South Salt Lake is a city located in Salt Lake County, Utah, within the United States. It functions as a core inner suburb of Salt Lake City proper, placing it firmly within the broader Salt Lake City metropolitan area. Geographically, the city sits mostly flat due to its proximity to the Jordan River and distance from the mountains, with an elevation ranging between 4,330 and 4,380 feet. Its boundaries are defined by the Jordan River to the west, 500 East and 700 East to the east, 2100 South to the north, and Mill Creek to the south.

The area was originally developed around 1890 by Jesse Fox Jr., who named it Central Park after visiting New York's famous park. Although an attempt to incorporate as the Town of Central Park occurred in 1936, voters disincorporated it the following year. In 1938, residents voted to incorporate as the Town of South Salt Lake, with Robert R. Fitts serving as the first town president. The community gained city status in 1950, changing its government structure to a mayor and city council system under Marlow Callahan.

The city's character is shaped by its history of annexation and development, notably doubling in land area and population during the 1990s. Key landmarks include Fitts Park, where three tributaries of Mill Creek converge, and the historic Spaghetti Bowl interchange. The urban landscape features a mix of residential areas and commercial corridors, with significant redevelopment efforts like The Crossing aiming to create a downtown hub. The area was once known for high crime rates but has seen a thirty percent reduction since 2007 through community initiatives.

Cultural attractions include the world's first Kentucky Fried Chicken franchise established in 1952 and a Chinatown development opened in 2012 near State Street. This Chinatown is the only one in the Intermountain West, featuring Asian-themed restaurants and a large supermarket catering to the local Chinese immigrant population. The community also hosts various neighborhood centers offering afterschool programs and revitalization projects that address resident needs and improve local neighborhoods through partnerships with organizations like United Way.

As of the 2020 census, South Salt Lake had a population of 26,777 residents living in urban areas. The economy is supported by major transportation infrastructure, including the intersection of I-15, I-80, and SR-201, as well as US-89 running along State Street. Public transit access includes an S-Line streetcar stop adjacent to The Crossing development. The city maintains a fairly high water table and relies on wells from the underlying aquifer for much of its municipal water supply.