According to the US Census Bureau, Boise is one of the fastest-growing cities in America. But does that mean Boise, Idaho is considered a big city?
If you’re considering moving to Boise, it’s essential to consider its size, population, and population density. That’s why I analyzed some of the most popular cities in the US to see how they stack up against little ol’ Boise.
Boise is the biggest city in Idaho, with a population of 240,000 within an 85-square-mile radius. That means there are about 2,823 people per square mile. Amongst the US, Boise is the 77th most populous metropolitan area. You can get anywhere around the city within 15 to 30 minutes.
Is Boise, Idaho A Big City?
I gathered data from some of the most popular cities around the US to compare. The chart below gives you a good idea of just how “big” Boise is in comparison to other cities in the US.
| City | Size | Population | People per square mile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boise, ID | 85 mi² | 241,000 | 2,932 people per mi² |
| Miami, FL | 55.25 mi² | 440,000 | 7.963 people per mi² |
| Minneapolis, MN | 57.51 mi² | 425,000 | 7,390 people per mi² |
| Seattle, WA | 83.78 mi² | 735,000 | 8,772 people per mi² |
| Salt Lake, UT | 110.8 mi² | 200,000 | 1,805 people per mi² |
| Reno, NV | 111.7 mi² | 270,000 | 2,417 people per mi² |
| Portland, OR | 145 mi² | 645,000 | 4,448 people per mi² |
| Denver, CO | 154.7 mi² | 715,000 | 4,621 people per mi² |
| Chicago, IL | 234.5 mi² | 2.7 million | 11,513 people per mi² |
| Austin, TX | 271.8 mi² | 965,000 | 3,550 people per mi² |
| San Diego, CA | 372.4 mi² | 1.4 million | 3,759 people per mi² |
| New York City, NY | 302.6 mi² | 8.47 million | 27,990 people per mi² |
| Los Angeles, CA | 502 mi² | 3.85 million | 7,669 people per mi² |
In terms of square miles, Boise remains one of the smallest cities at only 85 square miles. That means a city like Los Angeles is nearly 6 times larger in terms of actual land size.
However, if we’re talking about population density, Boise is more densely populated than Salt Lake and Reno, even though both cities are larger in land size.
And although cities like Miami and Minneapolis are smaller in land size, their total population and density are nearly double that of Boise’s.
Okay, enough with the statistical data. Even though I think it’s helpful, you might not feel the same.
You probably want to know what it’s really like to live in Boise—does it “feel” like a “big city?”
In short, the answer is no. In comparison to other big cities, Boise does not feel like a big city nor would I refer to it as a big city. If I had to define Boise in terms of its size, I’d say it’s a little-big city.
Okay, so what does that mean?
I like to think of city size in terms of cultural diversity, economic status, transportation, and friendliness. Let’s take a look at each.
Cultural diversity
I’ve seen it mentioned dozens of times that Boise is not a culturally diverse city. If you’re comparing it to other cities (with a much larger population), sure, maybe Boise isn’t as culturally diverse.
However, I believe Boise is very diverse for its size, with a growing population of Hispanic, African, and Asian cultures. One of the tell-tale signs of this growth is food.
There are a number of ethnically cultural restaurants and shops springing up all over the city and in neighboring cities.
In fact, Boise was built by immigrants and the city has been welcoming refugees from all over the world since the 1980s.
That said, there are many systems in place to help refugees make themselves at home including education, employment, healthcare, housing, and other opportunities in the city—making Boise an evergrowing city of diversity.
Economic status
You can’t have a big city without opportunities. So, what is Boise’s current and predicted economic status?
Currently, Boise has an unemployment rate of about 2.7% whereas the national average sits right around 3.5%. In general, a lower unemployment rate is a good sign for the economy in its entirety (however, this isn’t always the case).
But, when it comes to the City of Trees I believe it’s a great sign of a growing economy.
Not only are there tons of new businesses opening in and around the area, but entrepreneurs from all corners of the world are coming to town to build something great.
As a result, numerous industries in the area are experiencing growth. The chart below breaks down what percent of Boise’s population works in each industry.
| Occupation Type | Percentage of Population |
|---|---|
| Agriculture, forestry, fishing, hunting | 0.8% |
| Mining, quarrying oil, and gas extraction | 0.3% |
| Construction | 4.8% |
| Manufacturing | 9.2% |
| Wholesale trade | 2.4% |
| Retail trade | 12.2% |
| Transportation and warehousing | 3.0% |
| Utilities | 1.0% |
| Information | 3.0% |
| Finance and insurance | 3.7% |
| Real estate, rental, leasing | 2.4% |
| Professional scientist, tech services | 8.4% |
| Management of companies | 0.1% |
| Administrative support, waste management services | 4.5% |
| Educational services | 9.0% |
| Health care and social assistance | 14.7% |
| Arts, entertainment, recreation | 2.5% |
| Accommodation, food services | 7.9% |
| Public administration | 4.1% |
| Other services | 6.1% |
As you can see, health care, retail jobs, manufacturing, and educational services lead the way. These industries combined with a lower-than-average unemployment rate all point to a positive economic status for the city.
Future job growth in Boise over the next ten years is predicted to be 50.9%, which is higher than the US average of 33.5%.
Transportation
When it comes to transportation, Boise’s system is laughable compared to other cities.
We have one main bus system that will take you around the city, including surrounding cities like Meridian, Nampa, and Caldwell.
Nonetheless, the bus system is really all we need at this time. On average, it only takes about 30 minutes to drive across the entire city. Of course, at busier times of the day it could take a few minutes longer.
Also, if you’re taking the bus it’ll take longer since there are multiple stops along the route.
To get from one side of the city to the other via the bus takes approximately 3 to 4 times longer. Nevertheless, the bus will still get you where you need to go.
It’s definitely not as robust of a transportation system as you’d find in other large cities. Also, you don’t see many taxis driving around.
That’s not to say that there aren’t any, they’re just not abundant. There are likely more ride-share options like Uber and Lyft versus cabs.
Friendliness
You can always determine if a city is big yet by how friendly people are. There’s a joke that says East Coast people are kind but not nice, and West Coast people are nice but not kind.
I’d say Boise is a mix of the two, which makes sense considering people from around the country are moving to the city on a daily basis.
Saying hello in passing is still a common occurrence on the streets of Boise. Also, leaning over to the table next to you at a restaurant and asking; “Ooh, that looks really good, what is that?”, is an acceptable exchange of words.
Overall, the city still gives off a small-town vibe when it comes to friendly folks.
Is Boise Walkable?
Another way to tell if a city is big is by its walkability.
You can easily get around Boise by either walking or riding a bike. There are plenty of sidewalks, alleyways, and bike lanes to get you around safely and efficiently. Also, Boise’s Greenbelt—a 25-mile paved path that goes through the entire city—will take you from east to west quickly.
Even as a teen growing up in Boise, I used to walk 6 miles from downtown to my house in Garden City in about 2 hours. The best part is, there’s a sidewalk the entire way.
Something that wasn’t around when I was growing up in the city was e-scooters and e-bikes.
If you don’t feel like walking, Boise is now littered with electric-powered two-wheel contraptions to get you to your destination quickly.
Additionally, the traffic is easy to navigate whether you’re on foot, a scooter, or in a vehicle.
Is Boise A Clean City?
Big cities are also known to be some of the dirtiest. So, how does Boise’s cleanliness stack up against other big cities in the nation?
Boise is one of the cleanest capital cities in America. The streets remain clean, with little-to-no trash mounds piling up. Plus, Boise’s Adopt-a-Highway allows youth groups, neighborhood associations, church groups, and families to adopt a highway and remove litter within their designated area.
The city does its part by providing all the necessary tools like safety vests, trash bags, and temporary warning signs, plus they pick up the bags and properly dispose of them for the groups.
Not only is the city physically clean, but Boise also has a goal to become reliant on 100% clean electricity by 2035.
Dubbed, Boise’s Energy Future, its aim is to switch to clean electricity to fully support our economy and help reduce reliance on fossil fuels from other states and foreign countries.
Boise plans to achieve this goal by implementing the following:
- 47% – Take credit for all renewable electricity that Idaho Power delivers.
- 24% – Support new renewable electricity generation by Idaho Power while ensuring reliability.
- 15% – Increase citizens’ participation in Idaho Power’s efficiency programs.
- 8% – Encourage consumer participation in Idaho Power’s Green Power Program.
- 4% – Increase rooftop and community solar installations (this has been huge).
- 2% – Power city government facilities and operations with renewable electricity.
As a citizen, I see many of these efforts actively in effect as I write this. Numerous homes both old and new are installing solar panels, Teslas are taking over the streets, and an increasing amount of people are participating in the Power Green Program.
Taking all this into consideration, it’s clear to me that Boise is well on its way to becoming a big city with the “big city vibe”. However, it’s not quite there yet.
So, if you’re looking for a growing city with plenty of opportunities and a small-town feel, Boise is a great option.
If you’re still trying to figure out if Boise is the right place for you, be sure to check out these other topics that are sure to help you make the best decision possible.