Relocating To The Treasure Valley
The Boise area is a great place to live and raise a family.
Whether it's the vibrant cultural and recreational opportunities,
the friendly people or the mild climate, Boise and the surrounding
communities afford a quality of life second to none. Good jobs,
affordable housing and a safe, clean and vibrant downtown all add up
to a great place to live!
Population Estimates by City Limits |
| Ada County |
| Year |
Boise |
Eagle |
Garden City
|
Kuna |
Meridian |
Star |
Unincorporated |
Total |
| 2006 |
211,473 |
20,131 |
12,074 |
12,647 |
66,565 |
4,594 |
55,830 |
383,314 |
| 2005 |
208,219 |
18,428 |
11,914 |
10,587 |
56,108 |
3,028 |
53,200 |
361,484 |
| 2004 |
200,062 |
16,418 |
11,675 |
9,696 |
47,690 |
2,552 |
58,118 |
346,212 |
| 2003 |
195,931 |
14,144 |
11,589 |
8,649 |
42,481 |
2,243 |
58,772 |
333,809 |
| 2002 |
193,085 |
13,380 |
11,124 |
7,386 |
39,744 |
2,116 |
56,326 |
323,161 |
| 2000 (Census) |
185,787 |
11,085 |
10,624 |
5,382 |
34,919 |
1,795 |
51,312 |
300,904 |
| 1999 |
170,327 |
7,923 |
9,659 |
4,007 |
28,679 |
1,378 |
52,785 |
274,757 |
| 1998 |
168,258 |
7,246 |
9,087 |
3,398 |
26,421 |
1,195 |
51,381 |
266,987 |
| 1997 |
166,647 |
6,590 |
9,018 |
2,919 |
24,415 |
929 |
50,188 |
260,707 |
| 1996 |
163,493 |
6,236 |
8,769 |
2,584 |
21,873 |
802 |
49,280 |
253,037 |
| 1995 |
155,443 |
5,405 |
7,891 |
2,246 |
18,863 |
725 |
56,642 |
247,213 |
| 1994 |
148,996 |
4,669 |
7,082 |
2,065 |
16,561 |
708 |
56,977 |
237,058 |
| 1990 (Census) |
125,738 |
3,327 |
6,369 |
1,955 |
9,596 |
648 |
58,142 |
205,775 |
Housing
Homes and home prices in the Boise area are diverse. Whether your
budget and taste are geared toward restored Victorian mansions,
contemporary new construction, starter homes, condominiums or
apartment living - from welcoming neighborhoods to downtown living -
Boise has something to offer you.
The median cost of a home in Ada County in the fourth quarter of
2002 was $141,142. The median cost of a home in Canyon County during
the same period was $96,523. The average apartment rent in the Boise
area is $702.
Education
Boise area residents know the secret to success lies in
education, which is a high priority locally and statewide.
Approximately two-thirds of the state's general fund is allocated to
education.
Idaho’s students consistently place well above the national
average on ACT, SAT and other achievement tests. More than 96
percent of Idaho’s school-age children attend public schools,
demonstrating a high level of public confidence and ensuring a
demographically balanced student population.
The Boise MSA (Ada and Canyon counties) ranks among the top third
of U.S. metro areas for percentage of adults who have attained a
bachelors degree or higher.
Entertainment/Recreation
Abundant entertainment and recreation opportunities and a low
crime rate make Boise an ideal place to live and raise children.
Residents can ski, run rivers, camp, fish, hunt and enjoy many
outdoor activities within a day's drive.
The Boise River runs through downtown Boise, inviting fly
fishermen and rafters to its waters, and the scenic beauty of the
25-mile Greenbelt along the river's edge attracts those who enjoy
biking, running, walking and observing wildlife.
Parks & Recreation
The Boise area has a number of outstanding parks and facilities
with plenty of opportunity for recreational and family activities,
including golf, boating, youth athletics, softball, football and
baseball, biking, skating or just picnicking. The Boise River
Greenbelt is located on both banks of the Boise River, covering over
16 acres and providing more than 25 miles of paved and graveled
paths for walkers, bikers, skaters, joggers and runners. For those
wanting to experience the great outdoors, our mountains, deserts,
lakes and rivers offer year-round recreation.
Rich forests, punctuated by clear, high mountain lakes, stand in
contrast to the quiet beauty of high desert plains. The Boise area
abounds with recreational and scenic resources within a short trek
from downtown.
Industry
The Treasure Valley economy is strong due to a healthy mix of
business, education, healthcare, retail, manufacturing, government
and the military and professional communities - all working together
to provide stability and promise for more than 380,000 residents.
The natural resource industries are central to the well-being of the
area.
Tourism is a major growth factor of the Idaho economy. Idaho is
an exquisite state, beautiful from every angle. People come to the
area to ski, float the wild rivers, hunt, fish and camp. The newest
industry added to the mix is the high tech manufacturing that has
provided strong growth in recent years.
A regional trade and commerce center, the area draws people from
three states - eastern Oregon, northern Nevada and southern Idaho -
a combined population of over 550,000 people. The professional
community is central to Boise's identity and integrity. Some of the
area's most talented professionals were drawn here because this is a
beautiful city in a beautiful land.
The Boise Metro Area, with its stable business costs and diverse
economy has over 18,000 businesses, more than a dozen corporate
headquarters and four Fortune 500 companies.
The Boise-Nampa MSA (Ada, Boise, Canyon, Gem, and Owyhee
Counties) is centrally located, has competitive and stable business
costs, a diverse economy, a high quality of life and stunning
natural surroundings. This unique combination of factors makes the
area a place where businesses thrive.
Within the Boise MSA there are over 18,000 businesses and more
than a dozen corporate headquarters - four of which are Fortune 500
companies. The Metro Area consists of several cities and over
512,000 people. Also, the Boise MSA has strong economic ties with
adjacent counties with a Designated Market Area (DMA) totaling
603,700.
Health Care
The Boise MSA offers world-class health care to its citizens.
Saint Alphonsus and St. Luke's Regional Medical Centers, located
in Boise, maintain the latest in state-of-the-art technology,
excellent nursing and support staffs, and offer numerous health and
wellness programs to the community.
West Valley Medical Center, located in Caldwell serves many
western Idaho communities in Canyon County. Mercy Medical Center is
a 152-bed acute care facility located in Nampa, Idaho.
Worship
The Boise area is a great place to live and raise a family.
Whether it's the vibrant cultural and recreational opportunities,
the friendly people or the mild climate, Boise and the surrounding
communities afford a quality of life second to none.
Boise also offers an abundant variety of worship opportunities
for individuals and families. Boise reflects a rich cultural
heritage that is reflected in it's diverse blend of worship
meetings, ministries and services.
Here is a list of Relocation Resources From the Boise
Chamber of Commerce.
Area Relocation Resources
Idaho at a Glance
Capital:
Boise Nickname: Gem
State Bird: Mountain
Bluebird Tree: Western White
Pine Largest City: Boise Neighboring
States: Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming
Official State Website:
Official Contact Information
Idaho Division of Tourism Development 700 West State
Street, Boise, ID 83720 (208) 334-2470
Business, Civic and Community Resources:
Utilities
Transition services:
General:
|
Fiscal Year 2006 Median Family
Income |
| 2006 Median
Family Income for Boise, ID is $56,100. |
Moderate Income
Guidelines (80% of Median Income)
|
|
Family Size
|
Annual Gross
Income |
|
1 person |
$32,250 |
|
2 persons |
$36,900 |
|
3 persons |
$41,500 |
|
4 persons |
$46,100 |
|
5 persons |
$49,800 |
|
6 persons |
$53,500 |
|
7 persons |
$57,150 |
|
8 persons |
$60,850 |
|
|
| |
Low Income Guidelines
(50% of Median Income)
|
|
Family Size
|
Annual Gross
Income |
|
1 person |
$20,150 |
|
2 persons |
$23,000 |
|
3 persons |
$25,900 |
|
4 persons |
$28,800 |
|
5 persons |
$31,100 |
|
6 persons |
$33,400 |
|
7 persons |
$35,700 |
|
8 persons |
$38,000 |
|
|
| |
Very-Low Income Guidelines
(30% of Median Income)
|
|
Family Size
|
Annual Gross
Income |
|
1 person |
$12,100 |
|
2 persons |
$13,850 |
|
3 persons |
$15,550 |
|
4 persons |
$17,300 |
|
5 persons |
$18,700 |
|
6 persons |
$20,050 |
|
7 persons |
$21,450 |
|
8 persons |
$22,850 | |
Source: Community
Development Block Grant Program, Boise Planning &
Development Services Department. |
Idaho 's area code is 208
Better Business Bureau 342-4649 Boise Area Chamber of
Commerce 344-1515 Boise Visitors Center 344-7777 Boise
Municipal Airport 383-3110 Boise Senior Citizen Center
345-9921 Motor Vehicles Department 377-6520 Public
Schools 338-3400 Job Service 334-6233 Social Security
Office 800-772-1213 Welcome Wagon 331-2101 Voting
Information 364-2323 |
Newcomer's Resources
Banks & Mortgage Companies:
Bank of America 387-2080 Boise River Mortgage
327-8804 Chase Manhattan 375-7225 Farmers &
Merchants State Bank 343-7848 First Security Bank of Idaho
393-1200 Home Federal Savings & Loan
342-1557 Interwest Mortgage 376-5030 Key Bank of Idaho
334-7212 Norwest Mortgage 377-5626 US Bank
800-872-2657 |
Movers:
Air Van North American 345-3030 Atlas Van Lines
376-8990 Bekins Northwest 344-5506 Compton Transfer
& Storage 331-3800 Global Van Lines 344-1100
Mayflower 336-5300 United Van Lines 336-7000
Peasley Transfer & Storage
375-0961 | |