ocated in a broad basin along the Boise River valley, Boise is the state's capital city and county seat for Ada County. Westward along the valley, the cities of Meridian, Eagle, Kuna, Nampa and Caldwell blend into one another, creating a sprawling metropolitan area (The Boise City-Nampa MSA is comprised of Ada, Boise, Canyon, Gem & Owyhee Counties). These cities form the most densely populated area in the state of Idaho. Locally, the southwest Idaho region is referred to as the "Treasure Valley," so named for the great treasures of gold and silver once mined in the area.

GEOGRAPHY

The geological forces that creared the area resulted in foothills that sweep up from the city to mountains 7,600 feet in altitude. The plain, in which most of the grearer Boise area is located, is at 2,842 feet in elevation. A large concentration of geothermal wells, springs and hot springs are located throughout the foothills.

TAX STRUCTURE

Idaho has one of the most balanced tax systems in the country. Revenues are obtained from personal income tax, sales tax and property tax, with no single tax being out of balance with the others. This sound structure, coupled with moderate tax rates, provides a good climate for economic growth.

POPULATION

(source: U.S.Bureau of Census Estimates – July 1, 2006)

Boise City	198,638
Ada County	395,035
Boise City-Nampa MSA	567,640
Canyon County	173,302
Idaho	1,466,465

POPULATION GROWTH

(Boise City-Nampa MSA Annual Growth Rate  source: Idaho Department of Commerce and Labor)

1990-2000	4.5%
2000-2001	3.6%
2001-2002	2.9%
2002-2003	2.6%
2003-2004	2.8%
2004-2005	3.9%
2005-2006	4.1%

ETHNIC BREAKDOWN

(Boise-Nampa MSA 2006, U.S. Bureau of Census, August 2007)

White	95.1%
Hispanic	10.3%
Asian	1.5%
Native American & Alaskan Native	0.8%
African-American	0.7%
Other	1.7%

TOPOGRAPHY & CLIMATE

(Ada County)

Land Area	1,645 sq. mi.
Boise Elevation	2,842 ft.
Mean Temperature	50.90°
Precipitation	12" per year
Snow Fall	21" per year
Sunny Days	234 per year

HOUSING - MEDIAN HOME PRICE

(2007  source: Intermountain MLS Statistics)

Ada County	New Construction:  $275,500 Existing Homes:  $210,000
Canyon County	New Construction:  $197,000 Existing Homes:  $146,000

AVERAGE APARTMENT RENT

(October, 2007  source: Mountain States Appraisal)

Standard Amenity, 15 to 25-year-old complex
1 Bedroom	$550-600
2 Bedroom	$595-675
3 Bedroom	$725-795
Newer, Full-Amenity Complexex (pool, clubhouse, carport)
1 Bedroom	$625-695
2 Bedroom	$675-825
3 Bedroom	$825-925

EMPLOYMENT

(2006 Averages  source: Idaho Department of Commerce and Labor)

INCOME PER CAPITA

(2005 Boise City-Nampa MSA*  source: US Bureau of Economic Analysis)

Ada County	$39,302
BoiseCity-Nampa MSA	$32,527
State of Idaho	$28,478

2006 EFFECTIVE BUYING INCOME - ADA COUNTY

(U.S. Census Bureau - American Community Survey 2006)

Total Number of Households	140,616
Median Household Income	$53,868
Average Household Income	$67,963

INCREASE IN COST OF LIVING

(Based on Wells Fargo Bank's cost of Living Index Yearly-Average)

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

• Idaho Department of Commerce & Labor
• Intermountain MLS
• Mountain States Appraisal
• US Bureau of Census
• US Bureau of Economic Analysis
• US Bureau of Labor Statistics
• Wells Fargo Bank