RANK #783 / 1001 NAT · POP 79,347
1YR FORECAST: -0.8%
5YR OUTLOOK: +24%
Tooele County, Utah, is often recognized for the Bonneville Salt Flats, a vast expanse of white salt known for land speed records. Located west of Salt Lake City, with the city of Tooele as its county seat, the area offers a blend of small-town atmosphere and access to urban amenities. Commuting to Salt Lake City is common for many residents, with I-80 serving as a primary route, though public transit options like UTA bus routes and on-demand services are available. The county's landscape features mountains, valleys, and the Great Salt Lake, providing opportunities for hiking, biking, camping, and water activities. Deseret Peak, the highest point in the Stansbury Mountains, is a notable hiking destination.
Life in Tooele County often appeals to families and individuals seeking a quieter lifestyle with more spacious properties than found in denser urban areas. The Tooele County School District serves the area with numerous schools. The local economy, historically rooted in mining and agriculture, has diversified to include manufacturing, logistics, and defense, with the Tooele Army Depot being a significant employer. There is also emerging growth in technology-driven industries, healthcare, and renewable energy sectors. Recent proposals include a bid for a nuclear energy hub, which could further impact the economic landscape.
Tooele County is one of 43 U.S. counties in this market profile — near the profile average on the BoomTown Index. Within this cohort, its recent home-price change of +0.2% matches the profile's typical -0.0%.
See all 43 Sun Belt Exurban Boom counties →Overvalued relative to economy
Well below national median
Moderate climate & terrain
Above national median (15x)
Housing looks overvalued at 31.1x — home prices are high relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Bars show trailing 12-month growth. The dashed Forecast bars are the model's next-12-month projection; the whisker marks the ±1% range (cooling–accelerating).
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 |
|---|---|---|
|
Nuclear Lifecycle Innovation Campus
State of Utah / U.S. Department of Energy
|
$5,000M | Proposed |
|
Dugway Proving Ground Data Center
CyrusOne (KKR and BlackRock)
|
$1,000M | Proposed |
|
Echo Master-Planned Community (1,260 homes)
Cole West
|
$600M | Planned |
|
Lexington Greens Master-planned Community (640+ residences)
Zenith Development
|
$100M | Under Construction |
|
Elektron Solar Project (80 MW)
D.E. Shaw Renewable Investments (DESRI)
|
$80M | Operating |
|
Central States Manufacturing Plant
Central States Manufacturing, Inc.
|
$50M | Operating |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 1001 counties.
At 21/100, Tooele County faces headwinds that place it in the lower third of the 1001 counties we track. Median income of $106,587 combined with job growth of -0.4% suggests the local economy is struggling to keep pace with national trends.
Tooele County leans toward the expensive side. A median home value of $431,600 against an income-to-home-value ratio of 0.25 means housing eats a bigger share of local earnings than the national norm. Renters face $1,189/month on average.
Tooele County's population is growing — up +3.5% YoY — while the job market is roughly flat (employment change of -0.4%). Home values shifted +0.2% over the past year. In-migration is outpacing local hiring, which often points to remote workers or retirees driving the headcount.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 3.59% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Tooele County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.