Boise Area Information
About | History | Facts | Economy | Neighborhoods & Housing | Climate | Schools | Shopping | Outdoor Activities | Sports | ArtsAbout Boise
Boise is at the center of Idaho's Treasure Valley. For a variety of reasons, including low cost of doing business, a central location and a high quality of life, Boise has become home to many large businesses and corporate headquarters. Some examples include Hewlett-Packard, Boise Cascade, Albertson’s and Micron Technology. These ample employment opportunities only add to the appeal of Boise living. Boise has been widely recognized for many aspects of its excellent lifestyle, as well as for its pro-business atmosphere. Fortune Magazine rated Boise as Number 1 on its 2005 list of Best Places for Business And Careers. The selection process was based on income and job growth, cost of labor, qualification of the labor pool, and lifestyle-oriented parameters such as housing costs and crime rates. Other awards to the city include the Second Best City in America to do Business, by Inc. Magazine in 2005; Number 5 city of its size in the nation for favorable cost-of-doing-business, by KPMG in 2004; Number 13 Best Overall City, by National Policy Research Council's Gold Guide in 2004; Idaho's Sportstown USA, by Sports Illustrated in 2004; Oasis for Retirees, by the Wall Street Journal in 2004; and Number 1 Biking Town, by Bike Magazine in 2003. Although Boise is a thriving hub of economic activity, it retains the qualities that have long attracted new residents to the region: strong senses of culture and history, stunning natural landscapes and an open, family-friendly atmosphere. Cultural open mindedness is the way of life in Boise. The city has long been a destination for Basques, who began moving here in the late-1930s. Boise is believed to be the large concentration of Basques outside Western Pyrenees Mountains of Spain. Every five years, Boise hosts a popular Basque festival, called Jaialdi. As well, the colorful Basque section of the city complements the traditional American history evident throughout the city
Boise History
Natives have lived along the shores of the Boise River for tens of thousands of years, sustaining life in the dry valley climate. Europeans appeared in the area with the Lewis and Clark Expedition and with French-Canadian fur trappers. The Oregon Trail passed right through today's Boise, bringing with it farmers, miners and entrepreneurs. Basque sheep farmers found the climate here suited them, and Boise today is home to the largest Basque population in the United States. The original Fort Boise, operated by the Hudson Bay Company and established by British fur traders in 1834, was situated about 40 miles downriver from the present-day city. Frequent raids by Indians caused the fort to be abandoned in 1854. In 1862, gold was discovered in the Boise Basin, and miners flocked to the area in hopes of riches. The fort was rebuilt in 1863 in what is present-day Boise. The protection of the military combined with the location close to the crossroads of the Oregon Trail and the routes to mines gave Boise a prosperous start. Shop owners, farmers and others settled in the lush river valley, hoping to cash in on the mining industry. While the miners did their business in the mountains, entrepreneurs began settling in Boise, building houses and businesses. Boise became the capital of Idaho Territory in 1864 and remained the capital when Idaho joined the union in 1890. Today the state capital is a pivotal landmark in downtown Boise.
Boise Facts
Location: Boise is located in
southwest Idaho, 350 miles northwest of Salt Lake
City and 335 miles northeast of Reno
Elevation: 2,842 feet above sea
level
*Total Area: 63.48 square
miles
*Population: 185,787; about
450,000 in the metro area
*Housing Units: 77,850
Average annual rainfall: 12.1
inches
Average temperatures: 90ºF in
summer, 36ºF in winter
*Information provided by 2000 Census
Employment
Micron Inc. is the valley's largest employer. The high-tech giant draws a well-educated work force to the area, which in turn provides highly educated employees for other large employers in the area, including Albertsons, a national grocery store chain based in Boise; Hewlett Packard, which has a large division headquartered here; Boise Cascade, which recently reorganized as Office Max; Simplot Companies; and many others. As the state capital, Boise puts many residents to work for state agencies, along with the assorted legal eagles and other tangential professions. Other large employers include two regional hospitals and the school district. All in all, the job market is strong, and unemployment is low. This situation has been stable compared to the national economy for a couple of decades.
Neighborhoods & Housing
The Boise real estate market offers a huge amount of choice for prospective homebuyers. Although Boise is an historic city, much of the residential development occurred between 1970 and 2000. Even today, new homes are still being built. Prices for detached, single-family homes range from the low-$100,000s up to about $2 million. At the top end of this range, buyers will find expansive and modern hillside homes, possibly with acreage. Waterfront and water view properties are available in several subdivisions, including Wolfcreek River, Riverside Village and Lakeland Village. Boise's midrange homes generally have at least four bedrooms and 2,500 square feet or more of living space. For families and individuals just starting out, there is also a large selection of starter homes available. Boise's condominium/townhouse market is smaller than that of single-family homes, but quality options are still available. Prices for these units range from $100,000 up to about $700,000. Whatever your price range and lifestyle, one of Boise's diverse neighborhoods will suit you.
Climate
Boise's climate is generally mild. Situated on the edge of a high desert and the foothills into Idaho's spectacular mountains, Boise has a blend of desert and mountain climate. Summers in Boise can be very hot, with temperatures in July and August frequently reaching over 100 degrees. But the air is dry, not humid, so the temps are bearable. Wintertime temperatures hover around 30-40 degrees. Snowfall is scanty, but sometimes the city will spend a few days covered in a soothing white blanket. Fall and spring can be warm and sunny, windy, rainy and cold, or all of the above rotating throughout the seasons. Minutes from town in any direction takes you into another microclimate. Go north into the mountains, and you'll find cool summer temperatures and even colder winter temperatures with plenty of snow for skiing and other winter sports. Go south, and you'll find hotter desert in the summer and cool desert camping in the winter
Schools
Public education in Boise is provided by Boise Independent District and Meridian Joint School District. Boise Independent School District manages 55 campuses and serves greater than 26,000 students. With roughly 1,490 classroom teachers, the district maintains a student-to-teacher ratio of 17.6. Meridian Joint School District serves the communities of Boise, Meridian, Eagle and Star. The district has a total of 37 campuses, 14 of which are in Boise. These include 11 elementary schools, two middle schools and Centennial High School. Meridian's total enrollment is about 26,000 and the student-to-teacher ratio is 19.9. Prospective college students who wish to stay in the area may choose from Boise State University of the local ITT Technical Institute campus. Boise State is the biggest university in the state, with roughly 18,000 students. The institution offers programs in more than 190 different fields of study, ranging from technical programs to undergraduate degrees to postgraduate programs. ITT Technical Institute is one of the country's largest private, technology-focused college systems. The Boise campus provides programs within the college's School of Information Technology, School of Electronics Technology, School of Drafting and Design, School of Business and School of criminal justice.
Shopping
Four main retail areas provide for all the needs of Boise shoppers. Downtown features boutique shopping in a charming atmosphere; the historic buildings downtown are the perfect destination for an afternoon of relaxed shopping and entertainment. Art galleries feature works by local artists, many of which focus on particular aspects of Boise's history and/or culture. Special downtown events, often with live music, keep things lively for shoppers. Boise Towne Square Mall is a more traditional shopping center, with more than 200 stores and eateries. The Towne Square is approximately 1.5 miles from downtown. Northeast of downtown is the Boise Factory Outlets, where locals and visitors head in search of brand name bargains. Lastly, the Hyde Park Historic District is home to a selection of antique shops and funky vintage stores.
Outdoor Activities
Boise has several world-class attractions that cater to nature enthusiasts. The World Center for Birds of Prey, for example, is the world headquarters for the Peregrine Fund. The Peregrine Fund uses the center primarily to breed birds of prey for release into the wild. Research and education are also core parts of the center's mission. Visitors are invited to visit the Velma Morrison Interpretive Center to learn more about raptors and their environmental needs. The Boise River runs through downtown, breaking up the hustle and bustle with its scenic banks. Running along the river's shoreline is the Boise River Greenbelt, a system of paths that links city parks. The Greenbelt is often busy with people biking, inline skating, jogging or walking. Several sites in the Boise River Greenbelt area provide a broader view of Boise wildlife. These include Zoo Boise, Morrison-Knudsen Nature Center, Idaho Botanical Gardens and three large city parks.Zoo Boise is home to about 175 different animals, including tigers, leopards, deer, camels and zebra. Surprisingly convenient to reach, the 10-acre site is a great venue choice for a family fun day. Nearby, t?e Morrison-Knudsen Center features under-water viewing windows, through which visitors can watch several species of fish in their natural habitats. The center's Stream Walk has nearly 20 noted spots of interest, where one can see everything from muskrat to lava rocks. For those who appreciate the vibrancy and color of cultivated gardens, the Idaho Botanical Garden will surely be a favorite retreat. The 50-acre site is located on the farm and nursery grounds of the now-closed Idaho State Penitentiary. (The penitentiary closed in 1973.) The Garden features 13 themed specialty gardens, including the Historic Iris Garden, Herb Garden and the Contemporary English Garden. The three large city parks, which anchor the Greenbelt, are Kathryn Albertson Park, Ann Morrison Park and Julia Davis Park. Kathryn Albertson Park is an undeveloped wetland habitat, used primarily for its walking trails. The thick plant life and scenic ponds make for an intensely beautiful atmosphere and two gazebos on the site provide scenic resting spots. The park is named after the wife of Joe Albertson, founder of Albertson’s, Inc. In contrast to the lush serenity of Kathryn Albertson Park, Ann Morrison Park is often busy with softball, soccer or football games, pick-up tennis matches and children stretching their imaginations on the Candy Cane playground. This park is 145 acres in size and is located conveniently close to downtown Boise. Ann Morrison was the wife of Harry Morrison, founder of the Morrison-Knudsen Company. Julia Davis Park is a memorial to the woman of the same name who would generously offer her kindness and support to Oregon Trail travelers passing by her town at the turn of the 20th century. Today, the park dedicated to the gracious Julia Davis houses several of Boise's renowned cultural sites, including the Idaho Black History Museum and The Cultural Network, a consortium of organizations that serves the cultural interests of Boise residents and visitors. Boise has many additional park sites and public recreation areas throughout the city. Ball fields, soccer fields and basketball courts serve the needs of youth and adult sports leagues, while playgrounds, picnic areas, pools and fishing ponds provide families with plenty of Saturday-afternoon activities. The city also manages three skate parks, a BMX dirt jump park, and several volleyball and tennis courts. If golf is your sport of choice, Boise will not disappoint. There are several options in the city, and several more within driving distance. Public courses in town include Boise Ranch Golf Course, Indian Lakes Golf Club, Shadow Valley Golf Course and Warm Springs Golf Course. Crane Creek Country Club, Hillcrest Country Club and Plantation Golf Club are Boise's private facilities. Additional courses are located in Eagle, Nampa, Payette and Meridian. Just outside of Boise there are a multitude of recreation areas, serving nearly every outdoor interest imaginable. Ski resorts, equestrian communities, campgrounds, white water rafting runs, kayaking sites, snowmobile trails, hunting and fishing sites and more can be found within an hour's drive of the city. Bogus Basin, for example, a popular ski resort, is only about 16 miles outside Boise. Equestrian groups of all disciplines, including hunters, dressage and western, are popular in the region, particularly in the community of Eagle. For hikers and climbers, the Rocky Mountain foothills feature many rock climbing areas, including Tablerock and the cliffs near Lucky Peak Dam. Nearby, backpackers and explorers frequent the Sawtooth Mountains. For a more structured retreat, Boise locals often head to the mountains for a stay at one of several dude ranches. Some of these are working cattle ranches; others may offer hunting trips as well as horseback riding, fishing and hiking.
Sports
Boise is also a hub of competitive sporting activity, meaning there is always a team to cheer for in the local sports pub. Boise State University has an active sports program, featuring football, basketball, tennis and soccer. Boise Hawks Baseball, Idaho Stampede Basketball and Idaho Steelheads hockey provide plenty of local professional sports action. Auto racing is available at Firebird Speedway in Eagle and Meridian Motor Speedway. Rounding out the selection of sporting activities is Boise's own Les Bois Horse Racing Park.
Arts
Boise has a very active arts community that provides a diverse range of exhibits and performances sure to suit almost any taste. Ballet Idaho, Boise Baroque, Boise Little Theater, Boise Philharmonic and Opera Idaho are just a few of the organizations that serve Boise's artistic tastes. Ballet Idaho performs between September and March at the Esther Simplot Performing Arts Academy; the organization also manages educational programs and activities. Boise Baroque is an orchestral group of highly trained musicians that performs in the baroque tradition four times a year. Boise Baroque concerts are held at the Caldwell Performance Hall and Boise Performance Hall. The city is home to several theater groups with active performance schedules. One of the best known is the Boise Little Theater. This organization has been entertaining local audiences with comedies, dramas and musicals since 1948. The current theater house opened in 1957 and is also a city landmark. The Boise Philharmonic performs to sell-out crowds at the Morrison Center for the Performing Arts. The Morrison Center is located on the campus of Boise State University, and also hosts mainstream musical performers, choirs, symphonies and ballets. Opera Idaho manages year-round musical events, from the outdoor summer programs at the Idaho Botanical Garden to Christmas performances at The Egyptian Theatre in downtown Boise
