West Jordan, Utah
Situated in Utah's Salt Lake County, West Jordan is the state's third-largest and the country's 255th-largest city. West Jordan was named by Mormon settlers in 1847 after the adjacent Jordan River. Placed at the southwestern edge of the Salt Lake Valley, this suburb of Salt Lake City has excellent natural areas, commercial centers, and historic sites.
Geography And Climate Of West Jordan
West Jordan covers a total area of 83.73 sq. km, all of which is occupied by land. It is bordered by the Oquirrh Mountains in the west and the Jordan River in the east. West Jordan is located approximately 29km from Salt Lake City's downtown and 51km from Provo. The suburb is surrounded by the cities of Taylorsville and Kearns in the north; South Jordan in the south; Copperton in the west; West Valley City in the extreme northwest; and Sandy, Murray, and Midvale in the east.
According to the Koppen Climate Classification, West Jordan experiences a semi-arid climate, with dry summers and cold winters. West Jordan gets nearly 53 inches of snow per year, significantly more than the national average of 58 inches. There is also an average of 230 sunny days a year, slightly more than the national average of 205.
History Of West Jordan
West Jordan was founded in 1847 by Mormon settlers who fled to the area after facing persecution in the east. Archibald Gardner established the first sawmills in the area in 1850. West Jordan primarily relied on agriculture for most of its early existence. The area has been growing rapidly since the 1970s. West Jordan is also known for being the first site chosen as part of the "Sears Grand" project by the Sears company in 2003. Furthermore, a new main campus for Salt Lake Community College has been established in West Jordan.
Population Of West Jordan
According to the latest US Census, West Jordan has a population of 116,961. Approximately 72.2% of West Jordan's population is white, 1.2% Black, 2.8% Asian, and 2.9% mixed-race. Moreover, roughly 19% of the city's population also identifies as Latino. West Jordan has a high religious population of 75.4%. Mormonism is the overwhelming majority faith, at 61% of the religious population. Catholicism is a distant second at 9%. The majority of the city follows a variation of the Christian faith. Approximately 1.1% of West Jordan identifies with a non-Christian religion, with Judaism, Islam, and eastern faiths making up the bulk of that population.
Attractions In West Jordan
One can visit Gardner village, which hosts most of the city's historical sites. One can also play golf at the River Oaks Golf Course, while nature enthusiasts will enjoy the Conservation Garden Park. Furthermore, proximity to Salt Lake City means that sports fans can access the NBA's Utah Jazz at the Vivint Arena, an 18,000-seater stadium. There is nothing to worry about if football is more your speed, as the famous Utah Utes college football team plays at the Rice-Eccles Arena in Salt Lake City, which seats 51,000 people.
