Around Southwestern Idaho: Economic activity, August 2024

Jan Roeser, regional economist
Idaho Department of Labor
(208) 696-2172

Region

Figure 1a.
Median price sold20242023Change
Ada$545,000$542,4500.5%
Adams$640,000$825,000-22.4%
Boise$510,000$712,500-28.4%
Canyon$424,900$404,9904.9%
Elmore$373,995$355,0005.4%
Gem$456,750$519,000-12.0%
Owyhee$392,450$475,000-17.4%
Payette$383,000$387,000-1.0%
Valley$770,000$721,5006.7%
Washington$314,500$318,540-1.3%
    
Source: Intermountain Multiple Listing Service
Figure 1b.
Days on market20242023Change
Ada36339.1%
Adams10038163.2%
Boise4152-21.2%
Canyon46429.5%
Elmore413517.1%
Gem4062-35.5%
Owyhee4283-49.4%
Payette4466-33.3%
Valley564233.3%
Washington4070-42.9%
Regional average days4952-7.1%
Source: Intermountain Multiple Listing Service
Figure 1c.
Inventory20242023Change
Ada1,7181,46917.0%
Adams453050.0%
Boise1199525.3%
Canyon1,09576842.6%
Elmore956741.8%
Gem1069215.2%
Owyhee413036.7%
Payette1369149.5%
Valley17714224.6%
Washington564136.6%
Regional totals3,5882,82527.0%
Source: Intermountain Multiple Listing Service
Figure 1d.
Total homes sold20242023Change
Ada80766421.5%
Adams8560.0%
Boise201266.7%
Canyon48332747.7%
Elmore3640-10.0%
Gem2223-4.3%
Owyhee69-33.3%
Payette2935-17.1%
Valley322245.5%
Washington187157.1%
SW sold and % change1,4611,14427.7%
Source: Intermountain Multiple Listing Service
Figure 2.
Jul-23Jul-24% ch.# ch.
Unique postings11,1499,594-13.9%-1,555
Days posted1514-6.7%-1
Number of employers3,1442,132-32.2%-1,012
Advertised wage$21.97$25.3215.2%$3.35
Share wage advertisements41%52%26.8%11%
Source: Help Wanted Online data via Lightcast
Figure 3.
Top 10 occupations by unique job postings in southwestern Idaho, July 2024Postings, July-24Postings, July-23YOY % change
Retail salespersons2932872.1%
Registered nurses285514-44.6%
Customer service representatives221223-0.9%
Computer occupations, all other179246-27.2%
Sales representatives, wholesale, manufacturing, except technical and scientific products17114022.1%
Software developers162228-28.9%
First-line supervisors of retail sales workers152205-25.9%
Laborers, freight, stock, material movers and hand128174-26.4%
Project management specialists1229725.8%
Fast food and counter workers12610421.2%
Source: Help Wanted Online data via Lightcast

Regional Fire Status

  • Adams County along with other firefighting agencies are attempting to contain the Limepoint fire which was started by lightning toward the end of July. Evacuations occurred within the unincorporated areas of Cuprum and Bear with containment at 88% as of Aug. 28, affecting 32,636 acres. Source: Idaho News 6 and inciweb.wildfire.gov
  • The Snag fire, part of the West Mountain Complex near Cascade in Valley County has consumed 27,458 acres as of Aug. 28 and is only 3% contained. Eagle Fire Department sent a crew to assist in firefighting activities. Source: CBS2 News and inciweb.wildfire.gov
  • 250 U.S. Army soldiers from the 14th Brigade Engineer Battalion from Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Washington state arrived in Idaho to help fight the West Mountain Complex fire comprised of five different sites — all started by lightening. An additional 63 support personnel, both civilian and military, accompanied the soldiers. The soldiers were trained at their base and after arriving at the fire, so they are prepared for the conditions and processes. The soldiers anticipate working on the fire for 30 days. Source: Idaho Capital Sun

Ada County

  • The City of Boise reported a favorable float season down the Boise River with rental of tubes and rafts along with shuttle bus transportation between the two parks ending after Labor Day. An estimate included more than 150,000 floaters, transportation provided for about 45,000 people with more than 10,500 rafts, 1,000 kayaks and 11,500 tubes rented at Barber Park since the season opened on June 27th.  The data is on par with 2023 but down from the record-breaking 2022 float year. Source: KTVB News
  • The U.S. Department of Labor and the Mexican Consulate collaborated to host informative workshops and events to workers that were visiting the consulate. Wage and hour rules regarding overtime and family medical leave are relevant to all workers regardless of their immigration status. Source: Boise State Public Radio
  • Boise State University has set its third annual record for fundraising after reporting $61.3 million in charitable donations at the end of its fiscal year, June 30. Last year, the record was set at $58.5 million. Source: Idaho Education News
  • The 2024 Albertsons Boise Open broke another record by raising more than $3 million for local charities. The concerts that are open to the public for a low entrance fee were sold out again this year with Daryl Hall canceling due to illness, while Jon Pardi and the Goo Goo Dolls entertained the crowds. It is the 35th year that Hillcrest Country Club has hosted the event for upcoming golfers to earn a PGA card. Source: albertsonsboiseopen.com and Idaho News 6
  • Boise Rescue Mission reopened a dormitory with 58 rooms to women and children at the Next Step Transitional Living facility in Boise. It had been open to women and children during the pandemic and eventually demand lessened allowing for its use as a classroom meeting area. Demand is up again. Source: Idaho New 6
  • Commercial office space is reported to be in the six to 7% vacancy range, according to Collier Idaho. Idaho’s smaller markets are even lower — closer to 3%. This compares to large urban cities that are reporting vacancy rates of between 25-35%. There continues to be a demand for space in the Treasure Valley. Source: Idaho Business Review
  • PetIQ, headquartered in Eagle, announced an acquisition by investment firm – Bansk – for $1.5 billion. The acquisition restructures ownership to private, with all common stock purchased by Bansk at $31 per share. Earlier, the company announced some closures of pet wellness centers across the nation. In the Treasure Valley, only one of the nine wellness centers is slated for closure — located in the Meridian Walmart. Source: Idaho Statesman

Canyon County

  • As Caldwell School District continues to look for ways to cut back on its budget, the school resource officers which were employed by the city of Caldwell were switched to private contractors. Eagle Eye Security was awarded the one-year contract to provide safety for the students, teachers, administrators and support staff. With the failure of the supplemental levy in May, Caldwell School District has had to cut out about $4 million in expenses to balance the budget. The guards will be armed and positioned in the middle and high schools. Source: Idaho News 6
  • Vallivue School District broke ground on two new elementary schools supported by the passage of its $78 million bond in 2023. The schools are named Falcon Ridge Elementary and Warhawk Elementary. Both schools are scheduled to open in time for the 2025-2026 academic year. The construction of new schools comes amid closures at surrounding school districts in Nampa and Caldwell. Source: Idaho Press
  • Middleton School District and Heritage Academy Charter School of Caldwell are approved to participate in the K-12 special education apprenticeship program that was recently approved by the Department of Labor. The apprenticeship program takes three years and school districts must apply to participate. Four apprentices will be hired by each approved school district and will work with mentor teachers. Each school district can ensure the program fits their needs such as deciding whether the apprentice takes on their own classroom right away or after a certain period with their mentor. The apprentices are not required to earn a degree. Source: Idaho Education News

Payette County

  • Ontario Partners, LLC was ordered to pay $260,000 in back wages to 76 H2A workers in their onion processing plant in Payette. In addition, about $44,000 was tacked on as a fine for the violation of the Fair Labor Standards Act. The company is one of the largest onion processors nationally. Source: Boise State Public Radio

Openings

  • Micron hosted a ribbon cutting for its new child care facility, positioned near its campus in southeast Boise. The center will start with 124 children of Micron employees. There was some private-public partnering that helped support the center’s creation. It will provide STEM curriculum along with teaching life skills to early childhood learners. The center is expected to expand its child care and education programs. Source: KTVB News
  • Basquenese plans to open in September offering both Basque and Vietnamese food, based on the ancestry of the co-owners. The new restaurant will open in the Warehouse Food Hall in downtown Boise. Source: Idaho Statesman
  • Janet’s Café announced its opening in Eagle at the former Dickey’s BBQ space. Janet’s originated in San Diego, California, and this marks its fourth restaurant and the first in Idaho. The restaurant is open for breakfast and lunch options. Source: Idaho Statesman
  • Meltz Extreme Grilled Cheese will move after two years to a different Boise location at the Spectrum’s Chow Public Market and Eatery. It was originally founded in Coeur ’Alene, with this being its second Idaho restaurant. Source: Idaho Statesman
  • Solari Pizzeria Napoletana started its food truck business with solar panels firing its ovens. The two partners personally revamped a shipping container into a mobile food truck and wired in the series of solar panels. Source: Idaho News 6
  • The Bruery opened a taproom in Meridian. It is a San Diego brewery that sells its beer in the Treasure Valley like its peer, Mother Earth Brew Co. Source: Idaho Statesman
  • Due West opened in the downtown Boise space coined House of Western. It’s a high-end menu yet casual vibed restaurant. Source: Idaho Statesman

Closures

  • Hart & Cooley announced it will close its fabrication and distribution plant in Nampa. The layoffs will be staggered starting in October — impacting about 65 workers. The company makes heating, ventilation and air conditioning units fueled by natural gas, which is currently out of favor environmentally. Source: WARN, Idaho Department of Labor
  • After two years, Vegan Soul is closing in the Spectrum’s Chow Public Market and Eatery. Its proprietor indicated the emphasis going forward will be on popups, placement of product in local stores and catering. Source: Idaho Statesman
  • Boise School District trustees voted to close Owyhee Elementary School next year and convert it to a preschool. This came after a stop-start in which parents requested more information and transparency into what concreted the decision. Source: Idaho Education News
  • Homestead Bar & Grill in Meridian announced it would close after eight  years in operation. Source: Idaho Statesman
  • Heartland RV is closing its manufacturing plant in Nampa, impacting an estimated 70 workers. The separation date is Oct. 5. Source: WARN, Idaho Department of Labor
  • McCain Foods announced it will close Great American Snacks in Nampa. An estimated 250 workers will be laid off in September, with opportunities to move to other processing plants, including one in Burley. Source: KTVB News

Jan.Roeser@labor.idaho.gov, regional economist
Idaho Department of Labor
(208) 696-2172


This Idaho Department of Labor project is funded by the U.S. Department of Labor for SFY24 as part of the Workforce Information grant (48%) and state/nonfederal (52%) totaling $704,259.

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