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Boise, ID

Boise City, ID

Boise is the capital and most populous city in the U.S. state of Idaho and is the county seat of Ada County. As of the 2020 census, there were 235,684 people residing in the city. On the Boise River in southwestern Idaho, it is 41 miles (66 km) east of the Oregon border and 110 miles (177 km) north of the Nevada border. The downtown area's elevation is 2,704 feet (824 m) above sea level.

The Boise metropolitan area, also known as the Treasure Valley, includes five counties with a combined population of 749,202, the most populous metropolitan area in Idaho. It contains the state's three largest cities: Boise, Nampa, and Meridian. The Boise–Nampa Metropolitan Statistical Area is the 77th most populous metropolitan statistical area in the United States.

Downtown Boise is the cultural center and home to many small businesses alongside a number of high-rise buildings. The area has a variety of shops and restaurants. Centrally, 8th Street contains a pedestrian zone with sidewalk cafes and restaurants. The neighborhood has many local restaurants, bars, and boutiques. The area also contains the Basque Block, which showcases Boise's Basque heritage. Downtown Boise's main attractions include the Idaho State Capitol, the classic Egyptian Theatre on the corner of Capitol Boulevard and Main Street, the Boise Art Museum on Capitol in front of Julia Davis Park, and Zoo Boise on the grounds of Julia Davis Park.

The origin of the name is uncertain. One account credits Capt. B. L. E. Bonneville of the U.S. Army as its source. After trekking for weeks through dry and rough terrain, his exploration party reached an overlook with a view of the Boise River Valley. The place where they stood is called Bonneville Point, located on the Oregon Trail east of the city. According to the story, a French-speaking guide, overwhelmed by the sight of the verdant river, yelled "Les bois! Les bois!" ("The woods! The woods!")—and the name stuck.

The name may also derive from earlier mountain men who named the river that flows through the city. In the 1820s, French Canadian fur trappers associated with the British-owned Hudson's Bay Company set trap lines in the vicinity. Set in a high-desert area, the tree-lined valley of the Boise River became a distinct landmark, an oasis dominated by cottonwood trees. This led the French trappers to call the area "la rivière boisée" ("the wooded river").

The area of Boise valley was inhabited by Boise Valley Shoshone and Bannock tribes, a part of the "Snake Country". According to the City of Boise's "History of Boise" report, "they gathered annually in the valley to participate in trading rendezvous with other tribes and catch salmon in the Boise River runs to help sustain them year-round. They spent winters in the valley where the climate was milder and visited the hot springs for bathing and healing. Castle Rock, called Eagle Rock by the tribes, was and remains a sacred site."

Territorial census records from a special 1864 enumeration list the population of Boise as 1,658, and an act of December 12, 1864, was the first attempt by the Idaho Territorial Legislature to incorporate the city. This was rejected by voters the following March. Two more unsuccessful attempts were made to organize a city administration by election before the 1866 version of the city charter was approved by voters on January 6, 1868. The growing number of homes and businesses, for which owners wanted proper legal title, may have contributed to the eventual success of incorporation. All of these rejected efforts to incorporate the city came after Boise had been controversially made the state capital in 1864 over strong opposition from northern Idaho interests.

Boise began to earn its City of Trees nickname in this period with a popular focus on a range of tree planting projects. Thomas J. Davis planted several thousand fruit trees in 1864 and several other early businessmen either founded nurseries or orchards of their own. In the 1870s tree planting began in earnest in downtown Boise led by prominent hotels as well as businessmen and residents. 

Boise is in southwestern Idaho, about 41 miles (66 km) east of the Oregon border and 110 miles (177 km) north of the Nevada border. The downtown area's elevation is 2,704 feet (824 m) above sea level.

Most of the metropolitan area lies on a broad, flat plain, descending to the west. Mountains rise to the northeast, stretching from the far southeastern tip of the Boise city limits to nearby Eagle. These mountains are known to locals as the Boise foothills and are sometimes described as the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. About 34 miles (55 km) southwest of Boise, and about 26 miles (42 km) southwest of Nampa, the Owyhee Mountains lie entirely in neighboring Owyhee County.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has an area of 80.05 square miles (207.33 km²), of which 79.36 square miles (205.54 km²) is land and 0.69 square miles (1.79 km²) is water. The city is drained by the Boise River and is considered part of the Treasure Valley.

Health and wellness are integral to Boise's lifestyle. St. Luke's Boise Medical Center, a leading healthcare institution, ensures access to top-notch medical services. Explore the parks, facilities, and programs the Boise City Parks and Recreation Department offers. These spaces provide opportunities for outdoor activities such as walking, jogging, sports, and picnicking. Join local fitness centers and gyms to participate in exercise programs, fitness classes, and strength training. Some popular options include Jack City Fitness, Kvell Fitness and Idaho Fitness Factory. Discover the walking and biking trails in and around Boise City, such as the Table Rock Trail and Cervidae Peak. These trails offer opportunities for outdoor exercise and enjoyment of nature.

Top sites in Boise City, ID are Old Idaho Penitentiary Site, Idaho Botanical Garden, Boise Art Museum, and Julia Davis Park.

Population: 235,421 (2023). ZIP codes: 83701-83709, 83711-83717, 83719-83720, 83722, 83724-83726, 83728-83729, 83732, 83735, 83756, 83799. Area code(s): 208. Elevation: 2,730 feet (832 m). Area: 85.00 sq mi (219.45 km²).

FAQs

Is Boise, ID a good place to live?

Boise is in Ada County and is one of the best places to live in Idaho. Living in Boise offers residents a dense suburban feel and most residents own their homes. In Boise there are a lot of coffee shops and parks. Many families and young professionals live in Boise and residents tend to lean conservative. 

Is Boise, ID expensive to live in?

Boise, Idaho's cost of living is 8% higher than the national average. Boise's housing expenses are 26% higher than the national average and the utility prices are 20% lower than the national average. Transportation expenses like bus fares and gas prices are 14% higher than the national average.

What is Boise, ID best known for?

Boise is also known as the City of Trees, the home of the famous Boise State Broncos football team, and it’s stately capitol building. But these are just a few of the things that set Boise apart from other cities. From its thriving art scene and unique local cuisine to its friendly community and access to nature, you’ll quickly discover countless more reasons why Boise is such a desirable place to live.

Sources

Wikipedia

City of Boise

St. Luke's Boise Medical Center

Boise City Parks and Recreation Department

Jack City Fitness

Kvell Fitness 

Idaho Fitness Factory

Table Rock Trail 

Cervidae Peak

Old Idaho Penitentiary Site

Idaho Botanical Garden

Boise Art Museum

Julia Davis Park

Niche

Payscale

Redfin

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