Small-town feel with agricultural and railroad roots
Before it became the seat of Canyon County in 1892, Caldwell developed around the Oregon Short Line Railroad, which connected Oregon and Wyoming. The city was named after former Kansas senator Alexander Caldwell, a business partner of railroad executive Robert Strahorn. More than 100 years later, it’s evolved into a lively, modern city with a suburban feel and friendly neighbors. “You get a sense for the small-town feel,” says Janie Cypret of Silvercreek Realty Group. “You tend to have a lot more locals that are just really friendly, in general. We come from that vibe where greeting someone just walking by is just a habit for us.”
Caldwell has a population of 70,000, and residents represent a variety of ages, races and household sizes. “Caldwell is a popular place for retirees,” says Brittan Aebischer, marketing and strategic partnership director of Destination Caldwell. “There are lots of families, millennials who value the family and hometown sports. We have a 40% Hispanic population, so we have great Hispanic-owned businesses.”
Some of the area’s leading industries are manufacturing, agriculture and government. Its leading employers are the Canyon County offices and the two local school districts, located right in the city. “Our area is one of the large producers of corn, alfalfa and onion,” says Aebischer. “We have an up-and-coming wine industry with 20 wineries just around Caldwell. That’s why we’re becoming more of a destination for people from Boise.”
Caldwell Offers Single Family Homes with Large Yards and Three Car Garages.
The Courtyard at Indian Creek Plaza in Caldwell.
Caldwell has deep roots and a rich history in the rail industry.
The Caldwell Train Depot is One of Many Focal Points Downtown.
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Budget-friendly city 28 miles west of Boise
Caldwell’s housing market is slightly less competitive than the U.S. as a whole. Homes typically sell after 51 days, compared to the national average of 44. However, the area is growing, as more than half the city’s homes are new builds from 2024. Many of the newly-built homes are in planned subdivisions with two-to-three-car garages, and ranchettes on the outskirts of the city can have more than 30 acres. Midcentury modern homes and bungalows circle the downtown area. Caldwell is considered a budget-friendly city near Boise, thanks to its relatively cheap land. The median single-family home price is $399,990. Townhouses are scarce, and mostly located on the west side of the city. The median price for a townhouse hovers around $378,800.
Large Ranch Style Homes with Large Lots Are Common in Caldwell.
Charming Two Story Single Family Homes in Caldwell Idaho.
The Boise River runs right behind the campus of Boise State University.
You'll find quite a variety of classic and antique cars at the Boise Fathers Day Car Show.
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Served by two school districts
Most students are assigned to the Caldwell School District, which earns a C from Niche. The district consists of nine schools and nearly 5,900 students. The district prides itself on its six university partnerships and 20 dual credit courses. Kids on the south end of Caldwell attend the Vallivue School District, rated B, considered one of the top five school districts in metro Boise. After high school, students can attend the College of Idaho or satellite locations of the University of Idaho and Treasure Valley Community College.
Lincoln elementary serves Caldwell students in grades K-6.
Caldwell Senior High School serves over 1,600 students.
Younger students can attend Lone Star Middle School.
Aerial context west at Lewis and Clark Elementary.
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Home to 12 parks and near Lake Lowell
Caldwell operates 12 parks and two public golf courses. Luby Park has a Rose Garden, while Mallard Park has a disc golf course and an amphitheater. The city runs several youth and adult recreation programs, from sports to ballet and cooking classes. Just outside the city is the Deer Flat National Wildlife Refuge, where people hike 10 miles of trails and boat, swim and fish on Lake Lowell. “Many people are cycling or hiking daily, which is huge,” Aebischer says. “When it comes to winter sports, the Boise Foothills is the closest ski resort.” The city is constantly looking for ways to improve itself; the Memorial Park Pool is under construction and scheduled to open in the summer of 2025.
Make a New Friend or Keep Up with Business Connections at Purple Sage Golf Course in Caldwell.
Grab the whole family for an evening skate at Indian Creek Plaza in Caldwell.
Lake Lowell offers plenty of space for boating, fishing, picnics and more.
Caldwell has several golf courses in the area including Ridgecrest and Centennial.
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Lots of activity at Indian Creek Plaza
Indian Creek Plaza acts as the city’s beating heart. It’s a walkable shopping plaza and a hub for locally-owned retail shops, trendy new restaurants and leisure activities. “Indian Creek Plaza is a mixed-use four seasons area. It takes the appearance of a European Square,” Aebischer says. “We refer to it as the living room of Caldwell.” This plaza always has something going on; during the summers, Tuesdays on the Creek concerts draw up to 1,200 people. “It’s come such a long way,” says Cypret. “We have people who come from all over Idaho who want to visit the Indian Creek Plaza. It’s such a hot spot; it’s always really packed.”
Indian Creek Plaza also serves as a relaxing recreation spot, with a splash pad in the summer and an ice-skating rink for 95 days during colder months. Caldwell hosts more than a dozen annual events, including the Indian Creek Festival, which celebrates the 2003 uncovering of the creek. The festival started as a small gathering in the parking lot but evolved into a two-day event with about 10,000 people. Every year, the Caldwell Night Rodeo sells out all its tickets. “It used to be a hometown rodeo, but more big names around the nation come out to complete it,” Aebischer says. “The rodeos are held in August, and the tickets sell out in March.” The Canyon County Fair is a three-day annual fair in July with carnival rides, concerts and a fun run.
Jam out to live music at Tuesdays On The Creek in downtown Caldwell.
Dance the night away at Tuesdays On The Creek in downtown Caldwell.
You can't miss the colorful Fresh Roasted Nuts food truck at the Farmers Market in Caldwell.
Grab the whole family for an evening skate at Indian Creek Plaza in Caldwell.
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Four seasons with high summers and mild winters
Caldwell has a typical Treasure Valley climate, with four seasons and minimal precipitation. Winters are cold; temperatures dip to around 23 degrees, and in the summer, temperatures can get into the 90s. Throughout most of the year, the city rates well in terms of air quality, but for at least ten days, the quality may be unhealthy for some residents. “The joke in Idaho is, ‘if you don't like the weather, wait five minutes,’” Aebischer says.
Wintertime is a festive time at Indian Creek Plaza in Caldwell.
Kids enjoy all of the home made goods and locally grown foods at the Farmers Market in Caldwell
Hang Out with Friends by the Fire at Indian Creek Plaza in Caldwell.
Rotary Pond Park in Caldwell is a local favorite for fishing and hiking.
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28 miles to Boise
Caldwell is centrally located on multiple freeways and highways, including Interstate 84 and Highway 26. Both provide direct routes to Downtown Boise, which is 28 miles east. Drivers will most likely encounter traffic during peak morning and evening rush hours. Air travel is available through the Boise Airport, which offers direct service to 28 cities. In an emergency, locals can receive care from West Valley Medical Center.
BSU football stadium draws thousands of avid Broncos fans from around the city.
Ellie Shaw provides captivating swing music at the Toast to Tails fundraiser in downtown Boise.
Roadsters like this Ford Tudor make a lasting impression on auto enthusiasts.
Crowds listen to the spirited vibes at the Boise Soul Food Festival.
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Crime offenses dropped 28%
Caldwell's crime rate is on a downward trend, with arrests dropping 20% and offenses dropping 28% in 2023. The largest number of reported offenses were destruction of property and simple assault. The city has several initiatives to help continue this downward trend, including a neighborhood watch program and a citizen’s academy.
Written By
Courtney Murphy
Photography Contributed By
Chad Jackson
Video By
Michael Carey
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Wendy Crawford,
an experienced agent in this area.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
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