by Terry Morrison 
Rising 4,541 feet above sea level in southwestern Salt Lake County, Riverton, Utah borders the Jordan River and enjoys enviable views of the Wasatch and Oquirrh mountains. It’s a peaceful, prosperous city whose origins were anything but.
Riverton was originally called Gardnersville to honor one of its first residents, a Scotsman named Archibald Gardner who led a colorful life. His father, Robert, was wrongly imprisoned as a rebel during the Scottish Insurrection of 1820. Having cleared his name and wanting nothing more to do with politics in Scotland, Robert emigrated to Canada with his family. As a young man in Ontario, Archibald built gristmills, married in 1839, and was baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1845.
Shortly thereafter, facing religious persecution, Archibald sold his business and fled Canada with a sheriff in hot pursuit. He was forced to swim the icy St. Clair River to escape to America. After reuniting with his family, whom he had sent ahead for their safety, Archibald traveled to Illinois, where Mormons were also being driven out. He then headed west with other LDS church members, arriving in what is now Riverton in 1847. The earliest settlers had to live in dugouts and primitive log cabins, so Archibald’s building skills came in handy. He built mills in his new home and, in 1855, helped Brigham Young solve architectural problems that were delaying construction of the Salt Lake Temple, which still stands in Salt Lake City.
Once a canal was built to provide water for irrigation, the settlement was able to raise vegetables, wheat, and livestock. In 1879, with the establishment of a judicial precinct, the farming community of slightly over 100 people changed its name to Riverton. When it was finally incorporated in 1947, it had about 1,600 people. Today, it’s a thriving city of roughly 45,000. The average household income is $132,243, and the median age is 33.4 years, according to World Population Review.
This is a community that looks to the future while embracing its past. The Riverton Historic District, containing 40 residences, 40 agricultural outbuildings, and a church, was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2004. Nine sites of special interest are included in the city’s Historic Riverton Tour, which residents and visitors are invited to enjoy.
What People Love About Living in Riverton
In reviews on Niche, residents tell why they feel at home here.
“I love living here. It is the best place to grow up. There are so many stores and shops and restaurants in walking distance, and I love doing that because there is everything you would need or want just a walk away! So many flowers and trees. So many unique houses and lots of friendly animals. Kind people, and fun activities. Awesome carnivals every year, library activities, block parties, and overall a really welcoming place. In the other places I’ve lived and visited, I missed Riverton, and I absolutely feel safer here.”
“The community is very united and there are always fun events and activities happening throughout the city. The Riverton City Government is extremely involved in the community. It would not be uncommon for the mayor to attend my high school assemblies or to see other members out serving the community.”
“Great place to live. This is the place to go if you want to work in construction or in computers.”
“As a high school student living in Riverton, I have found the community to be welcoming and friendly. The small-town atmosphere creates a sense of familiarity, and there is a real sense of community spirit. I appreciate the natural beauty of the area, with the nearby mountains and rivers providing ample opportunities for outdoor recreation.”
“Pretty solid place to live. It’s got that mix of quiet suburb vibes but isn’t too far from the action in Salt Lake. The view of the Wasatch Mountains is killer, and there’s plenty of spots to hang out outdoors. The community’s chill — you get that ‘everyone knows everyone’ kinda feel. Schools are decent, and it’s safe to walk around at night. Traffic’s gotten a bit crazier lately with more folks moving in, but all things considered, it’s a good spot if you want a mix of city life and nature.”
What Could Be Better
Residents also mentioned things that need improvement.
“The only thing I would like to see change is the speed in which repairs happen. It’s Utah, so weather definitely has an impact, but it would be nice to see a little bit more efficiency when a pipe is leaking, or the road is damaged.”
“I do feel that the town could benefit from more diverse cultural offerings and entertainment options. Additionally, public transportation options could be improved to provide greater accessibility and convenience for residents.”
Work Hard, Play Hard
If you’re looking to start your career in Riverton, you’ll have a variety of occupations to choose from. Data USA lists the city’s largest industries as retail trade, construction, healthcare and social assistance. The highest-paying jobs can be found in utilities, real estate and rental leasing, mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction.
Wells Fargo, Intermountain Healthcare, Walmart, T-Mobile, Kohl’s, Starbucks, Home Depot, Lowe’s, and Code, a computer systems design company, are some of Riverton’s top employers, according to the job site Lensa. Nurse practitioners, manufacturers, art instructors, data entry workers, travel agents, and patient care technicians are among the best-paid employees on ZipRecruiter’s list.
When you reach the end of a hard week’s work, you can reward yourself with a hike along a portion of the scenic, 60-mile Jordan River Parkway or any of 40 other trails. Or treat your family to a day in Riverton City Park, which has picnic areas, playgrounds, and a splash pad. If you’re in the mood for something a bit more strenuous, head for the city’s BMX park.
Golfers can enjoy teeing off at the South Mountain Golf Club or the Riverbend Golf Course. If skiing is your passion, outstanding venues like Snowbird, Alta Ski Area, Solitude Mountain Resort, Brighton Resort, and Sundance Mountain Resort are less than an hour’s drive away.
The community comes together every summer for Riverton Town Days, a 10-day celebration that starts with a rodeo, ends with a carnival, and features a lively children’s 4th of July parade and many other options for family fun in between.
In the fall, Monsters After Dark brings weird but friendly creatures out to meet the kids behind Riverton City Hall. It’s a walk-through experience that even the littlest children can enjoy, with trick-or-treating along the way. St. Andrew Catholic School holds a Harvest Festival for kids with a trunk or treat, food trucks, and games. A community Pumpkin Fest offers free pumpkins for everyone to enjoy as jack-o’-lanterns at Halloween, and those who just can’t get enough of pumpkin pies can head for the Kinlands, where the pumpkin fields seem to go on forever.
Early in December, Santa and Mrs. Claus arrive at Riverton City Park to greet all the nice boys and girls, hear their requests, and serve up scones and hot chocolate. The whole family can enjoy festive music at the city’s free Christmas Night of Music Concert, which features a 100+ member community choir and orchestra.
Life Is for Learning
If you have an adventurous spirit, boundless curiosity, and a passion for lifelong learning, this city might be the home you’ve been looking for. In Riverton, anyone of any age can learn almost anything — in a traditional classroom, the beloved and busy public library, or one of the community’s amazing array of small, privately run schools that teach a wide variety of arts, sports, and skills.
Within 50 miles of Riverton, Simply College lists 26 institutions of higher learning that enroll over 348,000 students. The number of students completing associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees in the area has been growing in recent years. In 2022, students completed 58,426 doctorates at colleges and universities near Riverton, according to Franklin University’s college guide. The University of Utah, Western Governors University, the Neumont College of Computer Science, the Latter-day Saints Business School, and Salt Lake Community College offer easy access for Riverton high school grads who want to pursue a postsecondary education.
For those who enjoy learning beyond the traditional classroom, places worth checking out include:
- Wasatch Arts Center: Children can take ballet classes, learn to play musical instruments, and get opportunities to perform in a non-judgmental environment. Adult dancers can learn ballet as well as jazz and tap dancing.
- Atlas Combat Sports: Adults and children can learn Krav Maga for self-defense, Muay Thai kickboxing, and practical Jiu Jitsu.
- VIBE Yoga Sound Wellness: Instruction is geared toward achieving whole-body wellness through yoga, sound, and holistic practices. Classes include goat yoga, kundalini, and floating sound.
- Unicorn’s Riding Lessons: Beginning and intermediate riders can “have some fun horsing around” gently while learning Western horsemanship with a focus on building a partnership with the horse.
- The Scuba Dive: How can you learn scuba diving in Utah? By visiting this facility that offers online and open-water instruction leading to scuba certification and rents all the gear students need for their dives.
Stage Your Home to Sell Quickly in a Buyer’s Market
Riverton, like much of Utah, has recently shifted to a buyer’s market, with the supply of homes for sale exceeding the demand for them. In August 2024, according to Redfin, home prices in Riverton were up 12.7% over the same time last year. They have been selling for a median price of $563,000 after 50 days on the market — almost three times the 17 days it took to find a buyer last year.
If you’ve decided it’s time to sell, you need to pull out all the stops to make your house outshine the competition. Staging is a terrific way to do this. A 2023 survey by the Real Estate Staging Association (RESA) found that staged homes sold for $40,000 over the list price in 2021 and sold 9 days faster than average.
In their 2024 guide to staging, property appraisers Impact Valuation Group in nearby South Jordan, Utah give four tips to prepare your house for staging:
- Declutter and depersonalize. Make your house seem more spacious and organized by clearing out closets and other storage areas. Remove personal items like family photos, so potential buyers can imagine making themselves at home there.
- Deep clean to show off your home at its best, demonstrating to visitors that your house is in great shape and well maintained. Make sure kitchens, bathrooms, windows, bathrooms, windows, baseboards, and floors are spotless.
- Make minor repairs to bolster that impression of a well-cared-for home. Fix leaky faucets, tighten loose screws, lubricate creaky door hinges, and paint any walls that are looking dingy.
- Boost curb appeal. Mow your lawn frequently, trim shrubbery, and plant some flowers where they’ll catch admiring eyes. Brighten the entryway with fresh paint, a new welcome mat, and a new set of address numbers. If you have a front porch, don’t forget to sweep it.
Now you’re ready to bring in a professional to stage your house for sale. Shelly is an expert at staging and knows how to help you receive the best possible ROI when you place your home on the market. Get in touch to find out what she can do for you.
