Sun Valley, Idaho
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Sun Valley is an affluent resort community located in Blaine County, Idaho, very near the city of Ketchum. Tourists come from around the world to enjoy its skiing, hiking, ice skating, trail riding, tennis, and more. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 1,427. Very few of its residents stay there year-round, with many people having second homes in Boise, Twin Falls, or out of state (with many from California).
The term "Sun Valley" is also used more generally to speak of the region surrounding the city, including the neighboring cities of Ketchum and Hailey. The region has been home to the rich and powerful, including Walter Annenberg, Ernest Hemingway, Teresa Heinz Kerry, Demi Moore and Arnold Schwarzenegger.
It was featured in the 1941 movie "Sun Valley Serenade," starring Sonja Henie and John Payne.
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History
The area was first developed into a ski resort by W. Averell Harriman and purchased by the Union Pacific Railroad in 1936. It was later sold to the Janss Corporation, a major Southern California real estate developer headed by Olympic skier Bill Janss. Janss is described as a visionary manager of the resort who was often seen on the slopes with his family. Earl Holding purchased Sun Valley in 1977 through his company Sinclair Oil, which operates the "Little America Hotels & Resorts".
The world's first chairlift was installed near Sun Valley on Proctor Mountain in 1936. (Proctor Mountain is to the East of the current Sun Valley Ski Resort, located on Bald Mountain. The chairlift design later went on to outnumber other technologies used at ski resorts at the time, such as the rope tow. It also claims to have opened the world's first ski school.
One City, Two Sections
A small mountain saddle splits the city of Sun Valley into two sections. The northern section is centered around the famous Sun Valley Lodge and its surrounding "village " complex of shops and condominiums, as well as a golf course, which winds its way throughout the town. This area is referred to as simply Sun Valley. The southern area, called Elkhorn, has its own shopping/golf/hotel/condo complex and is in many ways quite distinct and separate.
Geography
IDMap-doton-SunValley.PNG
Location of Sun Valley, Idaho
Sun Valley is located at 43°40'50" North, 114°20'34" West (43.680491, -114.342711)Template:GR.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 25.6 km² (9.9 mi²). 25.6 km² (9.9 mi²) of it is land and 0.10% is water.
Demographics
As of the censusTemplate:GR of 2000, there are 1,427 people, 594 households, and 343 families residing in the city. The population density is 55.8/km² (144.6/mi²). There are 2,339 housing units at an average density of 91.5/km² (237.1/mi²). The racial makeup of the city is 92.43% White, 0.35% African American, 0.42% Native American, 0.77% Asian, 0.00% Pacific Islander, 4.20% from other races, and 1.82% from two or more races. 7.15% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 594 households out of which 16.3% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.5% are married couples living together, 4.2% have a female householder with no husband present, and 42.1% are non-families. 34.7% of all households are made up of individuals and 10.3% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 1.97 and the average family size is 2.50.
In the city the population is spread out with 11.9% under the age of 18, 12.2% from 18 to 24, 21.9% from 25 to 44, 36.7% from 45 to 64, and 17.3% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 48 years. For every 100 females there are 104.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 105.4 males.
The median income for a household in the city is $71,000, and the median income for a family is $85,000. Males have a median income of $31,979 versus $27,143 for females. The per capita income for the city is $50,563. 14.9% of the population and 2.7% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 15.7% of those under the age of 18 and 2.4% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
External links
- City of Sun Valley (http://www.sunvalley.govoffice.com/)
- Sun Valley/Ketchum Chamber & Visitors Bureau (http://www.visitsunvalley.com/)