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Nearly 98% of all land in Teton County, Wyoming is permanently protected from development. John D. Rockefeller, one of Jackson's early pioneers of land conservation back in the 1930's, saw this unique situation unfolding and put forth initiatives to help protect much of the beautiful land that was to become today's Grand Teton National Park. Beyond the park, additional lands have been protected through the likes of National Forests, Bureau of Land Management, Department of the Interior, and local conservation organizations like the Jackson Hole Land Trust and Nature Conservancy. With so little real estate available for private ownership and use, basic supply-and-demand economics takes over, especially when one sees how truly beautiful and unique our surroundings really are.
Unlike many resort communities in the U.S. whose popularity is based solely on a one- or two-season activity (such as skiing or golfing), Jackson Hole has become a great real estate choice for many a seasonal (and permanent) resident who enjoys the year-round recreational opportunities offered in this region. Besides having access to not just one, but two spectacular National Parks (Grand Teton and Yellowstone), Jackson residents have over 3.4 million additional acres from which to explore in the Bridger-Teton National Forest surrounding our community, an area larger than the state of Connecticut.
Winter sports such as downhill and cross-country skiing, snowmobiling and dog sledding are some of the most popular things to do when the snow starts to fly in mid-November. Once Spring begins to thaw our winter wonderland, wildflowers and wild animals become ever more visible to the public and prepare to enjoy another season of growth and prosperity as they retreat up the greening slopes of our majestic mountains.
Summer brings with it a cornucopia of outdoor activities that are sometimes too numerous to describe, but do include fly fishing, boating, sailing, golfing, hiking, horseback riding, river rafting, park touring, climbing, photography, rodeos, participating in the Arts, enjoying cultural events and performances, great restaurants, and an almost unlimited variety of shopping and retail establishments for every whim, desire and interest. And to help get you here as fast and as painless as possible, Jackson Hole is the only community in the United States whose airport is located in a National Park, and whose air service is second to none offering both private and commercial flights via such carriers as Delta, United, Northwest and American.
Each year, these Parks and their related activities attract over 3 million visitors to our area, and with it, a natural curiosity by people asking themselves "wouldn't it be nice to have a second home or cabin here"? The term "Jackson Hole" loosely describes the valley in which most here live, yet is now synonymous with a much broader geographic reach to incorporate such outlying communities as Dubois, Pinedale and Star Valley, Wyoming as well as Teton Valley in Idaho. Though these communities all stand on their own, they are rapidly becoming "bedroom" communities to the Jackson Valley, and with it, increased opportunities for both locals and visitors alike to find an even greater selection of real estate - lots, property and homes - in which to live.
Since the late 1980's, Jackson Hole has seen property values steadily increase, some years in double digit form. Much of this appreciation has now spilled over into these related communities (listed above). For good or for worse, the resiliency of the regional real estate market has held up remarkably well amidst the turmoil and economic slowdowns of recent business cycles worldwide.
Whether you are looking to stay in Jackson just a few days a year, a few weeks, multiple seasons, or as a new resident, we hope this brief overview has served to help you better understand some of the dynamics of this economy, the overall foundation of real estate availability in our region, and how the uniqueness of Jackson Hole affects one's willingness to secure a better "quality of life" for you and your family.
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