Sandy

Sandy is a residential city in Salt Lake County, Utah, that spreads between the foothills of the Wasatch Range and the valley floor below. The streets wind through neighborhoods of single-family homes, shopping centers, and green spaces, while the mountain slopes rise sharply to the east.

The settlement began in the 1870s as a supply station for nearby mining operations and grew into a hub with smelting furnaces serving the surrounding camps. Incorporation came in 1893 after the economy shifted toward agriculture and local trade.

The name recalls the sandy soil that once covered much of the area and still surfaces in some open spaces near the foothills. Families use the network of trails and parks along the mountain base for weekend outings, while neighborhood cafés and farmers' markets provide regular meeting spots throughout the week.

Access to the wider metro area runs through highways and public bus lines that connect the neighborhoods at regular intervals throughout the day. Most streets and shops sit on level ground, though routes leading toward the mountain trails involve steeper climbs.

A development known as The Cairns transforms more than 1100 acres into a walkable district with housing, shops, and entertainment that can be reached on foot or by bike. The project draws inspiration from European neighborhoods and adds a denser layer to the existing suburban layout.

Location: Salt Lake County

Inception: 1871

Elevation above the sea: 1,356 m

Shares border with: Midvale, Draper

Website: http://sandy.utah.gov

GPS coordinates: 40.56650,-111.83892

Latest update: December 4, 2025 23:46