Why West Jordan
West Jordan is a suburban city located approximately 18 miles southwest of downtown Salt Lake City in Salt Lake County, Utah. Situated at an elevation of 4,330 feet in the southwestern portion of the Salt Lake Valley, the community covers roughly 30.9 square miles. Its eastern boundary rests along the western bank of the Jordan River, while its western limits extend into the eastern foothills of the Oquirrh Mountains, adjacent to the Kennecott Copper Mine.
The area was settled around 1849 by Mormon pioneers led by Brigham Young. The community derived its name from the local river, which early settlers called the Western Jordan because it connected a freshwater body to a inland salt lake, similar to the River Jordan in the Middle East. The early local economy centered on agriculture, mining, and timber production. In 1850, settler Archibald Gardner built a prominent local sawmill, and the region established the first leather tannery west of the Mississippi River in 1851.
Over time, West Jordan developed into a regional commercial hub. One of its primary historical landmarks is Gardner Village, a specialty shopping district focused around Gardner’s restored 1850 mill and surrounding historic structures. Another major commercial district is Jordan Landing, a large mixed-use planned development. Community facilities are concentrated around the Veteran’s Park Area, which houses municipal offices, the Viridian Events Center and Library, a senior center, a rodeo arena, and the Gene Fullmer Recreation Center.
Additional local infrastructure includes the South Valley Regional Airport, previously known as Salt Lake Airport #2. Originally part of the World War II-era Camp Kearns, the facility now supports general aviation and functions as a base for Apache and Black Hawk helicopters operated by the Utah Army National Guard's 211th Aviation Regiment. The city also features a campus of Salt Lake Community College, which offers general coursework and health science programs, along with the Jordan Valley Medical Center.
Transportation throughout West Jordan is provided by several major roadways, including State Route 154 (Bangerter Highway) through the city center, State Route 68 (Redwood Road) to the east, and the Mountain View Corridor to the west. Public transit is operated by the Utah Transit Authority, offering bus services and a TRAX light rail line that runs through six stops in the city on its route between Murray and South Jordan.
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