Train town turned growing city with central location
Located 20 miles from downtown Boise, Nampa is one of the three major cities in the rapidly growing Treasure Valley. The suburban area draws people who want a relaxed lifestyle and central location. “People are coming from Western states like California, Oregon and Washington,” says Mike Moir, managing partner at the Agency Boise, who’s worked in the region for more than ten years. “They’re coming for a lifestyle in that rural setting.” The city’s origin is similar to Canyon County's; Nampa was one of the many towns developed on the Oregon Short Line Railroad, a major route between Wyoming and Oregon. It officially became incorporated as a city in 1891.
Today, the city has a median age of 33 and a population of just under 110,000, making it the third-largest city in Idaho. Its low cost of living makes it an attractive spot for younger buyers, and some major employers in the city are the Nampa School District, Saint Alphonsus Medical Center and Plexus Corporation. Other employers in the Treasure Valley include Albertsons and Micron Technology, which both have headquarters in Boise.
Train tracks in Nampa pass through downtown.
Cargo trains deliver loads several times a day in downtown Nampa.
The Nampa Public Library is a Welcome Addition to Downtown Nampa Idaho.
St Alphonsus Medica Center is Nampas largest hospital.
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Popular city for first time buyers
Nampa is playing catch up to its growing population, which is why a lot of its housing stock includes newly constructed homes. Planned subdivisions with traditional, contemporary and craftsman architecture line the outer edge of the city, and homes near Downtown Nampa are older builds with midcentury modern touches. Areas around Lone Star Road tend to have larger lot sizes. The city appeals to first-time buyers searching for affordability; the median price for a single-family home is $420,000, and townhouses near the city’s center cost between $250,000 and $400,000. The city is also starting to build more upscale housing. “Nampa has been underserved in the upper end of housing, but we are starting to see success there, too,” Moir says.
American foursquare architecture in the heart of Downtown Nampa.
Find a lovely cottage style home in Downtown Nampa.
The Nampa Library is packed out to see animal expert Corbin Maxi.
Crowds gather in anticipation for the annual Nampa tree lighting ceremony.
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Two public school districts and two universities
Although Nampa is served by two public school districts, most kids attend Nampa School District, which earns a C-plus rating from Niche. The district promotes project-based learning, dual enrollment and STEM Programs. The district’s ICAT program (Idaho Center for Advanced Technology) is within each high school, and students can choose from 28 different pathways. Vallivue School District is the second public school district option, rated B.
The city also has two colleges, including the nearly 1,200-student Northwest Nazarene University, known for its engineering, nursing, education and business programs. The College of Western Idaho, also in Nampa, offers more than 120 programs and options like career training, associate’s degrees and flexible classes.
Welcome to Central Elementary School.
Columbia High School provides a stellar education to its students in Nampa.
Northwest Nazarene University sits just minutes south of downtown Nampa.
GEM Prep offers quality education for grades K-6
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27 Nampa parks and growing miles of trails
People in Nampa use the city’s 14 miles of trails for hiking, walking and biking. Golfers practice their swings at Ridgecrest Golf Club and Centennial Golf Course, both public 18-hole courses. The Nampa Parks and Recreation Department runs 27 parks; the largest is Midway Park, which is 52 acres. The city is expanding the park to include more baseball fields and walking loops. The city parks department’s goal is to have four acres of green space for every 1,000 people and increase its number of trails.
The Harvard Recreation Center provides indoor programs for all ages, including weekly fitness classes, personal training and a fitness center, and hunters and birdwatchers use the Deer Flat National Wildlife Refuge. The wilderness area is also home to Lake Lowell, a popular spot for fishing and boating. Just south, the Owyhee Mountains offer challenging hikes. When winter strikes, people head nearly 40 miles to Bogus Basin for skiing and snowboarding.
Play a friendly game of basketball at East Side Park in Downtown Nampa.
Kingfisher trail traverses the southeast shoreline of Lowell Lake in Nampa.
Residents enjoy the duckpond at Lakeview Park near Downtown Nampa.
Venture outside of Nampa's the city limits to explore all that the area has to offer.
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Revitalized downtown and regular farmers market
Nampa has made numerous improvements to its downtown district. Located between 3rd and Front Streets, downtown has trendy, locally-owned shops and eateries, including cafes, fast-casual restaurants and cocktail bars. The Nampa Farmers Market, where more than 100 vendors sell their produce, goods and crafts from April to November, has been around for more than 40 years. City programs attract new downtown businesses with incentives and help existing merchants with renovations. Treasure Valley Marketplace off Interstate 84 has more than 40 retail stores and restaurants, including national brands like Target and Costco. Nampa is located between the Western Treasure Valley and the Sunnyslope region, which has dozens of wineries.
Stellas Ice Cream in Downtown Nampa is always a hit with friends and family.
Shoppers step inside to warm up after shopping the Hip Holiday Market in Nampa.
Enjoy a tall cold one at Pre Funk Beer Bar in Downtown Nampa.
Kids will love all of the fun food samples at the Nampa Farmers Market in Downtown Nampa.
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Home to the Snake River Stampede
In Nampa is the Ford Idaho Center, an entertainment complex hosting concerts and events, like the Snake River Stampede, one of the top professional rodeos in the U.S. Held during the third week of June, the stampede brings cowboys and cowgirls to Nampa to compete in front of often sold-out crowds. Nampa is also developing an art scene; the Nampa Civic Center auditorium hosts performing arts events and concerts. The Nampa Festival of the Arts brings more than 200 artists to the area for contests, live music and kids' activities. At the Warhawk Air Museum, residents can check out the country’s most extensive collection of war memorabilia and see the world's last World War II fighter planes.
Nampa is a lively and colorful place to live.
Nampa is home to the Snake River Stampede held at the Ford Idaho Center.
The Ford Idaho Center in Nampa is home to many events.
The Ford Idaho Center has stables and agricultural exhibits for the Snake River Stampede.
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Trips to Boise using Interstate 84
I-84 connects commuters 20 miles east to Boise. Though the city was not initially designed for the population growth it’s experiencing, new roadway expansions and development are underway. “We have two seasons in Nampa: winter and road construction,” Moir says. People can also get around via ValleyRide, the Boise transportation system, and Treasure Valley Transit through Canyon County. The Boise Airport, 19 miles away, offers direct service to 28 cities, mostly in the Midwest and West Coast.
Nampa’s high desert location means residents enjoy a mild climate with an average of 210 sunny days per year. There are four seasons; temperatures can reach 21 degrees in January and 91 degrees in July. The area also has a high number of ozone days from nearby wildfires, which means air quality may be bad at times.
Slight uptick in Crime
Nampa has seen a slight increase in crime, most significantly in assault, weapon charges and robbery. Robbery went up 42% between 2022 and 2023, and aggravated assaults went up 18% during the same time period.
Jeff has built a successful real estate career the past 16 years and is a native Idahoan. He is married to his beautiful wife and together they have three children. He has served as President of the Boise Regional REALTORS® association in 2021, is passionate about his industry and achieving his client’s real estate goals.
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.
