Inequality Grows in Western Zoom Towns

As demand for housing grows, small Western towns are experiencing skyrocketing housing costs and rising displacement.

1 minute read

December 3, 2021, 7:00 AM PST

By Diana Ionescu @aworkoffiction


Main Street

f11photo / Shutterstock

The housing crisis is ramping up in the Teton Valley, a picturesque vacation spot near Jackson Hole, Wyoming, reports Nick Bowlin. In Victor, Idaho, one of the communities just across the border from Jackson Hole, Wyoming, the residents of a mobile home park were given 90 days to vacate their lots after the adjacent resort bought the land–eliminating some of the last remaining affordable housing in the rapidly gentrifying area.

With some of the world's wealthiest elites owning homes in Jackson Hole and the 'Zoom Boom' of the last two years pushing more remote workers far from urban centers, the region has some of the country's most extreme income inequality. Now, even the formerly affordable towns across the Idaho border where many service and tourism workers live are experiencing rapid increases in housing costs driven by explosive demand.

As Bowling writes, "Policy changes could be coming: Teton County’s planning and zoning commission is holding hearings regarding a possible overhaul of the county zoning system, which is outdated and offers few tools for controlling development." Across the West, small towns are seeing sharply rising housing costs as urban dwellers with newfound flexibility seek out lower home costs and scenic surroundings.

Monday, November 29, 2021 in High Country News

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Close-up of "Apartment for rent" sign in red text on black background in front of blurred building

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program

Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

April 21, 2025 - Housing Wire

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

April 30, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Ken Jennings stands in front of Snohomish County Community Transit bus.

Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series

The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.

April 20, 2025 - Streetsblog USA

Close-up of white panel at top of school bus with "100% electric" black text.

Driving Equity and Clean Air: California Invests in Greener School Transportation

California has awarded $500 million to fund 1,000 zero-emission school buses and chargers for educational agencies as part of its effort to reduce pollution, improve student health, and accelerate the transition to clean transportation.

April 30 - California Air Resources Board

Aerial view of Freeway Park cap park over I-5 interstate freeway in Seattle, Washington at night.

Congress Moves to End Reconnecting Communities and Related Grants

The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee moved to rescind funding for the Neighborhood Equity and Access program, which funds highway removals, freeway caps, transit projects, pedestrian infrastructure, and more.

April 30 - Streetsblog USA

"No Thru Traffic - Open Streets Restaurants" sign in New York City during Covid-19 pandemic.

From Throughway to Public Space: Taking Back the American Street

How the Covid-19 pandemic taught us new ways to reclaim city streets from cars.

April 30 - Next City