Latah County, established in 1888, is home to Moscow, a lively university town and the seat of the University of Idaho. The county’s name derives from a Nez Perce word meaning “the place of pine trees and fish.” Located along the Washington border, Latah is both intellectual and agricultural in nature. Moscow gives the area a distinct college-town energy — with coffee shops, arts venues, and cultural diversity uncommon in rural Idaho. The economy relies on education, small business, and agriculture (particularly wheat, lentils, and barley). Housing in Latah County includes craftsman-style homes near downtown Moscow, modern townhomes, and rural farmhouses scattered through the rolling Palouse Hills. The county’s landscape is a patchwork of golden wheat fields and forested valleys. Existing-home prices average US $420 K–$480 K in Moscow, while rural areas like Troy and Genesee offer options around US $350 K–$400 K. New construction near the city runs US $450 K–$600 K. The area is about 85 miles from Spokane, offering a quiet lifestyle with urban culture and education nearby.