Boise
Boise Bench homes: mid-century streets, infill, and what to check
Hearing Boiseans talk about "the Bench" and wondering where it is? It's the higher ground just south of the Boise River, between downtown and the airport. Here's how the City of Boise describes it, what kind of homes you'll find, what to ask about an older house, and a few parks nearby. Then jump into live Intermountain MLS (IMLS) listings.
Browse homes: ZIP 83705 · Boise · Boise on the map · All Treasure Valley
Set your price and bedrooms, then Save this search so new matches come to you. Weighing a specific Bench house? Talk to a local expert. No obligation.
Where the Bench is
The City of Boise's Blueprint Boise plan has a Central Bench planning area. Its chapter (dated August 1, 2023) places it between the Downtown and Airport planning areas, with Interstate 84 along its south and west sides.
The historic Boise Depot is here too. The City describes it as sitting high on the bench, overlooking the State Capitol, the Boise River, the Foothills, and downtown.
The City treats the West Bench as its own planning area. West and Southwest Boise homes covers 83704, 83709, and 83713 on that side of Boise. For the City's own map and framing, see the Blueprint Boise Central Bench chapter (PDF).
Why it's called the Bench
Boise State Public Radio's short history of the Bench (March 16, 2026) explains it: the Bench rises above the south side of the Boise River, and it's really a series of step-like terraces the river carved over hundreds of thousands of years.
Housing on the Bench
The City says many Central Bench neighborhoods were developed in the 1950s and 1960s. Boise State Public Radio adds that after World War II, much of the Bench was subdivided into new neighborhoods.
The area is largely built out, and the City notes significant small-lot redevelopment in recent years. So on many streets, you'll see a mid-century house next to a newer infill home. The City also notes that many Central Bench homes sit on larger lots with mature trees.
In plain words: you can shop for an established older home or a newer infill build, sometimes on the same block. They come with different questions. New construction vs resale walks through the tradeoffs. Looking at an attached home? Townhomes and condos in the Treasure Valley covers the ownership and HOA questions.
Buying a mid-century home: what to check
A house built in the 1950s or 1960s may have had its systems updated over the years, or not. Ask, and let the inspection confirm.
| Ask | Where to look |
|---|---|
| How old are the electrical panel and wiring? | Seller disclosure, then your home inspector |
| What shape is the sewer line in? | Ask your inspector about a sewer scope (a camera check of the line to the street) |
| Who provides sewer? | The City says both Boise City and the Bench Sewer District serve the Central Bench. Ask the seller which one serves the home |
| Were additions or garage conversions permitted? | City of Boise building permit search by address |
| Is infill planned next door? | City of Boise planning record search by nearby address |
| What's the property record? | Ada County property search and the Ada County Assessor |
Idaho home inspection and appraisal covers what happens after your offer is accepted. Planning updates after you move in? What affects your Idaho home's value covers how condition and permits factor in.
School assignment depends on the address, so check the Boise School District attendance areas for any home you're serious about.
Parks and landmarks
The City says the Central Bench is home to about a dozen developed parks. Three of them, listed alphabetically:
- Borah Park (801 S. Aurora Dr.): a 13-acre park with an outdoor pool that opened in 1969, a summer splash pad, a community garden, a playground, picnic shelters, and open play areas.
- Morris Hill Park (10 N. Roosevelt St.): a large grassy open area, a 1-acre fenced dog park with a separate small-dog area, a picnic shelter, an accessible playground, an arboretum, and year-round restrooms.
- Owyhee Park (near Vista Avenue and I-84): a 5-acre park with a playground, practice fields, a basketball court, and four tennis courts.
The Boise Depot sits on the Bench too. Find more on the City's parks list.
Browse Bench homes
Start with a ZIP or the city, then zoom the map to the streets you care about.
- ZIP 83705 homes: Boise listings in 83705, a good place to start on the Bench
- Boise homes: the city hub
- Boise on the map: zoom to the Bench between downtown and the airport
- Next door: Garden City · Meridian
- Region: Treasure Valley
A ZIP code is a mail route, not a neighborhood line. Bench addresses use more than one Boise ZIP: City park addresses on the Bench alone include 83705, 83706, and 83709. Use 83705 as a starting point, then check the map and the specific address.
Set your filters, then Save this search or Get listing updates.
Own on the Bench and thinking of selling? Request a home value and a local expert will send you a range based on recent nearby sales.
Related guides
| Guide | Why it helps |
|---|---|
| Idaho home inspection and appraisal | What happens after your offer is accepted |
| New construction vs resale | Tradeoffs between older and newer homes |
| North End Boise homes | Another established Boise area, with historic districts and older-home questions |
| West and Southwest Boise homes | 83704, 83709, and 83713 on the West Bench and in Southwest Boise |
| Townhomes and condos in the Treasure Valley | Ownership and HOA questions for attached homes |
| What affects your Idaho home's value | How condition, permits, and updates factor into value |
| Idaho homeowner's exemption | How and when to apply if it'll be your primary residence |
| Treasure Valley cities | How Boise compares with other valley cities |
| Buy an Idaho home from out of state | Steps for buying from a distance |
| Selling your Idaho home | Steps if you're selling before or while you buy |
| What is my Idaho home worth? | How a home value range comes together |
| All guides | Every BrowseIdaho guide in one place |
FAQ
- Where is the Boise Bench?
- The City of Boise places the Central Bench between the Downtown and Airport planning areas, with Interstate 84 along its south and west sides.
- Why is it called the Bench?
- It rises above the south side of the Boise River. Boise State Public Radio explains that it's a series of step-like terraces the river carved over hundreds of thousands of years.
- What kinds of homes are on the Boise Bench?
- According to the City of Boise, many Central Bench neighborhoods were developed in the 1950s and 1960s, and the area has seen small-lot infill in recent years.
- What ZIP codes are on the Boise Bench?
- Several Boise ZIPs. City park addresses on the Bench alone include 83705, 83706, and 83709, so check the specific address of any home.
- Are there new homes on the Bench?
- Yes. The City notes significant small-lot redevelopment on the Central Bench in recent years, so newer infill homes appear alongside mid-century houses.
- What parks are on the Boise Bench?
- The City counts about a dozen developed parks in the Central Bench, including Borah Park, Morris Hill Park, and Owyhee Park. Borah Park has an outdoor pool and a summer splash pad.