With a population of 228,790 as of 2019, Boise is the capital and most populous city of the U.S. state of Idaho. Located along the Boise River in the southwestern part of the state, Boise is the 95th largest city in the United States.
History
Boise got its start in the 1860s when gold was discovered in the area. The new Fort Boise military post was established in 1863 to help protect miners and settlers. By the mid-1860s, around 7,000 residents occupied the growing city along the river banks. Boise was officially incorporated in 1864.
Over the next few decades, Boise continued to expand as an agricultural, timber, and manufacturing hub. Construction of the Oregon Short Line railroad in the 1880s further fueled growth. By 1890, Boise’s population had reached over 2,300 residents.
Significant development occurred in the early 20th century when Boise’s population exceeded 17,000 by 1920. Infrastructure projects like the Boise Project irrigation system helped the city become a trading center for the surrounding agricultural areas. In the 1970s, Hewlett Packard opened a plant in Boise which started the city’s rapid high-tech growth.
Demographics
According to 2019 estimates from the United States Census Bureau, Boise has grown to a population of 228,790 residents, making it the most populous city in Idaho and the 85th largest city in the U.S.
Boise has a population density of 3,040 residents per square mile. The Boise metropolitan area consists of seven counties and has an estimated population of over 730,000.
Boise has grown rapidly in recent decades. Between 1990 and 2000, the city’s population jumped over 20%. Boise experienced another population boom between 2000 and 2010, swelling by over 10% in just that decade alone.
Most of Boise’s residents are white, making up 89.5% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents comprise 7.2% of the city’s populace. People of Asian heritage make up 4.6% of Boise’s population. Black residents account for 1.7% of the city’s overall population.
The median age in Boise is 36 years old. Over 12% of the Boise population is aged 65 years or older, while 22% are under age 18.
Boise has more women than men, with women comprising 50.8% of residents. Men make up the remaining 49.2% of the city’s population.
Over 42% of Boise’s population over age 25 holds a bachelor’s degree or higher. Nearly 93% of residents have a high school diploma.
Economy and Major Employers
Once centered largely around agriculture and manufacturing, Boise’s economy is now driven primarily by high tech industries. Many major technology companies operate facilities in and around Boise, including Micron Technology, Hewlett Packard, Microsoft, Amazon, and more.
The largest employer in Boise is Micron Technology, providing jobs for around 11,000 area residents. Other major employers include St. Luke’s Health System (10,201 employees), Ada County (2,945 employees), Boise State University (2,601 employees), Walmart (2,500 employees), Idaho Power Company (2,045 employees), Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center (2,028 employees), Wells Fargo (1,686 employees), Albertsons LLC (1,500 employees), J.R. Simplot Company (1,480 employees), and Blue Cross of Idaho (1,467 employees).
The unemployment rate in Boise is under 3%, much lower than the national average. Job growth has been increasing steadily in recent years. Major industries in Boise include technology, healthcare, government agencies, manufacturing, tourism, and more.
Attractions and Landmarks
As the capital of Idaho, Boise is home to the Idaho State Capitol building. Completed in 1920, the building’s dome is covered in Idaho copper. The grounds also feature exotic trees from around the world.
Downtown Boise offers historic buildings, art galleries, restaurants, and entertainment. Popular attractions include the Boise Art Museum, Idaho State Historical Museum, and the Boise Night Market.
Just outside the city, Lucky Peak Dam provides recreation opportunities at Lucky Peak State Park. The region’s arid climate makes Idaho Botanical Garden a unique attraction.
Greenbelt Park runs through the heart of Boise along the Boise River. This 25-mile long green space offers biking, jogging, and wildlife viewing within the city.
Boise is nestled against the Rocky Mountains, providing easy access to outdoor activities. The popular Bogus Basin Mountain Recreation Area offers skiing, biking, hiking, and scenic views just 16 miles from downtown.
Sports Teams
Boise is home to several professional and college athletic teams. The Boise Hawks minor league baseball team has won multiple Northwest League championships. The Boise Hawks play at Memorial Stadium in downtown Boise.
Idaho Central Arena is home to the Idaho Steelheads ice hockey team and the Idaho Stampede basketball team. Both the Steelheads and the Stampede compete in the ECHL league.
The Boise State Broncos have earned national recognition for their football program. Under head coach Andy Avalos, the Boise State Broncos play at iconic Albertsons Stadium, known for its blue playing field.
Transportation
Boise is served by the Boise Airport (BOI), located just 3 miles from downtown. The airport offers direct flights to destinations throughout the country on major airlines.
Interstate 84 runs east-west through Boise, leading to Portland and other destinations. Interstate 184 connects downtown Boise to I-84. State highways 21, 44, 55, and 69 also serve the Boise area.
The ValleyRide bus system provides public transportation throughout Boise and surrounding cities. Boise GreenBike provides bike share stations in downtown and nearby neighborhoods.
Boise is situated along the Union Pacific Railroad main line linking Portland and Salt Lake City. The Amtrak Pioneer passenger train also stops in Boise.
Education
The primary institution of higher education in Boise is Boise State University, with over 22,000 undergraduate students. Boise State is known for strong programs in business, engineering, nursing, community and regional planning, and the arts.
Other schools include the University of Idaho’s Boise campus, Boise Bible College, Boise State College of Barber Styling, Paul Mitchell the School, Mr. Leon’s School of Hair Design, and more. The College of Western Idaho provides workforce development programs and associate degrees.
The majority of K-12 students in Boise attend schools in the Boise School District or the West Ada School District. Top rated high schools include Timberline High School, Bishop Kelly High School, and Boise High School.
Media
The major daily newspaper in Boise is The Idaho Statesman. First published in 1864, the Statesman has a daily circulation of about 32,000. The Boise Weekly is a free alternative paper published on Wednesdays.
Leading television stations include KTVB (NBC), KBOI-TV (CBS), KIVI-TV (ABC), KTRV-TV (Fox), and Idaho Public Television. Popular radio stations include KBOI 670 AM news radio and KKGL 96.9 FM classic rock.
Monthly magazines based in Boise cover topics like business (Idaho Business Review), lifestyle (Boise Magazine), wellness (Health & Wellness Idaho), and the outdoors (Outdoor Idaho).
Growth and Development
Boise enjoys a low cost of living, thriving job market in tech and healthcare, and access to outdoor recreation. High quality of life and affordable housing continue to attract new residents.
The population in Boise grew 3% from 2018 to 2019 alone. Ada County, home to Boise, expanded by over 30,000 residents in the past decade. Continued rapid growth is projected for Boise in the coming years.
Numerous commercial and residential construction projects are underway to accommodate expansion. Downtown is experiencing a revitalization with new mixed-use development. The population boom has also increased demand for transportation improvements.
While growth presents some challenges, Boise continues to invest in the amenities and infrastructure to maintain its reputation as one of America’s most livable cities.