West Jordan, Utah is a suburb of Salt Lake City with a population of about 70,000. The average temperature in the winter is about 30 degrees with an average snowfall of about 64 inches. The average temperature in the summer is 84 degrees. Those moving to West Jordan will discover an area with a low crime rate, making it a good moving destination.
Economy:
Although the majority of people in West Jordan actually work in Salt Lake City and other neighboring cities, there is a mix of business and industry jobs available in the city. The median household income for West Jordan is higher than the state average. The cost of living in West Jordan is slightly less than the national average. Unemployment is currently 6.6%. Some companies in West Jordan include Dannon Yoghurt, Sysco Food Services, L-3 Communications and Adobe Systems.
History:
West Jordan was the first community to be settled outside of Salt Lake City as people began to settle the Salt Lake Valley. It was named because the Mormon settlers to the area saw many similarities between the area and the desert of the Holy Land. A nearby river was named the Jordan River and the settlement became West Jordan after the river name. In 1850, Archibald and Robert Gardner built a canal from the river to the area to power the first saw mill. Soon a woolen mill, a flour mill and a tannery were built. In 1872, settlers banded together to create more canals to the area so that agriculture could begin. Some of the very earliest airplane flights were conducted in West Jordan, just six years after the Wright Brothers. In 1901, L. R. Culver held experimental flights in West Jordan. West Jordan was also a center for Utah's sugar beet industry with a large factory that operated there for many years. The city was not incorporated until 1941 but has experienced a huge population growth since the 1960s.
Tourism:
Gardner Village is a unique collection of shops and restaurants built on the site of the city's sawmill, blacksmith shop, grist mill and flour mill. The buildings are now on the National Historic Registry but have been converted to shops and dining. The West Jordan Historical Museum features an old homestead, out buildings, an orchard, antique machinery and many exhibits featuring the history of the area. There are many outdoor things to do in the area, including skiing and snowboarding in the winter in the nearby Wasatch Mountains. There are hiking and biking trails. At the end of June, West Jordan has an Independence Day and Western Stampede rodeo. In September there is a FolkFest of music.