Kimberly blends country living with urban convenience
Kimberly is located about 7 miles east of Twin Falls in the heart of Idaho’s Magic Valley. “Each of the towns surrounding Twin Falls offers something different, and Kimberly is known for its friendly, helpful people,” says Realtor Devry Nield with Fathom Realty, who has sold in the valley for 20 years. “We’re a farming community, but also the hub for Twin Falls; people looking for 1-acre homes in the area come here.” Kimberly plays a key role in the region’s dairy industry, with companies like Chobani setting up manufacturing facilities and sourcing from local producers. Though it’s an agriculturally driven city, it isn’t rural and secluded, so residents can quickly access everyday amenities and attractions.
Recreation ranges from Little League games to hiking near waterfalls
Kimberly City Park is the central gathering space in town and features baseball fields, picnic tables, a playground and walking paths. It hosts the annual Kimberly Good Neighbor Days, a two-day community event with live music and vendors. The Pleasant Valley Golf Course is open to the public, about 5 miles outside the city. For more outdoor adventures, residents are 7 miles from Shoshone Falls Park — known as the Niagara of the West — where the Snake River plunges into a deep canyon. The park has overlooks and trails, and boaters and water-skiers often cruise through the winding gorges. Dierkes Lake Park is another popular spot for swimming, boating and tubing. During the winter, residents drive 90 miles north to ski in one of Ernest Hemingway’s favorite resort towns, Sun Valley.
Ranch-style and New Traditional homes dominate the market
Housing in Kimberly primarily consists of single-family properties with New Traditional and ranch-style architecture. The median price is $430,000, which is on par with the national figure. However, manufactured homes can start around $120,000, and contemporary builds on multiple acres soar into the $900,000 and $1 million ranges. Houses near the center of town are densely packed and often occupy fenced-in lots. Newer residential construction is steadily pushing into the surrounding farmland, with paved roads and suburban neighborhoods cutting into the once-untouched landscape. “There’s a lot of growth on the outskirts,” Nield says. “You’ll find a lot of upper-end subdivisions, especially along the canyon.”
A few local restaurants and shopping in Twin Falls
Most of Kimberly’s shopping and dining options sit off Main Street. Ridley’s Family Markets sells groceries, and big-box stores, like Walmart and Albertsons, are 7 miles away in Twin Falls. The city has a few restaurants, including Guppies Hot Rod Grille for classic American fare and Monterey Jack’s for pizza. Destino Coffee Company provides a sit-down experience, and Tianna’s Coffee House offers drive-through service.
Education through the Kimberly School District
Students may begin their education at Kimberly Preschool before heading to either Kimberly Elementary, which scores a C-plus on Niche, or B-rated Stricker Elementary. Kimberly Middle earns a C-plus, and Kimberly High has a B. Alternatively, the RISE Charter School for kindergarten through 12th grade has 325 spots available by application. According to Niche, the district ranks No. 5 in the state for athletics.
Getting around south-central Idaho by car and plane
U.S. Highway 30 is the main thoroughfare in town and leads to Twin Falls, 7 miles west. Commuters can also reach Interstate 84 in about 6 miles. The Magic Valley Regional Airport, 10 miles away, offers Delta Airlines flights to and from Salt Lake City.