes, distance from town centers) influence whether fixed broadband is available; where fixed service is limited, households may rely more on mobile broadband, but Lincoln-County-specific “mobile substitution” rates are not publicly reported in standard county tables.

Idaho broadband planning and availability context is commonly referenced through the Idaho Broadband Office, while federal availability reporting is centralized through the FCC National Broadband Map.

Summary of what can be stated with high confidence vs. key data gaps

• High-confidence (availability): FCC BDC-based maps provide reported mobile broadband availability (including LTE/5G) within Lincoln County via the FCC National Broadband Map.
• High-confidence (context): Lincoln County’s rural character, low density, and dispersed settlement pattern are documented by the U.S. Census Bureau and are structurally relevant to mobile coverage and adoption (see Census.gov QuickFacts).
• Data gaps (adoption): Publicly released, county-specific metrics for smartphone penetration, 5G device usage, and mobile-only household internet reliance are limited for Lincoln County; broader survey programs such as NTIA data generally support state-level or larger-area estimates rather than a definitive county figure.

Lincoln County is a rural county in south-central Idaho on the eastern edge of the Magic Valley region, with Shoshone as the county seat and a population shaped by small-town living, agriculture, and proximity to regional job centers along the I‑84 corridor. Lower population density and longer travel distances commonly correlate with heavier reliance on mobile connectivity for communication, local information, and community coordination.

User statistics (penetration and active use)

• Local (county-specific) social media penetration: County-level estimates for “% of residents active on social platforms” are not published consistently by major public datasets. As a result, reliable reporting typically uses state and national benchmarks rather than Lincoln County-only penetration.
• Idaho adult social media use (benchmark): ~70% of U.S. adults use at least one social media site, per the Pew Research Center social media fact sheet (commonly used as the baseline benchmark for state and local profiling).
• Rural vs. urban context (benchmark): Social media use is widespread across community types, with rural adults slightly lower than urban/suburban in many surveys; Pew’s cross-tabs on community type are summarized in its platform usage reporting. Lincoln County’s rural profile aligns more closely with rural benchmarks than urban ones.

Age group trends (who uses social media most)

Using Pew’s U.S. adult benchmarks (Pew Research Center), age remains the strongest predictor of social media use:

• 18–29: Highest usage and highest multi-platform adoption.
• 30–49: Very high adoption; heavy use of Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
• 50–64: Moderate-to-high adoption; Facebook and YouTube tend to dominate.
• 65+: Lowest adoption; Facebook and YouTube are typically the leading platforms within this group.

Gender breakdown

Platform-level gender skews are consistently observed in national measurement:

• Overall use: Pew generally finds men and women have broadly similar overall social media adoption, with clearer differences emerging by platform rather than “any social media.”
• Platform skews (U.S. adults): Visual and social-connection platforms often show higher female use, while some discussion- or video-centric platforms show more balanced usage. Current platform-by-gender patterns are tracked in the Pew platform tables.

Most-used platforms (with available percentages)

National adult usage rates (benchmarks) are the most defensible figures to cite for a county profile because they come from repeated probability-based surveys:

• YouTube: ~83% of U.S. adults
• Facebook: ~68%
• Instagram: ~47%
• Pinterest: ~35%
• TikTok: ~33%
• LinkedIn: ~30%
• X (Twitter): ~22%
• Snapchat: ~27%
• WhatsApp: ~29%
  Source: Pew Research Center, Social Media Fact Sheet (most recent update reflected in the fact sheet).

Behavioral trends (engagement patterns and preferences)

• Mobile-first engagement: Rural areas typically show strong reliance on smartphones for social networking and video consumption, aligning with national patterns of mobile social use measured across surveys summarized by Pew’s mobile fact sheet.
• Community information utility: In rural counties, Facebook groups and local pages tend to function as a high-frequency channel for community announcements, local events, school/sports updates, and buy/sell/trade activity; this aligns with Facebook’s role as one of the most widely used platforms nationally (Pew).
• Video as a primary content format: With YouTube’s very high reach nationally, video is commonly a top format for how-to content, news clips, farming/home maintenance topics, and entertainment in rural settings (YouTube reach: Pew).
• Younger residents’ platform mix: Younger adults exhibit heavier use of Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat relative to older groups, with faster content discovery and short-form video driving session frequency (age gradients reported in Pew’s platform-by-age tables).
• Older residents’ concentration on fewer platforms: Adults 50+ are more likely to concentrate usage on Facebook and YouTube, with comparatively lower uptake of newer short-form video platforms (documented in Pew’s age breakdowns).

Lincoln County, Idaho family-related public records are primarily managed at the state level. Idaho maintains statewide vital records for births and deaths through the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare (Vital Records). County offices commonly provide access points for related filings and certified copies where authorized. Marriage licenses and marriage records are typically handled through the county clerk’s office; local contact and office information is available via the Lincoln County, Idaho official website.

Adoption records in Idaho are generally closed to the public and are handled through the courts and state systems rather than open county databases. Divorce and other family court case records are filed in the county’s district court; the Idaho Supreme Court – Court Assistance Office provides statewide court-access information, and statewide electronic court records are available through iCourt Portal (case access varies by case type and confidentiality rules).

Public databases for family and associate-related records are limited due to privacy protections. Certified vital records access is restricted to eligible requesters under state rules, and some court case types (including many adoption-related materials and certain family matters) are confidential or partially redacted. In-person access is generally through the county clerk and the local courthouse during business hours; online access is primarily through state portals.

Types of records available

Marriage records

• Marriage licenses and certificates (county-level): Lincoln County issues marriage licenses through the county clerk’s office. The executed license (returned after the ceremony) becomes the county’s record of the marriage.
• State vital record (marriage certificate): Idaho maintains marriage records at the state level through the Idaho Bureau of Vital Records and Health Statistics.

Divorce records

• Divorce case file and divorce decree (court records): Divorces are handled through the Idaho state court system; the final decree of divorce is issued by the district court and kept in the court case file.

Annulment records

• Annulment case file and judgment/decree (court records): Annulments are also handled as court actions in district court, with the resulting order kept in the case file.

Where records are filed and how they can be accessed

Lincoln County marriage records (local custody)

• Filed with: Lincoln County Clerk (marriage license issuance and recording).
• Access methods: In-person requests and written requests through the clerk’s office are commonly used for local copies. The availability of certified copies and the identification requirements are governed by Idaho vital records rules and local office procedures.

Idaho marriage records (state custody)

• Filed with: Idaho Bureau of Vital Records and Health Statistics.
• Access methods: Requests are submitted to the state office for certified vital records. State vital records are typically the standardized source for certified statewide marriage certificates.

Divorce and annulment records (court custody)

• Filed with: Idaho District Court for Lincoln County (as part of the case file), within Idaho’s unified court system.
• Access methods:
  • Court clerk access: Case documents, including decrees, are accessed through the clerk of the district court in the county where the case was filed.
  • Online docket access: Idaho’s iCourt Portal provides statewide case register/docket access and, where permitted, document access. Link: https://icourt.idaho.gov/

Typical information included in these records

Marriage licenses/certificates

Common fields include:

• Full names of both parties (and sometimes prior/maiden names)
• Date and place of marriage (or license issuance date and return/recording date)
• Ages or dates of birth
• Residences/addresses at time of application (varies by form/version)
• Officiant name/title and officiant’s certification
• Witness information (as required by the form used)
• License/certificate number, filing/recording details, and clerk certification for certified copies

Divorce decrees

Common fields include:

• Case caption (names of parties), case number, and court/judicial district
• Date of filing and date of decree (entry date)
• Findings/orders dissolving the marriage
• Orders regarding property division, debt allocation, and other relief granted
• Orders on child-related matters when applicable (custody, visitation, support)
• Judge’s signature and clerk’s filing stamp

Annulment orders

Common fields include:

• Case caption, case number, court/judicial district
• Legal basis/findings supporting annulment under Idaho law
• Orders regarding marital status and related relief (property, support, and child-related orders when applicable)
• Judge’s signature and clerk’s filing stamp

Privacy or legal restrictions

Marriage records

• Vital records access controls: Certified copies of Idaho marriage records held by the state are subject to Idaho vital records laws and administrative rules, which restrict issuance of certified copies to eligible requesters and require identity verification.
• Public access to basic marriage information: Some index-level information may be available through government offices or third-party compilations, but certified copies are controlled by state rules.

Divorce and annulment court records

• Public court record framework with confidentiality exceptions: Idaho court records are generally public, but access is limited for records or fields made confidential by law or court rule.
• Common restrictions: Sealed cases, confidential family law attachments, protected personal identifiers, and certain documents involving minors, abuse protection, or sensitive financial/medical information may be restricted or redacted.
• Identity/data redaction rules: Idaho court rules require limiting exposure of personal identifiers in publicly accessible filings and may restrict remote access to certain document types even when in-person inspection is allowed.

Record retention and legal status

• Marriage records: The county maintains the recorded marriage license/return as the local legal record; the state maintains the statewide vital record.
• Divorce/annulment records: The court maintains the official case file; the signed and filed decree/order is the authoritative legal instrument changing marital status.

Lincoln County is a rural county in south-central Idaho along the Interstate 84 corridor, with communities centered on Shoshone (county seat) and Richfield and extensive agricultural and rangeland areas. The county has a small population, low housing density, and a local economy tied to farming/ranching, public services, and small-town retail and logistics connected to regional hubs such as Jerome and Twin Falls.

Education Indicators

Public schools (count and names)

Lincoln County is primarily served by Shoshone Joint School District No. 312 and Richfield School District No. 316. Public school listings and addresses are maintained through district and state directories; a consolidated, up-to-date directory is available via the Idaho State Department of Education and district websites.
Note: A single authoritative “school count” can vary by year due to grade reconfiguration (e.g., combined middle/high schools), and current rosters are best represented by the state and district directories rather than static third-party summaries.

Student–teacher ratios and graduation rates

• Student–teacher ratios: County-specific ratios fluctuate year to year in small districts. The most consistent official reporting for staffing and enrollment is available through the Idaho State Department of Education (district report cards and staffing/enrollment publications).
• Graduation rates: Idaho publishes 4-year adjusted cohort graduation rates by district and high school. Lincoln County’s public high schools’ graduation rates are reported in the state’s district/school report card system (same source above).
  Proxy note: Because Lincoln County districts are small, multi-year averages are commonly used by analysts to reduce volatility; where a single-year rate is suppressed or unstable, state reporting notes small-cohort limitations.

Adult educational attainment (high school, bachelor’s and higher)

Adult attainment is tracked reliably through the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey (ACS):

• High school diploma (or equivalent) and higher: Available for Lincoln County via U.S. Census Bureau data.census.gov (ACS “Educational Attainment” tables).
• Bachelor’s degree and higher: Also available through the same ACS tables.
  Context: Rural Idaho counties typically show high rates of high-school completion but lower bachelor’s-or-higher shares than Idaho’s urban counties; Lincoln County generally aligns with that rural pattern in ACS profiles.

Notable programs (STEM, CTE/vocational, AP)

• Career Technical Education (CTE): Idaho districts commonly participate in state-supported CTE pathways (agriculture, business, health, trades/industrial). Program availability in Lincoln County is reported through district profiles and Idaho CTE resources hosted by state partners; statewide references are available via the Idaho State Department of Education.
• Advanced Placement (AP)/dual credit: AP and dual-credit offerings in small districts are often limited but may be supplemented through online coursework and partnerships. District course catalogs and state report cards provide the most current confirmation of AP/dual-credit availability.

School safety measures and counseling resources

Idaho districts generally implement standard school safety practices (controlled entry, visitor sign-in procedures, emergency drills, and coordination with local law enforcement) and provide student support through counseling staff or shared service arrangements. Idaho’s statewide school safety, emergency operations planning, and student support frameworks are referenced through the Idaho State Department of Education.
Proxy note: Staffing levels for counselors and psychologists can be thin in small rural districts; services are often delivered through district staff, regional cooperatives, and referrals to community providers.

Employment and Economic Conditions

Unemployment rate (most recent)

The most recent official county unemployment estimates are published by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS). Lincoln County’s current rate and annual averages are available through the BLS LAUS county data.
Proxy note: Lincoln County’s unemployment typically tracks seasonal rural patterns (agriculture and construction seasonality) and regional labor-market conditions in the Magic Valley.

Major industries and employment sectors

Industry composition is best documented in ACS “Industry by Occupation”/“Class of Worker” tables and regional labor profiles:

• Agriculture (crop and livestock), ag services, and farm-related transportation/logistics
• Education and health services (school districts, clinics, elder care)
• Retail trade and local services
• Construction and skilled trades
• Public administration (county/city services)
  Primary sector shares for Lincoln County can be retrieved from ACS county industry tables.

Common occupations and workforce breakdown

Occupational distribution in rural counties commonly concentrates in:

• Management/business and office support (small-business and public-sector administration)
• Production, transportation, and material moving
• Construction and extraction
• Service occupations (food service, maintenance, personal services)
• Education, training, and healthcare support
  County-level occupation shares are available via ACS occupation tables.

Commuting patterns and mean commute time

• Commuting mode: Predominantly driving alone, with limited public transit and some carpooling; remote work is present but generally lower than metro areas.
• Mean commute time: Reported in ACS “Commuting (Journey to Work)” tables for Lincoln County on data.census.gov.
  Context: Proximity to I‑84 supports regional commuting to employment centers in neighboring counties.

Local employment vs. out-of-county work

Lincoln County functions as part of a regional labor shed in south-central Idaho. A notable share of employed residents commute out of county for work, particularly toward Jerome and Twin Falls regional job centers. County-to-county commuting flows are summarized in U.S. Census commuting products (e.g., ACS flow concepts and related Census commuting resources accessible from U.S. Census Bureau) and in Idaho labor-market area reports.

Housing and Real Estate

Homeownership vs. renting

• Homeownership rate and rental share: Reported in ACS “Tenure” tables for Lincoln County on data.census.gov.
  Context: Rural Idaho counties generally have higher owner-occupancy than urban counties, with rentals concentrated in town centers (e.g., Shoshone) and near major highways.

Median property values and recent trends

• Median home value: Available from ACS “Value” tables (owner-occupied housing unit value) via data.census.gov.
• Recent trends: Like much of Idaho, values rose markedly during 2020–2022; smaller rural markets often show less liquidity and greater variability in year-to-year medians.
  Proxy note: For short-term pricing trends (monthly/quarterly), private listing aggregators exist, but ACS provides the most consistent countywide median value series.

Typical rent prices

• Median gross rent: Reported in ACS “Gross Rent” tables for Lincoln County via data.census.gov.
  Context: Rental supply is limited compared with metro areas; rents vary based on availability of small multifamily buildings, manufactured home parks, and single-family rentals.

Housing types

Lincoln County’s housing stock is dominated by:

• Single-family detached homes in Shoshone and Richfield and on rural parcels
• Manufactured homes (common in rural Idaho markets)
• Smaller multifamily properties (limited apartment inventory)
  Housing-type shares are reported in ACS “Units in Structure” tables on data.census.gov.

Neighborhood characteristics (schools and amenities)

• Town-based neighborhoods (Shoshone/Richfield): Closer proximity to schools, city services, and small-scale retail; most daily needs are met locally with larger shopping and medical services often accessed in regional centers.
• Rural areas: Larger lots and agricultural adjacency; longer travel times to schools and services, with reliance on highway access and school bus routes typical of rural districts.
  Proxy note: Detailed neighborhood-level amenities are limited in federal datasets for very small places; county planning documents and city comprehensive plans provide the most direct local descriptions.

Property tax overview (rate and typical cost)

Idaho property taxes are assessed locally and vary by levy rates, assessed value, and exemptions. County-level property tax burden is summarized by the ACS “Real Estate Taxes Paid” table and other government finance summaries available via data.census.gov. Idaho’s general property tax administration framework is governed at the state level, with local taxing districts setting levies; overview information is available through the Idaho State Tax Commission.
Proxy note: A single “average rate” is not uniform across parcels because levy rates differ by location and taxing districts; median taxes paid (ACS) is the most comparable countywide metric.