📊 Boise City, ID Market Demographics
Population
801,000
🟢 Census ACS 2023
Median Household Income
$64,200
🟢 ACS Table B19013
Median Age
35.9 yrs
🟢 ACS Table B01002
Unemployment Rate
3.5%
🟢 BLS LAUS
Homeownership Rate
66.5%
🟢 ACS Table B25003
📋 Market Analysis: Why Boise City for Franchising?
Income & purchasing power. Boise City's median household income of $64,200 is 15% below the national median of $75,149. Value-oriented franchise concepts (QSR, cleaning services, discount retail) tend to perform well in markets below the national income median, as franchisees can maintain lower operating costs while serving strong demand.
Labor market conditions. The unemployment rate in Boise City is 3.5%, 0.1pp below the national average of 3.6%. A labor market near the national average provides balanced conditions for franchise operations — neither constrained by labor shortages nor burdened by weak demand.
Homeownership & service demand. At 66.5%, homeownership in Boise City is 1.3pp above the national rate of 65.2%. Homeownership near the national average supports moderate demand across both home services and consumer-facing franchise categories.
Top opportunity: Coffee & Beverages. With a Penetration Index of 42 (58% below the national average), Coffee & Beverages has the highest Opportunity Score of 88/100 in Boise City. The market has an estimated 60 existing units versus 144 expected based on population — a gap of roughly 84 units that represents white-space opportunity for new entrants.
How Boise City compares. Demographically similar metro areas include Cape Coral, Charleston, Stockton. Comparing franchise penetration across peer markets can reveal whether Boise City's opportunity gaps are local (untapped demand) or structural (category fit for the region). Explore each peer market for side-by-side franchise category analysis.
#1
☕
Coffee & Beverages
Coffee shops, juice bars, tea houses, and specialty beverage franchises
88
Opportunity
Score
🟡 Estimated
Penetration Index
42
58% below avg
Est. Units (Boise City)
60
vs 144 expected
Avg Investment
$150,000–$500,000
typical range
58% below peer-market average — 60 estimated units vs 144 expected for a market of 0.8M (Source: FDD Item 20 estimates)
📊 Source: Unit counts from FDD disclosures + SBA franchise data
Full Analysis — All 10 Categories in Boise City →
#2
🏠
Home Services
Cleaning, landscaping, HVAC, plumbing, and home improvement service franchises
88
Opportunity
Score
🟡 Estimated
Penetration Index
42
58% below avg
Est. Units (Boise City)
74
vs 176 expected
Avg Investment
$80,000–$300,000
typical range
58% below peer-market average — 74 estimated units vs 176 expected for a market of 0.8M (Source: FDD Item 20 estimates)
📊 Source: Unit counts from FDD disclosures + IFA annual report
Full Analysis — All 10 Categories in Boise City →
#3
🍔
Fast Food / QSR
Quick-service restaurants including burgers, pizza, sandwiches, and ethnic fast food
77
Opportunity
Score
🟡 Estimated
Penetration Index
54
46% below avg
Est. Units (Boise City)
174
vs 320 expected
Avg Investment
$250,000–$800,000
typical range
46% below peer-market average — 174 estimated units vs 320 expected for a market of 0.8M (Source: FDD Item 20 estimates)
📊 Source: Unit counts from FDD Item 20 + Census business patterns
Full Analysis — All 10 Categories in Boise City →
#4
💪
Fitness & Wellness
Gyms, boutique fitness studios, yoga, martial arts, and wellness centers
77
Opportunity
Score
🟡 Estimated
Penetration Index
54
46% below avg
Est. Units (Boise City)
52
vs 96 expected
Avg Investment
$200,000–$600,000
typical range
46% below peer-market average — 52 estimated units vs 96 expected for a market of 0.8M (Source: FDD Item 20 estimates)
📊 Source: Unit counts from IFA membership data + FDD Item 20
Full Analysis — All 10 Categories in Boise City →
#5
🚗
Automotive Services
Oil change, auto repair, detailing, and specialty automotive service franchises
77
Opportunity
Score
🟡 Estimated
Penetration Index
55
45% below avg
Est. Units (Boise City)
35
vs 64 expected
Avg Investment
$180,000–$450,000
typical range
46% below peer-market average — 35 estimated units vs 64 expected for a market of 0.8M (Source: FDD Item 20 estimates)
📊 Source: Unit counts from Census business patterns (NAICS 8111)
Full Analysis — All 10 Categories in Boise City →
See All 10 Franchise Categories in Boise City
Interactive tool with full opportunity scores, confidence ratings, CSV export, and email alerts for market changes.
Open Territory Finder — Free →
📈 Peer Market Comparison — Similar Metro Areas
| Metro Area | Population | Median HHI |
|---|
| 📍 Boise City, ID (this market) | 801,000 | $64,200 |
| Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL |
785,000 |
$64,300 |
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC |
816,000 |
$68,100 |
| Stockton, CA |
787,000 |
$60,200 |
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best franchise categories to open in Boise City?
Based on our data analysis, the top franchise categories in Boise City by Opportunity Score are: 1. Coffee & Beverages (Score: 88/100), 2. Home Services (Score: 88/100), 3. Fast Food / QSR (Score: 77/100), 4. Fitness & Wellness (Score: 77/100), 5. Automotive Services (Score: 77/100). These scores are based on population demographics from US Census ACS 2023 and franchise unit count estimates from FDD Item 20 disclosures.
How many people live in the Boise City, ID metro area?
According to the US Census American Community Survey 2023 5-year estimates, the Boise City, ID metropolitan statistical area has a population of 801,000.
What is the median household income in Boise City?
The median household income in the Boise City, ID metro area is $64,200, according to US Census ACS 2023 estimates (ACS Table B19013).
How many Coffee & Beverages franchise units are in Boise City?
Based on FDD Item 20 disclosures and Census business pattern data, Boise City has an estimated 60 Coffee & Beverages franchise units, compared to 144 expected based on the metro's population. This gives a Penetration Index of 42 — indicating a potentially underserved market.
How does the Boise City market compare to similar metro areas for franchising?
Boise City has a population of 801,000 and median household income of $64,200, which is -15% below the national median. Comparable metro areas include Cape Coral, Charleston, Stockton. We recommend comparing opportunity scores across peer metros before selecting a territory, as penetration gaps vary significantly between demographically similar markets.
What factors should I consider before opening a franchise in Boise City?
Key factors include: (1) local income levels — Boise City's $64,200 median HHI determines which franchise price points the market supports, (2) category saturation — check the Penetration Index for your target category, (3) labor availability — the 3.5% unemployment rate affects staffing costs, and (4) real estate — homeownership at 66.5% influences both commercial lease availability and home services demand. Use our Territory Opportunity Finder for a complete category-by-category analysis.
📚 Data Sources & Methodology
This analysis is based on:
- US Census American Community Survey 2023 (5-year estimates)
- Franchise Disclosure Documents (FDD Item 20) through 2024
- International Franchise Association (IFA) market data
How Opportunity Scores are calculated: Scores combine franchise category penetration (estimated from FDD Item 20 data),
local income levels, unemployment, and regional market factors. A score of 80+ indicates strong underpenetration;
50–79 indicates moderate opportunity; below 50 indicates a saturated or challenging market.
What "estimated" means: Unit counts marked 🟡 are derived from FDD disclosures for major franchisors
and Census business pattern data. They are directional estimates, not precise counts. Verify through individual FDD Item 20 research.
Disclaimer: This analysis is for informational purposes only.
It does not constitute investment advice. Past market data does not guarantee future franchise performance.
Full methodology →
Last updated: April 1, 2026 · Data: US Census ACS 2023 · FDD through 2024
Compare Franchise Opportunities in Similar Markets
These metro areas share similar demographics with Boise City. Compare franchise penetration and opportunity scores across peer markets:
Related Tools & Resources