$352,797Average Value$222Average Price per Sq Ft58Homes For Sale
A county seat in Southwest Idaho with a historic heart
At the junction of the Snake and Payette Rivers on the Oregon-Idaho border, Payette balances between rural agriculture and urban conveniences. The seat of Payette County, this small city of 8,100 residents feels more like a town, thanks to abundant available land, green spaces, community festivals and a revitalized downtown shopping area. Payette began in 1883 as a construction camp for the Oregon Short Line Railroad. A lumber mill shortly followed, and the city still maintains strong ties to transportation services and manufacturing. “We have a growing population in the city, and that creates challenges for the city government because of more strain on its services,” says Jeff Williams, a Broker with Coldwell Banker Classic Properties and former mayor of Payette. “It’s also a challenge for a small community to have commerce and transportation. Transportation gets people through the area fast and safely, while the government wants people to stop and shop. Payette is a transportation crossroads, and there are events with vendors downtown, like Cruise Night. People come out and enjoy each other’s company.”
An abundance of land in Payette cultivates a tightly knit agricultural community.
Residents and tourists alike enjoy local eateries like the Sundance Saloon in downtown Payette.
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Historic and contemporary housing in Idaho’s Treasure Valley region
Most of Payette’s housing was built between 1970 and 1999, although new construction is ongoing throughout the city, thanks to large amounts of available land. Numerous houses were also built in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Preserving historic buildings is important to the city, and homeowners take maintaining these houses seriously. In fact, Payette is well-known for its numerous Queen Anne-style Victorian-era houses. Over 89% of housing consists of manufactured homes, townhouses and two-to-three-bedroom single-family homes. Appreciation rates in Payette are lagging behind the nation, with the city’s residences losing two percentage points over 2024. Homes sell for a median price of $350,000, close to the national median.
Larger families will appreciate the spacious layouts of modern craftsman and ranch style homes in Payette.
Smaller families will find rows of craftsmans bungalows and cottages in downtown Payette.
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Parks, the Apple Blossom Festival and worship centers
The city has over 50 acres of community green spaces spread over nine parks and trails. The Payette swimming facility in Kiwanis Park has two full-size pools and a wading pool. The Payette River Greenbelt runs approximately one-half mile before ending at Payette Greenbelt Pond, a swimming area. The Snake River is a hot spot for jet skiing, fishing, rafting and boating. It’s easily accessible through Centennial Park’s North End Marina. Scotch Pines Golf Course is open to the public and features a driving range, chipping and putting greens and a remodeled clubhouse.
Held each year during the second week of May, the Apple Blossom Festival offers live concerts, a beer garden, carnival rides and a fireworks display. Other community events are held at one of the city’s numerous Protestant, Catholic and Latter-day Saints worship centers throughout the year.
With over nine parks throughout Payette the indoor outdoor swimming pool is a year round favorite.
The Snake River runs along the northwest edge of downtown Payette.
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A revived downtown, locally owned eateries and Ontario Marketplace
In 2015, the city invested in revitalizing its downtown Main Street area. The pedestrian-friendly shopping district is part of a preservation program, in conjunction with The National Trust for Historic Preservation, that promotes heritage tourism. Small, local businesses selling antiques, flowers, hardware, crafting supplies and groceries are spread over the blocks surrounding North 8th Street. National quick service chains and family-owned Mexican restaurants, coffee houses and grills dot South Main, South 16th and North 8th Streets. Ontario Marketplace is an expansive shopping center adjacent to Walmart in nearby Ontario. It features national retailers, big box stores and quick-service restaurants, 5 miles from Payette.
Families will love dining at Keystone Pizza in revitalized downtown Payette.
Find local retail shops at the north end of Payette.
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Local schools and Treasure Valley Community College
Payette Joint School District #371, which has a C-minus rating from Niche, oversees four schools for prekindergarten through 12th grade. It has a developing technology program, providing students with access to Chromebooks and iPads. Seven miles southwest, Treasure Valley Community College has served the region since 1962. It offers two-year degrees and professional certificates across dozens of concentrations.
Students from Pre-K through 12 can attend schools in the Payette school district 371.
Treasure Valley Community College in nearby Ontario offers two year degrees and professional certificates.
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Industry, employment and Valley Family Health Care
Manufacturing, healthcare, transportation and warehousing are Payette’s most prominent industries. Companies like Seneca Foods, Panic Plastics and Iron Hart Services provide employment opportunities in the city. Valley Family Health Care operates medical and dental clinics throughout the region.
Seneca foods in downtown Payette is the cities largest employer.
Find local health care from Valley Health located in south Payette.
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Interstate 84, Snake River Transit and Boise Airport
People in Payette typically drive, although downtown and different subdivisions are very walkable. Around 6 miles southwest, Interstate 84 provides access to the West Coast, while U.S. Route 95 leads north to Weiser and south to Fruitland and Parma. State Highway 52 bisects the city as 18th Street follows the Payette River for 54 miles before crossing into Oregon. Snake River Transit operates the No. 1 bus route that passes through Payette. Boise is 55 miles southeast, while Boise Airport is 59 miles away for nationwide flights.
Rain shadows, natural disaster risks and FBI crime data
Payette's summers are hot and dry, while winters are cold and sometimes rainy. However, the city rests in the rain shadow of the Cascade Mountains, so there’s rarely over 10 inches of precipitation annually. Payette County faces wildfire and poor air quality risks. Residents are encouraged to wear masks during air advisories and keep brush away from their homes to reduce potential wildfire fuel. According to FBI crime data, the city’s overall property crime rate decreased steadily from 2020 to 2023. Violent crimes, on the other hand, dropped sharply from 2021 to 2022 before rising again in 2023. Still, the city’s overall crime rate was below the national average, according to FBI data released in 2023.
Written By
K.T. Phillips
Photography Contributed By
Chad Jackson
Video By
Timothy Cerva
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On average, homes in Payette, ID sell after 67 days on the market compared to the national average of 52 days. The median sale price for homes in Payette, ID over the last 12 months is $337,000, down 3% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Charming 1936 cottage reimagined for modern living! This spacious 6 bed, 3 bath home offers 3,460 sq ft on a .20-acre corner lot just seconds from downtown Payette, local parks & the library. Step inside to arched doorways, bay window dining, cozy wood-burning fireplaces & exposed brick paired with today’s upgrades: brand-new HVAC, new gutters with leaf filters, new windows, LVP flooring & a
This beautiful single-level home, built in 2022, offers 4 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms, and 2,202 sq ft of thoughtfully designed living space. Inside, you’ll love the open-concept layout with 10-foot ceilings, oversized windows, and engineered hardwood flooring throughout the main living areas. The gourmet kitchen features stainless steel appliances, quartz countertops, an oversized farmhouse sink,
Bright and inviting single-level home featuring an open layout with abundant natural light. The kitchen offers white cabinetry, granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, and a gas cooktop. Updates include new knotty alder doors and waterproof vinyl plank flooring throughout. With 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, and a 2-car garage, this home combines comfort and function. Outside, enjoy a fully
Escape to the tranquility of country living w/ this beautifully updated 5-bed, 3-bath home, nestled on over 2 acres. With plenty of room to grow, this property offers endless possibilities, from building a shop or ADU to bringing your animals and enjoying the open space. You'll have ample RV parking and a horse corral for all your outdoor needs, plus fruit trees, a shed, and a garden to complete
Discover a rare opportunity to acquire 496 acres in the growing community of Payette, Idaho. Could be potential for future development in emerging sectors such as AI data campuses, nuclear power generation, green hydrogen, clean tech, advanced manufacturing, or distribution. A previous buyer entered a development agreement with the County for nuclear power use and a new buyer may wish to acquire
Nestled on a quiet cul-de-sac, this well-maintained home offers the perfect blend of comfort and outdoor living. Step outside to a spacious backyard designed for entertaining, gardening, or even keeping animals. Enjoy evenings around the fire pit, relax under the covered patio, and take in the peace and privacy of your own retreat. With plenty of room to make it your own, this property is ideal
JUNE RENT IS FREE!! Pay the security deposit and move in today (with background check approval). You will appreciate the quiet location. It feels like a new apartment with granite countertops, fresh paint, flooring, appliances, fixtures, sink, etc. Enjoy white cabinets for that super modern upgrade! The outside just received a fresh, new color of paint! One of the more affordable rentals on the
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