From railroad town to natural and industrial powerhouse
Ogden is a historic city with rich roots, about 38 miles north of Salt Lake City. Founded in 1851 as “Junction City,” it was known as a crossroads town, where railroad travelers heading coast-to-coast had to transfer lines. The city saw a decline from the 1950s to the 1990s, but it has since undergone revitalization, bringing its outlaw spirit to the forefront of modern conveniences for its population of about 88,500. “Ogden is a significantly easy place to afford, buy and live,” says Taylor Hartman, the director of marketing & communications for Visit Ogden. “We are a railroad town that never stops working, and we have a ton of families that make this place their home.”
The city is considered Northern Utah’s economic hub, with diverse industry sectors such as information technology (IT), aerospace and advanced manufacturing. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is Ogden’s largest employer, though other prominent ones include McKay Dee Hospital, Weber State University and MarketStar.
Ogden is a historic city with rich roots, about 38 miles north of Salt Lake City.
Union Station is the original site of the railroad crossroads and now operates as a museum.
Famous Nordic Valley, Powder Mountain and Snowbasin Resort bring people from all around.
McKay Dee Hospital is a major employer in Ogden and has amazing service.
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City parks and recreation along the Wasatch Mountains
With the Wasatch Mountain range directly east and the Great Salt Lake farther west, Ogden is a city always close to the great outdoors. “Our mountains are so tall and rugged, and they’re just a couple minutes from town,” Hartman says. “In the fall, they’re a beautiful auburn color, and in the winter, they’re dusted with powdered sugar snow.” The Ogden Trails Network spans over 210 miles that weave throughout the mountains – the Bonneville-Shoreline Trail is the main pathway connecting them. Additionally, the Ogden River Parkway is a 17-mile multi-use path that links multiple parks. In the winter, there are three world-class ski resorts in the mountains: Nordic Valley, Powder Mountain and Snowbasin Resort.
Additionally, Ogden City maintains over 40 public parks and green spaces, all with offerings such as ballparks, sports complexes, dog parks and golf courses. There are also two public swimming pools, including one in Lorin Farr Park. Marshall White Community Center is the city’s recreation center with indoor facilities. Other unique spots include the Ogden Botanical Gardens and The Spencer Eccles Pioneer Stadium. The outdoor arena hosts yearly rodeos, including the regionally popular Ogden Pioneer Days Rodeo and Celebration.
Ogden River rushes down Ogden Canyon on a sunny fall day.
Skiers and snowboarders enjoy amazing snow at Snow Basin in Southeast Ogden.
Enjoy the popular Ogden River Parkway and its beautiful trails along the Ogden river.
Ogden Botanical Gardens is a great place to spend the day enjoying the outdoors.
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A range of housing options, increasing in price
The median home sales price for Ogden, as of 2024, is $410,000. Condos and townhouses share a median sales price of $370,000. According to the National Association of REALTORS® Q2 2024 Local Market Report for Ogden, the city’s median home price was 17.4% higher than the national median home price and has been steadily increasing for the past three years.
Currently, Ogden is divided into six districts, with both the North End and the East End serving as the primary ones. Downtown is adjacent to Central East Ogden, where 1920s bungalows, Craftsman-inspired townhouses and apartment complexes are common. The listing price range for these homes is roughly $240,000 to $885,000, while the Jefferson Avenue Historic District sits at the higher end with Victorian homes from the 1890s. West Ogden has manufactured homes starting at around $180,000. Ranch-style homes and multi-story traditional and Craftsman houses in the Southeast Ogden neighborhood typically hover at $225,000 but can go up to $3.4 million, depending on size and proximity to the mountains.
A historical home has blue details that stand out against beige brick.
An aerial view of well kept yards with different shades of green.
The Historic District of Ogden has stunning victorian homes from the 1890's.
Downtown has a great selection of townhomes and apartments.
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Downtown and Riverdale’s shops and restaurants
Ogden has two main districts for shopping and dining. Downtown Ogden has over 200 locally owned stores and restaurants, many located along the Historic 25th Street, which has antique stores, novelty shops and upscale boutiques and art galleries. “The street is an incubator for small businesses. We are a place where the local economy thrives,” Hartman says. There are also casual bistros, bakeries, fine-dining restaurants and international cuisines. Farmers Market Ogden takes place every weekend downtown. The Junction is an entertainment mecca in downtown. The Salomon Center provides indoor recreation such as climbing and skydiving, and there is also the Megaplex 13 Theater. Newgate Mall is another retail haven, around 2 miles south of downtown, with over 85 name brand stores. The mall is surrounded by additional shopping centers with big-box stores along Riverdale Road.
Fine dinning is abundant in the Ogden area including the popular Tokyo Station.
Ogden's Megaplex 13 Theater is a great place to watch the newest movie with friends.
Historic 25th street is a great place to shop and dine in downtown Ogden.
Downtown Ogden has over 200 locally owned stores and restaurants with a great nightlife.
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Art galleries and museums in downtown Ogden
Downtown is a blend of history and culture. Union Station is the original site of the railroad crossroads and now operates as the Utah State Railroad Museum, with a collection of over 50,000 memorabilia. There are also dozens of independent art galleries downtown. The Monarch is a collaborative space where artists and photographers can rent studios to create and sell their work. A couple blocks from downtown is the Eccles Community Art Center, an old Victorian mansion turned art gallery with monthly exhibits. Peery’s Egyptian Theater is a venue for live theater, dance and symphony. The Ogden Amphitheater hosts a Twilight Concert Series in the summer, drawing local and regional artists to the area.
Downtown Ogden is a blend of history and culture with a community of artists.
Stop by the Eccles Community Art Center for a lesson in local history and great art.
Head to Union Station which is the historic train station that hosts community events.
Catch a live show at the famous Peery’s Egyptian Theater in Downtown Ogden.
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Navigating Ogden via trains, buses and vehicles
Ogden’s railroad beginnings set the city up as a transportation hub – Union Station used to have nine rail system terminals, with trains coming in from all over the country. Today, the FrontRunner commuter rail can still take passengers out West. The Utah Transit Authority (UTA) provides multiple bus services for the city, including the Ogden Xpress, which is a bus rapid transit route that travels from Ogden Central to McKay-Dee Hospital. There are also ski buses with specific routes to the resorts. Additionally, drivers can access Interstate 15 along Ogden’s western side and travel north to south. I-15 branches into Interstate 84 in Riverdale, heading east into the mountains. For air travel, the Ogden-Hinkley Airport provides general aviation services to the area. The Salt Lake City International Airport is around 41 miles away.
Ogden’s public schools and higher education
Operating as the city’s primary public school system, the Ogden City School District serves over 10,500 students across 13 elementary schools, three junior high schools and three high schools. The district earns a B-minus grade from Niche and is the only public school system in Utah offering an International Baccalaureate curriculum for kindergarten through 12th grade. Ogden High School's dramatic art deco architecture from the 1920s is also a local landmark as a designated historic place. Additionally, Weber State University sits roughly 4 miles southeast of downtown, offering higher education to the area. WSU enrolls about 30,500 students and maintains several community partnerships in the city.
Weber High’s track team runs through the Harrisville neighborhood.
A teal roof and circle mark the entrance at Lincoln Elementary School in Ogden.
Weber State University is an amazing college with prosperous degree programs.
Ben Lomond High School has a beautiful campus to help inspire youth in South Ogden.
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A dry climate and crime reports
According to the Bureau of Criminal Identification, crime rates in Ogden are trending up. In a four-year comparison report from the Ogden City Police Department, the number of violent crimes committed from 2019 to 2024 increased by 24.8%. However, the number of property crimes committed decreased by 38.7%. To combat these trends, the police department provides community outreach programs, including a Citizen Police Academy and an annual Ogden Community Crime Conference.
While Ogden experiences all four seasons, the city is known to have a primarily dry climate. As such, areas across the city may be at a potential risk of wildfires. The Ogden City Fire Department has a fire incident response, which includes wildland fire suppression and mitigation. In the winter, the average annual snowfall for Ogden is 65 inches in the city and 540 inches up the mountains at the ski resorts. The Utah average sits at 274 inches.
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We were both born and raised here and we know the area, market trends, and properties of the Salt Lake area very well, including Downtown, Sugar House, 9th&9th, Harvard-Yale district, Holladay, Cottonwood Heights, Sandy, Draper, South Jordan, Riverton, and more...
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Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
