Boise (pronounced boy-see), the capital and largest city in the State of Idaho, is the hub of commerce, banking and government for the state.
Located along the Boise River and nestled against foothills of the Rocky Mountains, our city offers many outdoor activities to local residents, from skiing at Bogus Basin Ski Resort to biking on the Boise River Greenbelt to boating at nearby reservoirs. The Boise area has it all - desert, rivers, mountains and lakes for hiking, camping, kayaking, river rafting, hunting and fishing.
Many large regional, national and international companies are headquartered here, including Simplot Corporation, Boise Cascade, Albertsons, Micron Technology and Hewlett-Packard.
Boise is home to Boise State University, the state's largest university with an enrollment of over 15,000 students, as well as 34 grade schools, 9 junior high schools, and 5 high schools.
Population:
City of Boise - 181, 711
Ada and Canyon Counties (MSA) - 403,817
Average Daily Temperature:
January - 22-36 degrees
April - 37-61 degrees
July - 58-90 degrees
October - 29-65 degress
Elevation: 2,842 feet
Annual Rainfall: 12.11"
Average Wind: 9 m.p.h.
Sunshine Days: 234
Climate:
The Boise area's climate is pleasant year-round, with just enough variation to make the change of seasons enjoyable.
Average annual precipitation - 12.1 inches
Average annual snowfall - 21.4 inches
In the Boise area, occasional extreme temperatures of cold and hot are still comfortable because of the typically low humidity, sparse snowfall in the winter, and frequent mild breeze.
Geography:
The geological forces that created Boise and the Treasure Valley resulted in foothills that sweep up from the city of Boise to mountains rising 7,600 feet in altitude.
The area, on the western edge of the mountains, is characterized as mountainous and desert.
The geology of the area includes a large concentration of geothermal wells, springs and hot creeks.
History:
When French-Canadian trappers finished crossing the territory's flat arid plain, the forest by the river was a truly welcome sight. Therefore, they named it Boise, which means "wooded." The city itself was not founded until 1863 after the gold rush reached the area. Boise, Idaho's capital, is known as the city of Trees. The first government in Idaho was in Lewiston, but was moved to Boise in 1864 after being in Lewiston only one year.
The founding of Boise: 1863
The incorporation date of Boise: 1864
Education:
Boise area residents know the secret to success lies in education, which is a high priority locally and statewide. Approximately two-thirds of the state's general fund is allocated to education.
Idaho’s students consistently place well above the national average on ACT, SAT and other achievement tests. More than 96 percent of Idaho’s school-age children attend public schools, demonstrating a high level of public confidence and ensuring a demographically balanced student population.
The Boise MSA (Ada and Canyon counties) ranks among the top third of U.S. metro areas for percentage of adults who have attained a bachelors degree or higher.
Boise School District
Boise State University
Local Job Search Websites:
BoiseIdahoJobs.com Employment Services
Career Builder through The Idaho Statesman Newspaper
Labor:
The Boise MSA (Ada and Canyon counties) is a great place to work!
Major employers in the Boise MSA include: government, healthcare, manufacturing, hi-tech, call centers and the construction industry.
If you're looking for employment in the Boise valley, consult one of these Chamber members at the Chamber of Commerce Employment website
Industry:
The Treasure Valley economy is strong due to a healthy mix of business, education, healthcare, retail, manufacturing, government and the military and professional communities - all working together to provide stability and promise for more than 380,000 residents.
The natural resource industries are central to the well-being of the area. Tourism is a major growth factor of the Idaho economy. Idaho is an exquisite state, beautiful from every angle. People come to the area to ski, float the wild rivers, hunt, fish and camp. The newest industry added to the mix is the high tech manufacturing that has provided strong growth in recent years. A regional trade and commerce center, the area draws people from three states - eastern Oregon, northern Nevada and southern Idaho - a combined population of over 550,000 people. The professional community is central to Boise's identity and integrity. Some of the area's most talented professionals were drawn here because this is a beautiful city in a beautiful land.
Attractions:
Idaho Ballet
Boise Hawks Baseball
Idaho Steelheads Hockey
Campgrounds
Idaho Ballet
Bogus Basin Ski Resort
Brundage Mountain Ski Resort
Tamarack Ski and Golf Resort
Discovery Center of Idaho
BoiseArt Museum
Idaho Historical Museum
Idaho Botanical Gardens
Idaho Opera
World Center for Birds Of Prey
Zoo Boise
Boise Philharmonic
Idaho Shakespeare Festival
Idaho Ice World
Firebird Raceway
Meridian Motor Speedway
Roaring Springs Water Park
Local Media:
BC KIVI Channel 6
CBS KBCI Channel 2
FOX KTRV Channel 12
NBC KTVB Channel 7
Independent KNIN Channel 9
Northwest Cable News
PBS KAID Channel 4
The Arbiter (Boise State University Student Newspaper)
Boise Weekly
Idaho Press-Tribune
Idaho Statesman
Idaho Business Review
Treasure Valley Family Magazine
Medical:
The Boise MSA offers world-class health care to its citizens.
Saint Alphonsus and St. Luke's Regional Medical Centers, located in Boise, maintain the latest in state-of-the-art technology, excellent nursing and support staffs, and offer numerous health and wellness programs to the community.
West Valley Medical Center, located in Caldwell serves many western Idaho communities in Canyon County.
Mercy Medical Center is a 152-bed acute care facility located in Nampa, Idaho.
To view a complete list of the health care resources >>> click here
Parks and Recreation:
The Boise area has a number of outstanding parks and facilities with plenty of opportunity for recreational and family activities, including golf, boating, youth athletics, softball, football and baseball, biking, skating or just picnicking. The Boise River Greenbelt is located on both banks of the Boise River, covering over 16 acres and providing more than 25 miles of paved and graveled paths for walkers, bikers, skaters, joggers and runners. For those wanting to experience the great outdoors, our mountains, deserts, lakes and rivers offer year-round recreation.
Rich forests, punctuated by clear, high mountain lakes, stand in contrast to the quiet beauty of high desert plains. The Boise area abounds with recreational and scenic resources within a short trek from downtown.
To viisit the Boise City Parks & Recreation website for additional information >>> click here
Government:
The Local Government Committee works with elected officials and appropriate government agencies to ensure the Chamber’s perspective on local issues is fully understood. Although most interaction is with Boise City and Ada County, the Chamber also works with city officials from Meridian, Eagle, Garden City and Kuna.
Schools:
Boise School District
Government:
City Of Boise
Chamber Of Commerce:
Boise Chamber Of Commerce
Library:
Boise Public Library
|