Kuna, Idaho
Encyclopedia
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
Kuna is one of the fastest-growing areas in Idaho state, having more than doubled in population since 2000.
, the state capital.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 2.4 square miles (6.2 km²), all of it land.
South of Kuna is located the Kuna Caves
, an underground lava flow cave.
A small seasonal creek, now used as a canal for irrigation water, Indian Creek, runs through the city. One of the few small floatable waterways in the region, Indian Creek is a favorite swimming spot for local residents.
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.
of 2010, there were 15,210 people (http://search.census.gov/search?q=population+idaho+kuna&btnG.x=0&btnG.y=0&btnG=Google+Search&entqr=0&ud=1&output=xml_no_dtd&oe=UTF-8&ie=UTF-8&client=2010prod&proxystylesheet=2010prod&btnG.x=0&btnG.y=0&sort=date%3AD%3AL%3Ad1&site=2010), making it the fastest growing city in Idaho, with a growth rate of 182% over the previous ten years.. As of the 2000 census there were 1,727 households, and 1,390 families residing in the city. The population density
was 2,249.9 people per square mile (869.5/km²). There were 1,793 housing units at an average density of 749.5 per square mile (289.7/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 94.65% White, 0.26% African American, 0.72% Native American, 0.35% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 1.90% from other races
, and 2.06% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.85% of the population.
55.8% of the households have children under the age of 18 living with them, 64.9% were married couples
living together, 10.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 19.5% were non-families. 14.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 4.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.11 and the average family size was 3.46.
In the city the population was spread out with 37.3% under the age of 18, 10.4% from 18 to 24, 36.1% from 25 to 44, 12.0% from 45 to 64, and 4.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 26 years. For every 100 females there were 96.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.8 males.
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.
operates the Kuna Post Office.
The Idaho Department of Correction
operates the South Boise Prison Complex, is a correctional complex located in unincorporated
Ada County
, near Kuna.
Veteran's Memorial Park, named after one of the city's most famous residents.
; Bernie to his friends. In January 1967, Major, U.S. Air Force
, 1st Air Commandos was awarded the Medal of Honor "For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty" (official citation). An accomplished pilot, he risked his life to save a fellow airman during Vietnam
at A Shau. The Idaho Military Historical Society notes, "He could make his A-1E
(plane) do the waltz
, which is just what he did that day in far off Southeast Asia
. There's no other way to explain how he danced it down that beat up airstrip, off into the wild blue."
Ada County, Idaho
Ada County is a county in the southwestern part of the U.S. state of Idaho. As of the 2010 Census, the county had a population of 392,365. The county seat and largest city is Boise, which is also the state capital. Other cities in the county with over 10,000 residents include Meridian, Eagle,...
, Idaho
Idaho
Idaho is a state in the Rocky Mountain area of the United States. The state's largest city and capital is Boise. Residents are called "Idahoans". Idaho was admitted to the Union on July 3, 1890, as the 43rd state....
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. It is part of the Boise City
Boise, Idaho
Boise is the capital and most populous city of the U.S. state of Idaho, as well as the county seat of Ada County. Located on the Boise River, it anchors the Boise City-Nampa metropolitan area and is the largest city between Salt Lake City, Utah and Portland, Oregon.As of the 2010 Census Bureau,...
–Nampa
Nampa, Idaho
Nampa is the largest and the fastest growing city in Canyon County, Idaho, USA. The population of Nampa was 81,557 at the 2010 census. Nampa is located about west of Boise along Interstate 84, and six miles west of Meridian. Nampa is part of the Boise metropolitan area...
, Idaho Metropolitan Statistical Area
Boise metropolitan area
The Boise City-Nampa, Idaho Metropolitan Statistical Area , as defined by the United States Census Bureau, is an area consisting of five counties in southwestern Idaho, anchored by the cities of Boise and Nampa...
. The population was 15,210 at the 2010 census
United States Census, 2010
The Twenty-third United States Census, known as Census 2010 or the 2010 Census, is the current national census of the United States. National Census Day was April 1, 2010 and is the reference date used in enumerating individuals...
Kuna is one of the fastest-growing areas in Idaho state, having more than doubled in population since 2000.
Geography
Kuna is located at 43°29′35"N 116°25′8"W (43.493092, -116.418936). Kuna's business center is approximately 18 miles (29 km) from BoiseBoise, Idaho
Boise is the capital and most populous city of the U.S. state of Idaho, as well as the county seat of Ada County. Located on the Boise River, it anchors the Boise City-Nampa metropolitan area and is the largest city between Salt Lake City, Utah and Portland, Oregon.As of the 2010 Census Bureau,...
, the state capital.
According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the city has a total area of 2.4 square miles (6.2 km²), all of it land.
South of Kuna is located the Kuna Caves
Kuna Caves
Kuna Caves are an underground lava tube cave found south of Kuna, Idaho. There is currently one publicly known entrance to the cave, an opening in the ground with a caged ladder leading down into the cave....
, an underground lava flow cave.
A small seasonal creek, now used as a canal for irrigation water, Indian Creek, runs through the city. 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 the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2010, there were 15,210 people (http://search.census.gov/search?q=population+idaho+kuna&btnG.x=0&btnG.y=0&btnG=Google+Search&entqr=0&ud=1&output=xml_no_dtd&oe=UTF-8&ie=UTF-8&client=2010prod&proxystylesheet=2010prod&btnG.x=0&btnG.y=0&sort=date%3AD%3AL%3Ad1&site=2010), making it the fastest growing city in Idaho, with a growth rate of 182% over the previous ten years.. As of the 2000 census there were 1,727 households, and 1,390 families residing in the city. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 2,249.9 people per square mile (869.5/km²). There were 1,793 housing units at an average density of 749.5 per square mile (289.7/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 94.65% White, 0.26% African American, 0.72% Native American, 0.35% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 1.90% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 2.06% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.85% of the population.
55.8% of the households have children under the age of 18 living with them, 64.9% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 10.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 19.5% were non-families. 14.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 4.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.11 and the average family size was 3.46.
In the city the population was spread out with 37.3% under the age of 18, 10.4% from 18 to 24, 36.1% from 25 to 44, 12.0% from 45 to 64, and 4.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 26 years. For every 100 females there were 96.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.8 males.
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
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
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.
Government and infrastructure
The United States Postal ServiceUnited States Postal Service
The United States Postal Service is an independent agency of the United States government responsible for providing postal service in the United States...
operates the Kuna Post Office.
The Idaho Department of Correction
Idaho Department of Correction
The Idaho Department of Corrections mission is to Protect Idaho through Safety, Accountability, Partnerships and Opportunities for Offender Change. IDOC is responsible for the incarceration and community supervision of felony offenders in Idaho. The department operates eight prisons, five...
operates the South Boise Prison Complex, is a correctional complex located in unincorporated
Unincorporated area
In law, an unincorporated area is a region of land that is not a part of any municipality.To "incorporate" in this context means to form a municipal corporation, a city, town, or village with its own government. An unincorporated community is usually not subject to or taxed by a municipal government...
Ada County
Ada County, Idaho
Ada County is a county in the southwestern part of the U.S. state of Idaho. As of the 2010 Census, the county had a population of 392,365. The county seat and largest city is Boise, which is also the state capital. Other cities in the county with over 10,000 residents include Meridian, Eagle,...
, near Kuna.
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.Veteran's Memorial Park
In the city center is Colonel Bernard FisherBernard Francis Fisher
Bernard Francis "Bernie" Fisher is a retired United States Air Force officer and a recipient of the U.S. military's highest decoration, the Medal of Honor...
Veteran's Memorial Park, named after one of the city's most famous residents.
Famous residents
Bernard FisherBernard Francis Fisher
Bernard Francis "Bernie" Fisher is a retired United States Air Force officer and a recipient of the U.S. military's highest decoration, the Medal of Honor...
; Bernie to his friends. In January 1967, Major, U.S. Air Force
United States Air Force
The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
, 1st Air Commandos was awarded the Medal of Honor "For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty" (official citation). An accomplished pilot, he risked his life to save a fellow airman during Vietnam
Vietnam War
The Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...
at A Shau. The Idaho Military Historical Society notes, "He could make his A-1E
A-1 Skyraider
The Douglas A-1 Skyraider was an American single-seat attack aircraft that saw service between the late 1940s and early 1980s. It became a piston-powered, propeller-driven anachronism in the jet age, and was nicknamed "Spad", after a French World War I fighter...
(plane) do the waltz
Waltz
The waltz is a ballroom and folk dance in time, performed primarily in closed position.- History :There are several references to a sliding or gliding dance,- a waltz, from the 16th century including the representations of the printer H.S. Beheim...
, which is just what he did that day in far off Southeast Asia
Southeast Asia
Southeast Asia, South-East Asia, South East Asia or Southeastern Asia is a subregion of Asia, consisting of the countries that are geographically south of China, east of India, west of New Guinea and north of Australia. The region lies on the intersection of geological plates, with heavy seismic...
. There's no other way to explain how he danced it down that beat up airstrip, off into the wild blue."