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Salt Lake County is arguably the heart of Utah. The county seat is Salt Lake City, Utah’s first pioneer settlement and headquarters of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. It’s home to the area’s major airport, Salt Lake International, and of course, gateway to the greatest snow on earth.

Salt Lake County is very different from surrounding counties. It definitely has a more urban, funky side than other counties, thanks to Salt Lake City. But it also has an abundance of pleasant suburban and rural living in the East and South Valleys. Although Salt Lake City is Mormon headquarters, its population is only 50% Latter-Day Saints. The other half of the population is a mix of religious and ethnic backgrounds seldom seen elsewhere in Utah. The atmosphere is still conservative, yet open to a myriad of ideas, causes, and cultures. This blend of tradition and progress, family life and nightlife, business and recreation, comes together beautifully in Salt lake County, with something to offer for every lifestyle.

Salt Lake County Communities

Salt Lake City

Travel Council: 801-538-1030

Visitors Bureau: 801-521-2822

Salt Lake City is Utah's state capital, the county seat of Salt Lake County, and the largest city in the four-county Wasatch Front metropolitan area. The city includes areas such as downtown, Capitol Hill, the Avenues, the University of Utah, and Sugarhouse.

Salt Lake City's daytime population increases from 182,000 residents to over 370,000 as 40 percent of Salt Lake County's workforce and 20 percent of the state's total workforce commute to jobs located within City limits. Salt Lake City possesses a diverse and thriving population, with a unique blend of cultures and a rich history. Settled by Mormon pioneers in 1847, the city has grown and developed into a popular tourist and ski destination as well as a great place to live, learn, and do business. This popularity peaked when Salt Lake City played host to the 2002 Winter Olympics in February 2002.

With the new TRAX light rail system and the constant bustle of new construction, Salt Lake City has an atmosphere of expansion and growth. The city hosts millions of business travelers each year, and boasts several excellent convention venues. But there is also a steady stream of tourists—usually the outdoorsy type. In winter, skiing is the main Salt Lake area attraction, but when the snow melts, Salt Lake’s surrounding hills become prime mountain biking and hiking country. Salt Lake City offers a variety of activities no matter what the season.

Downtown

At Salt Lake’s center (literally), lies breathtaking Temple Square, and within walking distance are the Joseph Smith Memorial Building, Eagle Gate, and the Beehive and Lion houses. These sites display the rich history of Mormon Culture its effect on Salt Lake City and Utah. Nearby you’ll find ZCMI Center Mall, Crossroads Plaza Shopping Center, the Family History (Genealogical) Library, the Salt Palace, the Delta Center, the Gallivan Center, Salt Lake Art Center, and Abravanel (Symphony) Hall. Downtown boundaries run roughly from South Temple to 1300 South and State Street to 700 East. Arranged on a logical and understandable grid pattern with Temple Square at it s center, all addresses in the city can be found with little effort. The volunteer hosts at the Salt Lake City Convention and Visitors' Bureau in the Salt Palace Convention Center can always recommend a variety of activities, favorite restaurants or sites to visit.

Capitol Hill

You can’t miss Capitol Hill—it’s straight up (and we mean up) from downtown, the domed capitol building--strikingly similar to our national capitol—hovering north of the city center. A walk up the hill from downtown offers a sampling of the grandeur of the homes of mining and financial barons. Several of these old residences provide a glimpse of Salt Lake City as it was at the turn of the 19th century and an eclectic blend of architectural styles. To the west of the Utah State Capitol is the Pioneer Memorial Museum, which also provides a sense of life in the "Beehive State" in its early days. To the East lies Salt Lake City’s oldest residential neighborhood, The Avenues.

The Avenues

The Avenues of Salt Lake City are set apart not only by their unique street names, but also by their tree-lined beauty, historic charm, and sense of community. The Avenues are located east of State Street and north of South Temple Street in the northeast corner of the Salt Lake Valley. The east-west streets are numbered avenues, while the north-south roads are alphabetical streets that climb the steep foothills of the area. The neighborhood is host to the longest-running annual street fair in Salt Lake City, celebrating the beauty and diversity of the city’s oldest residential neighborhood.

The Avenues area, including South Temple Street, is famous for its beautiful old homes, many preserved and meticulously cared for as historic sites. Nestled in the area, you will find the Historic City Cemetery, Shriner’s Hospital, and the Governor’s Mansion. To the North and East, newer homes and prestigious neighborhoods have been built up, taking advantage of the awesome views and short commute from the area. The Avenues reflect the charm and prosperity of Salt Lake City’s past glory days as well as its bright future.

University

The University district and the University itself offer a number of attractions. On campus, the Utah Museum of Natural History and the Utah Museum of Fine Arts offer many educational and cultural opportunities. The newly remodeled Kingsbury Hall is a concert and performance venue featuring musical and theatre performances, as well as dance productions by the University’s world-class dance troupes. The Huntsman Center hosts the sporting exhibitions of the University of Utah Utes, while the nearby Red Butte Gardens is a four-season experience that integrates the city with Utah's natural environment.

The neighborhood sprung up around the University, which was established in 1850. The homes are generally older, many renovated to serve as student housing. The homes and shops are generally what you’d expect to find in a college area—record stores, funky clothing, gift and book shops, reasonably priced restaurants with a variety of ethnic influences.

Sugarhouse

Five miles southeast of downtown and twenty minutes from excellent skiing lies a pretty, almost bohemian enclave. There aren't specific boundaries to the Sugarhouse neighborhood, but in general they're from 1300 South to 2700 South, and 600 East to 2100 East on the grid plan. The Sugarhouse area is home to Westminster College, the oldest four-year liberal arts college in Utah (founded in 1897). For golf lovers, the area also houses two of the oldest courses in Salt Lake: Forest Dale and Nibley Park. The Liberty Heights organic market and Sugarhouse Commons (a new mall) are two of Sugarhouse’s most unique attractions.

Sugarhouse is an older, well-established area with homes from the 1930s, which gives it plenty of old-town charm. Sugarhouse cashes in on a great school district, which for makes this area an ideal place for a starter home. The area has many tree-lined streets and gorgeous parks, including Sugarhouse Park. It’s a great place for picnics, and has two-mile jogging trail, plus a pond, which fills with ducks in the summer. The hills of the park are steep yet gentle enough for some fun, safe sledding in winter.

South Salt Lake

The Mid-Valley Area

Murray

Mayor’s Office: 801-264-2600

Murray City is situated in an area once known as South Cottonwood. Roughly 20 families lived along the Cottonwood Creeks that flowed through the area. The discovery of gold and other valuable minerals in nearby canyons contributed to the industrialization of rural Murray. Over the years, sixteen smokestacks dotted the Murray skyline. The smelters employed thousands of people, many of whom arrived here from south and central Europe.

Today, Murray's population stands at 33,000 and is regarded as one of the best cities in which to raise a family. Lower utilities, good public services, a short commute, and an affordable tax structure are all reasons why people want to come and remain in Murray. The City boasts its own school district, hospital, power and water department, library system, cemetery, senior citizen center, police and fire department, and a progressive Chamber of Commerce. Residents enjoy a well-developed park system as well as an array of year-round arts, recreational, and educational activities for all ages, thanks to Murray’s Parks and Recreation Department and community organizations.

East Valley (Holladay/Midvale Area)

The East Valley includes communities like Holladay, Olympus Cove, Millcreek, and Midvale. It is located east of Interstate 15 to the foothills, in the middle of the Salt Lake Valley. The East Valley is generally a middle-to-upper class area where the median age for residents is in the mid-thirties and the median income is around $40K. Features of the East Valley area include easy access to canyons, skiing and other outdoor recreation, several shopping areas, and a fantastic blend of traditional and contemporary lifestyles.

Salt Lake East Valley Chamber of Commerce

Salt Lake City-East Valley Chamber of Commerce

P.O. Box 526022

Salt Lake City, UT 84152

Phone: 801-467-0844

Holladay

City Offices: 801-272-9450

The city of Holladay is bounded on the west by Highland Drive, on the north by 45th South, and on the east and south by I-215. In 1847, Holladay was known as Spring Creek as pioneers settled along the creek that runs through the region. The settlement was later called Holladay Field until 1911, when it was formally named for John Holladay, an early settler. Today it is an inviting middle-to-upper class area nestled at the foot of Mount Olympus. The peaceful family neighborhoods are close to shopping and restaurants of every sort, and close to the I-215 beltway, which provides fast and easy transportation throughout the valley.

Olympus Cove

Mount Olympus is not hard to spot along the Wasatch front is Salt Lake County—it juts out prominently at the center of the range, between Millcreek Canyon on the north and Big Cottonwood Canyon on the south. Nestled at the foot of the towering peak is Olympus Cove. This prestigious neighborhood rests on the foothills overlooking the Salt Lake valley, looking east. The 215 beltway provides convenient transportation from this peaceful foothill community to all areas of the county.

Mill Creek (Canyon Rim)

The Millcreek area is named for the canyon that lies directly east, and for the creek that cuts from the canyon toward the west. Situated in the middle of Salt Lake Valley (just north of Murray), the area is rich with pioneer heritage and an eclectic blend of the old and new.

Midvale emerged as a community as the agricultural neighborhoods of the east valley and the mining settlements of the west valley came together, each relying on the other for sustenance, protection, social interaction and commerce. The city, which lies in the middle of the Salt Lake Valley (hence, the name Midvale), boasts a much more varied economy today, but retains the symbiotic relationship between businesses, residents, community organizations, and city government. In addition to beautiful residential areas, Midvale is home to thousands of square feet o f prime luxury office space and fantastic shopping. The Fashion Place Mall is conveniently located just east of Interstate 15, right off the 215 beltway and boasts such popular stores as Nordstrom, Dillards, and Sears. Not far from the mall you’ll find luxurious furniture stores, funky “strip malls,” and several “big box” national chains (such as Target Super Center, Costco, and Home Depot). The communities of Midvale and Union recently incorporated to make Midvale City a stronger more vibrant community.

The West Valley Area

Taylorsville

City Offices: 801-963-5400

Mission Statement:
The quality of life and community identity of Taylorsville's residents and businesses will be enhanced by our being responsive, accountable, accessible and by providing efficient and cost effective municipal services.

Taylorsville has a rich history reaching back to 1848 when pioneers Joseph and Susanna Harker crossed over the Jordan River and founded the Taylorsville-Bennion areas originally referred to as "Over Jordan". The current population is approximately 59,000 with a workforce that is strong and growing. Two institutions of higher education—Salt Lake Community College and ITT Technical Institute—create citizens who are educated and skilled. With strong values and a good education, they are prepared for the workplace.

Taylorsville has a thriving business base. Companies like American Express, Convergys Corporation, Abbott Critical Care, Data Chem Laboratories, Dayna Communications, Unibase Data Entry and Nelson Laboratories have discovered Taylorsville’s advantages, including no franchise taxes.

West Valley City

City Offices: 801-963-3220

West Valley City has undergone many changes in the past decade. Ten years ago, it lived up to the “other side of the tracks” stereotype. But thanks to some progressive city leaders and improvements in public safety and development, West Valley is an all-around more family friendly community.

The city is situated west of Interstate 15 and south of the Great Salt Lake, bordered on the west by the beautiful Oquirrh mountains. With a large land area of 22,880 acres, there is a mix of affordable urban and rural living in the West Valley area unique in the Salt Lake Valley. West Valley City's population is 108,000 residents.

You may recognize West Valley’s E Center from the 2002 Olympics speed skating and hockey competitions. It’s the home of the Utah Grizzlies hockey team, as well as a popular concert and special event venue. The nearby Hale Centre Theatre is North America’s largest theatre-in-the-round, seating 560. Plays and musicals are performed at the theatre year-round. West Valley City is also home to 12 parks, the West Ridge and Stone Ridge golf courses, and a state-of-the-art family fitness center.

In spite of the City's recent growth, City leaders have not lost sight of providing high-quality public safety services to its residents, as well as continued development opportunities.

The South Valley Area

Sandy

City Offices: 801-568-7109

Sandy City is a community of 102,544 located approximately 15 miles south of Salt Lake City. The City, incorporated in 1893, is especially well known throughout Salt Lake County for the excellent quality of life enjoyed by its citizens and its booming economic growth. Yet, despite this growth, Sandy remains a family friendly community, where children attend nationally recognized schools and where the community calendar is filled with family and cultural events.

With several nationally recognized institutions, including the University of Utah, Salt Lake Community College, and Brigham Young University in close proximity, the City boasts an educated and employable workforce.

In response to Sandy’s rapid growth since the 1970’s, the city has built a new city center, which includes city offices and a state-of-the-art post office. The city center is located just east of Interstate 15 and north of the South Towne Mall at the bustling 106^th south exit.

North of The City Center lies the vast South Towne Expo Center, a new convention center that has hosted anything from Boat Shows to Home Shows to massive Retail Close-out Sales. Up the street from the Expo Center you’ll find a unique entertainment complex known as Jordan Commons. The Commons features several unique restaurants, a movie megaplex that houses its own little mall (with a variety of food vendors, gift shops, etc.), and an office building. There is plenty of parking at both locations, and transportation is a breeze, as they are both located on State Street.

Draper

General Information: 801-576-6500

Draper is a city where you can enjoy country living with all the amenities of a big city. Once a rural area, the city has become one of the most prestigious suburbs of Salt Lake City. With a growing population and expanding business base, Draper offers a strong workforce and unique job opportunities.

Draper City boasts its own Arts Council and symphony as well as close proximity to Salt Lake’s many arts, cultural, and sporting events. You’ll find world-class skiing and trails for hiking, horses, RV's, and bikes within 15 miles of Draper. Draper is also home to one of the best hang gliding sites in the United States and to the largest hang gliding school in the nation.

South Jordan

City Offices: 801-254-3724

South Jordan was settled in 1857 by the Beckstead family. South Jordan was primarily a rural farming community when it became incorporated as a town in 1935. South Jordan's population boom since the early 1970s has brought all the challenges and opportunities of growth. The current population is estimated to be 33,010. Today, South Jordan's most distinctive and recognizable landmark, visible from miles around, is the LDS Jordan River Temple overlooking the open space and protected green belts of the Jordan River Parkway.

Of South Jordan's estimated 26,813 residents, the median age is 19.72 and the median adult age is 37.49. South Jordan's population is highly educated. More than half of South Jordan’s population makes over $30K per annually.