18. Draper, Utah
| AT A GLANCE | |
| Population | 45,356 |
| Median Income | $90,950 |
| Job Growth | 11% |
| Median Home Price | $347,753 |
| Property Tax | $2,894 |
Once a sleepy farming community, Draper is now a densely populated suburban boomtown at the foot of the Wasatch Mountains. Its setting is a major part of the appeal. The mountains provide outstanding backyard decor and, at night, an LDS temple is illuminated in the foothills.
Light rail arrived in 2013, linking Draper to the Salt Lake Valley. The state capitol, Salt Lake City, is only 19 miles away. But many residents don’t have to go far for work: the area is a growing tech hub. Draper is home to a new eBay facility that opened in 2013 with 1,800 employees. Adobe’s architecturally stunning Utah office, with more than 900 employees, opened in nearby Lehi in 2012.
Though longtime residents say the city has lost its small town feel, annual community events like the Easter egg hunt bring people together.
Utah's Prison Relocation Commission recently voted to move the state prison from Draper to a location near Salt Lake City International Airport. The state legislature and governor must still approve the decision but the prison site is being eyed for business development.—Julia Lyon