Kuna is a farming town of about 16,000 in Ada County, in southwestern Idaho. Kuna is in the center of the Treasure Valley, which is a 100-mile-long region stretching roughly from Mountain Home, Idaho to Ontario, Oregon. The regional population is about a half-million.
Kuna (pronounced CUE-nah) has its origins 150 years ago as a popular place for travelers to pause on their way to the Oregon Trail. But these days, Kuna has become popular as a great place to live.
A sound economy
Many Kuna residents work in the thriving high-tech industries of Boise and Nampa (each less than 20 minutes away). Numerous surveys name the Treasure Valley as one of America’s best places to live. In fact, in April 2005, Inc. Magazine rated the Boise area second nationally on the list of “Best Cities to Do Business in America”. A month later, Forbes Magazine ranked the Boise metropolitan area first nationwide for business and careers, after rating the area second in 2003 (the region ranked sixth in 2002). The Treasure Valley also had a 3.3 percent increase in job growth and a 2.9 percent increase in income between 2002 and 2003, according to the Forbes report.
Micron Technology Inc. (the world’s third-largest manufacturer of computer chips), Boise Cascade, Washington Group International, Albertsons and Simplot are headquartered in Boise, ensuring the region’s economy remains relatively stable. Boise also hosts one of Hewlett-Packard’s most significant research and development sites. Boise is also the state capital and home to Boise State University, providing government jobs to thousands.
High quality of life
The Treasure Valley rates high for quality of life, with good air quality, low crime and top-notch schools.
- High test scores: Autumn 2003 Idaho Standards Achievement Test scores for the Kuna School District show all grades 2 through 10 score above the national average for reading and language; fifth and sixth graders score less than a half-percent below the national average for math, while all other grades score above the national average for math.
- Good air quality: There are some lists the Treasure Valley is proud to be off of. The Treasure Valley’s air hasn’t violated EPA health standards since 1991, right before woodstove ordinances took effect.
- Shorter commute: The average commute in Ada County is around 11 miles. The majority of Treasure Valley workers (62%) spend between 10 to 29 minutes one way commuting, according to a 2002 survey of households.
- Lower crime rates: Kuna in 2003 had fewer than 2 violent crimes per 1,000 people and fewer than 17 serious property crimes per 1,000 people, according to the Ada County Sheriff’s Department. That’s less than half the national average of 5 violent crimes and 36 serious property crimes per 1,000 people.
Recreation abounds
There’s also plenty to do in the area.
- Outdoor attractions include fishing, boating and water sports at nearby Lucky Peak Reservoir and Lake Lowell. Nearby mountains provide camping, hunting, fishing and world-class whitewater sports.
- Family-oriented country fairs, farmer’s markets, parades and festivals are going on constantly.
- Boise attracts major national conventions and touring entertainment acts to the Morrison Center for the Performing Arts, Bank of America Centre and Taco Bell Arena. The Idaho Shakespeare Festival has one of the best outdoor stage performance areas in the country. Professional sports teams include the Boise Hawks for baseball and the Idaho Steelheads for hockey.
- A regional mall and modern shopping centers offer the latest in consumer convenience.
Kuna is still mostly a farming town, but it’s staking out its own identity as a tourist attraction. Kuna is known as the gateway to the Birds of Prey. A few minutes from town is the Snake River Birds of Prey National Conservation Area, which has the largest concentration of raptors in the United States. A system of trails, interpretive sites, parks and historical curiosities make the area fun to explore.
A greenbelt bike path system is under construction in Kuna and a visitor’s center is being planned.
