Named for Idaho’s nickname, the Gem State, Gem County offers a suburban-rural environment about 50 miles from Downtown Boise. Surrounded by mountains and with the Payette River running through it,Gem County has picturesque views and access to water recreation. “You’re traveling through desert and dry ground, and then you drop down into our valley, and it’s the most beautiful thing you’ve ever seen,” says Teena Turner, designated broker of Evans Realty LLC. “You can see the orchards and the fertile green grass from the farmlands. It’s this little piece of heaven because nobody knows we’re here.” Emmett is the county seat and main hub for amenities like shopping, dining and entertainment. For some residents, it can be a 5-mile drive to reach Emmett’s Main Street, while for others, it can be a 30-mile drive. But what remains universal across the area’s 550 square miles is its welcoming and neighborly character. “The minute they pull in, it’s that old-time waving as you drive down the street,” Turner says.
Ranchers work the land in northwest Emmett.
Highways, canals, rivers, and train tracks make Emmett a hub for trading goods.
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Combination of older cottages and modern farmhouses
Most houses are located in Emmett. Buyers can find homes dating back to the county’s origin in 1915 and recent builds from the 2020s. Cottages and bungalows are some of the oldest properties, usually in lot sizes smaller than 2 acres. These prices range from $150,000 for a fixer-upper and $550,000 for a 3,300-square-foot home. Craftsman and Contemporary ranches are the newest additions. These are often situated in planned or gated subdivisions that can provide community amenities like a swimming pool. Newer constructed homes can be priced from $500,000 for a move in one-story to $860,000 for a four-bedroom home in these subdivisions. Buyers looking for land can find most of those properties outside the city. “We’re infamous for homes on acreage,” Turner says. “We’ve got hobby farms, we’ve got people with horses." Lot sizes tend to expand over 3 acres having a modern farmhouse architecture with customizable features. Often these homes start over $1 million and can extend over $13 million but buyers can find homes with acreage under this price point.
Contemporary and modern single family homes are being established in southeast Emmett.
Charming ranch style layouts with acreages are spread throughout Gem County.
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Water recreation on Payette River
Most of the county’s recreation spots are located around Emmett. Gem Island Sports Complex is adjacent to the Payette River, offering 57 acres of green spaces and paved walking trails. Also inside the complex is Ed’s Pond, where anglers can cast their lines. The Emmett City Park provides a tennis court, a playground and a splash area for the little ones. Located 5 miles northeast of Emmett is Black Canyon, which includes four parks and the 1,100 acres of the Black Canyon Reservoir. Visitors can launch their boats or pursue other water activities like swimming, fishing and wakeboarding.
The Payette river winds through northern Emmett in Gem County.
Gem County has several lakes great for fishing and boating.
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Historic Downtown Emmett for all shopping and dining
Emmett’s Washington Avenue and Main Street are the primary hubs for shopping and dining. Within the two blocks, local restaurants and shops are situated in lower-level brick buildings or independent properties that blend in with nearby homes. Blue Ribbon Café and Bakery serves American meals for breakfast, lunch and dinner. It’s also known for its fresh pastries. Cowboy Chophouse is a family-owned steakhouse that has multiple meat cuts and burgers in a Western-themed dining room. Roe-Ann Drive-In is an old-fashioned drive-in with burgers, shakes and fries. Groceries can be bought from Albertson’s. The Emmett Farmers Market is held on Wednesdays and Saturdays from June to October. Over 50 vendors sell their goods, from food to handmade creations and books.
Downtown Emmett in Gem County is home to the annual Harvest Festival on Main st.
Check out the annual Gem County Harvest Festival every September in Emmett.
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Long-running Emmett Cherry Festival
The Emmett Cherry Festival has been a Gem County staple event for 90 years and is known as one of the longest-running festivals in the state. Over 55,000 visitors head to Emmett City Park in June for the four-day celebration. Besides munching on the sweet fruit, festival-goers can visit the carnival rides or explore old-time cars at the car show. The festivities conclude with a parade. “We’ve got fire departments, high school bands, horses, the kids enjoying the candy that’s tossed out; it’s just fun for the whole evening,” Turner says. The Harvest Festival Street Fair is a weekend event that kicks off the fall season and celebrates the area’s crops. Visitors can enjoy hayrides, pumpkin patches and various craft and food vendors.
Cherry and apple orchards spread throughout the valley in Gem County.
Stroll through downtown Emmet and learn the history of Gem County through artistic murals.
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All students attend Emmett Independent School District
Students can pursue their studies at Emmett Independent School District, a C-plus district. Kenneth J Carberry Intermediate School serves kindergarten through fifth grade, and Emmett Middle School teaches grades 6 through 8. Both these schools earn a C-plus from Niche. Emmett High School earns a B-minus on Niche. The school offers nine clubs, including a rodeo club and the Future Farmers of America.
Recognizable by the two domes, Emmett High School is an iconic school.
Kenneth Carberry Elementary serves students in Gem County from its campus in Emmett.
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Highways 16 and 55 to reach Boise
For most Gem County residents, it’s at least a 30-mile drive south to Boise. Those who live north toward Ola will have around a 50-mile drive to the city using Highway 55. Those in the south will access Highway 16 to get there. The Boise Airport is the closest major airport, 50 miles away and offering routes to 28 cities primarily in the Midwest and on the West Coast.
Gem County offers modern new builds and large acre lots for all types of families.
The iconic Roe Anne Drive In Emmett serves up some tasty burgers and fries.
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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to let others know what life in this neighborhood is like.
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Gem County
US
Homicide
4
4
Sexual Assault
1
4
Assault with Weapon
2
4
Robbery
2
4
Burglary
2
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
2
4
Larceny
1
4
Crime Score
1
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Gem County Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Gem County, Emmett sell after 72 days on the market compared to the national average of 55 days. The median sale price for homes in Gem County, Emmett over the last 12 months is $440,000, up 7% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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