From Texas to California, affluent Americans are buying up property in Jackson Hole, a luxurious Wyoming escape.
The city has fewer than 11,000 residents where mansions dot mountain ranges, and a stroll downtown feels like the Wild West — if you ignore the hoodies, baseball caps, and automobiles.
Jackson Hole real-estate agent Sam Haack told Business Insider that his clients are usually boomers or DINKs (dual-income, no kids).
“The baby boomers have largely gained their wealth through their appreciation of assets over the years like their equity portfolios, other homes, and businesses,” he said. “Some of these clients may still work W2 jobs in finance, consulting, or real estate but are usually business owners and entrepreneurs.”
Haack added that about 40% of his sales are for full-time residents, and the other 60% are second homes and investment properties.
Sotheby’s Jackson Hole-based real-estate agent Laurie Huff told BI that her clientele is similar.
“Our clients in the past few years have ranged in age from 30 to 60 years and come from high-net-worth backgrounds,” she said in a statement. “A finance/business background seems to account for a large percentage.”
She added that about half of her clients move in full-time. “Others stay for six-plus months and then spend part of the year in a warmer climate,” she wrote.