A suburb of Salt Lake City, Sandy, Utah has a population of about 97,000 people. The weather tends to be hot in the summer, with the average highs in the low 90s. Sandy has consistently won awards for being one of the safest places to live in the county with low taxes, a low crime rate and a good economy. Located at the foot of the Wasatch Mountain and on the edge of the Jordan River, Sandy provides a wealth of outdoor activities. Anyone considering moving to Sandy, Utah will find a city that is proud of its accomplishments and cares about its residents.
Economy:
The median household income for Sandy is much higher than that of the state average. The cost of living in Sandy is lower than the national average. The unemployment rate is much lower in Sandy than the national average, currently it is just 4.6 percent. Some of the top employers in Sandy include Becton Dickinson, E Trade Financial, InContact Inc. and the Harmon Music Group. Sandy enjoys a diverse base of industrial, technology and medical businesses. Its low taxes and crime rate makes it an excellent place for new businesses.
History:
Originally home to Indian tribes, settlers began to come to the area in search of land. There were just four homes there in 1863. However, when silver was discovered in Little Cottonwood Canyon, people recognized that Sandy was the perfect location for a supply station. Before long, the main street had hotels, saloons and brothels to supply the miners. Three smelters opened in Sandy. In 1873 the railroad arrived, connecting Sandy to Salt Lake City and that made it much easier to transport ore. The mines failed in the 1890s, and Sandy made a transition into an agricultural economy. The city incorporated in 1893 in an effort to clean up the town. The city was much more family-oriented by 1900. The city has continued to grow yet maintain that ‘small town feel' where everyone knows everyone else.
Tourism:
The outdoor activities are fabulous in and around Sandy. There are four world-class ski resorts, world-class rock climbing in Little Cottonwood Canyon, hiking trails, biking trails and camping. The Sandy Museum has exhibits about the history of the area. The Living Planet Aquarium in Sandy is the only aquarium in the state. In August, Sandy has a hot air balloon festival. In September, there is a Heritage Festival featuring food, entertainment and a classic car show. The Sandy outdoor Amphitheater has a variety of events and concerts throughout the year. The Sandy Arts Guild has many events. Plus you have easy access to everything that Salt Lake City has to offer.