Quick Facts

Growing Population

• Comprised of the following communities: Boise, Meridian, Nampa, Eagle, Star, Emmett, Garden City, Caldwell and Mountain Home
• Total population within a 45-minute draw area: 632,000--32 percent growth since 2000
• Idaho is among the top five fastest growing states in the nation (National Census Bureau)

Low Costs for Business and Living

• The overall cost of doing business is nearly a third lower than California and Washington
• The cost of living is 96 percent of the national average
• The average cost of a home is approximately $155,000 in Ada County and $79,000 in Canyon County (compared to a national average of $226,000)
• No tax on services

Trained and Productive Workforce

• Workforce within a 45-minute draw area: 330,000
• Average age: 33.1 years
• More patents are generated per capita in the Boise Valley than any other region in the country
• Of the Boise Valley’s 280,000-person workforce, nearly 110,000 are degreed workers

High Quality of Life

• The Boise-Nampa area is ranked as one of the most secure large metropolitan areas in the U.S. out of 114 regions nationally with populations of over 500,000 (Farmers Insurance Group)
• Average commute time is only 18 minutes
• Four seasons of world-class outdoor recreation at your doorstep:  skiing, hiking, cycling, fishing, rock climbing, rafting and more
• A full complement of cultural amenities including the nationally recognized Idaho Shakespeare Festival, Trey McIntyre Project, Boise Philharmonic, Opera Idaho and others
• Excellent K-12 schools and post-secondary educational opportunities

Diversity

• Over 90 different languages are spoken in the Boise School District
• Home to the second-largest Basque population in North America
• Home to one of the oldest synagogues in the western United States
• More than two dozen language courses available through local universities and community education programs
• Annual diversity events and resources include the Soul Food Extravaganza, PRIDE activities, Hispanic Cultural Center and Black History Museum

Accessible Transportation

• Bisected by Interstate 84 and Interstate 184
• Boise Airport serves more than 3,000,000 people a year and is less than five miles from downtown Boise
• ValleyRide provides public bus transportation throughout the Boise Valley
• Idaho Northern & Pacific Railroad (INPR) provides freight service over four branch lines in southwestern Idaho and northeastern Oregon

National Rankings

• Boise is #3 "Best U.S. City to Raise a Family" (MomItForward.com, May 2013)
• #3 Metro Leading the Housing Recovery (Forbes, February 2013)
• #1 Best City for Men (Men's Health Magazine, December 2012)
• #4 Best Downtown in America (Livability.com, October 2012)
• #3 Best River Town in America (Outside Magazine, September 2012)
• #2 Best Place to Raise a Family (Forbes, April 2012)
• Boise is #8 in "Best Places to Live in the US" (Wall Street Journal's Market Watch, Aug. 2011)
• Boise is among the 25 “Best Places for Business and Careers”  (Forbes, April 2010)  
• "Best Town in America" (Outside Magazine, August 2010)  
• #5 Lowest Crime Rate in the Country (CQ Press, 2010)

Climate

• Elevation (Boise):  2,730 feet
• Annual days of sun:  234
• Annual precipitation:  12.1 inches; annual snowfall:  21.4 inches
• Average high temperature (July): 90.2 F; average low temperature (January):  21.6 F
• Average afternoon humidity:  43%