Coeur d'Alene, often referred to as "Lake City" or "CDA," is a city in Kootenai County, Idaho, United States, and serves as its county seat. It is the most populous city in North Idaho, with a population of 54,628 as of the 2020 census [1]. The Coeur d'Alene metropolitan statistical area has an estimated 188,000 people [1]. The city is situated approximately 30 miles (50 km) east of Spokane, Washington, forming part of the bi-state Spokane–Coeur d'Alene combined statistical area [1]. It lies on the north shore of the 25-mile (40 km) long Lake Coeur d'Alene and to the west of the Coeur d'Alene Mountains [1].

According to www.iAsk.Ai - Ask AI:

The city's name originates from the Coeur d'Alene people, a federally recognized Native American tribe who historically inhabited the region's rivers and lakes, spanning a territory of 4,000,000 acres (16,000 km²) from eastern Washington to Montana [1]. The tribe called themselves Schitsu'umsh, meaning "those who are found here" or "the found ones" [1]. The French term "Cœur d'Alène," meaning "Heart of Awl," was likely given by French-speaking fur traders, suggesting the tribal traders were sharp businessmen [1].

Coeur d'Alene began as a fort town, with General William Tecumseh Sherman establishing Fort Sherman on the north shore of Lake Coeur d'Alene in 1878 [1]. The town grew with the influx of miners and prospectors following the discovery of gold and silver in the Coeur d'Alene Mountains and the arrival of the Northern Pacific Railroad in 1883 [1]. The city was officially incorporated on September 4, 1906 [1].

Economy and Tourism Historically, Coeur d'Alene's economy was driven by mining and logging [1] [5]. However, tourism has become the primary economic driver since the 1980s, with significant investments in recreational tourism [1]. The city is a major tourist attraction, offering water sports and activities on Lake Coeur d'Alene, such as wakeboarding, paddleboarding, sailing, and fishing [5] [6].

Key attractions and facilities include:

• The Coeur d'Alene Resort: A luxury golf and spa resort overlooking Lake Coeur d'Alene, known for its world-famous Floating Green at its award-winning golf course [2] [1].
• Coeur d'Alene Casino Resort Hotel: Located approximately 27 miles south, it features a championship golf course (Circling Raven Golf Club), a spa, accommodations, dining, and a 60,000-square-foot casino with nearly 1,200 video gaming machines [1] [5] [7].
• Silverwood Theme Park: The largest theme park in the Northwestern United States, located about 20 miles north, attracting visitors from Washington and Canadian provinces [1].
• Ski Resorts: Three major ski resorts are within a short driving distance: Silver Mountain Resort, Lookout Pass Ski and Recreation Area, and Schweitzer Mountain Ski Resort [5].

The city also hosts various events, including the Ironman Coeur d'Alene triathlon, the Fourth of July Festival, and the Holiday Light Show [1].

Geography and Climate Coeur d'Alene has a dry-summer continental climate (Köppen Dsb) or a warm-summer Mediterranean climate (Csb), characterized by cold, moist winters and very warm, dry summers [1]. The average annual rainfall is 25 inches (64 cm), and the average annual snowfall is 46 inches (120 cm) [1]. The city is part of the Northern Rockies ecoregion [1].

Education The Coeur d'Alene School District serves around 11,000 students across 18 schools, including two traditional high schools, an alternative high school, three middle schools, and eleven elementary schools [1] [4]. Postsecondary education is provided by North Idaho College, a public community college founded in 1933 [1]. The University of Idaho also has a presence in Coeur d'Alene [1].

Infrastructure and Transportation The city is located on the route of Interstate 90 [1]. While largely dependent on private automobiles, public bus service is available through Citylink [1]. The Coeur d'Alene Airport (Pappy Boyington Field) serves as a general aviation airport, and the Brooks Seaplane Base is used for air taxi services and tours [1]. The nearest airport with commercial passenger flights is Spokane International Airport [1].

Recent Events In June 2025, two firefighters were killed in an ambush near Coeur d'Alene while responding to a brush fire [1]. The sniper, Wess Roley, was found dead later, and the fire was believed to have been set to facilitate the ambush [1].

Answer Provided by iAsk.ai – Ask AI.