Coeur d’Alene is a fast-growing resort city in North Idaho, known for its scenic lake views and abundant outdoor activities. The city can be so inviting that it doesn’t take much convincing for residents like Desiree Jones to call it home. “I was asked to come to Spokane to consult for a company, and the CEO said, ‘You should go check out Coeur d’Alene.’ I had never even heard of it,” says Jones, a Realtor with eXp Realty. “But we came over here, and it was like 85 degrees. Where we were in California, it was normal to be 110 or 120. We just had so much fun I actually booked a U-Haul the next weekend and moved my family up here. I thought, ‘This is where I want to be for the rest of my life.’”
Coeur d’Alene sits on the northern shore of Lake Coeur d’Alene, offering plenty of water activities. Hiking trails, ski resorts and hunting are all within driving distance of the city. In 2023, the U.S. Census estimated that the city’s population neared 57,000, and it has increased about 28% since 2010. Tourism is one of the largest industries in the city thanks to the nearby lake, a world-renowned golf course and a large waterfront resort. Other industries like healthcare, education, mining and logging are still prominent. With Interstate 90 running through the city, it is easily reachable by car or plane.
Bike trails pass all through Coeur d'Alene for scenic as well as convenient commutes.
Sanders Beach is one of Coeur d'Alene's most charming and sought-after waterfront neighborhoods.
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Four seasons of activity in Coeur d'Alene
Coeur d’Alene has several parks and green spaces throughout the city, offering a wide variety of recreation. Some popular spots include McEuen Park and Tubbs Hill in Downtown Coeur d'Alene near the lakeshore. Each of these sites is constantly packed on warm summer evenings, with locals playing basketball or tennis at McEuen Park and kids running around the playground. Tubbs Hill offers 165 acres of wooded trails to explore, including multiple spots to sit and enjoy a sunset view of the lake. City Park and Sanders Beach are some of the popular public beaches for swimming, kayaking or sunbathing. The North Idaho Centennial Trail is a 23-mile paved path for walking, running and biking that passes through the city near downtown.
There are multiple golf courses in the area, including the Coeur d’Alene Resort Golf Course, which is world-famous for the Floating Green on the 14th hole. Golfers tee off from the mainland and try to hit a 15,000-square-foot island in the lake, which can move to different positions daily. Other activities in and around the city include hiking at Canfield Mountain or skiing at Silver Mountain and Schweitzer ski resorts, each under 60 miles away.
Known for its "floating green" on the 14th hole, Coeur d'Alene Golf Course is world renowned.
The K27 Memorial at McEuen Park honors Coeur d'Alene Police Department Sgt. Greg Moore.
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Century-old and modern-day homes in North Idaho
The wide variety of housing in Coeur d’Alene makes it easy for buyers to find something that fits their preferences. Older neighborhoods like Sanders Beach and the Garden District feature established Craftsman and cottage homes on quiet, tree-lined streets. Areas like Ramsey-Woodland and Atlas-Prairie have been developed more recently and feature plenty of 21st-century new traditional and contemporary Craftsman houses in planned subdivisions. The city’s median housing price is just under $600,000, which is higher than the national median.
Bungalows and Craftsman homes make up most of the housing in the Garden District.
Properties directly on the lake tend to be larger and more luxurious, with private beaches.
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Over 100 local shops and restaurants in the heart of Coeur d'Alene
Downtown Coeur d’Alene is the city's commercial hub, with over 100 local shops and restaurants. Most are located along Sherman Avenue, with a few on Lakeside Avenue. They range from gift shops and sporting goods stores to seafood restaurants and craft beer taprooms. Beverly’s is a fine dining restaurant in the Coeur d’Alene Resort that has been on AAA’s Four Diamond list since 1989. Appleway-North 4th Street is another destination with a few local restaurants and grocery stores. West of Highway 95, the mixed-use Village at Riverstone development has shops, restaurants and a movie theater. National retailers and big-box stores like Costco are located in Northeast Prairie .
Midtown Bluebird is a cozy restaurant serving unique dishes near the Garden District.
Downtown Coeur d'Alene is always bustling with lively activity near the Garden District.
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Coeur d'Alene Public Schools offer plenty of education options
Coeur d’Alene Public Schools serves the city and the surrounding area. The district has approximately 10,000 students and gets a B-plus rating from Niche. It is one of the largest districts in the state and offers several programs, such as magnet schools for arts and humanities and a STEM academy. North Idaho College is a local community college offering healthcare, business, manufacturing and STEM programs. The University of Idaho and Lewis and Clark State College each have satellite facilities in the city as well.
North entrance at Lakes Middle School.
East courtyard at Lake City High School.
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Commuting around North Idaho
For being in the mostly rural Idaho panhandle, Coeur d’Alene is a well-connected city. Interstate 90 runs east-west through the city, offering a 34-mile drive to Spokane. Spokane International Airport is just a bit farther, about 40 miles away. Highway 95 provides a north-south route through the region and connects to communities like Hayden and Athol. The Citylink bus system provides public transportation for Coeur d’Alene, Post Falls and Hayden and includes stops in several neighborhoods. Multiple bike lanes and trails, including the North Idaho Centennial Trail, offer another way of getting around.
Decreasing crime rates in Coeur d'Alene
Coeur d’Alene has seen a recent decrease in crime, with property crime going down by 2.52% and violent crime decreasing by 4.29% from 2022 to 2023, according to police department data. Each type of crime has continuously decreased since at least 2018. Violent crime in the city is higher than the statewide rate for Idaho but about the same as the national rate. Property crime is slightly higher than the Idaho average but significantly lower than the national rate.
Risks of wildfires and flooding on the shores of Lake Coeur d'Alene
Coeur d’Alene and surrounding Kootenai County face environmental concerns such as wildfires. High temperatures, low rainfall and plenty of surrounding wilderness contribute to the risk of wildfires. The county has plans in place to mitigate hazards and respond to these issues when they happen. Flooding is a moderate risk in the area, primarily due to Lake Coeur d’Alene. The lake’s water levels can be controlled by the nearby Post Falls Dam. The county has multiple resources on its website, including flood maps and insurance information.
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Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
