Small city near Coeur d'Alene with abundant natural recreation
Just north of Coeur d’Alene in the North Idaho panhandle, Hayden is a quiet suburban city with easy access to all of the outdoor recreation the region has to offer. “We have two ski resorts nearby. I think there are somewhere around 70 lakes in North Idaho, the main ones being Coeur d’Alene, Hayden and Pend Oreille,” says Desiree Jones, a Realtor with eXp Realty and longtime North Idaho resident. “There’s just so much to do. We have ice fishing in the winter and regular fishing in the summer. There’s lots of hunting and hiking trails.” Home to around 16,000 people, Hayden offers a comparable housing market to nearby Coeur d’Alene but with fewer crowds. Subdivisions are transforming the rural landscape, with new construction homes butting up against lakes, hills and golf courses. Plus, with U.S. Route 95 running through the middle of the city, it’s easy to commute around North Idaho for work or play.
Schweitzer mountain is a short drive from the city of Hayden.
Hayden features lots of outdoor recreational activity a short drive from downtown.
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Outdoor fun in and around Hayden
Hayden has six parks totaling 57.5 acres. These parks include lakefront beaches, sports complexes, and picnic areas. Honeysuckle Beach is one of the most popular recreational sites in the city, located on the shores of Hayden Lake. This spot is constantly packed on summer days and has plenty of room for swimming, fishing, boating and picnicking. Aside from the beach, Hayden Lake Marina is another spot that serves as a starting point for a day of boating. Croffoot Park is a 25-acre facility with baseball, softball and soccer fields, as well as basketball courts and horseshoe pits. McIntire Family Park hosts events throughout the year, like a summer concert series and Christmas tree lighting. Other outdoor recreation sites nearby include Coeur d’Alene Lake, about 7 miles south, and Lake Pend Oreille, about 54 miles north. Ski resorts in the North Idaho region include Silver Mountain and Schweitzer Mountain. Nearby hiking trails include the Canfield Mountain Natural Area and the English Point Recreation Trails.
English Point Trail offers lots of outdoor space close to the city of Hayden.
Recreational park trails at English Point.
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New construction constantly coming into Hayden
The city has grown consistently in recent years, which has led to many new homes. New traditionals and Craftsmans make up much of the housing stock in planned subdivisions like Hayden Canyon. In November 2024, 38% of homes sold in Hayden were new construction, and most houses sold were built since 2000. However, some parts of the city have established communities featuring ranch-style and 1970s contemporary homes. The median listing price in Hayden is approximately $633,000, up about 1.3% over the past year. The city has comparable prices to nearby Coeur d’Alene but lower costs than the lakefront homes in the City of Hayden Lake.
New construction communities are becoming more popular in Hayden.
Older traditional homes are very common and can be found in Hayden.
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Shopping and dining at Hayden and Coeur d'Alene businesses
Hayden’s downtown business area is located along Government Way and includes several restaurants offering Mexican, Italian and American bar fare. Local stores include sporting goods shops, clothing boutiques and art galleries. Residents can shop for groceries at supermarkets like Safeway, Super 1 Foods and Walmart. Several more shopping destinations are just south of the city along Highway 95, including big-box stores like Target, Macy’s and Kohl’s. Further south in Coeur d’Alene, Sherman Avenue is home to over 100 locally owned shops and restaurants.
Cochinito is a local favorite in the Hayden community.
Downtown Hayden features lots of local restaurants and shops.
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Highly rated Coeur d'Alene schools
Coeur d’Alene Public Schools serves Hayden and receives a B-plus rating from Niche. The district has approximately 10,000 students, making it one of the largest districts in the state. Hayden students might attend Canfield Middle School, which gets a B-plus from Niche and is the highest-rated middle school in the district. Coeur d’Alene Public Schools also offers programs like magnet schools for arts and sciences and a STEM academy.
Main entrance at Couer d'Alene High School.
Front entrance at Canfield Middle School in Avondale.
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Easy commutes around North Idaho
Hayden is about 7 miles north of Coeur d’Alene along Highway 95, offering an easy commute into the larger city. This highway intersects with Interstate 90 in Coeur d’Alene, providing an east-west route through North Idaho and into Washington. Spokane is about 36 miles from Hayden, while Spokane International Airport is about 42 miles away. Public transit is also available via the Citylink bus system, which connects multiple communities in the region. Hayden is served by the C route, which has stops on Prairie Avenue, Honeysuckle Avenue, and Government Way. The bus connects riders to various points around Hayden and south to Coeur d’Alene.
Hayden is connected to other nearby cities by highway95.
The Citylink bus provides alternate transportation for commuters.
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Crime trending down in Hayden
The Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office provides law enforcement services for Hayden. Data from the sheriff’s office shows that from September 2023 to September 2024, violent crime decreased by 8.3%, while property crime was down by 34.9%. According to the FBI’s Crime Data Explorer, the violent and property crime rates in Kootenai County are slightly lower than the statewide rate and significantly lower than the national rate.
The Idaho state police office is located in Hayden.
Crime in Hayden is relatively low compared to neighboring cities.
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Wildfires are an issue in North Idaho
Living in Hayden comes with certain environmental concerns. Wildfires are the most prominent risk, but landslides and earthquakes also pose a threat in the region. Kootenai County’s comprehensive plan includes policies and strategies to mitigate these and limit development in areas with the highest risks.
Hayden lake offers beautiful views of the surrounding mountains.
Hayden is at risk for larger brush fires during the summer months.
Always having a passion for living in Coeur d'Alene and personally investing in real estate here, I'm thrilled to be one of the top agents in North Idaho. Growing up in Coeur d'Alene gives me a great appreciation for the people and land I work with, along with local knowledge to navigate any transaction. Since 2018, my team and I have closed over $385 million dollars in sales. My goal is to collaborate with buyers, sellers, and investors to make educated decisions that impact both your quality of life and financial future. In my spare time, I love spending time with family/friends, golfing, skiing, watching sports and traveling.
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.
