Always wanted to live in a peaceful mountain city with friendly neighbors and outdoor adventure? You should consider moving to West Valley City. West Valley City is a gorgeous city in Salt Lake County that offers diversity and a great place to raise a family. The area was initially settled by Welsh pioneers in 1849, although until the late 20th century, it was composed of smaller settlements.
The outskirts of Salt Lake City experienced rapid population growth in the 1970s, leading to the consolidation of the unincorporated communities of Granger, Hunter, Chesterfield, and Redwood into West Valley City, which was officially incorporated in 1980. Today, West Valley City is a good place to live, offering great schools, parks, and an easy commute to Salt Lake City.
Where Is West Valley City?
West Valley City, Utah, is in Salt Lake County, located southwest of downtown Salt Lake and 15 miles from the Great Salt Lake. It is considered part of the Salt Lake City metro area. It’s also close to nearby communities such as Magna, Kearns, Murray, Taylorsville, and South Salt Lake. The Jordan River forms the Eastern border, while the foot of the Oquirrh Mountains is to the west.
West Valley City is 11 miles or an 18-minute drive from downtown Salt Lake City and 45 miles or about an hour’s drive from Provo.
West Valley City Population & Demographics
The population of West Valley City is 140,230, according to the 2020 census, which makes it the second-largest city in Utah after SLC. The city has experienced rapid growth since its incorporation in 1980, and the population has increased by 8% since 2010. It offers a good mix of urban and suburban living with a population density of 3,914.2 residents per square mile. It’s such a nice area; many professional athletes have lived in West Valley City, including former Minnesota Vikings running back Matt Asiata and former Cleveland Browns tight end John Madsen.
West Valley City is one of the most diverse places in the state of Utah, and the foreign-born population is 25.2%, which is more than double the amount in the Salt Lake City area as well as the state. The racial and ethnic breakdown is 55.2% white (45.4% non-Hispanic), 40.5% Hispanic or Latino, 4.9% Asian, 3.7% Native Hawaiian, 2.5% Black or African American, 1.1% American Indian or Alaskan Native and 8% two or more races. There are also many families living in West Valley City UT, with 3.3 people per home on average, while 62% of households are married couples.
Other West Valley City Demographic:
- Median household income: $74,348, 6.6% lower than the statewide average.
- Sex ratio: the population is 51% male and 49% female.
- Educational attainment: 80% of residents have a high school diploma, but only 13.7% have a bachelor’s degree or higher.
- 17.6% of residents have moved since the previous year (20% higher than the statewide average).
The crime rate in West Valley City is relatively high for a city of its size. Here is a breakdown of the crime rates, reflecting the number of crimes per 100,000 residents.
- Total crime rate: 3,858, 41.6% higher than the state and 64.4% higher than the country
- Violent crime: 528, 102.5% higher than the state and 36.2% higher than the country
- Property crime: 3,330, 35.1% higher than the state and 70.1% higher than the country
However, most residents report feeling perfectly safe as long as you take proper precautions. The West Valley City Police Department handles crime in the city with the assistance of 262 law enforcement personnel, including 217 sworn officers and 45 civilians.
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Cost of Living in West Valley City
Moving to West Valley City is reasonably affordable, depending on where in the country you’re coming from. The cost of living index is a good metric to compare the affordability of an area and contrasts the prices of essential goods to the rest of the country, which is represented by 100.
The COLI for the Salt Lake City metro area is 102.1, which indicates it’s about 2.1% higher than the rest of the country. The Family Budget Calculator created by the Economic Policy Institute indicates that the average family of four with two adults and two children must earn about $86,552 to live comfortably in Salt Lake County.
Typical West Valley City living expenses:
- Meal at an inexpensive restaurant: $20.00
- 12 oz bottle of water: $1.77
- 1 pound of chicken filets: $4.37
- Cappuccino: $4.78
- Monthly metro pass: $85
- Average monthly West Valley City utility bill: $276
Source: Numbeo
*data reflects the general Salt Lake City area.
The West Valley City real estate market is also quite reasonably priced. The median listing price of homes for sale in West Valley City, Utah is $449,000, which is 6% higher than the rest of the US but 20% lower than in Salt Lake City. The median price per square foot of West Valley City, UT homes for sale is $224.
Renters will find plenty of options as well. RentCafe indicates that the average rent in West Valley City, UT is $1514 per month. Residents will find a variety of apartments, townhomes, and even West Valley City homes for rent, with prices starting at $620 for a 1-bedroom up to $5285 for a 3-bedroom. Owners occupy about 71% of homes in West Valley City, while tenants occupy 29%.
West Valley City Neighborhoods | Where to Live in West Valley City
Home shoppers will find a wide variety of great West Valley City neighborhoods offering prime real estate and diverse cultures. Here are a few of the best places to live in West Valley City.
Redwood | An Affordable West Valley City Neighborhood with Great Amenities
Redwood is a beautiful suburban neighborhood on the east side of West Valley City, offering tree-lined streets and a wide variety of amenities, from the Redwood Recreation Center to Redwood Park.
Westshire | A Quiet West Valley City Neighborhood with Great Shopping and Architecture
Westshire is the ideal West Valley City neighborhood with beautiful Mid-Century modern homes and easy access to shopping at the Valley Fair Mall.
Chesterfield | A Diverse West Valley City with Affordable Homes
Chesterfield is a bustling neighborhood on the northwest side of the city that features affordable home prices, diversity, and an easy commute to Salt Lake City.
West Valley City Weather & Climate
Moving to West Valley City offers cold, temperate weather and plenty of opportunities for skiing and snowboarding. It has a humid subtropical climate according to the Koppen classification system, which indicates hot, dry summers and cold, snowy winters. The temperature usually ranges from 23°F to 93°F, although it can get as cold as 10°F in the winter and up to 100°F in the summer.
The best time to visit West Valley City for warm-weather activities is usually June to mid-September, although for winter sports, the best time is December through March. It gets a fair amount of precipitation and averages 18 inches of rain and 42 inches of snow per year. So don’t forget the winter boots and snow shovel if you plan on living in West Valley City, UT.
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Things to Do in West Valley City
Another one of the benefits of living in West Valley City is all the local attractions. You’ll find plenty of shopping at Valley Fair Shopping Mall, Centro Commercial, or West Town Plaza. Here are a few other fun things to do in West Valley City, UT.
Redwood Drive-in Theatre and Swap Meet
Redwood City Drive-in is one of the best things to do in West Valley City UT, with kids with first-run movies as well as classic cinema on screen and a swap meet that is open on the weekend, year-round.
3688 S Redwood Rd, West Valley City, UT 84119 (801) 973-7088
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Maverik Center
The Maverik Center is a 12,000-seat multi-purpose arena that is home to the Utah Grizzlies hockey team and hosts other live events, including sports, concerts, monster trucks, and more.
3200 S Decker Lake Dr, West Valley City, UT 84119 (801) 988-8888
Stonebridge Golf Club
The Stonebridge Golf Club is a local country club with three nine-held golf courses featuring challenging greens and professional tees and a clubhouse that is available for weddings and corporate events.
4415 Links Dr, West Valley City, UT 84120 (801) 957-9000
If you’re looking for even more fun things to do in West Valley City, UT, the Parks & Recreation Department maintains the 33 city parks and has frequent community events.
Additional West Valley City attractions
West Valley City Restaurants
Its large immigrant population means there are tons of fantastic ethnic restaurants in West Valley City offering everything from South American to Asian cuisine.
Fat Fish
Fat Fish is a delicious Japanese/Vietnamese eatery serving innovative sushi rolls and Pho with inventive menu items like the jalapeno bomb and firecracker calamari.
1980 W 3500 S, West Valley City, UT 84119 (801) 887-7272
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Nepali Chulo
Nepali Chulo is a laidback eatery serving Indian and Nepali dishes cooked over a wood stove. It’s one of the best restaurants in West Valley City, UT if you’re looking for classic South Asian dishes like Tandoori chicken and lamb curry.
3376 S 5600 W, West Valley City, UT 84120 (801) 987-8404
Tuk Tuk’s
If you’re in the mood for Thai food, Tuk Tuks is the top restaurant in West Valley City, UT with delicious Pad Thai, drunken noodles, and other traditional plates.
2222 W 3500 S b7, West Valley City, UT 84119 (385) 227-8347
Jobs in West Valley City
West Valley City has a strong job market with many reputable companies located in the area. The community is home to the corporate headquarters, regional branches, and distribution centers of top companies, including Verizon Wireless, Frito Lay, Backcountry.com, UPS, and Discover Card. Industries like manufacturing, retail, and construction support the local economy.
The largest employers in West Valley City are:
- Discover Financial Services Inc.
- Hexcel Corporation
- Usana Health Sciences Inc.
- Pride Transport Inc.
- Jacobsen Construction
Payscale indicates that the average worker in West Valley City makes about $18.73 per hour. Employment seekers will find plenty of high-paying West Valley City jobs ranging from chiropractor to content creator.
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West Valley City Schools
West Valley City is known for its excellent school system. The Granite School District serves students living in West Valley City, UT. In total, there are 21 elementary schools, four junior high schools, and two senior high schools in the city.
The two high schools are Granger Senior High and Hunter High School. There are 11 public charter schools in the city as well, including East Hollywood High School, which specializes in film and entertainment.
Salt Lake City Community College has a branch in West Valley City offering opportunities for higher education. Residents should also check out the West Valley branch of the Salt Lake County library system for books and community events.
West Valley City Statistics & Information
- West Valley City County: Salt Lake County
- West Valley City area: 35.88 sq mi
- West Valley City zip code: 84044 – 84107
- West Valley City area code: 385, 801
- West Valley City elevation: 4,304 ft
- West Valley City time zone: Mountain Standard Time (UTC-7)
- The closest airport to West Valley City: Salt Lake City Airport (SLC), is 8.7 miles away.
West Valley City, UT Map
Explore more attractions, restaurants, and fun things to do in West Valley City, UT with this map!
When you’re ready to make this diverse and exciting suburb your new home, trust the best West Valley City movers to make your upcoming move simple and efficient. Call 801-758-0030 for a free, personalized moving estimate.
