Boise, Idaho
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Boise is the capital and largest city of Idaho, a U.S. state of the United States of America. As of the 2000 census, it has a population of 185,787. It is the county seat of Ada County. Boise's elevation is 2,842 feet.
History
The name, "Boise" comes from a French word meaning "wooded". It first came to use among French-Canadian fur trappers in the nineteenth century as a name for the Boise River. The name was apparently a translation of an earlier English name for it, the Wood River.
Originally known as Fort Boise, Boise was incorporated under a charter in1864 by an act of the Idaho Territorial legeslature.
A resolution to have the capital of the Idaho Territory moved from Lewiston to Boise was passed on December 7, 1864. It was changed in 1865. Legend has it that the move was very unpopular, so the entire government picked up and moved at night to avoid the public outrage that was sure to erupt when the citizens of Lewiston discovered the capital had been moved.
Idaho became the capital of the state of Idaho on July 3, 1890 when Idaho was admitted as the 43rd state.
Culture
Known as the "City of Trees," Boise is also rich in culture. It home to the largest concentration of Basque people living outside of Spain in the world, numbering about 20,000. There is a large Basque festival (know as Jaildi) once per decade, and a vibrant Basque section of the city.
Major Attractions
Boise is home to the Boise Art Museum, which hosts several traveling exhibits each year. The city is also home to numerous theatres, such as the Boise Little Theatre (Idaho's oldest continuous theater company), the Boise Contemporary Theatre, and the Idaho Shakespere Festival.
Boise is known for its low crime rate, extensive Greenbelt running through the city, trendy downtown and quality of life. The city has been cited by publications like Forbes, Fortune and Sunset for its quality of life.
One of Boise's major attractions is the neighboring mountains and the Boise Foothills. The foothills, to the immediate north of the city, are popular for hiking and mountain biking. Recently, there has been much controversy over expansive residential development into the foothills.
For winter recreation, Bogus Basin Mountain Resort (a mere 16 miles from Boise city limits) provides excellent skiing and snowboarding facilities within an hour's drive of downtown.
Semi-professional sports teams in Boise include the short-season Class A Boise Hawks (Minor League Baseball), the Idaho Steelheads of the East Coast Hockey League, and the Idaho Stampede of the Continental Basketball Association.
Boise is served by Boise Air Terminal.
Higher Education
Post-secondary educational options in Boise include Boise State University as well as a wide range of technical schools.
Geography
Boise City is located at 43°36'49" North, 116°14'16" West (43.613739, -116.237651)1.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 165.7 km² (64.0 mi²). 165.2 km² (63.8 mi²) of it is land and 0.5 km² (0.2 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 0.33% water.
Demographics (2000)
As of the census of 2000, there are 185,787 people, 74,438 households, and 46,523 families residing in the city. The population density is 1,124.7/km² (2,913.1/mi²). There are 77,850 housing units at an average density of 471.3/km² (1,220.7/mi²). The racial makeup of the city is 92.15% White, 0.77% African American, 0.70% Native American, 2.08% Asian, 0.16% Pacific Islander, 1.74% from other races, and 2.39% from two or more races. 4.53% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 74,438 households out of which 32.5% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.7% are married couples living together, 10.0% have a female householder with no husband present, and 37.5% are non-families. 28.0% of all households are made up of individuals and 7.9% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.44 and the average family size is 3.03.
In the city the population is spread out with 25.3% under the age of 18, 11.7% from 18 to 24, 32.3% from 25 to 44, 20.6% from 45 to 64, and 10.0% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 33 years. For every 100 females there are 98.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 95.8 males.
Economy
The median income for a household in the city is $42,432, and the median income for a family is $52,014. Males have a median income of $36,893 versus $26,173 for females. The per capita income for the city is $22,696. 8.4% of the population and 5.9% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 9.7% are under the age of 18 and 6.0% are 65 or older.
Boise is the headquarters of Micron Technology, Washington Group International, Boise Cascade, and Albertsons.
External links
- City of Boise
- Boise Convention and Visitors Bureau
- KTVB-TV
- Idaho Statesman
- Boise Area Chamber of Commerce
- Bogus Basin Mountain Resort
