[4] It is the principal city of the Mountain Home Micropolitan Statistical Area, which includes Elmore County.

Mountain Home was originally a post office at Rattlesnake Station, a stagecoach stop on the Overland Stage Line, about seven miles (11 km) east of the city, on present-day US-20 towards Fairfield.

With the addition of the Oregon Short Line Railroad in 1883, the post office was moved downhill and west to the city's present site.

Opened in 1943 during World War II, it was originally a bomber training base and later an operational Strategic Air Command bomber and missile base (1953–65).

[7] About 8 mi (13 km) to the northwest are the Crater Rings, a National Natural Landmark.

Mountain Home experiences a semi-arid climate (Köppen BSk) with short, cold winters and hot, dry summers.

33.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

27.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

26.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.