Life in Salt Lake County, Utah, is pretty incredible. Award-winning schools. Extensive career opportunities. Foodie playground. Plenty of room to recreate. And a nice selection of houses to grow in. There’s a lot to love here. So it’s no surprise that Salt Lake was one of the top 10 fastest-growing metro areas in 2022. Interested in calling our slice of paradise home? Read on to see why it could be your best move ever.
Welcome to Salt Lake County
Named after the Great Salt Lake, the largest inland body of saltwater in the Western Hemisphere, Salt Lake County is 764 square miles, surrounded by the Wasatch Mountains on the east and the Oquirrhs on the west.
Its long history dates back to 500 BC when the indigenous people—Fremont and Ancestral Puebloan—lived and farmed in the region. Later the Northern Shoshone and Utes called the area home before Mormon pioneers established a religious settlement in 1847.
Now, Salt Lake County is home to nearly 1.2 million residents. It hosted the 2002 Winter Olympics (fingers crossed to host 2030 or 2034), movie productions like the modern-day classic “The Sandlot,” outdoor enthusiasts looking for the “Greatest Snow on Earth,” and residents looking for unparalleled economic opportunities and housing options.
The Salt Lake County housing market remains stable and competitive, with inventory still lagging behind explosive demand. Yet it’s still considered a buyer’s market. 2022 census data shows that Utah’s population grew 1.2%, making it the tenth fastest-growing state in the U.S.
Low unemployment, attractive living conditions, competitive pricing (the median sales price for February 2023 was $515K), relatively low property taxes, and some of the nation’s top communities, like Daybreak, draw residents from states like California, Colorado, New York, Idaho, and Texas.
A Quick Primer on Salt Lake County Property Taxes
Salt Lake County’s average effective property tax rate is 0.75%, the sixth-lowest rate in the country, and far below the national average of 0.99%. Homeowners in South Jordan where Daybreak is located enjoy a property tax rate lower than more than half the other cities in the county. And good news: residential property in Utah receives a 45% property tax exemption, so residents only pay taxes on 55% of fair market value. Whether you’re just starting out or retired, Salt Lake County offers a variety of housing options, so you can enjoy living and working here.
The Job Landscape in Salt Lake County Is Hot and Getting Hotter
With the nation’s lowest unemployment rate (2.2% as of December 2022) and a top 20 ranking for year-on-year job growth, Utah offers plenty of career opportunities. Engineering, computer science and life science are hot fields—especially in the nearby Silicon Slopes area—generating $19.1 billion and representing 12-15% of the state’s economy. Manufacturing, healthcare, finance, and banking are also fast-growing industries in the state.
The 2022 census showed the median household income in Salt Lake County was $82,206. And in South Jordan, it’s even higher at $106,824, thanks to healthcare employers like Merit Medical Systems, Inc. and manufacturing companies like Ultradent Products, Inc.
Low unemployment with fast-growing industries make Salt Lake County an ideal place to grow your career. And with our top education options, a family, too.
Salt Lake County Is Home to Some of Utah’s Best Schools
Higher education is a major draw in Salt Lake County, with the University of Utah, Brigham Young University (BYU), Utah Valley University, Weber State University, and several community colleges nearby. And a 2022 study ranked Utah in the top 15 states with the best school systems in the U.S.
Salt Lake County’s Daybreak lies within the Jordan School district, which ranks in the top 50% of school districts in the state and is the top district in the county for athletes. And Daybreak itself includes top-ranked public, private, and charter schools, including the new Aspen Elementary.
Serving approximately 550 kindergarteners through sixth-grade students, Aspen Elementary offers great education within walking distance of home. It’s next to the Spoke linear bike park for all ages—complete with a pump track designed and built by Velosolutions of Switzerland—making for a fun ride home from school.
Salt Lake County Public Transportation Keeps You Connected
The entire county remains connected with several public transportation options, including buses, commuter trains, and light rail that will take you from the airport, throughout the city and county and even up to the ski resorts. In Salt Lake City, you can also use the GREENbike nonprofit bike share program for a more sustainable travel option.
Living outside the city without a car is possible, too, with TRAX, the light-rail system. It has three lines covering 42.5 miles that connect communities in the region from Draper to Salt Lake City, South Jordan to the University of Utah and the West Valley to the Salt Lake International Airport. The Utah Transit Authority (UTA) is also evaluating expansion plans to make TRAX even more convenient for residents.
TRAX runs to Daybreak’s South Station District, an area we designed for easy urban transit. Daybreak residents love how quickly they can navigate the local area and the greater Salt Lake County region without a vehicle for reduced environmental impact, fewer gas expenses, and a more seamless transportation experience.
Salt Lake County Parks and Recreation Are An Outdoor Lover’s Paradise
Whether you prefer to drive or ride or whether you adore basking in the sun or shredding in the snow, there are plenty of options for getting out and about in the county. Utah is home to the “Mighty Five” national parks:
- Arches National Park. Moab, UT
- Bryce Canyon National Park. Bryce, UT
- Canyonlands National Park. Moab, UT
- Capitol Reef National Park. Torrey, UT
- Zion National Park. Springdale, UT
Salt Lake County boasts several state and regional parks, including the Great Salt Lake State Park, Wheeler Historic Farm, the 110-acre Sugar House Park, Bingham Creek Regional Park, the This is the Place Heritage Park (visit for pony rides, train rides, and a living history village), and more.
You’ll likely want to head to the mountains from mid-November to April. Utah is known for having the “Greatest Snow on Earth,” and the resorts within an hour of Salt Lake City enjoy an average of 500 inches of snowfall per year.
Daybreak residents don’t have to leave the area to enjoy countless recreational amenities. The area has three dozen (and counting) parks, 50+ miles of trail, several pools (including a splash pool for kids and swim areas reserved for residents 55 and older), a 67-acre freshwater lake (with a watercourse coming soon), beach clubs, “the loop” network of trails, bicycle highways, and park spaces, the Spoke bike park, and more.
Try the Best Restaurants in Salt Lake County
After a long day enjoying all the outdoor activities Salt Lake County offers, you can sample the area’s food scene. Salt Lake City is among the top 30 best foodie cities in America. You can find every cuisine, from local favorites like BBQ, Hawaiian, and Native American to international flavors like Japanese, Argentinian, German, and many more.
The top-rated local restaurant? Valter’s Osteria, a high-end Italian restaurant offering an authentic Tuscan experience. Be sure to try the Pasta Al Forno Vera (a delicious homemade lasagna with meat sauce perfected by Valter’s mother). If you’re looking for something with a more woodsy vibe, try the award-winning Log Haven. Nestled in a historic cabin in the Wasatch National Forest, it’s known as one of America’s Most Scenic Restaurants. And if you’re a brunch lover, check out the nearly 100-year-old Ruth’s Diner and nosh on Trevor’s Potato Burrito. Or order the buckwheat pancakes or huevos rancheros at Roots Cafe.
With so many options and local favorites, you’re sure to find a spot you love. And if you drop-in to tour Daybreak, you’ll have nearly 20 dining options —from fast food and coffee shops to farm-to-table restaurants. It’s all right here.
Explore Homes for Sale in Salt Lake County
If you’re considering a move to Salt Lake County, you’re in good company. Gorgeous views. Affordable living. Tons of top educational and career options. World-renowned recreation. And dining that rivals some of the nation’s top cities. Come explore the area and fall in love. And make sure to swing by Daybreak. We’ll show you around our villages and districts, so you can find a Salt Lake County home that’s perfect for you.
