Overview of Idaho Policy Institute’s 2020 Eviction Study
Idaho Policy Institute Formal Eviction Rate 2020 Shoshone County: The Idaho Policy Institute (IPI) at Boise State University produces some of the most comprehensive research on eviction trends in the state of Idaho. Using official court records from the Idaho Supreme Court, the institute tracks eviction filings and formal eviction judgments to better understand housing stability and economic pressures faced by renters. The 2020 eviction study became particularly significant because it captured the dramatic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, including temporary eviction moratoriums, court closures, and emergency financial assistance programs.
Within this statewide analysis, Shoshone County stood out as a rural region experiencing notable eviction pressures despite pandemic protections. Located in northern Idaho, Shoshone County has historically relied on mining, natural resources, and small-scale local industries, making its economy more vulnerable to fluctuations compared with larger metropolitan areas. The limited housing supply and economic uncertainty during the pandemic contributed to persistent eviction challenges.
According to the Idaho Policy Institute’s 2020 data, Shoshone County recorded a formal eviction rate of approximately 1.10%, meaning about 1 in every 90 renting households faced a court-ordered eviction that year. Although eviction activity dropped statewide due to temporary policy interventions, the decline in rural counties such as Shoshone was less pronounced.
A formal eviction occurs when a landlord successfully obtains a court order requiring a tenant to vacate the property. This differs from an eviction filing, which is simply the initiation of a legal process and may or may not lead to removal. Understanding the difference between these two measures is critical because filings often exceed actual evictions.
The 2020 study therefore provides a valuable snapshot of housing instability during a global crisis, while also highlighting structural issues within rural housing markets. For policymakers, housing advocates, and researchers, Shoshone County’s data offers insight into how economic shocks and limited housing options can shape eviction patterns.
Key Data for Shoshone County in 2020
The Idaho Policy Institute’s eviction analysis provides several important statistics that help illustrate the housing conditions in Shoshone County during 2020. Although the county’s population is relatively small compared to urban regions like Ada County or Canyon County, its eviction rate was significantly higher than the statewide average.
The most important figures from the report include the following:
| Metric | Shoshone County (2020) |
|---|---|
| Renting Households | ~1,642 |
| Formal Evictions | ~18 |
| Formal Eviction Rate | 1.10% |
| Estimated Filing-to-Eviction Conversion | ~59.5% |
These numbers indicate that approximately 18 renter households were formally evicted through court orders in 2020. While this number may appear small, it represents a disproportionately high rate relative to the county’s renter population.
Across Idaho, the statewide eviction rate fell to around 0.6% in 2020, largely due to pandemic-related policy interventions such as:
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Federal eviction moratoriums
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Temporary court closures
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Rental assistance programs
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Stimulus payments and unemployment benefits
Despite these protections, rural counties often experienced different outcomes compared to urban areas. Smaller populations, limited tenant advocacy resources, and less consistent enforcement of moratorium policies sometimes meant that eviction risks remained relatively high.
Another important factor is the difference between eviction filings and formal evictions. Historically, eviction filings exceed formal eviction judgments by about 40–50% in Idaho. Many filings are resolved through settlements, payment plans, or tenant departures before court judgments occur.
Therefore, while Shoshone County recorded 18 formal evictions, the actual number of eviction filings may have been significantly higher, indicating deeper housing instability than the formal eviction rate alone suggests.
Comparison With Statewide and County-Level Eviction Rates
Statewide Eviction Trends in 2020
In 2020, the Idaho Policy Institute reported approximately 1,127 formal evictions statewide across roughly 189,292 renter households. This resulted in an overall formal eviction rate of 0.6%, representing about a 30% decrease compared with 2019.
This decline was largely due to policy responses to COVID-19, including federal eviction moratoriums under the CARES Act and later protections issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
However, these protections did not affect every region equally.
County-Level Comparisons
When compared to other counties, Shoshone County’s 1.10% eviction rate was nearly double the statewide average.
| County / Region | Formal Eviction Rate (2020) |
|---|---|
| Shoshone County | 1.10% |
| Bannock County | ~1.25% |
| Idaho Statewide | 0.6% |
Counties such as Bannock County, home to Pocatello and Idaho State University, experienced even higher eviction rates due to student housing turnover and economic disruptions.
The comparison highlights an important trend: rural counties often show higher eviction rates despite having smaller total numbers of cases. This occurs because:
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Housing markets are smaller
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Rental inventory is limited
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Economic shifts affect a larger share of residents
For researchers studying housing inequality, these patterns demonstrate that eviction risks are not solely an urban issue.
Factors Influencing Evictions in Shoshone County
Several economic and structural factors contributed to Shoshone County’s eviction rate in 2020.
Economic Instability
Shoshone County has long depended on mining and resource-based industries, which are particularly vulnerable to global market changes. When the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted supply chains and industrial demand, many workers experienced layoffs or reduced hours.
Income disruptions quickly translate into rent payment difficulties, especially for households without significant savings.
Housing Supply Constraints
Another major factor is the limited housing supply in rural Idaho communities. Unlike larger cities where renters may have multiple housing options, rural counties often have:
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Few rental properties
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Limited apartment complexes
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Older housing stock
When tenants face eviction, finding alternative housing locally can be extremely difficult.
Income and Poverty Levels
Economic vulnerability also played a role. According to demographic data used by the Idaho Policy Institute, many households in the region operate close to the state median income of around $55,785, while rental costs average about $853 per month.
For lower-income households, even a small income disruption can make rent unaffordable.
Policy Enforcement Differences
Although federal eviction moratoriums were in place during parts of 2020, enforcement varied by region. Rural courts sometimes processed eviction cases differently due to administrative constraints, legal interpretation differences, or landlord compliance levels.
As a result, policy protections did not always translate into equal outcomes across counties.
Methodology Behind the Idaho Policy Institute Eviction Data
The Idaho Policy Institute uses a rigorous research methodology to track eviction trends across the state.
Primary Data Source
The institute obtains eviction data directly from the Idaho Supreme Court’s court record system, which includes:
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Eviction filings
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Court judgments
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Case outcomes
Each record is analyzed to determine whether the filing resulted in a formal eviction order.
Calculation of Formal Eviction Rates
The formal eviction rate is calculated using the following formula:
Formal Evictions ÷ Total Renter Households
The number of renter households is typically estimated using U.S. Census Bureau data and the American Community Survey (ACS).
Interactive Data Tools
To make eviction data accessible, IPI has developed interactive maps and public dashboards that allow users to examine eviction patterns across counties.
These tools help policymakers identify regional disparities in housing stability, which can inform future policy decisions.
Implications and Future Housing Trends
The 2020 eviction data for Shoshone County highlights the broader issue of housing insecurity in rural America. Even during a year when eviction protections were widely implemented, certain communities still faced relatively high eviction rates.
Several long-term implications emerge from this data.
Need for Rural Housing Policy
Rural counties often receive less attention in housing policy debates, yet they face unique challenges such as:
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Limited rental housing
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Lower wages
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Fewer tenant assistance programs
Addressing these issues may require targeted housing policies and rural development initiatives.
Expansion of Rental Assistance Programs
During the pandemic, programs such as Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) helped reduce eviction rates. Expanding similar programs could help stabilize households during economic disruptions.
Post-2020 Eviction Trends
In later years, statewide eviction patterns have fluctuated. Some reports indicate a 5.7% decrease in certain eviction indicators by 2025, though filing levels remain relatively high in parts of Idaho.
As housing costs continue rising across the United States, eviction research from organizations like the Idaho Policy Institute will remain essential for understanding and addressing housing instability.
Conclusion
The Idaho Policy Institute’s 2020 eviction study provides an important look at housing stability during one of the most disruptive economic periods in recent history. In Shoshone County, the 1.10% formal eviction rate—nearly double the statewide average—illustrates the challenges faced by rural communities with limited housing options and vulnerable economies.
Although pandemic policies temporarily reduced eviction activity across the United States, the data shows that structural housing issues remain deeply rooted in many regions. By analyzing eviction trends through detailed research and court data, organizations like the Idaho Policy Institute help policymakers and communities develop strategies to promote housing security and economic resilience.
FAQs
1. What was the formal eviction rate in Shoshone County in 2020?
The formal eviction rate was approximately 1.10%, meaning about 1 in 90 renter households experienced a court-ordered eviction.
2. How many formal evictions occurred in Shoshone County in 2020?
The Idaho Policy Institute estimated around 18 formal evictions among roughly 1,642 renter households.
3. Why were eviction rates higher in some rural counties?
Factors include economic instability, limited rental housing supply, and inconsistent policy enforcement during the pandemic.
4. What data sources does the Idaho Policy Institute use?
IPI analyzes official eviction records from the Idaho Supreme Court combined with U.S. Census and American Community Survey housing data.
5. Did COVID-19 affect eviction rates in Idaho?
Yes. Evictions decreased statewide in 2020 by about 30% due to moratoriums, court closures, and financial aid programs, though some rural counties still faced elevated rates.
