Sun Valley is an affluent resort community located in Blaine County, Idaho, USA, adjacent to 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).
Sun Valley additionally refers to the downhill ski area, which consists of Bald Mountain, the main ski mountain, and Dollar mountain, which is primarily geared toward novice and lower intermediate skiers. Bald Mountain is popularly referred to as "Baldy."
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, Mats Wilander, Demi Moore, Bruce Willis and Arnold Schwarzenegger.
It was featured in the 1941 movie "Sun Valley Serenade," starring Sonja Henie and John Payne.
Sun Valley is located at 43°40'50" North, 114°20'34" West (43.680491, -114.342711).
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.
As of the census 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.
The area was 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. 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, which is on Bald Mountain. The chairlift design went on to largely replace the rope tow and other technologies used at ski resorts at the time. It also claims to have opened the world's first ski school.
On September 11, 2005, the Dalai Lama visited Sun Valley to give a speech on understanding and friendship in remembrance of the September 11, 2001 Attacks and offered condolences to the many thousands affected by the recent Hurricane Katrina.
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Sun Valley, ID
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