Kuna, Idaho

Kuna, Idaho
City
Main Street in Kuna in 2008
Seal
Motto: "Gateway city to the birds of prey"
Location in Ada County and the state of Idaho
Coordinates: 43°29′35″N 116°25′8″W / 43.49306°N 116.41889°W / 43.49306; -116.41889Coordinates: 43°29′35″N 116°25′8″W / 43.49306°N 116.41889°W / 43.49306; -116.41889
Country	United States
State	Idaho
County	Ada
Government
• Mayor	W. Greg Nelson
Area[1]
• Total	18.18 sq mi (47.09 km2)
• Land	18.08 sq mi (46.83 km2)
• Water	0.10 sq mi (0.26 km2)
Elevation	2,694 ft (821 m)
Population (2010)[2]
• Total	15,210
• Estimate (2012[3])	16,189
• Density	841.3/sq mi (324.8/km2)
Time zone	Mountain (UTC-7)
• Summer (DST)	Mountain (UTC-6)
ZIP code	83634
Area code(s)	208
FIPS code	16-44290
GNIS feature ID	0396755
Website	cityofkuna.com

Kuna is a city in Ada County, Idaho, United States. It is part of the Boise City–Nampa, Idaho Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 15,210 at the 2010 census.^[4]

Kuna is one of the fastest-growing areas in Idaho, having nearly tripled in population between 2000 and 2010.

Geography

Kuna is located at 43°29′35″N 116°25′8″W / 43.49306°N 116.41889°W / 43.49306; -116.41889 (43.493092, -116.418936)^[5] at an elevation of 2,694 feet (821 m) above sea level. Kuna's business center is approximately 18 miles (29 km) southwest of downtown Boise, the state capital.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 18.18 square miles (47.09 km²), of which, 18.08 square miles (46.83 km²) is land and 0.10 square miles (0.26 km²) is water.^[1]

South of Kuna is located the Kuna Caves, an underground lava flow cave.

A small seasonal creek, Indian Creek, runs through the city. It is now used as an irrigation canal, filled by the New York Canal from the Boise River Diversion Dam. One of the few small floatable waterways in the region, Indian Creek is a favorite swimming spot for local residents.

History

Kuna originated as a railroad stop with coach transport to Boise. It is popularly believed, as cited by the Kuna Chamber of Commerce, that the translation of the name "Kuna" means "the end of the trail", but Charles S. Walgamott cites the origin of the name as a Shoshone Indian word meaning "green leaf, good to smoke" (see "Six Decades Back", a memoir of Walgamott's adventures in the late 1800s in southern Idaho).

The Western Heritage Historic Byway, designated as a national as well as a state scenic byway, travels around a number of historic sites in the area.

Demographics

As of 2000 the median income for a household in the city was $40,617, and the median income for a family was $42,956. Males had a median income of $32,236 versus $22,473 for females. The per capita income for the city was $13,891. About 10.1% of families and 14.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.3% of those under age 18 and 33.0% of those age 65 or over.

2010 census

As of the census^[2] of 2010, there were 15,210 people, 4,782 households, and 3,838 families residing in the city. The population density was 841.3 inhabitants per square mile (324.8 /km²). There were 5,108 housing units at an average density of 282.5 per square mile (109.1 /km²). The racial makeup of the city was 91.2% White, 0.6% African American, 0.8% Native American, 0.7% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 3.6% from other races, and 2.9% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 8.6% of the population.

There were 4,782 households of which 56.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 63.3% were married couples living together, 11.9% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.1% had a male householder with no wife present, and 19.7% were non-families. 14.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 3.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.18 and the average family size was 3.53.

The median age in the city was 28.1 years. 37.7% of residents were under the age of 18; 7.4% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 35.1% were from 25 to 44; 15.3% were from 45 to 64; and 4.4% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 49.9% male and 50.1% female.

Government and infrastructure

The United States Postal Service operates the Kuna Post Office.^[9]

The Idaho Department of Correction operates the South Boise Prison Complex,^[10] is a correctional complex located in unincorporated Ada County, near Kuna.^[11]

Culture

The Snake River Birds of Prey Festival is held every year in mid-May. Taking advantage of the nearby Morley Nelson Snake River Birds of Prey National Conservation Area, which holds North America's densest population of nesting raptors, it offers lectures and tours about raptors, as well as about local history.

Recreation

Veteran's Memorial Park

In the city center is Colonel Bernard Fisher Veteran's Memorial Park, named after one of the city's most famous residents.

Notable people

• Bernard Fisher, awarded the Medal of Honor

Notes

External links

• Official website
• Kuna Chamber of Commerce
• kuna360.com
• Kuna Melba News, newspaper of city record
• Snake River Birds of Prey Festival
• Western Heritage Historic Byway

v t e Municipalities and communities of Ada County, Idaho, United States County seat: Boise Cities Boise Eagle Garden City Kuna Meridian Star CDP Hidden Spring

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