Caldwell Idaho City Information

Local History

Caldwell is located on the Snake River basin plain that crosses, from east to west, the south end of the State of Idaho. Caldwell borders the Boise River on the north end. This is considered a high desert area with most of the moisture occurring and collecting in the surrounding mountains and then being transferred into the valley by creeks, streams and rivers. These waterways provide the irrigation water used by farmers across the whole south end of the state. Prior to being a city, Caldwell was a key point along the Oregon Trail near the convergence of the Snake and Boise Rivers. Later it became a railroad construction center in the 1870’s and it continued to develop as an economically viable location until it was incorporated after Idaho was made a state in 1890. It has had positive average growth since then and is now one of the jewels of the “Treasure Valley”.

Caldwell is part of the greater Boise economic region of Southwest Idaho, referred to as the “Treasure Valley” due to its agriculturally based wealth made possible by irrigation and mild climate. Boise is the economic and political hub of this region being the capital of the state, the largest city in the state and the primary source of non agriculturally based jobs for the region. Caldwell is located about 25 miles west of Boise and though having its own economic and industrial base, primarily in agriculture, has become a major satellite or bedroom community location for the Boise market. This change came primarily through the introduction of clean industries, such as Hewlett Packard and Micron Technologies, in the last 20 years.

Boise and the surrounding area’s have also become a hub for transportation and storage, higher education, communication call centers, medical services and most other major demographic factors that allow clean and sustained growth. Caldwell is part of the Boise Metro area that now has the greatest concentration of people between Salt Lake City Utah and Portland Oregon at about 588,000. Boise and the surrounding area’s have also become a hub for transportation and storage, higher education, communication call centers, medical services and most other major demographic factors that allow clean and sustained growth.

Caldwell is located in and is the county seat of Canyon County. It is the second largest city in the county at about 40,000 in population as of 2008 with its adjacent neighbor Nampa, being the largest at about 80,000. These two cities are referred to as the twin cities, as they are adjacent to one another. The City governments are separate, but there is good cooperation between the twin communities in every aspect of physical and political infrastructure. Caldwell is home to one of the highest rated liberal arts colleges in the country, College of Idaho, which was founded in 1891 shortly after the state was formed in 1890. It carried the name of Joe Albertson from 1991 to 2007 and was called Albertsons College of Idaho during this period. Joe was the former food chain magnet, who made Idaho its world headquarters and southwest Idaho his home. With his passing, changes in ownership with Albertson food chain and funding for the college, the name was changed back. Caldwell has a diverse history and rich heritage that has always played large in Southwest Idaho’s story.

Caldwell’s two greatest growth periods occurred during WW ll, when J.R. Simplot spear headed the food processing industry that serviced our soldiers during the war and then again starting in about 1990 to present, where the high tech electronic industries were introduced into the valley, with Hewlett Packard and Micron Technologies. All three industry giants are still here and providing employment as world-class market players. The population has more than doubled since 1990 when there were only 18,400 people in Caldwell. The quality of its people, its natural resources and cheap available hydroelectric power from several dams in the region has made this, and continues to make this area, attractive to clean industry and to families wanting clean air and water in a low crime environment suited for healthy family lifestyles.

Caldwell is currently revitalizing the old down town area by opening up Indian Creek that runs through it and establishing green belt and parkways adjacent to the creek in order to lay a foundation for environmentally friendly clean growth in the near future. At the same time, efforts are being made to preserve historical features and historical residential areas within the community. Examples of this are the recent restoration of the old railway station and the establishment of the Steuenberg Historical district. The Steuenberg District is residential and is named after one of the first Governors of the state, Governor Steuenberg, who resided in Caldwell.

Whatever your reasons for coming to Caldwell, it can be considered a good choice and one of the positive puzzle pieces that make up the “Treasure Valley” who’s real treasure has always been its people. This site is your one source for finding homes for sale in Caldwell Idaho.

Still unsure about where you want to move? Keep reading about Caldwell Idaho or check out other city pages to find the area of the Treasure Valley that best fits your needs. This site also has up to date information from the Boise MLS on available homes in the area so you can find the perfect home.