The unincorporated community of Wilson is nestled at the base of Teton Pass, just a few minutes northwest of Jackson along State Highway 22. This charming hamlet carries a rich pioneering legacy — it was settled in 1889 by Elijah Nicholas Wilson, a remarkable frontiersman who, as a boy in the 1850s, lived among the Shoshone Indians and later rode for the Pony Express. He chronicled those adventures in his memoir, The White Indian Boy, and the town was named in his honor. Today, Wilson sits at an elevation of 6,148 feet and is home to roughly 1,500 residents, making it one of the most intimate and storied communities in the Jackson Hole valley.
Wilson's commercial heart is anchored around the Fish Creek plaza, where locals gather for everyday essentials with a small-town feel. Community life revolves around Owen Bircher Park, complete with an ice rink and horse corrals — a true reflection of Wilson's Western roots. The community is served by Wilson Elementary School, with middle and high schoolers attending Jackson Hole schools alongside the broader valley.
What truly sets Wilson apart is its extraordinary profile of residents and its understated prestige. According to IRS data, Wilson ranks No. 1 in the United States in adjusted average gross income, yet the community maintains a remarkably low-key, unpretentious character. The proximity to Teton Pass makes Wilson a gateway to world-class skiing, hiking, and backcountry adventure, while its position just outside Jackson offers residents a quieter, more private pace of life. Wilson is, in every sense, where the valley's most discerning residents choose to call home.
