Boise

Welcome to Boise

A lively and thriving city in southwest Idaho

Perched on the Boise River, Boise is the most populous metropolitan area in the state as well as its capital. Both a bustling metro and famous for its green spaces, Boise is the ideal location for those who crave the buzz of city life without the sacrifice of fresh air and natural landscapes.

As Idaho’s earliest settlers were traversing the desert in the Pacific West, they were overjoyed to come across the “City of Trees,” a nickname they quickly bestowed upon this jewel of Treasure Valley. The city then grew into an essential stop on the Oregon Trail until the late 1800s, when Idaho was given statehood.

Today, Boise is dotted with ranch-style houses as well as Craftsman, Colonial, and Tudor-style houses that create a neighborhood feel throughout the dense suburban area. Boasting a low cost of living in addition to the allure of a major city, it’s no wonder Boise was named the number one place to live in the United States for millennials in 2019.

What to Love

Game nights watching the Boise State Broncos football team
The Boise Greenbelt, which offers 25 miles of park
8th Street, which contains a pedestrian zone of cafes and restaurants

People and Lifestyle

Boise is the perfect blend of city charm and timeless storefronts. This vibrant feel is evident in the cultural center of downtown, where one can stroll down Main Street surrounded by historic masonry buildings in the Renaissance revival style that frame the Boise Capitol Building. Mid rises dot the expanding downtown, feeding into that lively atmosphere.

Three of every four people who move to Idaho are below the age of 50. Because Boise is both urban and suburban, its residents hail from a range of backgrounds, though a significant portion of recent transplants come from California, chasing a more affordable but still exciting lifestyle for their professional careers.

Dining, Shopping, and Entertainment

Between the young population and Boise being a college town, it makes sense that the downtown and other areas are flourishing with trendy cafes, dining establishments, and unique eateries.

Take a stroll around the downtown neighborhoods to come across a plethora of shops, such as City Center Wines, a boutique shop that takes advantage of Boise’s proximity to Idaho’s wine country. Or utilize the city’s bike-friendly layout and cycle over to Banana Ink, a clothing store that caters to Idaho enthusiasts and makes everyone, native or not, feel at home.

After fulfilling all your shopping needs, head to one of the numerous dining options where you can replenish your energy. Try out the Barbacoa Grill, a themed restaurant that boasts not only incredible food but an art gallery and a museum as well. Or enjoy the mild weather on a walk over to Boise Fry Company, which prepares the staple burgers and fries in natural, organic, and delicious ways.

Things to Do

Boise’s unique blend of a college town, historic city, and booming population means there’s never a shortage of things to do.

Take a short drive from downtown to Boise Spectrum, a complex that houses Idaho’s biggest movie theater, only IMAX screen, and myriad sports bars, shops, and restaurants. Once that whets your appetite, head on over to Boise Towne Square, which is home to many of the world’s favorite brands.

The city is also home to many popular events and festivals. Snag a breath of fresh air at the Boise Farmers Market. And if that’s not enough time spent outdoors, try Lucky Peak State Park, which hosts biking, fishing, swimming, boating, biking, and more. Table Rock trail features gorgeous wildflowers native to Idaho. Be sure not to miss the Idaho Shakespeare Festival, a show-stopping summer-long celebration of the performing arts.

Schools

Boise is home to excellent schools. Top educational opportunities include:

Boise State University, which contains the largest graduate school in the state
Boise High School, the number one public high school in Idaho
Rolling Hills Public Charter School
Capital High School

Overview for Boise, ID

231,537 people live in Boise, where the median age is 37.7 and the average individual income is $40,056. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau.

231,537

Total Population

37.7 years

Median Age

High

Population Density Population Density This is the number of people per square mile in a neighborhood.

$40,056

Average individual Income

Around Boise, ID

There's plenty to do around Boise, including shopping, dining, nightlife, parks, and more. Data provided by Walk Score and Yelp.

66

Somewhat Walkable

Walking Score

91

Biker's Paradise

Bike Score

26

Some Transit

Transit Score

Points of Interest

Explore popular things to do in the area, including Scotty's Hot Dogs, Par Terre Winery, and Manna’s Donuts.

Name	Category	Distance	Reviews	Ratings by Yelp
Visit the Scotty's Hot Dogs page on Yelp	Dining · $	2.3 miles	22 reviews	5/5 stars
Visit the Par Terre Winery page on Yelp Search 4338 W Chinden Blvd on Google Maps	Dining	2.51 miles	8 reviews	5/5 stars
Visit the Manna’s Donuts page on Yelp Search 1630 S Broadway Ave on Google Maps	Dining	2.02 miles	7 reviews	5/5 stars
Visit the MJ's Italian Ice & Custard Cafe page on Yelp Search 4103 W State St on Google Maps	Dining · $	2.97 miles	27 reviews	5/5 stars
Visit the Los Reyes De La Torta page on Yelp Search 6125 W Fairview Ave on Google Maps	Dining	1.83 miles	9 reviews	5/5 stars
Visit the Torrid page on Yelp Search 350 N Milwaukee on Google Maps	Shopping	2.33 miles	6 reviews	5/5 stars
Visit the Krav Maga Experts Boise page on Yelp Search 6431 W Ustick Rd on Google Maps	Active	2.74 miles	6 reviews	5/5 stars
Visit the Zen Riot Studio page on Yelp Search 5333 Franklin Rd on Google Maps	Active	0.81 miles	12 reviews	5/5 stars
Visit the Gracie Barra Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Boise page on Yelp Search 5681 N Glenwood St on Google Maps	Active	4.57 miles	6 reviews	5/5 stars
Visit the RAGERS Smash N Axe page on Yelp Search 8085 W Fairview Ave on Google Maps	Active	2.85 miles	15 reviews	5/5 stars
Visit the Volition Fitness page on Yelp Search 5669 N Glenwood St on Google Maps	Active	4.56 miles	11 reviews	5/5 stars
Visit the Yoga Therapy of Boise page on Yelp Search 9474 Fairview Ave on Google Maps	Active	3.7 miles	8 reviews	5/5 stars
Visit the Boise River Outdoor Opportunities page on Yelp Search 7661 W Riverside Dr on Google Maps	Active	4.89 miles	6 reviews	5/5 stars
Visit the The Vincent Salon page on Yelp Search 2100 State St on Google Maps	Beauty	1.99 miles	5 reviews	5/5 stars
Visit the Hair 598 page on Yelp Search 598 E Boise Ave on Google Maps	Beauty	3.14 miles	5 reviews	5/5 stars
Visit the D Squared Bodywork page on Yelp Search 2300 S Orchard St on Google Maps	Beauty	1.44 miles	6 reviews	5/5 stars
Visit the The Massage Mechanic Boise page on Yelp	Beauty	4.77 miles	5 reviews	5/5 stars
Visit the Inkvision page on Yelp Search 516 Americana on Google Maps	Beauty	1.45 miles	7 reviews	5/5 stars
Visit the Soul Ease page on Yelp Search 1500 N 28th St on Google Maps	Beauty	2.34 miles	7 reviews	5/5 stars
Visit the State Street Barber page on Yelp Search 3115 W State St on Google Maps	Beauty	2.3 miles	5 reviews	5/5 stars
Visit the Nails By Lori - Wispers Hair Nails and Barbery page on Yelp Search 3347 N Five Mile Rd on Google Maps	Beauty	4.85 miles	9 reviews	5/5 stars
Visit the Ink Slaves Tattoo page on Yelp Search 1020 W Main St on Google Maps	Beauty	1.72 miles	12 reviews	5/5 stars

Demographics and Employment Data for Boise, ID

Population Households Employment

Boise has 96,395 households, with an average household size of 2.37. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau. Here’s what the people living in Boise do for work — and how long it takes them to get there. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau. 231,537 people call Boise home. The population density is 2,754.42 and the largest age group is Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau.

231,537

Total Population

High

Population Density Population Density This is the number of people per square mile in a neighborhood.

37.7

Median Age

50.39 / 49.61%

Men vs Women

Population by Age Group

0-9:

0-9 Years

10-17:

10-17 Years

18-24:

18-24 Years

25-64:

25-64 Years

65-74:

65-74 Years

75+:

75+ Years

Education Level

Less Than 9th Grade
High School Degree
Associate Degree
Bachelor Degree
Graduate Degree

96,395

Total Households

2.37

Average Household Size

$40,056

Average individual Income

Households with Children

With Children:

Without Children:

Marital Status

Married

Single

Divorced

Separated

Blue vs White Collar Workers

Blue Collar:

White Collar:

Commute Time

0 to 14 Minutes

15 to 29 Minutes

30 to 59 Minutes

60+ Minutes

Schools in Boise, ID

All ()

Primary Schools ()

Middle Schools ()

High Schools ()

Mixed Schools ()

The following schools are within or nearby Boise. The rating and statistics can serve as a starting point to make baseline comparisons on the right schools for your family. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau.

Type

Name