Living in East Central Salt Lake City is amazing! The community gets its name from being east of central Salt Lake City. The community is well known for the Gilgal Sculpture Garden, an outdoor sculpture garden home to visionary and Mormon-inspired works. It’s also a great place to live, with convenient access to Downtown, walkable streets, and delicious and diverse restaurants.
But before you start moving to East Central Salt Lake City, you need to do a deep dive into this quaint Salt Lake City neighborhood. Here’s what to know about East Central.
Where Is East Central Salt Lake City?
East Central is inside Central City, an area of Salt Lake City encompassing the city’s geographic center and downtown area. The neighborhood borders some of the best Salt Lake City neighborhoods, including Lower Avenues, University, Yalecrest, West Grand View, Liberty Wells, and Downtown Salt Lake City. It is 2.4 miles from East Central to Downtown, creating a commute of less than 10 minutes. The zip codes for East Central are 84102 and 84105.
East Central does not contain any notable geographic features. It’s an urbanized and well-developed neighborhood that is mostly residential, though it has some businesses and attractions. State Route 71 forms the western border of East Central, and State Route 282 forms part of the eastern border. Both routes provide access to cities near Salt Lake City and northern neighborhoods of Salt Lake City UT.
Residents living in East Central Salt Lake City have access to the Utah Transit Authority (UTA). You can find several bus, trolley, and train routes in East Central. The TRAX Red Line provides access to downtown and eastern Salt Lake City. Bus and trolley stops are located throughout the neighborhood; you can use the UTA system map to see where stops and routes are. Many residents use trains and buses for commuting, though many East Central jobs are within walking distance of homes. You can also use the Salt Lake City public transportation system for moving to East Central Salt Lake City.
Are you interested in moving to East Central Salt Lake City? Contact Wasatch Moving and get started on your stress free relocation!
Map of East Central Salt Lake City
You can use this map of East Central to find top restaurants, shopping centers, and entertainment venues in the neighborhood.
East Central Salt Lake City History and Overview
The Northwestern Shoshone people lived in the area of Salt Lake City for thousands of years before American explorers arrived in 1825. The Latter-Day Saints formed the first permanent White settlement in Salt Lake City in 1847. The first building permits for East Central were written in the 1890s, and the community expanded gradually over the 20th century.
East Central has remained a residential and family-friendly neighborhood over the last 100 years. Here are its demographics:
- East Central population: 21,587
- Median household income: $50,500
- Educational attainment: 96.3% of residents older than 25 have graduated high school, 62.9% have a bachelor’s degree
- Median age: 30.6
- Foreign-born population: 12.1%
- Racial and ethnic composition: 85.6% White (80.2% non-Hispanic), 7.3% Hispanic or Latino, 6.4% Asian, 2.5% two or more races, 1.8% Black or African American
East Central is one of the most popular neighborhoods in Salt Lake City for singles. 42.0% of households in the neighborhood consist of singles without children. 20.6% of households comprise two or more people living together as roommates, not as married couples. Families with children comprise just 14.5% of households in East Central. The community is also very popular amongst people in their 20s. Roughly one-third of residents are in their 20s.
What’s It Like Living in East Central Salt Lake City?
Living in East Central Salt Lake City caters to a wide variety of people. Its location close to the University of Utah means it is popular amongst college students, recent graduates, and young professionals. It’s also popular amongst commuters and established businesspeople with jobs in Downtown Salt Lake City. However, despite its young population, East Central is not well known for being hip or vibrant. The community contains a few bars and restaurants, but it’s mostly residential. You can enjoy quiet evenings in most sections of the community, so seniors and retirees can live in East Central.
East Central is a very walkable neighborhood. The streets are laid out in a gridlike fashion, and sidewalks are well-paved and spacious. You can walk through small parks and stop by shops on your way home. East Central is not well known for being LGBTQ-friendly, though Salt Lake City is a fairly LGBTQ-friendly city.
Are you ready to start living in East Central Salt Lake City? Call 801-335-5603 for a free quote now!
Things to Do in East Central
You can enjoy many things to do in East Central, including great parks and live music venues. Here are some of the best attractions in East Central.
East Central Salt Lake City UT Restaurants
Vessel Kitchen offers dishes you would find in a fine dining restaurant with the quick services and affordable prices of a casual eatery. You can enjoy Mediterranean mezze, roasted chicken, braised beef, and other classy dishes at Vessel Kitchen. All dishes cost less than $20, making Vessel Kitchen one of the most affordable restaurants in East Central.
The Pie Pizzeria serves unique pizzas with toppings like smoked oysters, strawberry-balsamic sauces, and roasted gyro meat. You can order vegan and gluten-free pizzas and build your own slices at lunch.
Tsunami Sushi is a casual sushi and Japanese restaurant. You can order dozens of different types of sushi, as well as curries, udon noodles, and teriyaki. Tsunami Sushi is a popular location for private events, providing full liquor services for all guests.
Shopping
Fresh Market 17th South is the top grocery store in the East Central neighborhood. Trolley Square is the top shopping center, popular amongst many people living in East Central Salt Lake City. Trolley Square contains dozens of upscale stores and boutiques in a picturesque, historic trolley farm. If you’re interested in visiting small stores, Moosejaw sells outdoor clothes and equipment, while Vantage sells vintage clothes and accessories.
Things to Do
Gilgal Sculpture Garden is the most famous attraction in East Central. The garden contains 12 original sculptures, 70 stones engraved with literary texts, and fields full of beautiful flowers and plants. The garden is dog-friendly and free to visit, and you can take photographs of anything in the attraction.
Liberty Park is one of the top parks in Salt Lake City. Liberty Park is the oldest park in the city, and it contains two playgrounds, four volleyball courts, and a paved jogging-walking path.
The Clubhouse is a community center and live music venue with a full events calendar. You can sign up for dance, drawing, and music classes, as well as open mics and film premieres.
Here’s where you can find these things to do in East Central:
- Vessel Kitchen, 905 East 900 South, Salt Lake City, UT, 84105, 801-810-1950
- The Pie Pizzeria, 1320 East 200 South, Salt Lake City, UT, 84102, 801-582-5700
- Tsunami Sushi, 1059 East 900 South, Salt Lake City, UT, 84102, 385-900-0288
- Fresh Market 17th South, 1638 South 900 East, Salt Lake City, UT, 84105, 801-484-8741
- Trolley Square, 602 East 500 South, Salt Lake City, UT, 84102, 801-521-9877
- Moosejaw, 470 South 900 East, Salt Lake City, UT, 84102, 801-994-6818
- Vantage, 774 East 800 South, Salt Lake City, UT, 84102, 385-315-1848
- Gilgal Sculpture Garden, 749 East 500 South, Salt Lake City, UT, 84102, 801-972-7860
- Liberty Park, 600 Harvey Milk Boulevard, Salt Lake City, UT, 84105, 801-972-7800
- The Clubhouse, 850 East South Temple Street, Salt Lake City, UT, 84102, 385-313-8285
The Salt Lake County Parks and Recreation Department oversees parks and green spaces in East Central. You can use the Salt Lake City events calendar to get more information about events run by the Parks and Recreation Department and other groups in the city.
Do you want to start enjoying great attractions in the East Central neighborhood? Schedule an appointment with Wasatch Moving today!
Schools in East Central
The Salt Lake City School District is the East Central school district, serving all students living in East Central Salt Lake City. Wasatch Elementary School serves students in northern East Central, while Emerson Elementary School serves students in the south. US News ranks Wasatch Elementary in the top 100 elementary schools in Utah, with 56% of students testing at or above the proficiency level in reading.
Wasatch Elementary students then attend the Salt Lake Center for Science Education Bryant, while Emerson Elementary students attend Clayton Middle School. US News ranks Clayton Middle School in the top 50 middle schools in Utah.
All students living in East Central Salt Lake City attend East High School, which is in East Central. US News ranks East High School in the top 100 high schools in Utah. East High School is well-known for being one of the filming locations for High School Musical.
East Central is a hub for private schools in Salt Lake City. Judge Memorial Catholic High School is one of the top Catholic schools in the country, being named a National Blue Ribbon School in 2021. The McGillis School is a Jewish K-8 school with a student-to-faculty ratio of 7:1, one of the lowest amongst East Central schools.
East Central borders the University of Utah. The U Campus is home to over 35,000 students who pursue nearly 200 different undergraduate and graduate students. The neighborhood also borders Westminster University. US News ranks Westminster University as the best value school in the Western United States. The Main Library in the Salt Lake City Public Library system is located just outside of East Central.
Is East Central Safe?
East Central is one of the safest Salt Lake City neighborhoods. Here are its latest crime rates:
- Overall East Central crime rate: 4,274 offenses per 100,000 people (42.3% lower than the Salt Lake City crime rate, 100% higher than the Utah average, 83.9% higher than the national average)
- Violent crime rate: 594 crimes per 100,000 residents (39.3% lower than the Salt Lake City rate, 145.5% higher than the state rate, 60.5% higher than the national average)
- Property crime rate: 3,680 crimes per 100,000 people (42.7% lower than the Salt Lake City rate, 94.2% higher than the Utah rate, 88.3% higher than the national rate)
While East Central has higher rates than the Utah and national averages, it has some of the lowest crime rates of any Salt Lake City neighborhood. The overwhelming majority of crimes in East Central are non-violent property crimes that occur with businesses, not residents. If you follow basic security measures like storing your valuables out of sight, you should live a safe life in East Central. Very few residents encounter crimes while living in East Central Salt Lake City. The Salt Lake City Police Department employs 523 sworn Salt Lake City police officers who patrol East Central regularly.
Do you want to start living in East Central Salt Lake City? Call 801-335-5603 for a personalized estimate for Wasatch Moving, the top moving company in East Central!
East Central Salt Lake City Real Estate
You can enjoy complete real estate services in East Central, with a range of single family homes, apartments, and condos. According to Redfin, East Central homes for sale have a median cost of $600,000, and an average price per square foot is $357. 157 single family homes and 190 condos were sold in East Central in 2023. Single family homes have a median cost of $638,250, and condos have a median cost of $399,474.
Many homes for sale in East Central were built in the early 1900s, though they’ve been renovated in the years since. Homes have a wide range of architectural styles and features. You can find vintage Gothic homes for sale with brick and stone exteriors, stained glass windows, and grand staircases. You can also purchase contemporary homes with wood exteriors and floor-to-ceiling windows. Condos are similarly diverse, though they tend to be more recent than homes for sale.
Nearly all properties in East Central cost less than $1 million. Most homes for sale cover 2,000 square feet and contain at least three bedrooms. Most condos are one-bedroom units with less than 1,000 square feet. Any condo or home for sale can be turned into student housing, and many properties have been homes to University of Utah students over the years.
East Central is renter-friendly. According to RentCafe, East Central apartments cost $1,771 a month, 10.4% higher than the Salt Lake City average. You can find studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom East Central apartments throughout the neighborhood, most of which cost less than $2,000 a month. Many apartment buildings have luxurious amenities, including fitness centers, swimming pools, and outdoor grills.
You can rent from several different notable apartment complexes. The LINQ at Sugarhouse is an upscale apartment complex with one-bedroom apartments starting at $1,353 a month. All units at The LINQ have fully equipped kitchens, extra storage spaces, and electronic thermostats.
Living in East Central Salt Lake City is living in luxury! Most residents love the delicious restaurants, beautiful outdoor attractions, and top schools.
Moving to East Central Salt Lake City isn’t hard. Wasatch Moving Company is the top Salt Lake City moving company, having performed over 20,000 relocations. Call 801-335-5603 for a free quote now.
