Salt Lake City
RANK #867 / 996 NAT · POP 1,180,643
1YR FORECAST: +0.4%
5YR OUTLOOK: +13%
Salt Lake County, Utah, is defined by its dramatic natural setting, nestled between the Wasatch Mountains to the east and the Oquirrh Mountains to the west, with the Great Salt Lake forming part of its northwestern border. This geography provides residents with immediate access to outdoor recreation, including skiing and snowboarding at resorts like Alta and Brighton, hiking and biking in numerous canyons such as Little Cottonwood and Millcreek, and birdwatching opportunities around the Great Salt Lake. Salt Lake City, the county seat and state capital, serves as a central hub, with public transit options like TRAX light rail and buses connecting various communities throughout the valley. The community offers a blend of urban amenities and natural escapes, with a climate that features four distinct seasons, including dry, warm summers and snowy winters in the mountains.
Life in Salt Lake County often involves balancing urban careers with an active outdoor lifestyle. Public schools in the county are generally above average, with several districts serving the area. Commute times average around 22.5 minutes, though car commuting remains popular despite public transportation options. The economy is diverse, with a notable presence in technology and advanced manufacturing. Recent economic development efforts focus on strategic growth to enhance the quality of life, with investments in infrastructure and urban planning. The county aims to attract industries that support increased economic mobility and maintain the area's natural appeal.
Below national median (4.7x)
Below national median
Above national median
Prices detached from rents
Housing is fairly valued at 4.3x relative to local economic output. Climate and geography support a structural premium. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Source: CDC/NCHS vital statistics via County Health Rankings (2020–2022 avg). Rates per 100,000 population. Grade based on homicide rate relative to national average (~6.3). Learn more →
Source: EPA Air Quality System (2021–2023). Grade based on 3-year average median AQI. Learn about AQI →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Salt Lake City International Airport Expansion (Phase 2)
Salt Lake City Department of Airports
|
$1,800M | Under Construction |
|
QTS Eagle Mountain II Data Center Campus
QTS
|
$650M | Under Construction |
|
Tract Data Center Campus
Tract
|
$500M | Planned |
|
NOVVA Data Center Campus Expansion & Natural Gas Plant
NOVVA
|
$500M | Under Construction |
|
Dominguez Battery Energy Storage System
NextEra Energy Resources (Dominguez Energy Storage LLC)
|
$200M | Approved |
|
Salt Palace Convention Center Remodel
Salt Lake County (Jacobsen Construction, AECOM Hunt)
|
$55M | Under Construction |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
The data is not encouraging — Salt Lake County scores just 12/100 on the Boom Town Index, ranking #867 of 996 counties. Job growth at +1.1% and median household income of $90,011 reflect an economy that has been contracting or stagnating relative to the rest of the country.
Salt Lake County leans toward the expensive side. A median home value of $440,400 against an income-to-home-value ratio of 0.20 means housing eats a bigger share of local earnings than the national norm. Renters face $1,394/month on average.
Salt Lake County is growing on multiple fronts. Population is up +0.6% year-over-year while employers added jobs at a +1.1% clip. Home values shifted +1.9% in the past year.
Not particularly — 1.98% of Salt Lake County's population moved in from another state, which is below the national average. Most residents are long-term locals rather than recent transplants.