Boise Community Forestry

About forestry service, 83799, Boise, ID, US, Idaho

Boise (locally BOY-see, also BOY-zee) is the capital and most populous city of the U.S. state of Idaho. The population was 235,685 at the 2020 census. The Boise metropolitan area, also known as the Treasure Valley, includes five counties with an estimated population of 846,000, the most populous metropolitan area in Idaho and 74th-most populous in the United States. Located on the Boise River in southwestern Idaho, it is 41 miles (66 km) east of the Oregon border and 110 miles (177 km) north of the Nevada border. Downtown Boise's elevation is 2,704 feet (824 m) above sea level. It is the county seat of Ada County. Originally established as a military outpost in 1863 during the gold rush era, Boise rapidly grew due to its location on the Oregon Trail and its proximity to mining operations in the surrounding region. By the late 19th century, it had become a commercial and transportation hub, bolstered by the arrival of the railroad and irrigation projects that supported agriculture in the Treasure Valley. While agriculture and food processing remain important, Boise is home to major employers in the technology, manufacturing, and service sectors, including companies such as Micron Technology and Hewlett-Packard. Government, education, and healthcare also play significant roles in the local economy.