Star, Idaho, began as one of the earliest settlements in the Boise Valley, with roots tracing back to 1863 when Ben F. Swalley drove his ox team onto 300 acres along the Boise River, a mile south of the present town. Homesteaders followed, drawn by the fertile farmland and the irrigation from the Pioneer Ditch, completed later that year. By 1905, Star incorporated, spurred by the arrival of the Boise Interurban Railway in 1907, which brought electricity and rapid growth—doubling the population to over 500 and making it Idaho’s second-largest community after Boise at the time. Businesses like the Farmers Bank, Star Creamery, and El Dorado Lumber Company thrived, catering to farmers and travelers along a branch of the Oregon Trail. Growth stalled after the railway closed in 1928, and the town unincorporated in 1929 when locals resisted tax hikes for highway paving, only to reincorporate in 1997 as Ada County’s newest city.

Today, Star shines as a fast-growing suburb in the Treasure Valley, with a population exceeding 11,000 and projections to reach 30,000 by 2040. Located 18 miles west of Boise and straddling Ada and Canyon Counties, it retains a rural charm with rolling hills, the Boise River, and views of Shafer Butte and the Owyhee Mountains. Agriculture remains a backbone, but new businesses are sprouting—Albertsons Marketplace opened recently, and nearly 20 more, including retail and dining options, are slated for 2025 along State Street (Highway 44). The city struggles with traffic on its country highways and a lack of commercial density despite booming residential development, like the 550-home Heron River Subdivision begun in 2007. Star’s appeal lies in affordable housing—farms, acreage properties, and new subdivisions—drawing retirees and commuters alike, just 30 minutes from Boise and Nampa.

Downtown Star exudes small-town vibes with its historic core along State Street, where locally owned shops, restaurants, and the Star Mercantile—a general store since 1919—foster community ties. Revitalization efforts focus on a future central business district, with zoning shifts encouraging commercial growth without displacing older homes. Historic residences, including early 20th-century farmhouses, dot the landscape, though no formal historic district exists yet. The Star Theater, with its 1934 art deco facade, stands as a cultural relic, while events like Mule Days in June celebrate the town’s heritage. With parks, riverfront trails, and subdivisions featuring lakes and ponds, Star balances its pastoral past with a vibrant, evolving present, making it a gem for those seeking quiet living near urban amenities.