Idaho Falls, Idaho is an economically vibrant and stable city and is the commercial hub of eastern Idaho and large parts of western Wyoming. It residents enjoy a very high quality of life and the city has been named as one of the 'Best Places to Live,' 'Best Places to Raise Kids,' 'Top 100 Cities in 2010' and '2010 Best Small Places for Business & Careers,' according to various financial magazines and polls in the U.S. Those moving to Idaho Falls will also discover an area with a continental climate with hot and dry summers and cold and snowy winters.
Economy:
According to statistics released in the 2010 Census, the population of Idaho Falls was close to 57,000 – an almost 10 percent increase since 2000. 3,241 residents live per square mile, thus the city is designated as being of average population density.
The internationally renowned Idaho National Laboratory (INL) is the city's major employer and economic driver, employing more than 8,000 residents of the city.
As the regional hub for the area's commercial, health care and travel industries, many are employed in these fields. Other contributors to the economy of Idaho Falls are call centers, the entertainment and restaurant and retail sectors.
History:
The original inhabitants of the area were the Shoshone Native Americans. The city has had three names in the course of its history. It was first called Taylor's Crossing, then Eagle Rock and finally Idaho Falls.
Tourism:
Idaho Falls and its surrounding area is a world class green belt area, with walking, hiking and bicycle trails and great fishing along the Snake River and its waterfall. The city's downtown area is a historically marked site.