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West Jordan Utah Real Estate Market & Area Guide

West Jordan, Utah was settled around the sugar beet industry. Although the focus has changed to a broader spectrum of commercial activities today, it is still a sweet family community with exponential growth. Named after Utah’s Jordan River, this community is working hard to balance a hometown atmosphere with sensible growth and development..

This once-rural community settled in the mid-19th Century began to boom in the 1960s. It’s safe to say, it’s no longer one of the state’s best-kept secrets. The population has increased from about 3,000 to nearly 115,000 residents in four decades.

The Bingham Canyon Copper mine in West Jordan is frequently touted as “the richest hole on earth.” This historic site was recently featured on USA Today’s “10Best” website. Author Christine Balaz said, “Bingham Canyon Copper Mine is arguably Salt Lake City’s most interesting and bizarre historical site.” Visitors flock to the site to experience the manmade hole and to see the massive equipment used there.

West Jordan is not all work! The city features lovely green parks, trails, access to the beautiful Jordan River, quality shopping and restaurants, sporting venues, highly-rated schools and more.

The mountain views to the east and to the west are majestic and inspiring! Residents here enjoy four distinct seasons and all the glory each has to offer. Welcome to West Jordan.

HISTORY

Like most Utah communities, West Jordan was settled by pioneers who came with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Enamored by the rushing waters of a river, the Mormons referenced the River Jordan in Israel when they named the meandering body of water. The river is fed by water from Utah Lake. Ultimately, the runoff ends up in the Great Salt Lake. The water proved priceless for these settlers in search of a permanent home and they set up camp along the banks of what they originally called the Western Jordan in 1849. Over time the name was shortened to West Jordan.

In 1850, Archibald Gardner established one of the area’s first sawmills. Eventually, other mills and homes sprang up along the banks and further inland. The river became the lifeblood of this important settlement. His impact was so prominent that many of the buildings Gardner cared for were preserved and are now part of a unique shopping district known as Gardner Village.

Gardner Village is a collection of modern and eclectic shops and eateries. The quaint commercial village is centered around the historic Gardner mill. From furniture to home décor to candied apples sold from the back of the Chocolate Covered Wagon, this is a place you will want to spend at least one day. The Soulstice Day Spa is a different kind of treat for body and soul. Events throughout the year attract visitors from throughout the region. This important location contributes significantly to the city’s economy, lifestyle, and rich cultural history.

HALLMARKS

West Jordan settlers used fresh water from the river daily. The Jordan River Parkway hails the water source with a 45-mile multiple-use trail “paralleling the Jordan River as it flows north from Utah Lake to the Great Salt Lake through Salt Lake Valley’s most populated communities. The trail system includes a paved trail, an equestrian trail, several connecting neighborhood trails, and will ultimately also include a water trail for boaters,” an online publication by the Jordan River Commission said. The Commission monitors projects along the trail and boasts regional destinations like “urban fishing ponds, cultural centers, demonstration gardens, shopping areas, parks and more.”

Group and private paddle boating are allowed on some parts of the river.

Logging, farming, ranching, and the fur trade were among the city’s most prominent industries but mining became a large and important industry. An article in The Diggings, a website about mining, says there are 5,424 mining claims near the city that “occupies the southwest end of the Salt Lake Valley at an elevation of 4,330 feet.” Only 915 of those are active. In West Jordan, there are 485 mines. In 128 of those, useful minerals are found with 33 prospects and seven plants. The city hosts 317 producers. Many commodities come from these mines including gold, silver, uranium, helium, sand and gravel, silica, and sulfur.

RECREATION

West Jordan offers abundant recreation. We’ve mentioned Gardner Village, the Jordan River Parkway, and the Bingham Mine. There are many people in this community of more than 117,000 residents with widely varied interests.

Golf

Golfers are well represented in West Jordan and the surrounding areas with courses like Mountain View Golf Course and nearby Glenmoor Golf Course (South Jordan). River Oaks Golf Course is just a few miles up the road in Sandy and Mulligans Golf & Games operates in South Jordan.

Conservation and Gardening

This environmentally-conscious city hosts Conservation Garden Park which “showcases landscapes suited for Utah’s unique climate that are not only beautiful and easier to maintain, but are also designed to use water efficiently. Here you learn how simple changes can result in big water savings,” an article on the park’s website says.

Because more than 60 percent of Utah’s drinking water maintains outdoor landscapes, Conservation Garden Park teaches Utahns how to beautify their surroundings while conserving precious water in the high desert. “At Conservation Garden Park, we model the best use of water in Utah landscapes and empower communities to make the most of our shared water resources,” the website says.

Parks

Veterans Memorial Park, 1985 West 7800 South, West Jordan, UT 84088, is a popular green space and play area for locals. A Western-style playground helps keep kids fit and encourages them to run wild! There is a separate toddlers’ park to help keep little tykes safe. Kids can climb, slide, and learn with fun games and activities including a zip line. Rent one of the pavilions for a family picnic or attend one of the many events hosted by this park each year.

SHOPPING

Jordan Landing, 7533 Plaza Center Dr, West Jordan, UT 84084, is one of West Jordan’s most popular shopping spots! Whether you’re shopping for furniture at Ashley Homestore, entertaining the kids at Altitude Trampoline Park, or looking for a new book at Barnes & Noble, you will find what you’re looking for here!

West Jordan Town Center, 6842 S Redwood Rd, West Jordan, UT, is an outdoor strip mall with Petco, Papa Murphy’s Pizza, and a Lucky grocery store.

West Jordan features a Target, Big Lots, and Ross too. The city is surrounded by many other cities that feature all levels of shopping and most are just minutes away.

EMPLOYMENT

Zippia, a self-proclaimed employment expert website, ranks the following among the top employers of West Jordan residents:

  1. Jordan Valley Medical Center
  2. DSI Underground Group
  3. Orange Electric
  4. Mountain America Credit Union
  5. Salt Lake County Library
  6. SME Steel
  7. West Jordan High School
  8. Mountain Heights Academy
  9. Activz Global
  10. IntegraCore

SCHOOLS

Public students of the West Jordan attend schools overseen by the West Jordan School District.

CITY/COUNTY

West Jordan is located in Salt Lake County, Utah.

See Homes for Sale by West Joran Zip Code : 84081, 84084, and 84088

Photos of West Jordan, Utah