Idaho is a U.S. state located in the northwestern part of the country and well known for its mountainous landscapes and vast swaths of protected wilderness and outdoor recreation areas.
As of 2020, Idaho’s population was estimated to be 1,839,106 making it one of the least populous states in the U.S.
There are 201 incorporated municipalities legally known as cities in Idaho and in this post we’ll be looking at the most populous cities in Idaho.
Table of Contents
List of the Largest Cities in Idaho
| City name | County | Population (2020 Estimate) |
| Boise | Ada County | 240,380 |
| Meridian | Ada County | 129,555 |
| Nampa | Canyon County | 105,405 |
| Idaho Falls | Bonneville County | 64,618 |
| Caldwell | Canyon County | 62,487 |
| Pocatello | Bannock County | 57,947 |
| Coeur d’Alene | Kootenai County | 54,822 |
| Twin Falls | Twin Falls | 51,165 |
| Post Falls | Kootenai County | 39,452 |
| Lewiston | Nez Perce County | 32,978 |
10 Most Populous Cities in Idaho
1. Boise
The most populous city and capital of the U.S. state of Idaho is Boise. Boise is also the county seat of Ada County. In 2020 its population was estimated to be 240,380.
The city was founded in 1863 and incorporated in 1864. The Boise Metropolitan Area is also known as the Treasure Valley and it is the most populous metropolitan area in Idaho that includes five counties with a combined population of 749,202.
Downtown Boise has many local restaurants, bars, and boutiques and its main attractions are the Idaho State Capitol, the Boise Art Museum, the Egyptian Theatre, and Zoo Boise.
2. Meridian
Meridian was founded in 1893 and incorporated in 1903. It is located in Ada County in Idaho, USA. As of 2020, its population was 129,555, making it the second-largest city in Idaho after Boise.
It is considered to Idaho’s fastest-growing city as well as one of the fastest-growing cities in the United States.
3. Nampa
Nampa is the third most populous city in Idaho with an estimated population of 105,405 (as of 2020). It is also the largest city of Canyon County, Idaho, and the second main city of the Boise-Nampa Metropolitan Area.
It is located approximately 20 miles west of Boise along Interstate 84, and 6 miles west of meridian.
The name “Nampa” comes from a Shoshoni word which either means moccasin or footprint. It was established in 1886 and incorporated in 1891.
4. Idaho Falls
Idaho Falls is the fourth most populous city in Idaho with an estimated population of 64,618. It is located in Bonneville County which is also the county seat.
Idaho Falls is the largest city outside the Boise Metropolitan Area. The city serves as the commercial, cultural, and healthcare hub for Eastern Idaho and some parts of western Wyoming and southern Montana.
Idaho Falls is home to the College of Eastern Idaho, the Museum of Idaho, and the Idaho Falls Chukars minor league baseball team.
Idaho Falls is the main city of the Idaho Falls Metropolitan Statistical Area as well as the main city of the Idaho Falls – Blackfoot, Idaho Combined Statistical Area.
5. Caldwell
Caldwell is a city in Idaho founded in 1883. It is in and the county seat of Canyon County. Its population was estimated in 2020 to be 62,487, making it the fifth most populous city in Idaho.
The College of Idaho and College of Western Idaho is located in Caldwell.
6. Pocatello
Pocatello is a city in Idaho established in 1889 and located in both Bannock and Power Counties, Idaho. It is the county seat and largest city of Bannock County as well as the principal city of the Pocatello Metropolitan Area.
It is the sixth most populous city in Idaho with an estimated population of 57,947 (as of 2020). Pocatello is on Forbes’ list of the Best Small Places for Business and Careers in the United States.
7. Coeur d’Alene
Coeur d’Alene is the county seat of Kootenai County, Idaho, and the largest city in North Idaho. It is the main city of the Coeur d’Alene Metropolitan Statistical Area.
It was founded in 1878 and was incorporated as a town in 1887 and as a city in 1904.
As of 2020, its estimated population was 54,822 making it the 7th most populous city in Idaho. It is the satellite city of Spokane.
8. Twin Falls
This is the largest city and the county seat of Twin Falls County, Idaho. The city had a population of 51,165 (as of 2020), making it the eighth-most populous city in Idaho.
Twin Falls is the principal city of the Twin falls Metropolitan Statistical Area which includes the whole of Twin Falls and Jerome Counties.
9. Post Falls
With a 2020 population of 39,452, Post Falls is the ninth most populous city in the U.S. state of Idaho. It is located in Kootenai County, between Coeur d’Alene and Spokane, Washington, USA.
Post Falls is a suburb of Coeur d’Alene to the east and to the west, a bedroom community to Spokane.
10. Lewiston
This is the county seat of Nez Perce County, Idaho. Lewiston City was founded in 1861 and named for Meriwether Lewis (an American explorer, soldier, Politian, and public administrator). It is located in the north-central region of Idaho and the second-largest city in that region.
As of 2020, it had a population of 32,978, making it the tenth most populated city in Idaho. It is the principal city of the Lewiston, ID-WA Metropolitan Statistical Area which includes the entirety of Nez Perce County and Asotin County, Washington.
Conclusion
Out of 201 cities in Idaho, the top 10 most populated cities are Boise (which is the capital of Idaho), Meridian, Nampa, Idaho Falls, Caldwell, Pocatello, Coeur d’Alene, Twin Falls, Post Falls, and Lewiston.
