Small community home to Mountain Home Air Force Base
Located 45 miles outside of Boise, Mountain Home is a rural community of 16,000 known for the Mountain Home Air Force Base. “Many people are on active duty or work in the base. There are other people that were stationed at Mountain Home and are now retired,” says Henry Groves, realtor and team leader at John L. Scott Real Estate. More than 40% of the city’s population has a connection to the base; otherwise, residents can enjoy an outdoorsy lifestyle in Idaho’s high desert. “If you like the slow pace of life, it’s a great area with a good small-town atmosphere,” Groves says.
The railyard in Mountain Home provides an essential hub for the industries in the area.
With three major highways in Mountain Home you can get to larger cities like Boise to the north and Twin Falls to the south.
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Plentiful recreation in the Idaho High Desert
The city of Mountain Home manages about 20 parks. Legacy Park has a fishing pond, playground and basketball, while Optimist Park is popular for its BMX and rodeo tracks. Other popular parks include Richard Aguirre Park, which has a swimming pool and Railroad Park, which hosts farmers and flea markets. Railroad Park will soon expand to include a splash pad, playground and walking trails. Golfers can play a round of 18 at Desert Canyon Golf Course, and Bruneau Dunes State Park is home to the tallest single-structured sand dune in the country; people rent boards to ride down the dunes or ride horses to the top. At nighttime, the night sky is visible through telescopes at Bruneau Dunes State Park. “CJ Strike [Reservoir] is close for people that like fishing,” Groves says. “It’s a close drive to Soldier Mountain and Bogus Basin, which have skiing.”
Residents enjoy the Desert Canyon golf course located just west of interstate 84 in Mountain Home.
Boating fishing hunting and more can all be found along the Snake River near Mountain Home.
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New construction with lower prices than Boise
The Mountain Home population has seen a 4% increase from 2020. “It’s cheaper to live in Mountain Home. The growth in Boise has caused some people to live in Mountain Home and drive in for work in Boise,” Grove says. The median single-family home price is $360,000, which is about $150,000 less than Boise. Another sign of the city’s growth is the high number of new construction homes. These are typically craftsman-style ranches and contemporary two-stories on the north and south ends. Homes closer to downtown mid-century ranch-style homes. Other architectural styles include manufactured homes, split-levels and ranches.
New developments are sprouting up around the outer edges of Mountain Home.
Find new construction homes like modern ranches and craftsmans in south Mountain Home.
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Over 200 murals in Mountain Home
Mountain Home’s downtown is centered between Jackson Street and 5th. When folks walk around the downtown region, they’ll find over 200 murals designed by local artists. These murals provide a symbolic message or tell a tale about the city. Downtown is also home to local restaurants that vary from American, Italian, and Mexican cuisines. Shopping options range from boutiques and tiny gift shops. Outside this region are chain restaurants, coffee shops and a Walmart Supercenter. However, most shopping and dining will likely be done in the other metro cities. “Most of the people in Mountain Home would drive to Boise, but I think there’ll be more amenities soon,” Groves says.
With over 200 murals in Mountain Home your sure to find one or two that inspries your day.
Murals supporting the military can be found throughout the city of Mountain Home.
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Celebration of service members during Air Force Appreciation Day
Mountain Home celebrates its large veteran and active-duty population by hosting Armed Forces Appreciation Days, a week-long celebration leading up to Air Force Appreciation Day. This event, usually held on Saturday, includes a car show, barbecue and a large parade. The Mountain Home Country Music Festival rounds up summer festivities with an evening full of local breweries and food trucks.
Home to three major highways
Drivers can use Interstate 84 to reach Boise. Highway 67 goes to the Air Force Base, while Highway 51 heads south toward Hot Springs. Public transportation options are available through the Mountain Home Community Transit, a subset of the non-profit Treasure Valley Transit. The free bus system runs every hour from 9 to 5. There’s also a route for the Air Force Base. The nearest airport is the Boise Airport, which is 40 miles north. Travelers can take flights to over 27 destinations nationwide. Medical services are available through the St. Luke’s Elmore Campus.
Two school districts
Students can learn from Mountain Home School District 193, a B-minus school by Niche. The district teaches over 3,600 students and has an 89% five-year graduation rate. Another school district option is Richard McKenna Charter Schools, which earns a C-minus from Niche. Their district is divided by a Montessori-style K-6 school, a seventh and eighth-grade campus, and an in-person or online option for high school.
The Mountain Home public library supports the Mountain Home school district.
The Hub in downtown Mountain Home is part of the cities revitalization plan that offers thousands of square feet of retail space.
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32% dip in crime and lower rate than the state's
Crime in Mountain Home is trending downward. The Idaho State Police 2023 Crime Report showed that the city had a 31% dip in crime from 2022 to 2023. The most common offenses were drug-related charges. The crime rate is 18% lower than the state’s crime rate.
Written By
Courtney Murphy
Photography Contributed By
Chad Jackson
Video By
Aiyshanti Green
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
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an experienced agent in this area.
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