Nampa, Idaho
Geography
Nampa is located in the southwestern part of Idaho, United States. It is the largest city of Canyon County and is situated about 20 miles west of Boise along Interstate 84, and six miles west of Meridian. Nampa is part of the Boise metropolitan area. The city is bounded by the foothills of the Boise Mountains to the north and the Owyhee Mountains to the south.
History
Nampa began its life in the early 1880s when the Oregon Short Line Railroad built a line from Granger, Wyoming, to Huntington, Oregon, which passed through Nampa. More railroad lines sprang up running through Nampa, making it a very important railroad town. Alexander Duffes established a townsite at the crossing of the Oregon Short Line Railroad and the Bannock and Idaho Central Railroad. The town was named after the Shoshone word for footprint, "namb."
Demographics
As of the 2010 census, there were 81,557 people residing in the city. The population density was 3,034.9 people per square mile. There were 30,507 housing units at an average density of 1,129.5 per square mile. The racial makeup of the city was 82.9% White, 0.7% African American, 1.2% Native American, 0.9% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 10.7% from other races, and 3.5% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 24.2% of the population.
Economy
Nampa's economy has historically been centered around agriculture. However, the city's development and growth has led to an increase in service and retail jobs. The top employers in the city are the Nampa School District, Walmart, Saint Alphonsus Medical Center, and the City of Nampa.
Education
Nampa is home to several post-secondary education institutions, including the College of Western Idaho and Northwest Nazarene University. The city is also served by the Nampa School District, which includes 15 elementary schools, 4 middle schools, and 4 high schools.
Culture
Nampa has a vibrant arts scene, with the Nampa Civic Center hosting a variety of musical and theatrical performances throughout the year. The city is also home to the Warhawk Air Museum, a museum dedicated to preserving and displaying aircraft and artifacts from America's aviation history.
Parks and Recreation
Nampa is known for its outdoor recreational opportunities, with numerous parks, golf courses, and the Deer Flat National Wildlife Refuge. The city also hosts the annual Snake River Stampede Rodeo, one of the top professional rodeos in the United States.
Infrastructure
Nampa's infrastructure includes a municipal airport, the Nampa Municipal Airport, and a public transportation system, the Treasure Valley Transit. The city is also served by the Idaho Transportation Department, which maintains the state highways and interstates.