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Boise (['bɔɪ·si] locally, or ['bɔɪ·zi] by non-locals, less commonly known as Boise City) is a city located in the Northwestern United States in the state of Idaho. Boise is the capital and most populous city of the U.S. state of Idaho as well as the county seat of Ada County. Located on the Boise River, this is the principal city of the Boise City-Nampa metropolitan area and the largest city between Salt Lake City, Utah and Portland, Oregon. Boise passed Spokane in city population in 2001 census estimates and is now the third largest in the northwest U.S., behind Seattle and Portland. Boise serves as the primary government, economic, cultural, and transportation center for the area.

As of the 2007 Census Bureau estimates, Boise's population was 202,832 with a metropolitan area estimated to have 587,689 inhabitants, by far the most populous metropolitan area in Idaho, and the now the third largest in the U.S. Northwest (a close fourth, if Spokane-Coeur d'Alene are considered in combination, 456,175 + 134,442 = 590,617).

Demographics

Historical populations
Census	Pop.		%±
1880	1,899		—
1890	2,311		21.7%
1900	5,957		157.8%
1910	17,358		191.4%
1920	21,393		23.2%
1930	21,544		0.7%
1940	26,130		21.3%
1950	34,393		31.6%
1960	34,481		0.3%
1970	74,990		117.5%
1980	102,249		36.4%
1990	125,738		23.0%
2000	185,787		47.8%
Est. 2007	202,832		9.2%
source:

Boise has grown considerably in recent years and is now comparable in size to other mid-size cities at the center of their own metropolitan areas in the United States. Comparable cities are Grand Rapids, Des Moines and Providence.

As of the census of 2000, there were 185,787 people, 74,438 households, and 46,523 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,913.1/sq mi (1,124.7/km²). There were 77,850 housing units at an average density of 1,220.7/mi² (471.3/km²). The racial makeup of the city was:

• 92.15% White
• 0.77% African American
• 0.70% Native American
• 2.08% Asian
• 0.16% Pacific Islander
• 1.74% from other races
• 2.39% from two or more races

Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.53% of the population.

There were 74,438 households out of which 32.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.7% were married couples living together, 10.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.5% were non-families. 28.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.44 and the average family size was 3.03.

In the city the population was spread out with:

• 25.3% under the age of 18
• 11.7% from 18 to 24
• 32.3% from 25 to 44
• 20.6% from 45 to 64
• 10.0% 65 years of age or older

The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females there were 98.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.8 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $42,432, and the median income for a family was $52,014. Males had a median income of $36,893 versus $26,173 for females. The per capita income for the city was $22,696. About 5.9% of families and 8.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.7% of those under age 18 and 6.0% of those age 65 or older.

Transportation

The major Interstate serving Boise is I-84. Highway 55 branches outward northeast. There is a network of bike paths throughout the city and surrounding region.

Public transportation includes a series of bus lines operated by ValleyRide. Also, the Downtown Circulator, a streetcar, is in its planning stage.

Commercial air service is provided at the Boise Airport, recently renovated to accommodate the growing number of passengers flying in and out of Boise. Public bus transportation is provided by ValleyRide and the Boise Urban Stages (BUS).