Relocate to Idaho

Idaho Community Directory

|

Idaho Real Estate Agents

With a spectacular view of the Sawtooth Mountains, "The Gem State" is known for more than just their potatoes.  Home to over 40 State and National Parks, Idaho provides the backdrop of a unique landscape of mountains, rivers and a glacier.

Idaho State Flag

Population:

 1,293,953

Nickname:

 The Gem State

Bordering States:

 Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming

Notable Cities:

 Boise, Idaho Falls, Meridian, Nampa, Pocatello, Twin Falls

2008 Top 100 Winner:

 Boise

Great Destinations:

 Sun Valley Resort, Hells Canyon National Recreation Area, Silver Mountain Resort, Craters of the Moon National Monum

Did You Know...

 Idaho is perhaps the only state that was likely named as the result of a hoax. In early 1860s, when the United States Congress was considering organizing a new territory in the Rocky Mountains, eccentric lobbyist George M. Willing suggested the name "Idaho", which he claimed was derived from a Shoshone language term "ee-da-how" meaning "the sun comes from the mountains" or "gem of the mountains." Willing later claimed that he had made up the name himself.

Learn More About Moving To Idaho

In the early 1800s fashionable men in Europe wore tall, fancy fur hats. Suddenly, beaver skins became very valuable. New paths were cut especially to search for furs. David Thompson, a British trader, established the first white settlement, the trading post for the North West Company. The post was used to trade guns, knives and pots for beaver pelts.

Gold was discovered in the 1860s and prospecting brought in new settlers and wealth to the area. As the populace grew, there were skirmishes with Native Americans over mining rights. Railroads brought more people and allowed the development of newly found lead and silver mines.

By the 1900s, farming was gaining a foothold as the government initiated several irrigation projects. With this help, Idaho produced cash crops like wheat, alfalfa and sugar beets.

Today’s major industries include agriculture, food processing, forestry and high tech manufacturing. Potatoes, wheat and corn grow copiously in the Palouse country, while cattle, sheep and dairy farming are found in most other areas of the state.

Manufacturing and high tech electronics are playing an increasing role in Idaho’s economy. Boise is home to one of the highest concentrations of business headquarters per capita in the entire world.

The statewide tax rate is 5 percent. There is a travel and convention tax of 2 percent on lodgings with local options to levy an additional 5 percent.

Varied recreational activities is enhanced with varied scenery, making Idaho an ideal vacation spot. Boating, hunting and fishing are the most popular outdoor activities, especially along the reservoirs along the Snake river. Skiing has grown in popularity in the past several decades, creating resorts in numerous communities. Some more well known areas are Pocatello, Silver Mountain and Sun Valley.