The largest city on the eastern side of the Gem State, Idaho Falls got its name from a large body of water flowing in this once-deserted area. “Idaho Falls is more in the flat open land, and it’s just growing like crazy,” says Ann Ogden, associate broker at Western Realty. Surrounded by the mountains and the Snake River, the city draws people in with its natural beauty, and Idaho Falls has undergone significant population growth within the past 20 years. "During COVID, we had quite a bit of tourism," says Catherine Smith, economic development administrator for the city of Idaho Falls. "The rise of remote work has caused more people to move for affordability." According to the U.S. Census, the population is approximately 68,000 people, a 20% increase over 2010.
"We are seeing people relocating here, but also those that grew up here are coming back to Idaho Falls and grow their families," Smith says. Agriculture and healthcare are city’s primary industries, but many companies are headquartered here, including Melaleuca Inc, a wellness company. Scientists at the Idaho National Laboratory conduct nuclear research within city limits.
Enjoy shopping at dozens of major retailers in Idaho Falls including the Tetons Mall.
The Idaho Falls Zoo at Toutphaus Park hosts dozens of educational events each year.
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Scenic views along the Idaho Falls Riverwalk
The city of Idaho Falls manages over 50 parks, ranging from pocket parks with benches to larger green spaces with multiple fields and a pool. The Snake River Greenbelt and Tautphaus Park are the most popular places in the city to get outside; the Greenbelt, also called the Riverwalk, resembles the Boise Greenbelt, with a 5-mile hiking and biking trail on both sides of the Snake River. "It's the most beautiful part of our community," Smith says. "Whether it's in the summertime or winter, people are walking, roller blading and biking. It's heavily utilized." Tautphaus Park, towards the city’s south side, has ball fields and tennis courts. It’s also home to the Idaho Zoo, which has over 300 animals. The Idaho Falls parks and recreation department manages 26 miles of trails and year-round adult and children’s programs. The Wayne Lehto Ice Arena is the main skating arena in the region, offering public leagues, free skating and lessons. Golfers can practice their swings at one of the three public courses, and the Idaho Falls Country Club is a private club towards the city outskirts. Members have access to the club’s dining options and golf courses. The Kelly Canyon Resort, 27 miles away, is a popular spot for skiing.
Experience postcard vistas of the falls along the Snake River Greeenbelt in Idaho Falls.
Lookout point on the Snake River Greenbelt overlooks the Teton Dam in central Idaho Falls.
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Growing city with prices lower than Boise
Idaho Falls is a modest community with a selection of condos, townhomes and small single-family homes. Townhouses and craftsman-style ramblers with garages are towards the city’s south and east ends, and older properties from the 1930s and beyond are east of Highway 26 and north of 17th Street. These single-family homes are usually Cape Cods and rambler homes; outside this area are ramblers and traditional houses on lots greater than a quarter-acre. The median home price is $390,000, more than $120,000 less than the state capital, Boise. The median price for townhouses is $366,200, about $200,000 less than Boise.
Smaller families will find appealing new ranch and modern craftsman homes in northeast Idaho Falls.
Find sturdy ranch and craftsman homes from the 1930s just blocks from downtown Idaho Falls.
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Mom and pops in Downtown Idaho Falls
Downtown Idaho Falls is the premier destination for nightlife, shopping and dining in the region. One of the more walkable sectors of the city, downtown has an array of restaurants, breweries and coffee shops. The Idaho Falls Farmers Market, held on Saturdays from May to October, offers fresh produce. Along the downtown streets are murals or old building signage in alleyways. Besides restaurants, downtown has dress shops, boutiques and gift stores. Most big box stores and national retailers are on the city’s east side toward Ammon. Some stores around there include Walmart Supercenter, Kohl’s and Petco. The Grand Teton Mall is the region’s premier indoor shopping mall, with anchor stores like JCPenney and Dillard’s and about 60 other shops and restaurants.
The charming town of Idaho Falls offers dozens of locally owned shops and eateries.
The Villa Coffeehouse in downtown Idaho Falls is a great place to warm up on a chilly day.
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450 cowboys and cowgirls square off at War Bonnet Round Up
Idaho Falls is home to the War Bonnet Round Up, which started in 1911, making it Idaho’s oldest rodeo. This annual event in August brings together over 450 cowboys and cowgirls for competition. People also watch live music and drink cocktails outside in the summertime. "When I was growing up it was a sleepy town, and now there's a list of things to do on a Friday night," Smith says. Alive After Five and the Bank of Idaho River Concert Series bring in local artists, and live performances are held at local theaters and performing arts centers. The Snake River Roaring Youth Jam is an art festival designated for kids, while the Sidewalk Art Festival has multiple vendors and art displays along the Greenbelt. Folks can spend an afternoon or evening at Melaleuca Field cheering on the Idaho Falls Chukars, the minor league baseball team.
Surrounding by three highways and interstate
Idaho Falls is linked to several major highways. Interstate 15 is the main north-south route, taking drivers to Blackfoot and the Montana border. Highways 20 and 26 go east to west, reaching the Wyoming border and Mountain Home. There’s no active public transportation system in the city, but the Greater Idaho Falls Transit is the city’s ride service, similar to Uber. Air travel is available through the Idaho Falls Regional Airport; travelers can reach 12 nonstop destinations. Nearby hospitals include the Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center, Mountain View Hospital and Idaho Falls Community Hospital.
Home to three colleges
Idaho Falls students attend one of two public school districts: either Idaho Falls School District 91 or Bonneville Joint School District. The districts earn B-minus and B grades from Niche, respectively, and most students are assigned to the Idaho Falls School District. The district’s high schools offer dual credit courses that can be transferred to the College of Eastern Idaho, Idaho State University and Brigham Young University-Idaho. The College of Eastern Idaho’s main campus offers associate degrees in arts and sciences; the Idaho State University and the University of Idaho have satellite campuses in the city.
Idaho Falls is home to a multi university campus hosting Idaho State University and Idaho University.
Students from different colleges can all attend classes at the multi school campus in Idaho Falls.
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Steady rise in crime
Crime in Idaho Falls has steadily risen for the last five years. According to the Idaho Falls Police Department Annual Report, the city’s crime counts increased 8% from 2022 to 2023. The highest uptick came from societal crimes like drug charges. According to the Idaho State Police Crime Report, the city’s crime rate is 26% higher than the state average.
Written By
Courtney Murphy
Photography Contributed By
Chad Jackson
Video By
Francesco Basti
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Idaho Falls Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Idaho Falls, ID sell after 118 days on the market compared to the national average of 50 days. The median sale price for homes in Idaho Falls, ID over the last 12 months is $380,000, up 4% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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.
