Shaking It Up

Salt Lake City has been attracting a younger population—and with it, a wave of change.

- By Carley Thornell

UTAH’S CAPITAL HAS been associated with the Mormon community since its founding in 1847 by the religious leader Brigham Young. The Gothic spires of the Salt Lake Temple still stand out against the cluster of modern office buildings that make up the skyline, but the temple has been closed for renovations since December 2019. Most of the temple was formerly accessible only to members; when it reopens next year, it will offer a public open house for the first time.

The transformation reflects wider changes afoot in Salt Lake City. Younger adults have been relocating there because of its relatively affordable real estate, as well as the outdoor-adventure scene in nearby skiing and hiking areas like Park City and Brighton. As of 2024, Utah has the lowest median age of any state in the country.

This infusion of youthful energy and capital has resulted in a burst of creativity. On a recent visit, I spent time in the neighborhoods that best reflect this shift.

DOWNTOWN

Downtown is the setting for one of the state's biggest events: the Utah Pride Festival, which attracts crowds of up to 50,000 each June. Salt Lake City has one of the highest concentrations of LGBTQ people in the U.S., and three of its seven city council members identify as LGBTQ. For a place that has long been considered conservative, that feels like a sea change.