City Town Info

Boise, ID


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Boise, Idaho

Introduction to Boise

Boise, Idaho, the state capital, is the largest city in Idaho and the center of commerce and politics for the state. It is located in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, and residents enjoy many outdoor activities from skiing to boating. The terrain surrounding the city is very mixed and includes desert, rivers, mountains, and lakes. Boise State University is found in the city and has over 15,000 students. Boise has a population of around 185,000 and the downtown area is at an elevation of 2704 feet. There are a number of large corporations that call Boise home, including Albertsons, Micron Technology, and Hewlett-Packard.

Boise Culture

Boise is known as the regional hub for music and performing arts. Jazz is big here, with the Gene Harris Jazz Festival happening every spring. A range of museums provide something for every art lover and history buff, including the Boise Art Museum, Idaho Historical Museum, Basque Museum and Cultural Center, and the Discovery Center of Idaho. Theater is also popular in Boise with a number of theater groups working in the city, including the Idaho Shakespeare Festival, Boise Little Theatre, and the Boise Contemporary Theatre. Boise is also home to a large Basque population, numbering 15,000, that adds to the city’s cultural diversity. Every five years, the community holds a large Basque festival called Jaialdi.

Boise Sports and Leisure

Boise has a substantial sports scene that includes the minor league baseball short-season Class A team the Boise Hawks. The Idaho Steelheads play for the ECHL, and the Idaho Stampede compete in the Continental Basketball Association. College sports can be seen at Boise State University. Bronco Stadium is a 30,000-seat football facility featuring a blue AstroPlay field. Taco Bell Arena has 12,000 seats and is home to basketball games, and the MPC Computers Bowl football game is held annually. Bosie City Parks have a wide range of leisure activities available to the public, including bowling, football, golf, swimming, and tennis.

Boise Outdoors

The Boise area features a wide range of outdoor activities, such as hiking and biking just north of the downtown area. The city has an urban trail system known as the Boise River Greenbelt, and the Boise River also serves as a recreational venue for fishing, swimming, and rafting. For those after some winter outdoor fun, Bogus Basin Mountain Resort offers cross-country and downhill skiing, snowboarding, and tubing – and it is just 16 miles from the city. There are a number of motorized and non-motorized biking trails surrounding the city. Rafting and river tours are available on the Boise River. There are a number of guest ranches offering ranch experience getaways including horseback riding. Hunting and fishing are popular activities in the mountains and foothills near Boise.

Boise at Night

When the sun goes down in Boise, there is quite a variety of activities to provide entertainment and enjoyment to just about anyone. Dining out in Boise features a host of high-quality restaurants, such as four-star fine dining restaurants, ethnic eateries, trendy coffeehouses, or casual steak and potato diners. In the summer, Boise has a number of restaurants and cafes that feature outdoor patio or balcony dining. The restaurants in Boise are known for offering both quality food and affordable prices. For those interested in the bar and club scene, Boise also delivers with places like The Big Easy, a concert house that also has a bar and dance floor.

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High Points

Boise strengths, compared to Peers (similar size places nationally) or State (other places in Idaho):

CategoryTrophy
Well-Paid Single Women
(vs. State)
Top 3%trophyBoise Well-Paid Single Women
Median Family Income
(vs. State)
Top 5%trophyBoise Median Family Income
Well-Paid Single Men
(vs. State)
Top 5%trophyBoise Well-Paid Single Men
College Educated Adults
(vs. State)
Top 5%trophyBoise College Educated Adults
Short Commute Times
(vs. Peers)
Top 5%trophyBoise Short Commute Times
People in Middle Class or Better
(vs. State)
Top 8%Boise People in Middle Class or Better
Low Rate of Poverty
(vs. Peers)
Top 12%Boise Low Rate of Poverty
Low Violent Crime
(vs. Peers)
Top 16%Boise Low Violent Crime
Walking and Biking to Work
(vs. Peers)
Top 17%Boise Walking and Biking to Work
Public Transportation Use
(vs. State)
Top 18%Boise Public Transportation Use

Comparative Profile of Boise, ID

Comparing Boise to similar size places nationwide (Peers) and to other places in Idaho (State):

Ratings range from 1 (lowest) to 10 (highest).


The People

CharacteristicCompared
to Peers
Compared
to State
Male Share of the Population77
Well-Paid Single Men710
Well-Paid Single Women710
Age of the Population55
Children Under 5 Years Old54
Senior Citizens43
Female Share of the Population45
Racial Diversity19

Families

CharacteristicCompared
to Peers
Compared
to State
Portion of People Married72
Average Household Size43

Wealth

CharacteristicCompared
to Peers
Compared
to State
People Above Poverty99
People in Middle Class or Better910
College Educated Adults910
Median Family Income810

Commute & Sprawl

CharacteristicCompared
to Peers
Compared
to State
Short Commute Times107
Working at Home107
Walking and Biking to Work99
Public Transportation Use29

Housing

CharacteristicCompared
to Peers
Compared
to State
Housing Recently Built89
Seasonal and Vacation Housing74
Affordability of Property Taxes61
Affordability of Rents61
People Living Alone48
Studio & One-Bedroom Rentals210

Crime

CharacteristicCompared
to Peers
Compared
to State
Low Violent Crime92
Low Property Crime84
Detailed pages on related topics: Colleges in Boise, Graduate Schools in Boise, Boise mortgage and property, Boise travel

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Additional Resources


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