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About Lewiston, ID

About Lewiston, ID

Relaxed community with plenty of water activities

Situated where the Snake and Clearwater rivers converge, Lewiston is a relaxed community of 35,000 with plenty of recreation opportunities. Founded in 1861, Lewiston is a part of Lewis-Clark Valley, named after the famed explorers who camped near the confluence of the two rivers on their westward journey. Today, Lewiston is home to Idaho’s only seaport and uses its waterways for its agriculture and recreation. It also has a vibrant downtown with trendy eateries, wineries and events. The median age is about 39, slightly above the Idaho average of 34. Lewiston includes a mix of industries such as health care, agriculture and manufacturing, and its largest employers are the St. Joseph Regional Medical Center, ammunition manufacturer ATK Inc. and the Potlatch Federal Credit Union.The Port of Lewiston is Idaho’s only seaport and a major economic driver for the area. “Tourism is a big industry on the cruise ships alone, with 21,000 people in and out of the Valley,” says Michelle Peters, president and CEO of Visit Lewis Clark Valley. “January through April are very slow, then May through October is when people come for Hells Canyon.”

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Lewiston has lots of walking trails along the Snake river.
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Lewiston is a rural community that provides lots of jobs.
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Jet boating capital of the world

The Lewis Clark Valley is home to Hells Canyon, the deepest river gorge in America. “We’re the jet boating capital of the world; that’s our main thing,” Peters says. “Water skiing, waterboarding, wakeboarding, it’s so big, and everyone isn’t on top of each other.” The city of Lewiston manages 23 parks, including athletic fields, playgrounds, and picnic areas. Kiwanis Park is located right on the water, while Clearwater Park has an area for the pups. Hikers and bikers can travel along the river on the Clearwater-Snake River National Recreation Trail, which connects for 19 miles. Residents can cool off during summer at the city’s two swimming pools. Residents of all ages can participate in the city-run programs ranging from sports leagues to hobbies like music, line dancing and painting. “We have four golf courses. They are very scenic with their hillsides,” Peters says. “In February, you have to call to get a tee time because people in Spokane come down here to golf.” Towards the airport are two golf courses. Bryden Canyon Public Golf Course allows folks to play a round of 9 or 18 holes. Lewiston Golf and Country Club members receive unlimited access to the 18-hole course, swimming pool and pro shop. Hells Gate State Park is south of the city, offering over 80 campsites and plenty of water sports like sailing, swimming and fishing.

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There is lots of wildlife to view near and around Lewiston.
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Lewiston has beautiful views over the Snake River.
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20th-century homes scattered throughout the city

Many homes in Lewiston are from the 20th century. The oldest properties are craftsman bungalow homes from the 1910s and 1920s, typically clustered toward downtown Lewiston. The most expensive properties are east of the airport, usually with lot sizes larger than a half-acre. These are also some of the newest areas, usually contemporary ranchers. The median home price is $380,000, which is about $135,000 less than Boise. Other architectural styles include ramblers, split-levels and manufactured homes.

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Craftsman bungalows like this make up a majority of homes in the city of Lewiston.
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Most of the homes in Lewiston are older craftsman style homes.
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Vibrant downtown with over eight wineries

Downtown Lewiston is the area’s main location for dining and drinking out. Fine dining, fast-casual and no-frills eateries are all along Main Street, serving surf and turf, Hawaiian, Italian and Mexican cuisines. Lewis Clark Valley is one of the three designated American Viticultural Areas, meaning it’s a designated wine grape-growing region. Residents can take a sip and tour around the area's 16 vineyards. Shopping options are off 21st Street, which has a Big Lots and Bath and Body Works. Walmart Supercenter and Costco are west in Clarkston, Washington.

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Downtown Lewiston is growing and has lots of local restaurants popping up.
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Downtown Lewiston features lots of local shops and restaurants.
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Downtown: A destination for events and socializing

Locals can have a social lifestyle with plentiful events in downtown. “There’s live music every weekend in town; it’s become a destination,” Peters says. Frequently throughout the year, there are brew and wine festivals where folks can taste local wine and beer flavors. The Lewiston Roundup is the annual rodeo held in September, which brings together the best cowboys and cowgirls for a weekend. The Dogwood Festival showcases the best of the valley’s art, wines, and performances over 30 days. The Nez Perce County Fair is a weekend event with carnival rides and unique foods.

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The city of Lewiston has beautiful views over the surrounding mountains nearby.
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Downtown Lewiston has a public library offering many amenities like computers to use.
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Home to Lewis-Clark State College

Lewiston Independent School District No.1 earns a B-minus grade from Niche. The district has a student-to-teacher ratio of 15 to 1 and a student body of around 5,000. The main campus of Lewis-Clark State College is right in the city; the small college enrolls just under 4,000 students across 130 programs. Other nearby colleges include Walla Walla Community College, University of Idaho-Moscow and Washington State University-Pullman.

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Lewis and Clark state college sits a short drive from downtown Lewiston.
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Many local students come to Lewis and Clark college to continue their education.
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Direct flights to Salt Lake City and Seattle

The city’s two main routes are Highways 95 and 12. Highway 95 travels north and south, while Highway 12 is an east-west route. The Lewiston Transit System and the Asotin County PTBA are the region's busing services; the Lewiston Transit System travels around the city, while the PBTA Blue Lines have countywide stops. The Lewiston Nez Pierce County Airport offers daily flights to Salt Lake City and Seattle through Delta Airlines. Lewiston does get all four seasons, with summer temperatures exceeding 100 degrees.

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Lewiston has a very small airport that provides flights to Seattle.
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Lewiston has a small bus network that provides alternate transportation for commuters.
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32% drop in crime

According to the Idaho State Police 2023 Crime Report, overall crime dropped significantly in Lewiston. From 2022 to 2023, the city had a 32% drop in crime. The most common crimes are assault, larceny and drug offenses. However, the city’s crime rate still higher than the state.

Courtney Murphy
Written By
Courtney Murphy
Brandon Wong
Photography Contributed By
Brandon Wong
Jacob McAllister
Video By
Jacob McAllister

Lewiston by the Numbers

36,018
Population
53
Average Days on Market

Average Home Value



Source: Public Records

Top Schools in Lewiston, ID

Source:

Best Public Elementary Schools

Camelot Elementary School
#1 Camelot Elementary School
B
Niche
8
GreatSchools
McSorley Elementary School
#2 McSorley Elementary School
B+
Niche
7
GreatSchools
Orchards Elementary School
#3 Orchards Elementary School
B+
Niche
7
GreatSchools
Webster Elementary School
#4 Webster Elementary School
B-
Niche
McGhee Elementary School
#5 McGhee Elementary School
C+
Niche
5
GreatSchools
Centennial Elementary School
#6 Centennial Elementary School
B-
Niche
4
GreatSchools
Whitman Elementary School
#7 Whitman Elementary School
B-
Niche
4
GreatSchools
Northwest Children's Home - Elementary School
#8 Northwest Children's Home - Elementary School

Best Public Middle Schools

Sacajawea Junior High School
#1 Sacajawea Junior High School
B
Niche
7
GreatSchools
Jenifer Junior High School
#2 Jenifer Junior High School
B
Niche
6
GreatSchools
Northwest Children's Home - Elementary School
#3 Northwest Children's Home - Elementary School

Best Public High Schools

Lewiston High School
#1 Lewiston High School
B-
Niche
5
GreatSchools
Tammany High School
#2 Tammany High School
D+
Niche
4
GreatSchools
Northwest Children's Home - Elementary School
#3 Northwest Children's Home - Elementary School

Best Private Schools

All Saints Catholic School
#1 All Saints Catholic School
Beacon Christian School
#2 Beacon Christian School
Cornerstone Christian School
#3 Cornerstone Christian School
Northwest Children's Home Educ
#4 Northwest Children's Home Educ
Wonder World Learning Center
#5 Wonder World Learning Center

Agents Specializing in this Area

Agent Spotlight

Jessica Dahlinger
(208) 310-7208
My business philosophy is simple: to offer superior service on an individual basis. I consider each client’s individual needs and resolve those issues in an assertive, yet friendly and caring manner.

Each and every sale is unique, as is each and every seller and buyer. I am an excellent communicator, and will always give you my honest, professional opinion so that you are in the position of making realistic decisions. I deliver current and accurate knowledge of the local real estate market, current events, and laws and regulations that affect real estate transactions. I have developed a loyal customer base from past clients having the confidence in me to refer me to their friends, relatives, neighbors, and business associates.

Having lived in Latah County for the past 29 years, I have an intimate knowledge of the area as well as the real estate trends. If you are looking for a competent, hard-working real estate professional, I welcome the opportunity to assist you without obligation.

I have previously served as the President of the Latah County Board of Realtors, chaired the Idaho Realtors Scholarship Committee, served on the Idaho Realtors Forms Committee and received the 2015 & 2024 LCBOR Realtor of the Year Award and the 2020 Good Neighbor Award. I currently serve as an Idaho Real Estate Commissioner. I also hold the designations of GRI (Graduate Realtor Institute), CRS (Certified Residential Specialist), ABR (Accredited Buyer Rep) and Certified Military Residential Specialist.
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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.