If you remember this article from a few months ago, according to a number of different studies, Idahoans are pretty content to live in this great state. There are hundreds of reasons why, of course — from our picturesque scenery and affordable lifestyle to our sense of community, there’s plenty to love here! But while Idaho isn’t for everybody and no one town is “perfect,” there are a few cities in the Gem State where people are particularly content.
Zippia recently completed a study on the happiest cities in Idaho, analyzed based on seven American Community Survey factors that contribute to overall happiness: education, employment rate, commute time, cost of living, family and marital status, home ownership, and city-wide poverty level. These factors were applied to over 30 Idaho cities with populations of 2,000 or more and ranked on a “Happiness Index” to get the official list. With this data in mind, here are the ten happiest cities in Idaho, ranked from least to most happy.
- Hayden
City of Hayden/Facebook People Who Own Their Home: 70.9%
Married Adults: 59.4%
Hayden’s scenic Northern Idaho setting near Lake Hayden no doubt contributes to its happiness score, as does its high number of married couples.
- Kuna
Kuna Community/Facebook People Who Own Their Home: 81.9%
Married Adults: 65.0%
Kuna’s rural vibe combined with close proximity to Boise and Meridian means Kuna residents get the best of both worlds.
- Hailey
Carol Walker/Hailey, Idaho/Facebook People Who Own Their Home: 59.7%
Married Adults: 68.4%
Beautiful Hailey has been repeatedly named as one of the top small towns in the nation.
- Lewiston
J. Stephen Conn/Flickr People Who Own Their Home: 64.4%
Married Adults: 49.1%
We recently ranked Lewiston as one of the best places to survive the apocalypse, and I firmly believe that’s why residents here are so happy.
- Preston
J. Stephen Conn/Flickr People Who Own Their Home: 70.7%
Married Adults: 60.0%
This cozy rural town near Idaho’s southern border has been ranked as one of Idaho’s safest and friendliest cities for years, but a high rate of home ownership boosts Preston’s score as well.
- Chubbuck
City of Chubbuck People Who Own Their Home: 68.6%
Married Adults: 56.5%
Pocatello’s “smile capital of the U.S.” status has clearly rubbed off on its neighbor. Chubbuck gets high marks for its low crime rate.
- Star
Jennifer Churchman/Flickr People Who Own Their Home: 72.1%
Married Adults: 69.1%
Rural, family-friendly, and with a high percentage of married couples, Star hits the sweet spot between small town Idaho and the Boise metro.
- Meridian
Meridian Parks and Recreation/Facebook People Who Own Their Home: 72.7%
Married Adults: 62.5%
As Idaho’s fastest-growing city and repeatedly ranked on dozens of top ten “best” lists across the nation, Meridian’s high home ownership rate shows that its residents are hoping to stick around for a while.
- Ammon
Howard Richter/Flickr People Who Own Their Home: 73.1%
Married Adults: 62.1%
Ammon doesn’t often get the recognition it deserves, but the community here is what truly stands out.
- Eagle
NikonFDSLR/Flickr People Who Own Their Home: 78.3%
Married Adults: 66.6%
An incredibly high rate of home ownership showcases Eagle’s reputation as a high-end neighborhood in the Boise metro area, but its lush landscaping no doubt helps keep residents happy as well.
Do you agree with this list? Let us know which city in Idaho you think is the happiest (or not), and share the Idaho love!
City of Hayden/Facebook
People Who Own Their Home: 70.9%
Married Adults: 59.4%
Hayden’s scenic Northern Idaho setting near Lake Hayden no doubt contributes to its happiness score, as does its high number of married couples.
Kuna Community/Facebook
People Who Own Their Home: 81.9%
Married Adults: 65.0%
Kuna’s rural vibe combined with close proximity to Boise and Meridian means Kuna residents get the best of both worlds.
Carol Walker/Hailey, Idaho/Facebook
People Who Own Their Home: 59.7%
Married Adults: 68.4%
Beautiful Hailey has been repeatedly named as one of the top small towns in the nation.
J. Stephen Conn/Flickr
People Who Own Their Home: 64.4%
Married Adults: 49.1%
We recently ranked Lewiston as one of the best places to survive the apocalypse, and I firmly believe that’s why residents here are so happy.
People Who Own Their Home: 70.7%
Married Adults: 60.0%
This cozy rural town near Idaho’s southern border has been ranked as one of Idaho’s safest and friendliest cities for years, but a high rate of home ownership boosts Preston’s score as well.
City of Chubbuck
People Who Own Their Home: 68.6%
Married Adults: 56.5%
Pocatello’s “smile capital of the U.S.” status has clearly rubbed off on its neighbor. Chubbuck gets high marks for its low crime rate.
Jennifer Churchman/Flickr
People Who Own Their Home: 72.1%
Married Adults: 69.1%
Rural, family-friendly, and with a high percentage of married couples, Star hits the sweet spot between small town Idaho and the Boise metro.
Meridian Parks and Recreation/Facebook
People Who Own Their Home: 72.7%
Married Adults: 62.5%
As Idaho’s fastest-growing city and repeatedly ranked on dozens of top ten “best” lists across the nation, Meridian’s high home ownership rate shows that its residents are hoping to stick around for a while.
Howard Richter/Flickr
People Who Own Their Home: 73.1%
Married Adults: 62.1%
Ammon doesn’t often get the recognition it deserves, but the community here is what truly stands out.
NikonFDSLR/Flickr
People Who Own Their Home: 78.3%
Married Adults: 66.6%
An incredibly high rate of home ownership showcases Eagle’s reputation as a high-end neighborhood in the Boise metro area, but its lush landscaping no doubt helps keep residents happy as well.
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