RANK #837 / 1001 NAT · POP 518,935
1YR FORECAST: -1.1%
5YR OUTLOOK: +22%
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.
Ada County is one of 78 U.S. counties in this market profile — weaker than typical on the BoomTown Index. Within this cohort, its recent home-price change of +0.5% runs above the profile's typical -0.8%.
See all 78 Western Premium Correction counties →Overvalued relative to economy
Well below national median
Moderate climate & terrain
Prices detached from rents
Housing looks overvalued at 12.2x — home prices are high 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.
Bars show trailing 12-month growth. The dashed Forecast bars are the model's next-12-month projection; the whisker marks the ±1% range (cooling–accelerating).
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 1001 counties.
The data is not encouraging — Ada County scores just 16/100 on the Boom Town Index, ranking #837 of 1001 counties. Job growth at +2.4% and median household income of $91,502 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 $512,300 against an income-to-home-value ratio of 0.18 means housing eats a bigger share of local earnings than the national norm. Renters face $1,577/month on average.
Ada County is growing on multiple fronts. Population is up +2.1% year-over-year while employers added jobs at a +2.4% clip. Home values shifted +0.5% in the past year.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 2.29% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Ada County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.