Nampa, Idaho

by Curtis Chism | Idaho Home Specialist

Nampa, the biggest city in Canyon County, Idaho is rumored to be named after the Shoshone word Namb – meaning moccasin or footprint!

About 20 miles (32 km) west of Boise and 6 miles (10 km) west of Meridian, Nampa is situated along Interstate 84. Being the second largest city in the greater Boise region.

Nampa is a well-liked destination for both families and property investors due to its picturesque surroundings and warm residences. All the amenities needed for a craved living are just nearby, and developed places like Meridian and Boise are also convenient.

At the time of the 2020 Census, there were 100,200 individuals residing in the city, making it the third most populated city in Idaho.

Although no one’s sure how the name ‘Nampa’ came to be. Some of the stations were given odd names as the Oregon short-line railway was being built through Idaho. Many of these names are thought to have Native American roots. Let’s have a glance at Nampa's story!

History of Nampa

Nampa’s story starts with the Land and Improvement company!

Born in the early 1880s when the Oregon Short Line Railroad built a line from Granger, Wyoming, to Huntington, Oregon, which passed through the lands now called Nampa.

Following the inauguration of the city as a railway station for the Oregon Short Line Railroad, Nampa became a highly important railroad town as more train lines began to develop and pass through it.

One of the town's earliest homesteads was created by Alexander and Hannah Duffes. They later joined forces with their co-founder and friend James McGee to organize the Nampa Land and Improvement Company and made segregations of the property into lots.

There’s even a historic museum commemorating the railroad company's importance.

The “New Jerusalem”

Duffes, a religious guy, envisioned a community without a bar. So, "New Jerusalem" became a common nickname for the town of Nampa, referring to its citizens and their strong focus on religion.

Chronicles of the Lakes in Nampa

Lake Ethel
A community picnic was often held at Lake Ethel, an irrigation reservoir, and many locals enjoyed fishing, swimming, boating, and even hunting on the lake and its surrounding land. However, the hunting was short-lived when O.F. Persons, the owner of the property next door, objected when local hunters began shooting his pet ducks.

The lake was eventually sold at auction by the city. The single bidder was former Nampa mayor E.H. Dewey. However, sporadic floods resulted in several unneighborly lawsuits. Lake Ethel was finally drained by Dewey. Soon after, both the Fritz Miller property and the Dewey house piqued the city council's interest. The people of Nampa desired more parks. The act was approved and soon after a swimming pool and Lakeview park had been opened to the public.

Lake Lowell
The United States Bureau of Reclamation built Deer Flat Reservoir between 1906 and 1911 as an off-stream irrigation storage reservoir. Locally known as Lake Lowell, it is encircled by the Deer Flat National Wildlife Refuge, which President Theodore Roosevelt created in 1909.

The Town Library
Downtown was home to a Carnegie library that burnt down in 1966. In March 2015, a brand-new library on 12th Avenue South opened its doors.

Festivals and Fun
Since around 1908, Nampa has hosted an annual harvest festival and farmers' market, which was a time for celebration and family fun.

In 1937, the Snake River Stampede Rodeo was born out of this celebration, and it is being held today. The pro rodeo circuit's top 12 rodeos include this one.

The Treasure Valley's first covered shopping center, Karcher Mall, debuted in 1965.

Until the Boise Town Square mall was constructed in 1988, Karcher Mall was "the place to meet" for several decades. Karcher Mall has recovered after many years of setbacks.

The neighborhood is experiencing a surge in new business due to the adjacent new I-84 junction.

Real Estate in Nampa
A vast variety of house designs are available in Nampa. From starter houses to million-dollar residencies with unique designs.

There is something for everyone, including apartments, condominiums, single-family houses ranging in size from 1500 to 4000 square feet and million dollar bespoke mansions on acres.

The cost of homes is higher than in Caldwell but cheaper than in Meridian or Boise.

Climate and Weather in Nampa
The winters are extremely cold and snowy, with the skies partially overcast in Nampa, while the summers are brief, hot, dry, and usually clear. The average annual temperature ranges from 23 to 92 degrees Fahrenheit, seldom falling below 8 or rising over 100.

The greatest time of year to visit Nampa for warm-weather activities, according to the tourism score, is from late June to late August.

City Statistics
According to the 2020 USA census, in the city, there are approximately 34,164 households, each housing 2.78 people.

The owner-occupied housing rate is 66.3%, and the median value of an owner-occupied unit is $191,800.

Parks and Recreation in Nampa
The main park, Lakeview Park, is 44 acres in size and has a public pool, an amphitheater with a seating capacity of 1,000, baseball and softball fields, a BMX track, a rose garden, basketball courts, a playground, a duck pond, a sand volleyball court, horseshoe pits, and a water-wise garden.

A Northrop F-89B Scorpion fighter jet, an M-60 tank, and a class 2-8-0 Union Pacific locomotive are among the historic exhibits on the site.

The 140,000 square foot (13,000 sq.m) Nampa Recreation Center was built in 1994 and features a six-pool aquatic center, three gymnasiums, racquetball courts, an indoor walking/running track, a weight room with workout equipment, a climbing wall, and other activity spaces.

The Centennial Golf Course (18 holes) and Ridgecrest Golf Club are owned and run by the City of Nampa (27 holes). The Kohlerlawn-Cemetery is another facility that the city owns and manages. Wilson Springs is a 55-acre natural area with paths and fishing ponds that are maintained by Canyon County Parks and Idaho Fish and Game.

Moreover, there are 14 miles of pedestrian routes and 27 parks in Nampa!

So if you’re an outdoorsy person, Kudos! Go explore every single one of the parks from the list below!

Cultural Spots Worth a Visit

Ford Idaho Center
The Ford Idaho Center is a series of entertainment facilities owned by the city and run by Spectra Venue Management.

The Idaho Horse Park hosts horse shows in its separate horse show venue, a 10,500-seat amphitheater with a 60-by-40-foot stage, and a 12,279-seat arena with 31,200 square feet (2,900 m2) of arena floor space.

The Sports Center hosts indoor horse shows in the summer and track and field competitions throughout the year, including the home meets of the Boise State University Broncos track teams.

Not to mention, the Snake River Stampede Rodeo, Monster Jam, music concerts, trade exhibits, athletic events, and other events are held at the Idaho Center.

Brandt Center
The Brandt Center at Northwest Nazarene University has a 1,500-seat auditorium, two galleries, many conference rooms, and a 9,000-square-foot lobby. Here, events for speakers, theater, dance, music, and other genres are held.

Civic Center
Theater, concerts, movies, and other activities are held in the Nampa Civic Center. It contains the John Brandt Performing Arts Theater, which has 640 seats.

The Hispanic Cultural Center of Idaho
In September 2003, the Hispanic Cultural Center of Idaho (HCCI) was opened. Events, seminars, and holidays including Da de Los Muertos, Hispanic Heritage Month, and International Women's Day are held at the facility. It functions as a venue for gatherings for associations and groups. The public can visit cultural history exhibits.

Nampa Train Depot Museum
The Nampa Train Depot Museum is a historical depot containing exhibits and records of the region's railroad and cultural heritage. In 1972, the Canyon County Historical Society prevented the station from being demolished.

Annual Festival of the Arts
Each year, this event features cuisine, music, dancing, and art at Lakeview Park. In 2021, they had their 34th tournament.

Warhawk Air Museum
Established in 1986, the Warhawk Air Museum moved to Nampa in 2001. The museum features historical airplanes and veteran artifacts. A P-51C Mustang, a P-40N Warhawk, an F-86F Sabre Jet, N3N, Fokker DR-1, UH-1C Huey, L-19 Bird Dog, MiG-17, MiG-21, F-104 Starfighter, and an F9F Panther Jet are among the aircraft in their collection.

Farmer's Market
Beginning in 1989, the Nampa Farmers Market takes place every week in Lloyd Square from April through October. It has more than 100 local vendors who are located within a 100-mile radius.

Other than Culture
If you’re just a foodie who is not interested in special cultural spots, don’t be disappointed so quickly!

The city of Nampa is full of food and dessert spots listed below and many more all across the area:

Eateries

Desserts and Coffee Cafes

Nampa School District

K-12
There are 18 elementary schools, 5 middle schools, 4 high schools, and 1 alternative high school in the Nampa School District that caters to kids who struggle in conventional high schools.

The oldest and original high school is Nampa High School, followed by Skyview High School, Columbia High School, and Union High School.

Idaho's Vallivue School District is split between Caldwell and Nampa. Seven elementary schools, two middle schools, and two high schools are located there (one in Nampa).

The list of convenient schools includes:

Elementary Schools

Middle Schools

High Schools

Post-secondary
A public, two-year community college, the College of Western Idaho (CWI) offers Associate's Degrees and Technical Certificates. It was established here in 2007.

The institution enrolls over 10,000 students and is recognized by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU).

Northwest Nazarene University (NNU) was founded in 1913 as a grade school and Bible school, but in 1937 it changed its status to a four-year university.

It serves about 2,000 students and is recognized by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.

Newest Nampa Homes

Lava Falls

Average House Price: $660,000
3-5 Beds, 2-3 Baths, 1530-3250 sq.ft

This single-family home subdivision called Lava Falls is now being built close to Southside Boulevard and Locust Lane. Lava Falls, a brand-new neighborhood across the street from renowned Lava Springs, will have 39 homesites with unique floor layouts.

Search all homes available in Lava Falls

Summit Ridge Subdivision

Average House Price: $839,900
3-5 Beds, 2-4 Baths, 1600-3939 sq.ft

What would you say about a tranquil abode beside a lovely lake and preserved wildlife? All while staying in close quarters of all the state-of-the-art modern facilities needed for an urban growing family!

The Summit Ridge in Nampa is just that! Near the renowned Lake Lowell and the Deer Flat National Wildlife Refuge.

In South Nampa, Idaho, M3 Companies is building a brand-new single-family home neighborhood on the southwest corner of Midland Boulevard and Green Hurst Road.

With 245 homesites total, the average lot size in Summit Ridge is 0.23 acres (9,700 square feet).

Search all homes available in Summit Ridge Subdivision

Carriage Hill West

Average House Price: $639,900
2-7 Beds, 2-5 Baths, 1278-3532 sq.ft

This peaceful neighborhood in Canyon County provides you with the tranquility of a bygone era while still being just ten minutes' drive from the simple conveniences you adore.

It is surrounded by mature trees and has stunning views of the Owyhee Mountains. Stock up on groceries at the neighborhood Walmart, get your stimulant fix at Moxie Java, or indulge in a delectable snack at Boise Fry Company.

Redhawk Golf Course and Lake Lowell Park are close by when you're ready for some outdoorsy activities. At West Carriage Hill, your family's ideal home is surrounded by peaceful elegance and comfort.

Search all homes available in Carriage Hill West

Southern Ridge Subdivision

Average House Price: $449,550
3-6 Beds, 2-4 Baths, 1620-3435 sq.ft

Looking over the lovely Osborne Park, which has a playground, paved pathways, and a 9-hole disc golf course, is this haven of prosperity and serenity.

This inexpensive residential part of town in Nampa, Idaho offers welcoming Craftsman and two-story design plans with sizes ranging from 1,620 to 3,435 square feet.

Locals have easy access to Northwest Nazarene University, Lake Lowell, daily necessities, and numerous shopping venues. An additional selling point for new, growing families is the Ronald Reagan Elementary school, reachable on foot.

Search all homes available in Southern Ridge Subdivision

Curtis Chism, Realtor
208-510-0427 | Mobile
boise@chismteam.com
Chism Team | NRDS# SP56593
brokered by eXp Realty