Star Idaho City Information

Local History

Star is located on the Snake River basin plain that crosses, from east to west, the south end of the State of Idaho. Star is in the middle area of the valley at an average elevation of about 2,470 feet above sea level and borders the Boise River on the south 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. Star is near the old Oregon Trail and was on the trail between Boise to the east and the convergence of the Boise and Snake Rivers on the west. One of its first structures was a schoolhouse, which had a star mounted on it indicating the east, west directions. Settlers used this marker as a guide as they passed through. The name stuck and when the community incorporated, it was named Star.

Star 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 location of non- agriculturally based jobs for the region. Star is located about 16 miles west of Boise with a primary economic base of agriculture still. It has become a satellite or bedroom community location for the Boise market. This change came mainly through the introduction of clean industries, such as Hewlett Packard and Micron Technologies, in the last 20 years. Boise and the surrounding areas 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.

Star is located in Ada County. It is the smallest city in the county at about 5,500 in population as of 2008. The population of Star more than doubled in the last 10 years, primarily due to non-agricultural related regional growth as noted with most of the new growth being based on residential development. Star is most closely located and related to Middleton in Canyon County to the west and to Eagle in Ada County on the east that is now adjoined with Boise. Ada County has the largest concentration of people in the state. Star is beginning to establish itself as a full service community due to the increase in population though most major purchases, services and higher education etc., though located within 20 miles, are still outside the community. The city's small-town feel but convenient location has made it an attractive spot for families and others. Top end small acreage properties, developing outside the community, have begun to put Star on the "place to live" residential map in a five county area that supports the Boise market.

Whatever your reasons for coming to Star, it can be considered a good choice and one of the positive puzzle pieces that make up the "Treasure Valley" whose real treasure has always been its people. Trust the experts at Stewart Realty, LLC to help you find your own piece of Star Idaho real estate.

Still unsure about where you want to move? Keep reading about Star 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.