The IRS Doesn’t Run This Town Anymore: Tech, Arts, Brewpubs & Mountain Living in Ogden, UT

The Quirky Transformation of Ogden, Utah into an Artsy Mountain Town

The Skip Town All-Stars podcast recently discussed the dramatic changes happening in Ogden, Utah during their hilarious Episode 080. Hosted by the witty married couple James and Denise, this travel podcast follows them across the country in search of their next potential hometown. For this episode, James revisited Ogden three years after an initial scouting trip and discovered a town undergoing an artistic renaissance.

Just 40 minutes north of Salt Lake City, Ogden has transformed itself from a declining railroad hub into a hip, outdoorsy mountain destination. James was first tipped off to Ogden’s potential during a campus visit with his daughter at the University of Utah. Multiple people suggested he check out Ogden for better real estate values than pricey Salt Lake City. So on a free afternoon, James and his daughter Mia made the quick drive to investigate.

At the time, Ogden’s historic downtown showed signs of decay with many vacant, run-down buildings. James remembers only 3-4 restaurants being open on the main drag. However, construction crews tearing up the street pointed to major infrastructure upgrades underway.

After three years away, James returned to Ogden to see if the buzz was real. He discovered a rejuvenated downtown with over 15 active restaurants and breweries. Historic brick buildings now housed trendy eateries like Bricco Gastro Pub and boutique shops. Ogden also flaunted its designation by National Geographic as a top 10 emerging ski town.

James credited visionary local leaders for the downtown revival. A former mayor spearheaded projects like Junction, a mixed-use village built on old rail yards. Another mayor helped rebrand Ogden with its miles of mountain biking trails and access to the Great Salt Lake. Ogden has also attracted small tech firms and becomes a hub for outdoor gear companies.

Beyond the obvious investment in downtown, James also appreciated Ogden’s artsy, colorful vibe. During his visit, he saw murals across buildings and plenty of flannel wearing residents that looked like craft beer connoisseurs. The historic Egyptian Theater still hosts events like the Nutcracker ballet.

While James enjoyed the youthful energy and potential for growth, Denise remained skeptical about Ogden’s Transformation. She balked at the town’s real estate prices, which rose from a median of $140,000 to $450,000 in just five years. The $1,300 average rent also sounded high for a smaller town.

Denise argued that Ogden seems more appropriate for outdoor twenty-somethings than middle-aged couples. James countered that Ogden contained a nice mix of older retirement communities and the college-aged population. The median age sits at only 33 years old. 

As avid hunter Denise discussed, Ogden also houses some peculiar companies. The most bizarre local business builds electric hunting bikes, allowing bow hunters to quietly cruise through the mountains. James and Denise debated whether these e-bikes unfairly make hunting too easy.

Beyond bantering about e-bike ethics, the hosts also traded thoughts about celebrity activism. They discussed actress Cynthia Nixon’s plans to join a hunger strike for Israel-Hamas peace. Denise criticized the former Sex and the City star for virtue signaling rather than donating money or time to a related cause.

While Ogden’s revival showed promise, James and Denise concluded it currently catered more to young adventurers than middle-aged empty nesters. Families and professionals priced out of Park City may see potential in Ogden's affordable access to skiing and outdoor recreation. But the town needs more time to mature before suiting James and Denise’s hometown criteria. 

If you want to hear James and Denise’s witty banter and travel insights, tune into this episode or subscribe to their Skip Town All-Stars podcast!

5. 10 Fun Facts About Ogden, Utah:

- Ogden hosted over 100 saloons and brothels back when it was a gritty railroad town in the late 1800s.

- Ogden has a historic 25th Street district with cute boutiques, restaurants, and bars.

- There's an annual Hot Air Balloon Festival and Retreat in Ogden every September.

- Ogden has an old-fashioned historic trolley that takes tourists around downtown.

- Ogden's Union Station is a museum housing vintage trains, automobiles, and aircraft.

- The Junction development transformed old Ogden rail yards into a hip urban village.

- Ogden has its own versions of SXSW and Sundance called Ogden Music Festival and FGO Film Fest.

- The Ogden Eccles Dinosaur Park has 100 life-sized dinosaur statues along its trails.

- Ogden has two large reservoirs, Pineview and Causey, popular for fishing and boating.

- Snowbasin ski resort just outside Ogden hosted the 2002 Winter Olympic downhill events.

6. 10 Facts About Ogden, Utah Real Estate, Income, and Lifestyle:

- Median List Price for a home is $450,000, up from $140,000 in 2018.

- Average rent for an apartment is around $1,300 per month.

- Median household income ranges from $51,000 - $76,000.

- Poverty rate sits at 14.25%, quite high for Utah.

- Only 51% of Weber County residents are Mormon, less than the Utah average.

- Median age is 33 years old, contributing to Ogden's youthful vibe.

- Around 70 tech companies are based in the Ogden area.

- Ogden's unemployment rate was just 2.5% at the end of 2021.

- The violent crime rate has decreased by 13% over the past two years.

- Ogden offers a major airport and quick access to Salt Lake City.