West Valley, Utah

About west valley

Despite being Utah’s second-largest city, West Valley City is a relatively young city. Incorporated in 1980, the city does not have the deep civic traditions of older Utah communities like Ogden, Salt Lake City or Provo.

Because of its relatively affordable housing, West Valley City was a popular place to settle for new immigrants coming to the Salt Lake Valley - be they refugees from Southeast Asia following the Vietnam War, LDS Pacific Islanders desiring to live near the center of Mormonism, or Hispanic immigrants working in the area. Even as the city’s housing stock improved, minority groups felt more comfortable with the relative diversity and continued to settle there. By 2010, West Valley City was Utah’s most ethnically diverse city with 45% minorities.

West Valley City today is a city with a unique sense of community pride. City residents are extra proud of a city they feel is a good place to live, with great neighbors, a convenient location, with great city amenities and services conveniently nearby. Crime is dropping, the shopping mall and oldest high school are getting rebuilt, light rail service lends an urban feel, and new jobs are being created at rates much higher than national averages.

West Valley City is solidifying its own identity and sense of place and is a success story rooted in the deep legacy celebrated in its history.