Area profile

Star

The valley's fastest-growing city, between Eagle and Middleton

By J&H Digital Services LLCChecked Oct 23, 20269 sources

In short

Star is a former farm town turning fast into a commuter suburb, a fit for buyers who want a newer home and more space than Meridian, provided they can live with long drives and roads still catching up. A typical home is worth about $583,000 and a typical rent is about $2,450 a month (Zillow, Sept 2026).

County: Mostly Ada; parts extend into Canyon
Population: 20,874 (Census estimate, July 2025)
School districts: West Ada; some west Star addresses are Middleton
Typical home value: About $583,000 (Zillow, Sept 2026)
Drive to downtown Boise: About 30 to 35 minutes (approximate, off-peak)

What is Star like by the numbers?

20,874Population

July 2025 estimate · U.S. Census QuickFacts

+84.6%Growth since 2020

April 2020 to July 2025 · U.S. Census QuickFacts

$97,936Median household income

2020 to 2024 average, in 2024 dollars (the newest data published for cities this size) · U.S. Census QuickFacts

$583,000Typical home value

Sept 2026; -0.2% over 1 year · Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI), all homes

27.5 minMean commute

2020 to 2024 average (newest for cities this size); U.S. 2024: 27.2 min · U.S. Census QuickFacts

Who is Star a good fit for?

Good for	Watch out for
Buyers who want a new home and more space than Meridian offers for the price	One of the longest average commutes in this guide, 27.5 minutes
People who like a small town that is still close to open land	Heavy rush-hour traffic on State Street (SH 44) and Chinden
Families: West Ada schools for most addresses	Some west Star addresses are in the Middleton School District; check before you buy
Short drive to Eagle shops and restaurants	Few shops, jobs and services in town yet; part of Star is in Canyon County, which changes your county offices and property tax

What is it like to live in Star?

What is housing like?

Mostly new single-family homes in subdivisions with HOAs, plus some older homes and acreage. The typical value is about $583,000, flat over the past year. That is below Eagle but above Meridian.

How close are downtown and shopping?

Star has a small downtown along State Street with a few restaurants and shops, but for most shopping people drive to Eagle, Meridian or Nampa.

What about parks and the outdoors?

The Boise River runs along the south side of town, and open farmland and the foothills are close. City parks are newer and smaller than in Boise or Meridian; many subdivisions have their own pools and green space run by the .

What is the character of the city?

A small town growing faster than anywhere else in the valley: Census estimates show about 85% growth from 2020 to 2025. Police service comes from the Ada County Sheriff under contract, and water and sewer come from the Star Sewer and Water District rather than the city.

Which schools serve Star?

Most of Star is in the West Ada School District, but some west Star addresses are in the Middleton School District, so confirm the district for the exact address. Independence Elementary opened in Star in August 2026, and new boundaries moved about 574 students for 2026-27. Growth on the west side is still straining schools, so ask which school your address feeds into today.

Who provides police, water and trash?

Police come from the Ada County Sheriff under contract, because Star has no city police department; the Star police office is at 11665 W State St, and the non-emergency line is (208) 377-6790. Water and sewer come from the Star Sewer and Water District, 10831 W. State Street, not the city. Trash is collected by Republic Services.

How bad is traffic, and can I get around without a car?

Plan on driving. State Street (SH 44) and Chinden back up at rush hour, and the mean commute is 27.5 minutes (2020 to 2024 average), one of the longest in this guide. Downtown Boise is about 30 to 35 minutes off-peak. Transit is not a practical daily option in Star.

Where are the DMV and the sheriff's license office?

In Star. The Ada County Sheriff driver's license office and the Ada County DMV are both at 10769 W State St, the same address as Star City Hall. The sheriff's office handles first-time licenses, written and road tests, and Star Cards (open Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., (208) 577-3100). The DMV handles titles, plates and renewals.

Where do I get medical care, and is Star good for retirees?

Star has limited medical care in town. The closest emergency room is Saint Alphonsus Emergency in Eagle, 323 E. Riverside Dr., Suite 112, (208) 367-5355, and Saint Alphonsus Urgent Care has a Star site. Regency at Milestone Ranch is a 55+ neighborhood in Star. The Star senior center can be reached at (208) 286-7943.

What does it cost compared with nearby cities?

A typical home is about $583,000 and a typical rent about $2,450 a month (Zillow, Sept 2026). For comparison, a typical home is about $785,000 in Eagle, $536,000 in Meridian and $500,000 in Boise. See Eagle vs Star for a side-by-side comparison.