Utah County, Utah

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Utah County, Utah
Map
Map of Utah highlighting Utah County
Location in the state of Utah
Map of the U.S. highlighting Utah
Utah's location in the U.S.
Statistics
Founded 1852
Seat Provo
Largest city Provo
Area
 - Total
 - Land
 - Water
2,141 sq mi (5,545 km²)
1,998 sq mi (5,176 km²)
143 sq mi (369 km²), 6.66%
Population
 - (2000)
 - Density
368,536
Website: www.co.utah.ut.us
Named for: The Ute Native Americans

Utah County is a county located in the U.S. state of Utah. As of 2000, the population was 368,536 and by 2005 was estimated at 443,738. It was named for the Spanish name (Yuta) for the Ute Indians. The county seat and largest city is Provo. The center of population of Utah is located in Utah County, in the city of Lehi.[1]

Utah County is part of the Provo-Orem Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Contents

[edit] Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 2,141 square miles (5,545 km²), of which, 1,998 square miles (5,176 km²) of it is land and 143 square miles (369 km²) of it (6.66%) is water.

A partial view of Utah Valley seen here from outside of Salem
A partial view of Utah Valley seen here from outside of Salem

Utah Valley lies at the center of the county, lined by the mountains of the Wasatch Front on the east. Utah Lake occupies a large part of the valley. The elevation ranges from 4,487 at the lake to 11,928 at the peak of Mount Nebo.

[edit] Adjacent Counties

[edit] National protected areas

[edit] Government

The government is an elected county commission made up of three commissioners. Other elected officials include the county sheriff, the county clerk, and the county attorney.

[edit] Politics

This county is often referred to as "the most Republican county in the most Republican state in the United States." In the 1992 presidential election, George H. W. Bush received the most votes and Bill Clinton was fourth in votes received.[citation needed] In the 2004 presidential election, 85.99% voted for George W. Bush.[2] However, in 2000, Rich County, Utah cast more of its vote for Bush (88.91%) than Utah County.[citation needed]

[edit] Demographics

As of the census[3] of 2000, there were 368,536 people, 99,937 households, and 80,749 families residing in the county. The population density was 184 people per square mile (71/km²). There were 104,315 housing units at an average density of 52 per square mile (20/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 92.36% White, 0.30% Black or African American, 0.60% Native American, 1.06% Asian, 0.58% Pacific Islander, 3.25% from other races, and 1.85% from two or more races. 7.00% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. The top 5 Ethnic groups in Utah County are:[4]

By 2005 non-Hispanic whites were 87.7% of the county population. 0.4% of the population was African-American. The Native American population was holding steady at 0.6%, but it should be remembered with the county population growing quite fast, this meant the number of Native Americans was on the rise. Pacific Islanders were still 0.6% of the population. Latinos were now 8.4% of the population.[5]

In 2000 There were 99,937 households out of which 48.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 69.80% were married couples living together, 8.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 19.20% were non-families. 11.20% of all households were made up of individuals and 4.70% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.59 and the average family size was 3.86.

In the county, the population was spread out with 34.10% under the age of 18, 21.00% from 18 to 24, 25.90% from 25 to 44, 12.70% from 45 to 64, and 6.40% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 23 years. For every 100 females there were 98.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.50 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $45,833, and the median income for a family was $50,196. Males had a median income of $37,878 versus $22,656 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,557. About 6.80% of families and 12.00% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.40% of those under age 18 and 4.80% of those age 65 or over.

By 2006 the population had risen 26.1% to 464,760.

[edit] Happy Valley

About 88% of Utah County residents are LDS.[6] "Happy Valley" is a common nickname for the region (also known as Utah Valley). The term is sometimes used in a pejorative or ironic sense.

[edit] In popular culture

  • The 2007 film American Fork was filmed in that city.
  • The film Brigham City was filmed in Mapleton, Utah. Despite the name of the film Richard Dutcher had Mapleton, not Brigham City, in mind in making the film.

[edit] Cities and towns

Utah Valley, Utah County as seen from Traverse Ridge in Lehi.
Utah Valley, Utah County as seen from Traverse Ridge in Lehi.
Mount Timpanogos in the Wasatch Range is visible from much of Utah County.
Mount Timpanogos in the Wasatch Range is visible from much of Utah County.

[edit] Unincorporated communities

[edit] External links

[edit] References

  1. ^ Population and Population Centers by State: 2000
  2. ^ Utah County General Election, Official Results, November 2, 2004
  3. ^ American FactFinder. United States Census Bureau. Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
  4. ^ Utah County, Utah, Ancestry & Family History
  5. ^ U.S.Census Bureau, State & County QuickFacts, Utah County, Utah
  6. ^ [1]
v • d • e
Municipalities and communities of
Utah County, Utah
County seat: Provo
Cities
Map of Utah highlighting Utah County
Towns
CDPs
Ghost towns
Flag of Utah
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State of Utah
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Coordinates: 40°07′N 111°40′W / 40.12, -111.67