West Jordan is a city located in Salt Lake County, Utah, United States, and is a suburb of Salt Lake City. According to the 2020 Census, the city had a population of 116,961, placing it as the third most populous in the state. The city occupies the southwest end of the Salt Lake Valley at an elevation of 4,330 feet (1,320 m). Settled in the mid-19th century, the city has developed into its own regional center.
West Jordan is bordered on the west by the Oquirrh Mountains and on the east by the Jordan River. The western neighborhoods of Welby, Copper Hills, and Jordan Hills are rapidly growing regions located along the lower slopes of the eastern Oquirrh Mountains. The city lies approximately 18 miles (29 km) southwest of downtown Salt Lake City.
West Jordan received its name from Mormon settlers who entered the Salt Lake Valley in 1847 under the leadership of their prophet, Brigham Young. These first European-Americans named the river flowing west of their first settlement, Salt Lake City, the Western Jordan, a reference to the River Jordan in Jordan. The name was later simplified to "Jordan River". Like its Middle Eastern namesake, the Jordan River flows from a fresh water lake (Utah Lake) to an inland salt sea (Great Salt Lake).
Salt Lake Valley and Wasatch Mountains
History and Development
One of the first sawmills in the area was built in 1850 in the city by Archibald Gardner. Gardner was a devout Mormon whose legacy can still be seen in modern West Jordan. Early West Jordan relied primarily on agriculture, mills, and mining activity to form the base of its economy.
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Today, West Jordan is one of the fastest-growing cities in Utah. The population grew from 4,221 in 1970 to 27,327 in 1980, 42,892 in 1990, and 68,336 in 2000, reaching 103,712 according to the 2010 Census. Sears chose the city as its first Sears Grand location, a new store concept, which opened its doors in 2003 at the Jordan Landing shopping center.
Government and Politics
West Jordan was incorporated on January 10, 1941. In November 2017, the citizens voted to change the form of government to a council-mayor form beginning at noon on January 6, 2020. The city council is composed of seven individuals: a chair, vice-chair and five council members.
In 2024, the City Council adopted a leadership rotation schedule, changing the chair, vice-chair, and past-chair every six months. The rotation cycles every January 1 and July 1, respectively, with the action being certified in the first possible council meeting thereafter. The council chair presides at city council meetings. The mayor is the chief executive of the city and appoints a chief administrative officer to oversee the functions of the city.
The city council provides policy and direction for the city. The mayor and city council members are elected to four-year terms. Four city council members are elected from four districts within the city, while the other three are elected at-large or citywide.
The mayor and the four city council members representing a district are elected at the same time while the three at-large council members are elected during an offset two year election cycle. Thus ensuring that at least one city official representing the whole city is voted on every two years. All terms begin on January 1 following their respective election.
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Demographics
As of 2017, there were 113,905 people in West Jordan. The racial makeup of the county was 72.2% non-Hispanic White, 1.2% Black, 0.7% Native American, 2.8% Asian, 1.5% Pacific Islander, and 2.9% from two or more races.
Here's a summary of the racial and ethnic composition of West Jordan:
| Category | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Non-Hispanic White | 72.2% |
| Black | 1.2% |
| Native American | 0.7% |
| Asian | 2.8% |
| Pacific Islander | 1.5% |
| Two or More Races | 2.9% |
Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category.
Education
Most of West Jordan lies in the Jordan School District; however, due to a pair of annexations, two small sections along the northern border lie within the Granite School District. The city has 16 elementary schools (including one in the Granite District, Jim Bridger Elementary), four middle schools, and two high schools (West Jordan and Copper Hills). Salt Lake Community College's Jordan Campus is located in West Jordan.
Transportation
Interstate 15, a twelve-lane freeway, is located east of the city limits, providing access from the north and south, while Interstate 215, an eight-lane beltway, is located northeast of the city. Bangerter Highway (State Route 154), a six-lane expressway, traverses the center of the city, just east of South Valley Regional Airport and the Jordan Landing shopping center.
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A ten-lane freeway called the Mountain View Corridor (SR-85) is planned to have three exits in the city (7800 S, 9000 S, and Old Bingham Hwy.) and run north-south at about 5800 West in the south and bend west to 6400 West in the north. 7800 South enters the city at the Jordan River and runs west through the city until it intersects with Utah Road 111. Redwood Road (State Route 68), a six-lane road, runs through the eastern portion of the city.
In the far western extremes of the city, State Route 111, a two-lane road, runs through the developing rural area along the foothills. In the middle of West Jordan is located the South Valley Regional Airport. Its FAA designation is U-42. It was formally known as Airport #2, because it is owned by Salt Lake City and is a subsidiary of Salt Lake City International Airport.
Let's go for a ride in West Jordan, Utah
West Jordan is served by the Utah Transit Authority (UTA) bus system, which runs every half-hour during peak hours. All of the routes running into the city connect to nearby TRAX stations in Midvale and Sandy or to downtown Salt Lake City. Service in the city was increased during the August 2007 redesign of the bus system. A TRAX light rail line also serves the area.
Transportation has been a major issue in city politics. The city's population has expanded from about 4,000 in 1970 to over 100,000 in 2010, outstripping the capacity of roadways and infrastructure. At city council meetings it has been common for residents, particularly those on the western edge of the city, to complain about having one-hour commutes to downtown Salt Lake City, a distance of 26 miles (42 km). Elected officials have blamed this situation on the fact that the city is the most populous in the state that is not directly served by a freeway.
Key Issues and Challenges
Growth is the biggest challenge West Jordan currently faces. How do we handle the numbers of new homes being built on the west side of the city? How do we support those who are already living here in West Jordan and make sure they are being taken care of?
Growth has affected all of us - from traffic to infrastructure to public safety. In the end, that affects costs and the need for more income to the city budget to pay for these services. The mayor and City Council need to work in tandem to handle growth and follow a plan that brings the best of everything to the city.
Affordable housing is another significant concern. As we address housing affordability, we cannot ignore the needs of our current residents. I’m a free-market guy and believe we need to provide a variety of options in housing, driven by demand and protection of property rights. I support more options, including smaller lot and house sizes; places like condos and town homes for people to own at a lower cost and maintenance level; owner-occupied accessory dwellings units (ADUs); and apartments.
Homelessness is a multifaceted issue that cannot be solved by simply providing housing. Public safety is engaged, helping people find shelter, including ensuring they have a way to get there and find resources to assist in permanent solutions. We have “code blue” facilities for warming without interfering with residents.
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