07-07-2025
- Business
- Wall Street Journal
Welcome to Ketchum, a Former Mining Town Now Known for Its Pricey Mountain Homes
Surrounded by mountains in south-central Idaho, the Wood River Valley is a roughly 20-mile-long stretch whose key attraction is the historic Sun Valley Resort, built in 1936 as a ski destination. It's located in Sun Valley, a village that is one of the valley's four small municipalities. Nearby Ketchum, a former mining town, has a historic feel. Ketchum is the valley's main tourist city. It's also a destination for discreet wealthy home buyers. In May 2025, Ketchum's 83340 ZIP Code had a median home listing price of $3.72 million, according to (News Corp, owner of The Wall Street Journal, also operates This makes it one of the country's priciest mountain towns, surpassed only by the areas around Aspen and Telluride, both in Colorado, and Jackson, Wyo. Ketchum's appeal lies in its privacy, culture and authenticity.
Ketchum's downtown has roughly six blocks. It's a laid back, unpretentious hub for locally owned restaurants, shops, art galleries and bars.
