Boise City
RANK #887 / 996 NAT · POP 497,494
1YR FORECAST: -0.0%
5YR OUTLOOK: +12%
Ada County, Idaho, is perhaps best known for Boise, its capital city, which anchors the county's identity. Located in southwestern Idaho, Ada County is part of the larger Treasure Valley, characterized by high desert landscapes, foothills, and the winding Boise River. The Boise River Greenbelt, a 25-mile tree-lined pathway, offers opportunities for walking, running, and biking, and Barber Park is a popular starting point for floating the Boise River. Commuting within the county is primarily by car, with an average commute time of 21.2 minutes, though options like vanpools, carpools, and public transit are available. The community offers a blend of urban amenities and access to natural scenery, including over 90 parks and more than 200 miles of trails.
Life in Ada County attracts families and young professionals, with highly rated public schools, including the West Ada School District, the largest in Idaho. The economy is experiencing growth, with low unemployment rates. Major investments are occurring across sectors such as healthcare, technology, and construction. This economic activity, coupled with opportunities for outdoor recreation, contributes to the area's appeal for those seeking a balance of lifestyle and career.
Above national median (4.7x)
Below national median
Moderate climate & terrain
Above national median (13x)
Housing is fairly valued at 5.9x relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Source: CDC/NCHS vital statistics via County Health Rankings (2020–2022 avg). Rates per 100,000 population. Grade based on homicide rate relative to national average (~6.3). Learn more →
Source: EPA Air Quality System (2021–2023). Grade based on 3-year average median AQI. Learn about AQI →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
rPlus Energies Solar & Storage Portfolio (Blacks Creek Energy Center, Bluebird Solar, Pleasant Valley Solar 1 & 2)
rPlus Energies
|
$1,400M | Planned |
|
Ada County Highway District Capital Improvement Plan (CIP)
Ada County Highway District (ACHD)
|
$1,200M | Approved |
|
Meta Kuna Data Center
Meta
|
$800M | Under Construction |
|
Boise Bench Substation Battery Project
Idaho Power
|
$200M | Planned |
|
Desri 150 MW Solar Facility
Desri
|
$150M | Approved |
|
Ada County Landfill Renewable Natural Gas Facility (Hidden Hollow RNG)
Biogas Development
|
$50M | Operating |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
The data is not encouraging — Ada County scores just 10/100 on the Boom Town Index, ranking #887 of 996 counties. Job growth at +2.1% and median household income of $83,881 reflect an economy that has been contracting or stagnating relative to the rest of the country.
Ada County leans toward the expensive side. A median home value of $423,500 against an income-to-home-value ratio of 0.20 means housing eats a bigger share of local earnings than the national norm. Renters face $1,320/month on average.
Ada County is growing on multiple fronts. Population is up +2.5% year-over-year while employers added jobs at a +2.1% clip. Home values shifted +1.0% in the past year.
Not particularly — 1.91% of Ada County's population moved in from another state, which is below the national average. Most residents are long-term locals rather than recent transplants.