Layton is the most populous city in Davis County, sitting about 24 miles north of Salt Lake City, and home to over 86,000 people. Originally settled in the 1850s as a small farming town, the city transitioned into an expansive residential community in the 1940s, following the construction of the Hill Air Force Base. Today, Layton is considered a major employment center for all of Davis County and serves as a commuter area for those who work in surrounding cities, such as Ogden and Salt Lake City. “It’s kind of a cool location. You can enjoy the urban nightlife, but you can also have a small suburban community lifestyle,” says Realtor Sarah Schelin with Ascent Real Estate Group, who has almost 10 years of experience and grew up in the area.
As the largest single-site employer in Utah, Hill Air Force Base is the city’s main employer and has an $11 billion annual economic impact. “As far as job opportunities go, the base employs so many people. You could work at the Starbucks on base, get security clearance or join the military,” Schelin continues. The base supports multiple industry sectors, including engineering, defense and composite manufacturing. Boeing, General Atomics and Lockheed Martin are some of Layton’s other major defense contractors. Other industry sectors in the city include healthcare, education and hospitality.
As a suburban bedroom community, Layton consists of several communities.
Layton was originally settled in the 1850's as a small farming town.
Hill Air Force Base is mixed into the community and is the main employer of Layton.
Layton has a great nightlife from the surrounding communities and has a suburban feel.
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Single-family homes in a network of subdivisions
The median sale price for Layton homes is about $500,000, which is higher than the national median. Single-family homes sit around $535,000, while townhouses and condos have a median price of roughly $420,000.
As a suburban bedroom community, Layton consists of several subdivisions. Hill Villa, Skyline and Ellison were the first ones established in the 1940s, following the population boom after Hill Air Force Base opened. Ranch-style homes, split levels and traditional multi-story houses are common in east and central Layton neighborhoods. West Layton subdivisions have multi-story Craftsman homes built as recently as the 2010s. Manufactured homes are also common along the northern edge of Layton, some dedicated to military housing options. “You can get every different type of house here; there’s something to fit everyone’s budget, wants and needs,” Schelin says. “If you’re a young professional, you can get a townhouse with added amenities, but most commonly it’s single-family homes with big lots, so your dog can run around outside.”
Two Story traditional style townhomes are developing rapidly in Layton.
Ranch-style homes, split levels and traditional multi-story homes are common in east Layton.
Split Level Homes are common in the Layton and surrounding areas.
Hill Villa, Skyline and Ellison were the first neighborhoods established in the 1940s.
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Layton City parks and natural areas
To the west, the Great Salt Lake Shorelands Preserve has 4,400 acres of wetlands along Farmington Bay, the primary habitat for over 250 waterbird species. Access to the Antelope Island State Park Causeway is roughly 9 miles away. To the east, Thurston Peak juts out from the Wasatch Mountain range. Adams Canyon is a popular hiking trail that leads into the mountains and to a 40-foot waterfall along North Fork Holmes Creek. There’s a campground at the base of the middle falls. “If the military doesn’t bring you here, the outdoors definitely will,” Schelin says.
Additionally, Layton has 14 public city parks, some with a skate park, a splash pad, a demonstration garden and several ballfields. Ellison Park has 44 acres with various athletic playing surfaces and two playgrounds. The Layton City Surf n’ Swim is an outdoor facility in Layton Commons Park. The Kenly Centennial Amphitheater, which is also in Layton Commons, hosts live events in the warmer months. A handful of independent golf courses are also scattered throughout the city.
the Great Salt Lake Shorelands Preserve has 4,400 acres of wetlands along Farmington Bay.
Layton Commons Park has great amenities with beautiful paths along Kays Creek.
Oak Forest Park has a traditional merry go round.
Adams Canyon is a popular hiking trail that leads into the mountains and to a waterfall.
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Retail and restaurants along Interstate 15
Layton’s Main Street is a quaint little shopping area with a handful of boutiques and locally owned shops. The city's primary shopping and dining district is lined along the Interstate 15 corridor. Layton Hills Mall is a popular retail location, with dozens of department stores. The mall is also surrounded by various supermarkets, name-brand and big-box stores, as well as restaurants and fast-food chains. “Usually, if there’s a business or service you need, you can find it in Layton,” Schelin says. Just north of the mall, Woodland Park Drive is known as Layton’s "Restaurant Row," including pizza places, bars, American grills and multiple international restaurants, such as Mexican, Vietnamese, Indian and Greek.
Layton has a variety of great food places including great Asian food choices.
Restaurant Row is the name of the popular restaurants on Woodland Park Drive.
Layton’s Main Street is a quaint little Shopping area with a handful of boutiques and shops.
There are great choices of Mexican Restaurants in and around the community of Layton.
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Layton’s culture and community events
Layton’s Heritage Museum was established as the Pioneer Museum of Layton in the 1980s, the museum features rotating exhibits that explore the city’s unique history. Pioneer Day, on July 24th, is one of Layton’s more popular events. Layton F.E.S.T. – operates as the city’s farmers market. The Davis Conference Center is another event venue, with over 70,000 square feet for everything from conventions and trade shows to holiday gatherings and sports.
Davis Conference Center is a great event venue that hosts major shows and other events.
Layton’s Heritage Museum was established as the Pioneer Museum of Layton in the 1980s.
People travel from all around to visit Layton and the surrounding community events.
Head to Ogden for the annual Pioneer Days which brings people from all around the community.
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Davis County public schools
The Davis School District is the city's primary public school system, serving over 73,400 students across 65 elementary, 19 junior high and 12 high schools, earning a B-plus grade from Niche. In Layton alone, the district zones 15 elementary, six junior high and four high schools.
Weber State University’s Davis campus is located in Layton and has a Military-Affiliated Student Center for Air Force students. The Northern Utah Academy of Math, Engineering, & Science (NUAMES) is an early college charter high school within the Davis School District that partners with WSU for various courses.
Several wide sidewalks lead to the domed entrance at Heritage Elementary School.
Layton High School, 440 Wasatch Dr, Layton, UT 84041
Weber State University’s has an amazing network of campuses with great programs.
Central Davis Junior High School provides education in
Layton.
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Traveling in and out of Layton
The Utah Transit Authority (UTA) provides bus services with routes throughout the city. There’s also the FrontRunner commuter rail service, which goes through Layton Station and travels to Ogden and Salt Lake City. Drivers can use Interstate 15, U.S. Route 89 and Colorado state Route 177 to travel north and south. I-15 cuts directly through the city, while U.S. 89 and CO-177 are on the outskirts of Layton. Salt Lake City is about 24 miles south using these highway systems. “You can get wherever you need to go from Layton. It’s a really good central location for Northern Utah,” Schelin says. The Salt Lake City International Airport is roughly 27 miles away.
Dry weather and increasing crime
Layton sees all four seasons, which includes hot and dry summers and cold and snowy winters. The Great Salt Lake effect and the Wasatch Mountain range create heavy and consistent snowfall in the area. Layton has an annual snowfall average of 52 inches, similar to that of Salt Lake City. In the dry season, some parts of the city may be at a potential risk of wildfires, which is why the Layton City Fire Department has four stations serving the area.
Crime in Layton is trending up. According to the Layon Police Department’s 2023 Annual Report, the total number of crimes reported was 4,310 – a 5.4% increase year-over-year. Violent crimes reported decreased by 1.5%, but property crime reports increased by 9.4%. The police department provides community resources and programs like radKids to assist in combatting crime.
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