MAGIC VALLEY

'Magic Valley' is a region in south-central Idaho consisting of Blaine, Camas, Cassia, Gooding, Jerome, Lincoln, Minidoka and Twin Falls Counties. It is particularly associated with the agricultural region in the Snake River Plain located in the area. The northern Magic Valley region - particularly Blaine and Camas Counties - is also known as the Wood River Valley after the Big Wood River.

Contents

Demographics

History

Education

Culture

Leisure

Agriculture

Cities and towns

References

Demographics

According to the 2000 Census the counties of the Magic Valley region had a combined population of 162,397 (2005 estimate: 170,617). Twin Falls is the region's largest city and micropolitan area. Burley is the principal city of the region's other micropolitan area. Other important cities include Jerome, Rupert, Gooding and Hailey.

History

The name "Magic Valley" is a reference to the construction of Milner Dam and a series of irrigation canal systems on the Snake River during the first decade of the 20th Century. In a short time these projects "magically" transformed what had been considered a nearly uninhabitable area into some of the most productive farmland in the northwestern United States. Many cities and towns in the region were founded between 1900 and 1910 as a direct result of these projects.

Education

The College of Southern Idaho (CSI) in Twin Falls is the Magic Valley's only college. Most of the region's cities and towns support separate public school districts.

Culture

Cultural events are routinely held at CSI. County fairs are held throughout the region in the late summer, the largest being the Twin Falls County Fair in Filer in early September. The Sun Valley resort in Blaine County hosts several attractions throughout the year.
The Magic Valley is home to the Magic Valley Arts Council, a non-profit umbrella arts organization that serves the greater Twin Falls area and surrounding 8-county Magic Valley region. The organization's mission is to ''foster and promote experiences in the arts for all people in the Greater Twin Falls.'' It is an association of arts organizations, individuals, educational institutions and businesses looking for opportuntiies to improve the quality of life in the Magic Valley area by providing arts and cultural opportunities. Annual events and programs include Kids Art in the Park, Arts on Tour, Brown Bag Lecture Series, theatrical productions, the Full Moon Gallery of Fine Art and Contemporary Craft, public art projects and many others.

Leisure

Popular leisure activities in the Magic Valley include camping, hunting and fishing. Skiing at several resorts throughout the region is one of the most popular winter activities. Jackpot, Nevada, which is closely associated with the Magic Valley region, offers casino gaming.

Agriculture

Important agricultural commodities in the Magic Valley include beans, sugar beets, corn (maize) and potatoes. Dairy production is also significant, especially in Jerome and Gooding Counties.

Cities and towns

★ Acequia ★ Albion ★ Bellevue ★ Bliss ★ Buhl ★ Burley ★ Carey ★ Castleford ★ Declo ★ Dietrich ★ Eden ★ Fairfield

★ Filer ★ Gooding ★ Hagerman ★ Hailey ★ Hansen ★ Hazelton ★ Heyburn ★ Hollister ★ Jerome ★ Ketchum ★ Kimberly ★ Malta

★ Minidoka ★ Murtaugh ★ Oakley ★ Paul ★ Picabo ★ Richfield ★ Rogerson ★ Rupert ★ Shoshone ★ Sun Valley ★ Triumph ★ Twin Falls

★ Wendell

References