Star Valley, which is 12 miles wide and 45 miles long, has altitudes ranging from 5,600 ft. at the north end to 7,000 ft. at the south end. With an average of 260 days of sunshine, rainfall averaging 18”, low humidity, warm summer sun and cooling nights you can see why Star Valley is an ideal place to live.

To understand the Star Valley real estate market let us first break down the valley by areas and explain what is driving these areas:

In all of Star Valley there are a total of 10,149 properties (deeds) as of 9/30/06.
Northern Star Valley has a total of 5,024 deeds.
Southern Star Valley has a total of 3,057 deeds.
Star Valley Ranch has a total of 2,068 deeds.

Northern Star Valley (Alpine to Bedford - not including Star Valley Ranch) has a total of 5,024 deeds: Alpine, in its beginning, was situated on the Wyoming-Idaho state line, near the confluence of the Snake River, Greys River and Salt River.
Alpine was named for the high alpine peaks that surround the Valley, and is surrounded by three National Forests: Targhee, Bridger-Teton and Caribou. This pristine setting affords a panorama of water, forested mountains and snow-capped peaks, truly a breathtaking experience.

In the early 1800s, Alpine was inhabited primarily by Indians and an occasional trapper. The Indians and trappers were attracted to the area because of the abundant hunting and fishing.

The first settlers arrived to homestead sometime around 1888. The first community was established as Alpine, Idaho, and the first Post Office was installed about 1911.

The Palisades Dam Project was authorized by Congress in 1941. However, it went into a dormant state for the duration of World War II, and plans were revised in 1949. The dam was completed in 1957 and supplied a lot of jobs for the local population.

After the dam was built Pasisades Reservoir was filled, Alpine was relocated from the northwest side of the reservoir to the south side of the Snake River.
From the early sixties when the first subdivisions were platted in Alpine, a buyer could purchase .20 to .60 acre lots for about $2,800. Now these lots are selling for up to $55,000. In the 1990s, lots ranging from 1 to 5 acres were selling for around $10,000 per acre. Currently, five acre lots in Alpine Village have now approached up to $200,000.

Alpine is continually growing, (population up 175% from 1990 to 2000 or the fastest growing town in the state) due in part to the recreational amenities and accessibility to three National Forests, three rivers with world class fishing, and the affordability of housing compared to the surrounding area, which attracts commuters from Jackson Hole.

Southern Star Valley (Smoot to just south of Bedford) has a total of 3,057 deeds:
Afton, located in Southern Star Valley, is also known as the “Little Switzerland of America.” Dairy farms are the principal way of life and have been for over a century. Family farm herds provide dairy products for families in the area and beyond. Star Valley produces most of the dairy products in the state of Wyoming.

Afton lies at the south end of Star Valley between the peaks of the Salt Range and the Webster Range of eastern Idaho. Just a few miles east of Afton is the world’s largest intermittent spring, one of nature’s wonders. Afton’s population in 2000 was 1,818 (up 30% from the previous census in 1990).

Afton Municipal Airport serves all of Lincoln County and is owned by the Town of Afton. The paved runway extends for 5,200 feet at an elevation of 6,188. Afton is home to Aviat Aircraft, which manufactures sport aircraft such as the Husky A-1A and A-1B, the Pitts Special S-2C and the Eagle 11.

Star Valley Medical Center is located in Afton and serves the Star Valley area. This is a 30-bed medical facility with six physicians who provide family care, and an increasing staff of specialists who provide a wide range of specialized medical care. In 1997 the 24-bed Star Valley Care Center was opened in Afton as a long-term care facility.

Today, people are moving to southern Star Valley from larger cities for the clean air, open spaces, safety and new schools. The beauty of the area, combined with Wyoming’s tax friendly environment and the many investment opportunities demonstrate why this area is so appealing.

Star Valley Ranch Resort has a total of 2,068 deeds:
Star Valley Ranch (SVR) was developed by the Stewart brothers, who were originally from Nevada and hunted in the valley in the 1960s. Prater Canyon Estates was platted in 1967, and the rest is history. Originally SVR was a summer community and was closed in October. The water was turned off, the gates were locked, and access was by snowmobile, cross country skis or snowshoes only. Most of the cabins were not winterized and had no garages or telephones. People communicated using CB radios. This is still known as “the good old days.”

In 2004 Star Valley Ranch consists of 2500 acres subdivided into 2034 privately owned building lots, with 727 homes built or under construction. It is a self-contained community with approximately 30 miles of roads and streets, a private water system for both culinary needs and golf course irrigation, and a seasonal airstrip. Summer recreational facilities include two golf courses, two swimming pools, tennis courts, hiking trails, and a fishing pond. Winter activities include snowmobiling, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. Access to national forest is right up the street. Two clubhouses, a library, a restaurant and bar are available for the numerous social activities on the Ranch. With year-round families moving to the Ranch, children now catch the school bus to school in Etna or Afton. More than 15% of the properties in SVR changed ownership during the year 2004. SVR represents one-quarter of the growth in Star Valley.

In 2005 vacant lots sold in the range from approximately $7,000 to $55,000. The area around SVR is expanding with another 18-hole golf course. Note: 40% of the building permits pulled, in the Star Valley area of Lincoln County in 2005, were in SVR.

SVR became its own municipality in 2005. This important step will help SVR finance infrastructure improvements through a new distribution of sales taxes in Lincoln County. The future looks great for real estate in Star Valley Ranch.