Utah

Utah
State
Flag Seal
Nicknames: "Beehive State" (official), "The Mormon State", "Deseret"
Motto: Industry
Anthem:"Utah...This Is the Place"
Map of the United States with Utah highlighted
Country	United States
Before statehood	Utah Territory
Admitted to the Union	January 4, 1896 (45th)
Capital (and largest city)	Salt Lake City
Largest county or equivalent	Salt Lake
Largest metroandurbanareas	Salt Lake City
Government
•Governor	Spencer Cox(R)
•Lieutenant Governor	Deidre Henderson(R)
Legislature	State Legislature
•Upper house	State Senate
•Lower house	House of Representatives
Judiciary	Utah Supreme Court
U.S. senators	Mike Lee(R) Mitt Romney(R)
U.S. House delegation	1:Blake Moore(R) 2:Celeste Maloy(R) 3:John Curtis(R) 4:Burgess Owens(R)(list)
Area
• Total	84,899 sq mi (219,887 km2)
• Land	82,144 sq mi (212,761 km2)
• Water	2,755 sq mi (7,136 km2) 3.25%
• Rank	13th
Dimensions
• Length	350 mi (560 km)
• Width	270 mi (435 km)
Elevation	6,100 ft (1,860 m)
Highest elevation ( Kings Peak [1] [2] [a])	13,534 ft (4,120.3 m)
Lowest elevation ( Beaver Dam Washat Arizonaborder [2] [a] [3])	2,180 ft (664.4 m)
Population (2020)
• Total	3,271,616[4]
• Rank	30th
• Density	36.53/sq mi (14.12/km2)
• Rank	41st
•Median household income	$60,365[5]
• Income rank	11th
Demonym	Utahn or Utahan[6]
Language
•Official language	English
Time zone	UTC−07:00(Mountain)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−06:00(MDT)
USPS abbreviation	UT
ISO 3166 code	US-UT
Traditional abbreviation	Ut.
Latitude	37° Nto42° N
Longitude	109°3′ W to 114°3′ W
Website	utah.gov

State symbols of Utah

List of state symbols
Flag of Utah
Seal of Utah
Coat of arms of Utah
Emblem	Beehive[7]
Living insignia
Bird	California gull
Fish	Bonneville cutthroat trout[8]
Flower	Sego lily
Grass	Indian ricegrass
Insect	Western honey bee
Mammal	Rocky Mountain elk
Reptile	Gila monster
Tree	Quaking aspen
Inanimate insignia
Dance	Square dance
Dinosaur	Utahraptor
Firearm	Browning M1911
Fossil	Allosaurus
Gemstone	Topaz
Mineral	Copper[8]
Rock	Coal[8]
Tartan	Utah State Centennial Tartan
State route marker
State quarter
Released in 2007
Lists of United States state symbols

Utah(/ˈjuːtɑː/YOO-tah,/ˈjuːtɔː/^ⓘYOO-taw) is a landlockedstatein theMountain Westsubregion of theWesternUnited States. It bordersColoradoto its east,Wyomingto its northeast,Idahoto its north,Arizonato its south, andNevadato its west. Utah also touchesa cornerofNew Mexicoin the southeast. In comparison to all the U.S. states and territories, Utah, with a population of just over three million, is the13th largest by area, the30th most populous, and the11th least densely populated. Urban development is mostly concentrated in two regions: theWasatch Frontin the north-central part of the state, which includes the state capital,Salt Lake City, and is home to roughly two-thirds of the population; andWashington Countyin the southwest, which has somewhat more than 180,000 residents.^[9]Most of the western half of Utah lies in theGreat Basin.

Utah has been inhabited for thousands of years by variousindigenous groups, such as theancient Puebloans, the Navajo, and the Ute. The first Europeans to arrive - in the mid-16th century - were the Spanish. Because of the region's challenging geography and harsh climate, it only became a peripheral part ofNew Spain(and later of Mexico). Even while it was Mexican territory, many of the Utah region’s earliest European settlers were from the United States; notable among these were Mormons who were fleeing marginalization and persecution in the United States and arrived via the so-calledMormon Trail. In 1848, after theMexican–American War, the region wasannexed by the U.S., becoming part of theUtah Territory, which included what later became Colorado and Nevada. Disputes between the dominant Mormon community and the federal government delayed Utah's admission as a state: in 1896, after it agreed to outlaw polygamy, it was admitted as the45th state.

People from Utah are known as Utahns.^[10]Slightly over half of all Utahns areMormons, the vast majority of whom are members ofthe Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints(LDS Church), which hasits world headquartersin Salt Lake City;^[11]Utah is the only state where a majority of the population belongs to a single church.^[12]The LDS Church greatly influences Utahn culture, politics, and daily life,^[13]though since the 1990s the state has become more religiously diverse as well as secular.

Utah has a highly diversifiedeconomy, with major sectors including transportation,education, information technology and research,governmentservices, mining,multi-level marketing, and tourism.^[14]Utah has been one of the fastest growing states since 2000,^[15]with the2020 U.S. censusconfirming the fastest population growth in the nation since 2010.St. Georgewas the fastest-growing metropolitan area in the United States from 2000 to 2005.^[16]Utah ranks among the overall best states in metrics such ashealthcare, governance, education, and infrastructure.^[17]It has the12th-highest median average incomeand theleast income inequalityof any U.S. state. Over time and influenced byclimate change,droughtsin Utah have been increasing in frequency and severity,^[18]putting a further strain on Utah'swater securityand impacting the state's economy.^[19]

The nameUtahderives from the name of theUte tribe, meaning 'people of the mountains'.^[20]However, no such word exists in the Utes' language, and the Utes refer to themselves asNoochee. The meaning ofUtesas 'the mountain people' has been attributed to the neighboringPueblo Indians,^[21]as well as to theApachewordYuttahih, which means 'one that is higher up' or 'those that are higher up'.^[20]InSpanish, it was pronouncedYuta; subsequently, English-speaking people may have adapted the word asUtah.^[22]

Thousands of years before the arrival of Europeans, theAncestral Puebloansand theFremontpeople lived in what is now known as Utah, some of which spoke languages of theUto-Aztecangroup. Ancestral Pueblo peoples built their homes throughexcavationsin mountains, and the Fremont people built houses of straw before disappearing from the region around the 15th century.

Another group of Native Americans, theNavajo, settled in the region around the 18th century. In the mid-18th century, other Uto-Aztecan tribes, including theGoshute, thePaiute, theShoshone, and the Ute people, also settled in the region. These five groups were present when the first European explorers arrived.^[23][24]

The southern Utah region was explored by the Spanish in 1540, led byFrancisco Vázquez de Coronadowhile looking for the legendaryCíbola. A group led by two Catholic priests—sometimes called theDomínguez–Escalante expedition—leftSanta Fein 1776, hoping to find a route to the coast of California. The expedition traveled as far north asUtah Lakeand encountered the native residents. The Spanish made further explorations in the region but were not interested in colonizing the area because of its desert nature. In 1821, the year Mexico achieved its independence from Spain, the region became known as part of its territory ofAlta California.

European trappers andfur tradersexplored some areas of Utah in the early 19th century from Canada and the United States. The city ofProvo, Utah, was named for oneÉtienne Provost, who visited the area in 1825. The city ofOgden, Utah, was named afterPeter Skene Ogden, a Canadian explorer who traded furs in the Weber Valley.

In late 1824,Jim Bridgerbecame the first known English-speaking person to sight theGreat Salt Lake. Due to the highsalinityof its waters, he thought he had found the Pacific Ocean; he subsequently learned this body of water was a giantsalt lake. After the discovery of the lake, hundreds of American and Canadian traders and trappers established trading posts in the region. In the 1830s, thousands of migrants traveling from the Eastern United States to the American West began to make stops in the region of the Great Salt Lake, then known as Lake Youta.^{[citation needed]}

Following thedeath of Joseph Smithin 1844,Brigham Young, as president of theQuorum of the Twelve, became the leader of the LDS Church inNauvoo, Illinois.^[25]To address the growing conflicts between his people and their neighbors, Young agreed with Illinois GovernorThomas Fordin October 1845 that the Mormons would leave by the following year.^[26]

Young and the first group of Mormon pioneers reached theSalt Lake Valleyon July 24, 1847. Over the next 22 years, more than 70,000 pioneers crossed the plains and settled in Utah.^[27]For the first few years, Brigham Young and the thousands of early settlers of Salt Lake City struggled to survive. The arid desert land was deemed desirable by the Mormons as a place where they could practice their religion without harassment.

Settlers buried thirty-six Native Americans in one grave after an outbreak of measles occurred during the winter of 1847.^[28]

The first group of settlers brought three African slaves with them, making Utah the only place in the western United States to have African slavery.^[29]The three slaves, Green Flake, Hark Lay, and Oscar Crosby, came west with the first group of settlers in 1847.^[30]

Utah was a Mexican territory when the first pioneers arrived in 1847. Early in theMexican–American Warin late 1846, the United States had taken control ofNew Mexicoand California. The entire Southwestbecame U.S. territoryupon the signing of theTreaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, February 2, 1848. The treaty was ratified by theUnited States Senateon March 11. Learning that California and New Mexico were applying for statehood, the settlers of the Utah area (originally having planned to petition for territorial status) applied for statehood with an ambitious plan for aState of Deseret.

The Mormon settlements provided pioneers for other settlements in the West. Salt Lake City became the hub of a "far-flung commonwealth"^[31]of Mormon settlements. With new church converts coming from the East and around the world, Church leaders often assigned groups of church members as missionaries to establish other settlements throughout the West. They developed irrigation to support fairly large pioneer populations along Utah's Wasatch front (Salt Lake City, Bountiful and Weber Valley, and Provo and Utah Valley).^[32]Throughout the remainder of the 19th century, Mormon pioneers established hundreds of other settlements in Utah,Idaho,Nevada,Arizona,Wyoming,California,Canada, andMexico—including inLas Vegas, Nevada;Franklin, Idaho(the first European settlement in Idaho);San Bernardino, California;Mesa, Arizona;Star Valley, Wyoming; andCarson Valley, Nevada.

Prominent settlements in Utah includedSt. George,Logan, andManti(where settlers completed the LDS Church's first threetemplesin Utah, each started after but finished many years before the larger and better-known temple built in Salt Lake City was completed in 1893), as well as Parowan, Cedar City, Bluff, Moab, Vernal, Fillmore (which served as the territorial capital between 1850 and 1856), Nephi, Levan, Spanish Fork, Springville, Provo Bench (nowOrem), Pleasant Grove, American Fork, Lehi, Sandy, Murray, Jordan, Centerville, Farmington, Huntsville, Kaysville, Grantsville, Tooele, Roy, Brigham City, and many other smaller towns and settlements. Young had an expansionist view of the territory that he and the Mormon pioneers were settling, calling it Deseret—which according to theBook of Mormonwas an ancient word for "honeybee". This is symbolized by the beehive on the Utah flag, and the state's motto, "Industry".^[33]

The Utah Territory was much smaller than the proposed state of Deseret, but it still contained all of the present states of Nevada and Utah as well as pieces of modern Wyoming andColorado.^[34]It was created with theCompromise of 1850, andFillmore, named after PresidentMillard Fillmore, was designated the capital. The territory was given the name Utah after the Ute tribe of Native Americans. Salt Lake City replaced Fillmore as the territorial capital in 1856.

By 1850, there were around 100 black people in the territory, the majority of whom were slaves.^[35]In Salt Lake County, 26 slaves were counted.^[28]In 1852, the territorial legislature passed theAct in Relation to Serviceand theAct for the relief of Indian Slaves and Prisonersformally legalizing slavery in the territory. Slavery was abolished in the territory during the Civil War.

In 1850, Salt Lake City sent out a force known as theNauvoo Legionand engaged theTimpanogosin theBattle at Fort Utah.^[36]: 71

Disputes between the Mormon inhabitants and theU.S. governmentintensified due to the practice ofplural marriage, orpolygamy, among members of the LDS Church. The Mormons were still pushing for the establishment of a State of Deseret with the new borders of the Utah Territory. Most, if not all, of the members of the U.S. government opposed the polygamous practices of the Mormons.

Members of the LDS Church were viewed as un-American and rebellious when news of their polygamous practices spread. In 1857, particularly heinous accusations of abdication of government and general immorality were leveled by former associate justice William W. Drummond, among others. The detailed reports of life in Utah caused the administration ofJames Buchananto send a secret military "expedition" to Utah. When the supposed rebellion should be quelled,Alfred Cummingwould take the place of Brigham Young as territorial governor. The resulting conflict is known as theUtah War, nicknamed "Buchanan's Blunder" by the Mormon leaders.

In September 1857, about 120 American settlers of the Baker–Fancher wagon train, en route to California from Arkansas, were murdered byUtah Territorial Militiaand somePaiuteNative Americans in theMountain Meadows massacre.^[37]

Before troops led byAlbert Sidney Johnstonentered the territory, Brigham Young ordered all residents of Salt Lake City to evacuate southward toUtah Valleyand sent out the Nauvoo Legion to delay the government's advance. Although wagons and supplies were burned, eventually the troops arrived in 1858, and Young surrendered official control to Cumming, although most subsequent commentators claim that Young retained true power in the territory. A steady stream of governors appointed by the president quit the position, often citing the traditions of their supposed territorial government. By agreement with Young, Johnston establishedCamp Floyd, 40 miles (60 km) away from Salt Lake City to the southwest.

Salt Lake City was the last link of theFirst Transcontinental Telegraph, completed in October 1861. Brigham Young was among the first to send a message, along withAbraham Lincolnand other officials.

Because of theAmerican Civil War, federal troops were pulled out of Utah Territory in 1861. This was a boon to the local economy as the army sold everything in camp for pennies on the dollar before marching back east to join the war. The territory was then left in LDS hands untilPatrick E. Connorarrived with a regiment of California volunteers in 1862. Connor establishedFort Douglasjust 3 miles (4.8 km) east of Salt Lake City and encouraged his people to discover mineral deposits to bring more non-Mormons into the territory. Minerals were discovered inTooele Countyand miners began to flock to the territory.

Beginning in 1865,Utah's Black Hawk Wardeveloped into the deadliest conflict in the territory's history. ChiefAntonga Black Hawkdied in 1870, but fights continued to break out until additional federal troops were sent in to suppress theGhost Danceof 1872. The war is unique amongIndian Warsbecause it was a three-way conflict, with mounted TimpanogosUtesled by Antonga Black Hawk fighting federal and LDS authorities.

On May 10, 1869, theFirst transcontinental railroadwas completed atPromontory Summit, north of the Great Salt Lake.^[38]The railroad brought increasing numbers of people into the territory and several influential businesspeople made fortunes there.

During the 1870s and 1880s laws were passed to punish polygamists due, in part, to stories from Utah. Notably,Ann Eliza Young—tenth wife to divorce Brigham Young, women's advocate, national lecturer, and author ofWife No.19 or My Life of Bondage—and Fanny Stenhouse, author ofTell It All: My Life in Mormonism, testified to the happiness of the very early Church members before polygamy. They independently published their books in 1875. These books and the lectures of Ann Eliza Young have been credited with the United States Congress's passage of anti-polygamy laws by newspapers throughout the United States, as recorded in "The Ann Eliza Young Vindicator", a pamphlet which detailed Ms. Young's travels and warm reception throughout her lecture tour.

T. B. H. Stenhouse, former Utah Mormon polygamist, a Mormon missionary for thirteen years, and a Salt Lake City newspaper owner, finally left Utah and wroteThe Rocky Mountain Saints. His book gives a witnessed account of life in Utah, both the good and the bad. He finally left Utah and Mormonism after financial ruin occurred when Brigham Young sent Stenhouse to relocate to Ogden, Utah, according to Stenhouse, to take over his thriving pro-MormonSalt Lake Telegraphnewspaper. In addition to these testimonies,The Confessions of John D. Lee, written by John D. Lee—alleged "Scapegoat" for theMountain Meadow Massacre—also came out in 1877. The corroborative testimonies coming out of Utah from Mormons and former Mormons influenced Congress and the people of the United States.

In the1890 Manifesto, the LDS Church banned polygamy. When Utahapplied for statehood again, it was accepted. One of the conditions for granting Utah statehood was that a ban on polygamy be written into the state constitution. This was a condition required of other western states that were admitted into the Union later. Statehood was officially granted on January 4, 1896.

Beginning in the early 20th century, with the establishment of such national parks asBryce Canyon National ParkandZion National Park, Utah became known for its natural beauty. Southern Utah became a popular filming spot for arid, rugged scenes featured in the popular mid-century western film genre. From such films, most US residents recognize such natural landmarks asDelicate Archand "the Mittens" ofMonument Valley.^[39]During the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s, with the construction of theInterstate highwaysystem, accessibility to the southern scenic areas was made easier.

Since the establishment ofAlta Ski Areain 1939 and the subsequentdevelopment of several ski resortsin the state's mountains, Utah's skiing has become world-renowned. The dry, powdery snow of theWasatch Rangeis considered some of the best skiing in the world (the state license plate once claimed "the Greatest Snow on Earth").^[40][41]Salt Lake City won the bid for the2002 Winter Olympic Games, and this served as a great boost to the economy. The ski resorts have increased in popularity, and many of the Olympic venues built along theWasatch Frontcontinue to be used for sporting events. Preparation for the Olympics spurred the development of the light-rail system in theSalt Lake Valley, known asTRAX, and the reconstruction of the freeway system around the city.

In 1957, Utah created the Utah State Parks Commission with four parks. Today,Utah State Parksmanages 43 parks and several undeveloped areas totaling over 95,000 acres (380 km²) of land and more than 1,000,000 acres (4,000 km²) of water. Utah's state parks are scattered throughout Utah, fromBear Lake State Parkat the Utah/Idaho border toEdge of the Cedars State ParkMuseum deep in theFour Cornersregion and everywhere in between. Utah State Parks is also home to the state'soff highway vehicleoffice, state boating office, and the trails program.^[42]

During the late 20th century, the state grew quickly. In the 1970s growth was phenomenal in the suburbs of the Wasatch Front.Sandywas one of the fastest-growing cities in the country at that time. Today, many areas of Utah continue to see boom-time growth. NorthernDavis, southern and westernSalt Lake,Summit, easternTooele,Utah,Wasatch, andWashingtoncounties are all growing very quickly. Management of transportation and urbanization are major issues in politics, as development consumes agricultural land and wilderness areas and transportation is a major reason for poorair quality in Utah.

On March 18, 2020, Utahsuffered a 5.7 magnitude earthquakeoriginating 3.7 mi (6.0 km) northeast of Magna, near Salt Lake City.^[43]

Utah is known for its natural diversity and is home to features ranging from arid deserts withdunesto thrivingpineforests in mountain valleys. It is a rugged and geographically diverse state at the convergence of three distinct geological regions: theRocky Mountains, theGreat Basin, and theColorado Plateau.

Utah covers an area of 84,899 sq mi (219,890 km²). It is one of theFour Cornersstates and is bordered by Idaho in the north, Wyoming in the north and east, Colorado in the east, at a single point byNew Mexicoto the southeast, by Arizona in the south, and by Nevada in the west. Only three U.S. states (Utah, Colorado, and Wyoming) have exclusively latitude and longitude lines as boundaries.

One of Utah's defining characteristics is the variety of itsterrain. Running down the middle of the state's northern third is theWasatch Range, which rises to heights of almost 12,000 ft (3,700 m) above sea level. Utah is home to world-renownedski resortsmade popular by light, fluffy snow and winter storms that regularly dump up to three feet of it overnight. In the state's northeastern section, running east to west, are theUinta Mountains, which rise to heights of over 13,000 feet (4,000 m). The highest point in the state,Kings Peak, at 13,528 feet (4,123 m),^[44]lies within the Uinta Mountains.

At the western base of the Wasatch Range is theWasatch Front, a series of valleys and basins that are home to the most populous parts of the state. It stretches approximately fromBrigham Cityat the north end toNephiat the south end. Approximately 75 percent of the state's population lives in this corridor, and population growth is rapid.

Western Utah is a mostly arid desert with abasin and rangetopography. Small mountain ranges and rugged terrain punctuate the landscape. TheBonneville Salt Flatsare an exception, being comparatively flat as a result of once forming the bed of ancientLake Bonneville. Great Salt Lake,Utah Lake,Sevier Lake, andRush Lakeare all remnants of this ancient freshwater lake,^[45]which once covered most of the eastern Great Basin. West of theGreat Salt Lake, stretching to the Nevada border, lies the aridGreat Salt Lake Desert. One exception to this aridity isSnake Valley, which is (relatively) lush due to large springs and wetlands fed fromgroundwaterderived from snow melt in theSnake Range,Deep Creek Range, and other tall mountains to the west of Snake Valley.Great Basin National Parkis just over the Nevada state line in the southern Snake Range. One of western Utah's most impressive, but least visited attractions isNotch Peak, the tallest limestone cliff in North America, located west ofDelta.

Much of the scenic southern and southeastern landscape (specifically theColorado Plateauregion) issandstone, specificallyKayenta sandstoneandNavajo sandstone. TheColorado Riverand its tributaries wind their way through the sandstone, creating some of the world's most striking and wild terrain (the area around the confluence of the Colorado and Green Rivers was the last to be mapped in the lower 48 United States). Wind and rain have also sculpted the soft sandstone over millions of years. Canyons, gullies, arches, pinnacles, buttes, bluffs, and mesas are common sights throughout south-central and southeast Utah.

This terrain is the central feature of protected state and federal parks such asArches,Bryce Canyon,Canyonlands,Capitol Reef, andZionnational parks,Cedar Breaks,Grand Staircase–Escalante,Hovenweep, andNatural Bridgesnational monuments,Glen Canyon National Recreation Area(site of the popular tourist destination,Lake Powell),Dead Horse PointandGoblin Valleystate parks, andMonument Valley. TheNavajo Nationalso extends into southeastern Utah. Southeastern Utah is also punctuated by the remote, but loftyLa Sal,Abajo, andHenrymountain ranges.

Eastern (northern quarter) Utah is a high-elevation area covered mostly by plateaus and basins, particularly the Tavaputs Plateau andSan Rafael Swell, which remain mostly inaccessible, and theUinta Basin, where the majority of eastern Utah's population lives. Economies are dominated by mining,oil shale,oil, and natural gas-drilling,ranching, andrecreation. Much of eastern Utah is part of theUintah and Ouray Indian Reservation. The most popular destination within northeastern Utah isDinosaur National MonumentnearVernal.

Southwestern Utah is the lowest and hottest spot in Utah. It is known as Utah'sDixiebecause early settlers were able to grow some cotton there.Beaverdam Washin far southwestern Utah is the lowest point in the state, at 2,000 feet (610 m).^[44]The northernmost portion of theMojave Desertis also located in this area. Dixie is quickly becoming a popular recreational and retirement destination, and the population is growing rapidly. Although the Wasatch Mountains end atMount NebonearNephi, a complex series of mountain ranges extends south from the southern end of the range down the spine of Utah. Just north of Dixie and east ofCedar Cityis the state's highest ski resort,Brian Head.

Like most of thewesternandsouthwesternstates, thefederal governmentowns much of the land in Utah. Over 70 percent of the land is eitherBLMland, Utah State Trustland, orU.S. National Forest,U.S. National Park,U.S. National Monument,National Recreation AreaorU.S. Wilderness Area.^[46]Utah is the only state where every county contains some national forest.^[47]

• 
  Arches National Park
• 
  Pariette Wetlands
• 
  Little Cottonwood Canyon
• 
  Deer Creek Reservoir
• 
  American Fork Canyon
• 
  Kolob Canyonsat Zion National Park

• Idaho(north)
• Wyoming(east and north)
• Colorado(east)
• Nevada(west)
• Arizona(south)

Utah features a dry,semi-aridtodesert climate,^[48]although its many mountains feature a large variety of climates, with the highest points in theUinta Mountainsbeing above thetimberline. The dry weather is a result of the state's location in therain shadowof theSierra Nevadain California. The eastern half of the state lies in the rain shadow of theWasatch Mountains. The primary source of precipitation for the state is the Pacific Ocean, with the state usually lying in the path of large Pacific storms from October to May. In summer, the state, especially southern and eastern Utah, lies in the path ofmonsoonmoisture from theGulf of California.

Most of the lowland areas receive less than 12 inches (305 mm) of precipitation annually, although theI-15corridor, including the densely populatedWasatch Front, receives approximately 15 inches (381 mm). The Great Salt Lake Desert is the driest area of the state, with less than 5 inches (127 mm). Snowfall is common in all but the far southern valleys. Although St. George receives only about 3 inches (76 mm) per year, Salt Lake City sees about 60 inches (1,524 mm), enhanced by thelake-effect snowfrom the Great Salt Lake, which increases snowfall totals to the south, southeast, and east of the lake.

Some areas of theWasatch Rangein the path of the lake effect receive up to 500 inches (1,270 cm) per year. This micro climate of enhanced snowfall from the Great Salt Lake spans the entire proximity of the lake. The cottonwood canyons adjacent to Salt Lake City are located in the right position to receive more precipitation from the lake.^[49]The consistently deep powder snow led Utah's ski industry to adopt the slogan "the Greatest Snow on Earth" in the 1980s. In the winter,temperature inversionsare a common phenomenon across Utah's low basins and valleys, leading to thick haze and fog that can last for weeks at a time, especially in theUintah Basin. Although at other times of year, its air quality is good, winter inversions give Salt Lake City some of the worst wintertime pollution in the country.

Previous studies have indicated a widespread decline in snowpack over Utah accompanied by a decline in the snow–snow-precipitation ratio while anecdotal evidence claims have been put forward that measured changes in Utah's snowpack are spurious and do not reflect actual change. A 2012 study^[50]found that the proportion of winter (January–March) precipitation falling as snow has decreased by nine percent during the last half century, a combined result of a significant increase in rainfall and a minor decrease in snowfall. Meanwhile, observed snow depth across Utah has decreased and is accompanied by consistent decreases in snow cover and surface albedo. Weather systems with the potential to produce precipitation in Utah have decreased in number with those producing snowfall decreasing at a considerably greater rate.^[51]

Utah's temperatures are extreme, with cold temperatures in winter due to its elevation, and very hot summers statewide (except mountain areas and high mountain valleys). Utah is usually protected from major blasts of cold air by mountains lying north and east of the state, although major Arctic blasts can occasionally reach the state. Average January high temperatures range from around 30 °F (−1 °C) in some northern valleys to almost 55 °F (13 °C) in St. George.

Temperatures dropping below 0 °F (−18 °C) should be expected on occasion in most areas of the state most years, although some areas see it often (for example, the town ofRandolphaverages about fifty days per year with temperatures that low). In July, average highs range from about 85 to 100 °F (29 to 38 °C). However, the low humidity and high elevation typically lead to large temperature variations, leading to cool nights on most summer days. The record high temperature in Utah was 118 °F (48 °C), recorded south of St. George on July 4, 2007,^[52]and the record low was −69 °F (−56 °C), recorded atPeter Sinksin theBear River Mountainsof northern Utah on February 1, 1985.^[53]However, the record low for an inhabited location is −49 °F (−45 °C) atWoodruffon December 12, 1932.^[54]

Utah, like most of the western United States, has few days of thunderstorms. On average there are fewer than 40 days of thunderstorm activity during the year, although these storms can be briefly intense when they do occur. They are most likely to occur duringmonsoonseason from about mid-July through mid-September, especially in southern and eastern Utah. Dry lightning strikes and the generally dry weather often spark wildfires in summer, while intense thunderstorms can lead toflash flooding, especially in the rugged terrain of southern Utah. Although spring is the wettest season in northern Utah, late summer is the wettest period for much of the south and east of the state. Tornadoes are uncommon in Utah, with an average of two striking the state yearly, rarely higher than EF1 intensity.^[55]

One exception of note, however, was the unprecedentedSalt Lake City Tornadothat moved directly across downtown Salt Lake City on August 11, 1999. TheF2 tornadokilled one person, injured sixty others, and caused approximately $170 million in damage;^[56]it was the second strongest tornado in the state behind an F3 on August 11, 1993, in the Uinta Mountains.^[56][57]The only other reported tornado fatality in Utah's history was a 7-year-old girl who was killed while camping inSummit Countyon July 6, 1884.^[56]

Utah is home to more than 600 vertebrate animal species^[58]as well as numerous invertebrates and insects.^[59]

Mammals are found in every area of Utah. Non-predatory larger mammals include theplains bison,^[60][61]elk,^[62]moose,^[63]mountain goat,^[63]mule deer,^[63]pronghorn,^[64]and multiple types ofbighorn sheep.^[65][66][67]Non-predatory small mammals includemuskrat,^[63]andnutria.^[68]Large and small predatory mammals include theblack bear,^[63]cougar,^[63]Canada lynx,^[69]bobcat,^[63]fox (gray,red, andkit),^[63]coyote,^[63]badger,^[63]black-footed ferret,^[70]mink,^[63]stoat,^[63]long-tailed weasel,^[63]raccoon,^[63]andotter.^[71]

Thebrown bearwas formerly found within Utah, but has since beenextirpated.^[72]There are no confirmed mating pairs ofgray wolvesin Utah, although there have been sightings in northeastern Utah along theWyomingborder.^[73][74]

As of January 2020, there were 466 species included in the official list managed by the Utah Bird Records Committee (UBRC).^[75][76]Of these, 119 are classed asaccidental, 29 are classed as occasional, 57 are classed as rare, and 10 have beenintroducedto Utah or North America. Eleven of the accidental species are also classed as provisional.

Due to the "Miracle of the Gulls" incident in 1848, the most well-known bird in Utah is theCalifornia gull, which is also the Utah state bird.^[77][78]A monumentin Salt Lake City commemorates the Miracle of the Gulls.^[78]Other gulls common to Utah includeBonaparte's gull,^[79]thering-billed gull, andFranklin's gull.

Other birds commonly found include theAmerican robin,^[80]thecommon starling, finches (black rosy,^[81]Cassin's,^[82]andgoldfinch),^[83]theblack-billed magpie,^[84]mourning doves,^[85]sparrows (house,tree,^[86]black-chinned,^[87]black-throated,^[88]Brewer's,^[89]andchipping),^[90]Clark's grebe,^[91]theferruginous hawk, geese (snow,cackling,^[92]andCanada),^[93]eagles (goldenandbald),^[94]California quail,^[95]mountain bluebird, and hummingbirds (calliope,^[96]black-chinned,^[97]andbroad-tailed).^[98]

Utah is host to a wide variety ofarachnids,insects,mollusks, and otherinvertebrates. Arachnids include theArizona bark scorpion,^[99]Western black widow spiders,^[100]crab spiders,^[101]hobo spiders(Tegenaria agrestis),^[102]cellar spiders,American grass spiders,woodlouse spiders.^[100]Several spiders found in Utah are often mistaken for thebrown recluse spider, including thedesert recluse spider(found only inWashington County), the cellar spider, andcrevice weaving spiders.^{[103][104][105]}The brown recluse spider has not been officially confirmed in Utah as of summer 2020^[update].^[106]

One of the rarest insects in Utah is theCoral Pink Sand Dunes tiger beetle, found only inCoral Pink Sand Dunes State Park, nearKanab.^[107]It was proposed in 2012 to be listed as a threatened species,^[108]but the proposal was not accepted.^[109]Other insects includegrasshoppers,^[110]green stink bugs,^[111]theArmy cutworm,^[112]themonarch butterfly,^[113]andMormon fritillary butterfly.^[113]Thewhite-lined sphinxmoth is common to most of the United States, but there have been reported outbreaks of large groups of their larvae damaging tomato, grape and garden crops in Utah.^[114]Four or five species offireflyare also found across the state.^[115]

In February 2009,Africanized honeybeeswere found in southern Utah.^[116][117]The bees had spread into eight counties in Utah, as far north asGrandandEmerycounties by May 2017.^[118]

Several thousand plants are native to Utah,^[121]including a variety of trees, shrubs, cacti, herbaceous plants, and grasses. As of 2018^[update], there are 3,930 species of plants in Utah, with 3,128 of those being indigenous and 792 being introduced through various means.^[122]

Common trees include pines/piñons (white fir,Colorado,single-leaf,Great Basin bristlecone,ponderosa,Engelmann spruce,Rocky Mountain white), andAcer grandidentatum,quaking aspen,bigtooth maple,Utah juniper,speckled alder,red birch,Gambel oak,desert willow,blue spruce, andJoshua trees. Utah has a number of named trees, including theJardine Juniper,Pando,^[119][120]and theThousand Mile Tree. Shrubs include a number of differentephedras(pitamoreal,Navajo,Arizona,Nevada,Torrey's jointfir, andgreen Mormon tea), sagebrushes (little,Bigelow,silver,Michaux's wormwood,black,pygmy,bud, andGreat Basin),blue elderberry,Utah serviceberry,chokecherry, andskunkbush sumac.Western poison oak,poison sumac, andwestern poison ivyare all found in Utah.^[123]

There are many varieties of cacti in Utah's varied deserts, especially in the southern and western parts of the state. Some of these includedesert prickly pear,California barrel cactus,fishhook cactus,cholla,beavertail prickly pear, andUinta Basin hookless cactus. Despite the desert climate, many different grasses are found in Utah, includingMormon needlegrass,bluebunch wheatgrass,western alkali grass,squirreltail,desert saltgrass, andcheatgrass.

Several invasive species of plants are considerednoxious weedsby the state, includingBermuda grass,field bindweed,henbane,jointed goatgrass,Canada thistle,Balkanandcommon toadflax,giant cane,couch grass,St. John's wort,hemlock,sword grass,Russian olive,myrtle spurge,Japanese knotweed,salt cedar, andgoat's head.^[124]

At the2020 U.S. census, Utah had a population of 3,271,616. TheU.S. Census Bureauestimated that the population of Utah was 3,205,958 on July 1, 2019, a 16.00% increase since the2010 U.S. census.^[125]Thecenter of populationof Utah is located inUtah Countyin the city ofLehi.^[126]Much of the population lives in cities and towns along theWasatch Front, a metropolitan region that runs north–south with theWasatch Mountainsrising on the eastern side. Growth outside the Wasatch Front is also increasing. The St. George metropolitan area is currently the second fastest-growing in the country after theLas Vegas metropolitan area, while the Heber micropolitan area is also the second fastest-growing in the country (behindPalm Coast, Florida).^[127]

Utah contains fivemetropolitan areas(Logan,Ogden-Clearfield,Salt Lake City,Provo-Orem, andSt. George), and sixmicropolitan areas(Brigham City,Heber,Vernal,Price,Richfield, andCedar City).

According toHUD's 2022Annual Homeless Assessment Report, there were an estimated 3,557homelesspeople in Utah.^[128][129]

The majority of Utah's immigrants come fromMexico.^[130][131]

Utah ranks among the highest in total fertility rate, 47th inteenage pregnancy, lowest in percentage ofbirths out of wedlock, lowest in number of abortions per capita, and lowest in percentage of teen pregnancies terminated in abortion. However, statistics relating to pregnancies and abortions may also be artificially low from teenagers going out of state for abortions because ofparental notificationrequirements.^[132][133]Utah has the lowestchild povertyrate in the country, despite its young demographics.^[134]According to the Gallup-Healthways Global Well-Being Index as of 2012^[update], Utahns ranked fourth in overall well-being in the United States.^[135]A 2002 national prescription drug study determined that antidepressant drugs were "prescribed in Utah more often than in any other state, at a rate nearly twice the national average".^[136]The data shows that depression rates in Utah are no higher than the national average.^[137]

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1850	11,380		—
1860	40,273		253.9%
1870	86,336		114.4%
1880	143,963		66.7%
1890	210,779		46.4%
1900	276,749		31.3%
1910	373,351		34.9%
1920	449,396		20.4%
1930	507,847		13.0%
1940	550,310		8.4%
1950	688,862		25.2%
1960	890,627		29.3%
1970	1,059,273		18.9%
1980	1,461,037		37.9%
1990	1,722,850		17.9%
2000	2,233,169		29.6%
2010	2,763,885		23.8%
2020	3,271,616		18.4%
Source: 1910–2020[138]

Ethnic composition as of the 2020 census

Race and Ethnicity[139]	Alone		Total
White (non-Hispanic)	75.3%	75.3	78.9%	78.9
Hispanic or Latino[b]	—		15.1%	15.1
Asian	2.4%	2.4	3.6%	3.6
African American (non-Hispanic)	1.1%	1.1	1.8%	1.8
Pacific Islander	1.1%	1.1	1.7%	1.7
Native American	0.9%	0.9	1.8%	1.8
Other	0.4%	0.4	1.1%	1.1

Historical racial demographics

Racial composition	1970[140]	1990[140]	2000[141]	2010[142]	2020
White(non-Hispanic)	97.4%	93.8%	89.2%	86.1%	75.3%
Hispanic(of any race)	4.1%	4.9%	9.0%	13.0%	15.1%
Asian	0.6%	1.9%	1.7%	2.0%	2.4%
Native(non-Hispanic)	1.1%	1.4%	1.3%	1.2%	0.9%
Black(non-Hispanic)	0.6%	0.7%	0.8%	1.0%	1.1%
Native Hawaiianand other Pacific Islander	–	–	0.7%	0.9%	1.1%
Other race	0.2%	2.2%	4.2%	6.0%	0.4%
Two or more races	–	–	2.1%	2.7%	3.7%

The largest ancestry groups in the state are:

• 26.0%English
• 11.9%German
• 11.8%Scandinavian(5.4%Danish, 4.0%Swedish, 2.4%Norwegian)
• 9.0%Mexican
• 6.6%American
• 6.2%Irish
• 4.6%Scottish
• 2.7%Italian
• 2.4%Dutch
• 2.2%French
• 2.2%Welsh
• 1.4%Scotch Irish
• 1.3%Swiss

In 2011 one-third of Utah's workforce was reported to be bilingual, developed through a program of acquisition of second languages beginning in elementary school, and related to Mormonism's missionary goals for its young people.^[143]

In 2011, 28.6% of Utah's population younger than the age of one were ethnic minorities, meaning they had at least one parent who was of a race other than non-Hispanic white.^[144]

Mormons are the largest religious group in Utah. However, the percentage of Mormons in the overall population has been decreasing. In 2017, 62.8% of Utahns were members of the LDS Church.^[146][147]This declined to 61.2% in 2018^[148]and to 60.7% in 2019.^[149]Members of the LDS Church are 34%–41% of the people of Salt Lake City. Many of the other major population centers, such as Provo, Logan, Tooele, and St. George, are each mostly LDS, as are many suburban and rural areas. The LDS Church has the largest number of congregations, numbering 4,815wards.^[150]According to results from the 2010 U.S. census, combined with official LDS Church membership statistics, church members represented 62.1% of Utah's total population. The Utah county with the lowest percentage of church members wasGrand County, at 26.5%, while the county with the highest percentage wasMorgan County, at 86.1%. In addition, the result for the most populated county,Salt Lake County, was 51.4%.^[13]

Thoughthe LDS Church officially maintains a policy of neutrality in regard to political parties,^[151]the church's doctrine has a strong regional influence on politics.^[152]Another doctrine effect can be seen in Utah's highbirth rate(25 percent higher than the national average; the highest for a state in the U.S.).^[153]Mormons in Utah tend to haveconservativeviews when it comes to most political issues and the majority of voter-age Utahns are unaffiliated voters (60%) who vote overwhelminglyRepublican.^[154]Mitt Romneyreceived 72.8% of the Utahn votes in 2012, whileJohn McCainpolled 62.5% in the2008 United States presidential electionand 70.9% forGeorge W. Bushin 2004. In 2010 theAssociation of Religion Data Archives(ARDA) reported that the three largest denominational groups in Utah are the LDS Church with 1,910,504 adherents; theCatholic Churchwith 160,125 adherents, and theSouthern Baptist Conventionwith 12,593 adherents.^[155]

According to aGallup poll, Utah had the third-highest number of people reporting as "Very Religious" in 2015, at 55% (trailing onlyMississippiandAlabama). However, it was near the national average of people reporting as "Nonreligious" (31%), and featured the smallest percentage of people reporting as "Moderately Religious" (15%) of any state, being eight points lower than second-lowest stateVermont.^[156]In addition, it had the highest average weekly church attendance of any state, at 51%.^[157]

A 2023 paper challenged this perception (claiming only 42% of Utahns are Mormons) however most statistics still show a majority of Utah residents belong to the LDS church; estimates from the LDS church suggests 60.68% of Utah's population belongs to the church whilst some sources put the number as high as 68%.^[158][159]The paper replied that membership count done by the LDS Church is too high for several reasons.^[159]

Theofficial languagein the state of Utah isEnglish.^[160]Utah Englishis primarily a merger of Northern and Midland American dialects carried west by LDS Church members, whose originalNew Yorkdialect later incorporated features fromnortheastOhioandcentralIllinois. Conspicuous in the speech of some in the central valley, although less frequent now in Salt Lake City, is acord-card merger, so that the vowels /ɑ/ an /ɔ/ are pronounced the same before an /ɹ/, such as in the wordscordandcard.^[161]

In 2000, 87.5% of all state residents five years of age or older spoke only English at home, a decrease from 92.2% in 1990.

Top 14 Non-English Languages Spoken in Utah

Language	Percentage of population (as of 2010[update])[162]
Spanish	7.4%
German	0.6%
Navajo	0.5%
French	0.4%
Pacific Island languages including Chamorro, Hawaiian, Ilocano, Tagalog, and Samoan	0.4%
Chinese	0.4%
Portuguese	0.3%
Vietnamese	0.3%
Japanese	0.2%
Arapaho	0.1%

Utah has the highest total birth rate^[153]and accordingly, the youngest population of any U.S. state. In 2010, the state's population was 50.2% male and 49.8% female. The life expectancy is 79.3 years.

According to theBureau of Economic Analysis, the gross state product of Utah in 2012 wasUS$130.5 billion, or 0.87% of the total United States GDP ofUS$14.991 trillionfor the same year.^[164]Theper capita personal incomewas $45,700 in 2012. Major industries of Utah include mining, cattle ranching, salt production, and government services.

According to the 2007 State New Economy Index, Utah has ranked the top state in the nation for Economic Dynamism, determined by "the degree to which state economies are knowledge-based, globalized, entrepreneurial, information technology-driven and innovation-based". In 2014, Utah was ranked number one inForbes' list of "Best States For Business".^[165]A November 2010 article inNewsweekmagazine highlighted Utah and particularly the Salt Lake City area's economic outlook, calling it "the new economic Zion", and examined how the area has been able to bring in high-paying jobs and attract high-tech corporations to the area during a recession.^[166]As of September 2014^[update], the state's unemployment rate was 3.5%.^[167]In terms of "small business friendliness", in 2014 Utah emerged as number one, based on a study drawing upon data from more than 12,000 small business owners.^[168]

In eastern Utah petroleum production is a major industry.^[169]Near Salt Lake City, petroleum refining is done by several oil companies. In central Utah, coal production accounts for much of the mining activity.

According toInternal Revenue Servicetax returns, Utahns rank first among all U.S. states in the proportion ofincome given to charityby the wealthy. This is due to the standard ten percent of all earnings that Mormons give to the LDS Church.^[134]According to the Corporation for National and Community Service, Utah had an average of 884,000 volunteers between 2008 and 2010, each of whom contributed 89.2 hours per volunteer. This figure equates to $3.8 billion of service contributed, ranking Utah number one for volunteerism in the nation.^[170]

Utah collects personalincome tax; since 2008 the tax has been a flat five percent for all taxpayers.^[171]The statesales taxhas a base rate of 6.45 percent,^[172]with cities and counties levying additional local sales taxes that vary among the municipalities.Property taxesare assessed and collected locally. Utah does not chargeintangible property taxesand does not impose aninheritance tax.

Tourism is a major industry in Utah. With fivenational parks(Arches, Bryce Canyon, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef, and Zion), Utah has the third most national parks of any state afterAlaskaand California. In addition, Utah features eightnational monuments(Cedar Breaks,Dinosaur,Grand Staircase–Escalante,Hovenweep,Natural Bridges,Bears Ears,Rainbow Bridge, andTimpanogos Cave), twonational recreation areas(Flaming GorgeandGlen Canyon), sevennational forests(Ashley,Caribou-Targhee,Dixie,Fishlake,Manti-La Sal,Sawtooth, andUinta-Wasatch-Cache), and numerousstate parksand monuments.

TheMoabarea, in the southeastern part of the state, is known for its challenging mountain biking trails, includingSlickrock. Moab also hosts the famousMoab Jeep Safarisemiannually.

Utah has seen an increase in tourism since the2002 Winter Olympics.Park Cityis home to theUnited States Ski Team. Utah's ski resorts are primarily located in northern Utah near Salt Lake City, Park City, Ogden, andProvo. Between 2007 and 2011Deer ValleyPark City, has been ranked the top ski resort in North America in a survey organized bySki Magazine.^[173]

Utah has many significant ski resorts. The 2009 Ski Magazine reader survey concluded that six of the top ten resorts deemed most "accessible", and six of the top ten with the best snow conditions, were located in Utah.^[174]In Southern Utah,Brian Head Ski Resortis located in the mountains nearCedar City. Former Olympic venues includingUtah Olympic ParkandUtah Olympic Ovalare still in operation for training and competition and allow the public to participate in numerous activities includingski jumping,bobsleigh, andspeed skating.

Utah features many cultural attractions such asTemple Square, theSundance Film Festival, theRed Rock Film Festival, theDOCUTAH Film Festival, theUtah Data Center, and theUtah Shakespeare Festival. Temple Square is ranked as the 16th most visited tourist attraction in the United States byForbesmagazine, with more than five million annual visitors.^[175]

Other attractions includeMonument Valley, the Great Salt Lake, theBonneville Salt Flats, andLake Powell.

The state of Utah relies heavily on income from tourists and travelers visiting the state's parks and ski resorts, and thus the need to "brand" Utah and create an impression of the state throughout the world has led to several state slogans, the most famous of which is "The Greatest Snow on Earth", which has been in use in Utah officially since 1975 (although the slogan was in unofficial use as early as 1962) and now adorns nearly 50 percent of the state's license plates. In 2001, Utah GovernorMike Leavittapproved a new state slogan, "Utah! Where Ideas Connect", which lasted until March 10, 2006, when the Utah Travel Council and the office ofGovernor Jon Huntsmanannounced that "Life Elevated" would be the new state slogan.^[176]

Beginning in the late 19th century with the state's mining boom (including theBingham Canyon Mine, among the world's largest open pit mines), companies attracted large numbers ofimmigrantswith job opportunities. Since the days of the Utah Territory mining has played a major role in Utah's economy. Historical mining towns includeMercurin Tooele County,Silver Reefin Washington County,Eurekain Juab County,Park Cityin Summit County and numerous coal mining camps throughout Carbon County such as Castle Gate, Spring Canyon, and Hiawatha.^[177]

These settlements were characteristic of the boom and bust cycle that dominated mining towns of the American West. Park City, Utah, and Alta, Utah were boom towns in the early twentieth century. Rich silver mines in the mountains adjacent to the towns led to many people flocking to the towns in search of wealth. During the early part of theCold Warera, uranium was mined in eastern Utah. Today mining activity still plays a major role in the state's economy. Minerals mined in Utah include copper, gold, silver, molybdenum, zinc, lead, and beryllium. Fossil fuels including coal, petroleum, and natural gas continue to play a large role in Utah's economy, especially in the eastern part of the state in counties such as Carbon, Emery, Grand, and Uintah.^[177]

In 2007, nine people were killed at theCrandall Canyon Minecollapse.

On March 22, 2013, one miner died and another was injured after they became trapped in a cave-in at a part of theCastle Valley Mining Complex, about 16 kilometres (9.9 mi) west of the small mining town ofHuntingtoninEmery County.^[178]

Utah extracts more coal and generates more electricity than it consumes.^[179]The state has the potential to generate 31.6 TWh/year from 13.1 GW of wind power, and 10,290 TWh/year fromsolar powerusing 4,048 GW of photovoltaic (PV), including 5.6 GW of rooftop photovoltaic, and 1,638 GW ofconcentrated solar power.^[180]TheBlue Castle Projectis working toward building the state's first nuclear power plant nearGreen River, Utah, originally projected to be completed in 2030.^[181]

Utah Associated Municipal Power Systems(UAMPS) is a subdivision of theState of Utah, providing non-profit wholesale electricity, transmission, and other energy services to community-owned power systems in theIntermountain Westgeographical area.^[182]

I-15andI-80are the maininterstatehighways in the state, where they intersect and briefly merge neardowntown Salt Lake City. I-15 traverses the state north-to-south, entering from Arizona near St. George, paralleling theWasatch Front, and crossing into Idaho nearPortage. I-80 spans northern Utah east-to-west, entering from Nevada atWendover, crossing theWasatch Mountainseast of Salt Lake City, and entering Wyoming nearEvanston.I-84West enters from Idaho nearSnowville(fromBoise) and merges with I-15 fromTremontonto Ogden, then heads southeast through the Wasatch Mountains before terminating at I-80 nearEcho Junction.

I-70splits from I-15 atCove Fortin central Utah and heads east through mountains and rugged desert terrain, providing quick access to the many national parks and national monuments of southern Utah, and has been noted for its beauty. The 103 mi (166 km) stretch fromSalinatoGreen Riveris the country's longest stretch of interstate without services and, when completed in 1970, was the longest stretch of entirely new highway constructed in the U.S. since theAlaska Highwaywas completed in 1943.

Utah'sClass Ifreight railroads are theBNSF Railwayand theUnion Pacific Railway. Interstate passenger rail is provided byAmtrak'sdailyCalifornia Zephyrtrain, which runs betweenChicago Union StationandEmeryville, California, with stops in Utah atGreen River,Helper,Provo, and theSalt Lake City Intermodal Hub. The state was previously served by Amtrak'sPioneerandDesert Windtrains.Heritage railroadsinclude theHeber Valley Railroadand theWild Kingdom Train.

TheUtah Transit Authority(UTA) operates public transport services throughout theWasatch Frontregion.TRAX, the UTA'slight railsystem, consists of three lines. TheBlue Line(formerly Salt Lake/Sandy Line) begins in the suburb ofDraperand ends inDowntown Salt Lake City. TheRed Line(Mid-Jordan/University Line) begins in theDaybreak CommunityofSouth Jordan, a southwestern valley suburb, and ends at theUniversity of Utah. TheGreen Linebegins inWest Valley City, passes through downtown Salt Lake City, and ends atSalt Lake City International Airport. The UTA also operatesFrontRunner, acommuter railline running between Ogden and Provo via Salt Lake City.

The UTA's bus system stretches from theSalt Lake Valleywest toGrantsvilleand east toPark City. Beyond UTA, the cities ofCedar City,Logan, Park City, andSt. Georgeis served by local bus operators. In the winter, the UTA and several private bus companies operate shuttle routes to Utah's ski resorts.

Salt Lake City International Airportis the only international airport in the state and serves as a hub forDelta Air Lines. The airport has consistently ranked first in on-time departures and had the fewest cancellations among U.S. airports.^[183]The airport has non-stop service to more than a hundred destinations throughout the United States, Canada, and Mexico, as well as toAmsterdam,LondonandParis.Canyonlands Field(nearMoab),Cedar City Regional Airport,Ogden-Hinckley Airport,Provo Municipal Airport,St. George Regional Airport, andVernal Regional Airportall provide limited commercial air service. A new regional airport at St. George opened on January 12, 2011.SkyWest Airlinesis also headquartered in St. George and maintains a hub in Salt Lake City.

Utah government is divided into three branches: executive, legislative, and judicial. Thegovernoris the chief executive of the state and elected for a four-year term; alieutenant governoris concurrently elected on ajoint ticketwith the governor.^[184][185]The current governor of Utah isSpencer Cox,^[186]who was sworn in on January 4, 2021. In addition to the governor and lieutenant governor, Utah has three other independently elected executive officers: astate auditor, astate treasurer, and anattorney general.^{[187][188][189]}

TheUtah State Legislatureconsists of aSenateand aHouse of Representatives. State senators serve four-year terms and representatives two-year terms. The Utah Legislature meets each year in January for an annual 45-day session.

TheUtah Supreme Courtis the court of last resort in Utah. It consists of five justices, who are appointed by the governor, and then subject to retention election. TheUtah Court of Appealshandles cases from the trial courts.^[190]Trial level courts are the district courts and justice courts. All justices and judges, like those on the Utah Supreme Court, are subject toretention electionafter appointment.

In a 2020 study, Utah was ranked as the 3rd easiest state for citizens to vote in.^[191]

Utah is divided into political jurisdictions designated ascounties. Since 1918 there have been 29 counties in the state, ranging from 298 to 7,819 square miles (772 to 20,300 km²).

County name	County seat	Year founded	2020 U.S. census	Largest County City	Percent of total	Area	% of state
Beaver	Beaver	1856	7,072	Beaver	0.22%	2,589 sq mi (6,710 km2)	3.2%
Box Elder	Brigham City	1856	57,666	Brigham City	1.76%	5,745 sq mi (14,880 km2)	7.0%
Cache	Logan	1856	133,154	Logan	4.07%	1,164 sq mi (3,010 km2)	1.4%
Carbon	Price	1894	20,412	Price	0.62%	1,478 sq mi (3,830 km2)	1.8%
Daggett	Manila	1918	935	Manila	0.03%	696 sq mi (1,800 km2)	0.8%
Davis	Farmington	1852	362,679	Layton	11.09%	298 sq mi (770 km2)	0.4%
Duchesne	Duchesne	1915	19,596	Roosevelt	0.60%	3,240 sq mi (8,400 km2)	3.9%
Emery	Castle Dale	1880	9,825	Huntington	0.30%	4,462 sq mi (11,560 km2)	5.4%
Garfield	Panguitch	1882	5,051	Panguitch	0.15%	5,175 sq mi (13,400 km2)	6.3%
Grand	Moab	1890	9,669	Moab	0.30%	3,671 sq mi (9,510 km2)	4.5%
Iron	Parowan	1852	57,289	Cedar City	1.75%	3,296 sq mi (8,540 km2)	4.0%
Juab	Nephi	1852	11,786	Nephi	0.36%	3,392 sq mi (8,790 km2)	4.1%
Kane	Kanab	1864	7,667	Kanab	0.23%	3,990 sq mi (10,300 km2)	4.9%
Millard	Fillmore	1852	12,975	Delta	0.40%	6,572 sq mi (17,020 km2)	8.0%
Morgan	Morgan	1862	12,295	Morgan	0.38%	609 sq mi (1,580 km2)	0.7%
Piute	Junction	1865	1,438	Circleville	0.04%	757 sq mi (1,960 km2)	0.9%
Rich	Randolph	1868	2,510	Garden City	0.08%	1,028 sq mi (2,660 km2)	1.3%
Salt Lake	Salt Lake City	1852	1,185,238	Salt Lake City, State Capital.	36.23%	742 sq mi (1,920 km2)	0.9%
San Juan	Monticello	1880	14,518	Blanding	0.44%	7,819 sq mi (20,250 km2)	9.5%
Sanpete	Manti	1852	28,437	Ephraim	0.87%	1,590 sq mi (4,100 km2)	1.9%
Sevier	Richfield	1865	21,522	Richfield	0.66%	1,910 sq mi (4,900 km2)	2.3%
Summit	Coalville	1854	42,357	Park City	1.29%	1,871 sq mi (4,850 km2)	2.3%
Tooele	Tooele	1852	72,698	Tooele	2.22%	6,941 sq mi (17,980 km2)	8.4%
Uintah	Vernal	1880	35,620	Vernal	1.09%	4,479 sq mi (11,600 km2)	5.5%
Utah	Provo	1852	659,399	Provo, third largest city in UT.	20.16%	2,003 sq mi (5,190 km2)	2.4%
Wasatch	Heber	1862	34,788	Heber City	1.06%	1,175 sq mi (3,040 km2)	1.4%
Washington	St. George	1852	180,279	St. George	5.51%	2,426 sq mi (6,280 km2)	3.0%
Wayne	Loa	1892	2,486	Loa	0.08%	2,460 sq mi (6,400 km2)	3.0%
Weber	Ogden	1852	262,223	Ogden	8.02%	576 sq mi (1,490 km2)	0.7%

• Total Counties: 29
• Total 2020 population: 3,271,616^[192]
• Total state area: 82,154 sq mi (212,780 km²)

Utah granted fullvoting rightsto women in 1870, 26 years before becoming a state. Among all U.S. states, only Wyoming grantedsuffrage to womenearlier.^[193]However, in 1887 the initialEdmunds-Tucker Actwas passed by Congress to curtail Mormon influence in the territorial government. One of the provisions of the Act was the repeal of women's suffrage; full suffrage was not returned until Utah was admitted to the Union in 1896.

Utah is one of the 15 states that have not ratified the U.S.Equal Rights Amendment.^[194]

In March 2018, Utah passed the United States' first "free-range parenting" bill. The bill was signed into law byRepublicanGovernorGary Herbertand states that parents who allow their children to engage in certain activities without supervision are not considered neglectful.^[195][196]

The constitution of Utah was enacted on May 8, 1895.^[197]Notably, the constitution outlawedpolygamy, as requested by Congress when Utah had applied for statehood, and reestablished the territorial practice of women'ssuffrage. Utah's Constitution has beenamendedmany times since its inception.^[198]

Under Utah law, aggravated murder is the only crime subject to the penalty of death.^[199]Utah was the first state to resume executions after the 1972–1976 national moratorium on capital punishment ended withGregg v. Georgia, whenGary Gilmorewas executed byfiring squadin 1977.^[200]Utah is one of only two states to have ever carried out executions by firing squad, and the only one to do so after the moratorium ended.^[201]

Utah's laws regardingalcohol, tobacco and gambling are strict. Utah is analcoholic beverage control state. TheUtah Department of Alcoholic Beverage Controlregulates the sale of alcohol; wine and spirituous liquors may be purchased only at state liquor stores, and local laws may prohibit the sale of beer and other alcoholic beverages on Sundays. The state bans the sale of fruity alcoholic drinks at grocery stores and convenience stores. The law states that such drinks must now have new state-approved labels on the front of the products that contain capitalized letters in bold type telling consumers the drinks contain alcohol and at what percentage. Utah is the only state that imposes a maximumblood alcohol content(BAC) of 0.05% for drivers, as opposed to the 0.08% limit in other states.^[202]The Utah Indoor Clean Air Act is a statewidesmoking banthat prohibits it in many public places.^[203]Utah and Hawaii are the only two states in the United States to outlaw all forms of gambling.

Same-sex marriage became legal in Utah on December 20, 2013, whenU.S. District CourtJudgeRobert J. Shelbyissued a ruling inKitchen v. Herbert.^[204][205]As of close of business December 26, more than 1,225 marriage licenses were issued, with at least 74 percent, or 905 licenses, issued to gay and lesbian couples.^[206]The Utah Attorney General's office was granted a stay of the ruling by theU.S. Supreme Courton January 6, 2014, while theTenth Circuit Court of Appealsconsidered the case.^[207]On October 6, 2014, the U.S. Supreme Court declined awrit ofcertiorari, and the 10th Circuit Court issued their mandate later that day, lifting their stay. Same-sex marriages commenced again in Utah that day.^[208]

Party registration as of February 26, 2024[212]
Party		Total voters	Percentage
	Republican	979,620	50.17%
	Unaffiliated	577,980	29.60%
	Democratic	272,642	13.96%
	Other	122,422	6.27%
Total		1,952,574	100.00%

In the late 19th century, the federal government took issue with polygamy in the LDS Church. The LDS Church discontinued plural marriage in 1890, and in 1896 Utah gained admission to the Union. Many new people settled in the area soon after the Mormon pioneers. Relations have often been strained between the LDS population and the non-LDS population.^[213]These tensions have played a large part in Utah's history (Liberal Partyvs.People's Party).

Utah votes predominantly Republican. Self-identified Latter-day Saints are more likely to vote for the Republican ticket than non-Mormons. Utah is one of the most Republican states in the nation.^[214][215]Utah was the single mostRepublican-leaning state in the country in every presidential election from1976to2004, measured by the percentage point margin between the Republican andDemocraticcandidates. In2008Utah was only the third-most Republican state (afterWyomingandOklahoma), but in2012, with MormonMitt Romneyatop the Republican ticket, Utah returned to its position as the most Republican state. However, the2016 presidential electionresult saw RepublicanDonald Trumpcarry the state (marking the thirteenth consecutive win by the Republican presidential candidate) with only a plurality, the first time this happened since1992.

Both of Utah'sU.S. Senators,Mitt RomneyandMike Lee, are Republican, as are all four of itsU.S. Representatives.Ben McAdamsis the most recent Democrat to represent Utah in Congress, representing the4th congressional district, based inSalt Lake City, from 2019 to 2021. He lost re-election toBurgess Owens, a Republican, in 2020. After Jon Huntsman Jr. resigned to serve as U.S. Ambassador to China in 2009,Gary Herbertwas sworn in as governor on August 11, 2009. Herbert was elected to serve out the remainder of the term in a special election in 2010, defeating Democratic nominee Salt Lake County Mayor Peter Corroon with 64% of the vote. He won election to a full four-year term in 2012, defeating the Democrat Peter Cooke with 68% of the vote.

The LDS Church maintains an official policy of neutrality about political parties and candidates.^[151]

In the 1970s, then-ApostleEzra Taft Bensonwas quoted by theAssociated Pressthat it would be difficult for a faithful Latter-day Saint to be a liberal Democrat.^[216]Although the LDS Church has officially repudiated such statements on many occasions, Democratic candidates—including LDS Democrats—believe Republicans capitalize on the perception that the Republican Party is doctrinally superior.^[217]Political scientist and pollster Dan Jones explains this disparity by noting that the national Democratic Party is associated with liberal positions on gay marriage and abortion, both of which the LDS Church is against.^[218]The Republican Party in heavily Mormon Utah County presents itself as the superior choice for Latter-day Saints. Even though Utah Democratic candidates are predominantly LDS, socially conservative, and pro-life, no Democrat has won in Utah County since 1994.^[219]

David Magleby, dean of Social and Behavioral Sciences atBrigham Young University, a lifelong Democrat and a political analyst, asserts that the Republican Party has more conservative positions than the LDS Church. Magleby argues that the locally conservative Democrats are in better accord with LDS doctrine.^[220]For example, the Republican Party of Utah opposes almost all abortions while Utah Democrats take a more liberal approach, although more conservative than their national counterparts. OnSecond Amendmentissues, the state GOP has been at odds with the LDS Church's position opposing concealed firearms in places of worship and public spaces.

In 1998, the church expressed concern that Utahns perceived the Republican Party as an LDS institution and authorized lifelong Democrat andSeventyMarlin Jensento promote LDS bipartisanship.^[216]

Utah is much more conservative than the United States as a whole, primarily onsocial issues. Compared to other Republican-dominated states in the Mountain West such asIdahoandWyoming, Utah politics have a more moralistic and lesslibertariancharacter, according to David Magleby.^[221]

About 80% of Utah's Legislature are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints,^[222]while members account for 61 percent of the population.^[223]Since becoming a state in 1896, Utah has had only two non-Mormon governors.^[224]

In 2006, the legislature passed legislation aimed at banning joint custody for a non-biological parent of a child. The custody measure passed the legislature and was vetoed by the governor, a reciprocal benefits supporter.

Carbon County's Democrats are generally made up of members of the largeGreek,Italian, andSoutheastern Europeancommunities, whose ancestors migrated in the early 20th century to work in the extensive mining industry. The views common amongst this group are heavily influenced bylabor politics, particularly of theNew DealEra.^[225]

The state's most Republican areas tend to be Utah County, which is the home toBrigham Young University(BYU) in the city of Provo, and nearly all the rural counties.^[226][227]These areas generally hold socially conservative views in line with that of the nationalReligious Right. The most Democratic areas of the state lie currently in and around Salt Lake City proper.

The state has not voted for a Democrat for president since1964. Historically, Republican presidential nominees score one of their best margins of victory here. Utah was the Republicans' best state in the1976,^[228]1980,^[229]1984,^[230]1988,^[231]1996,^[232]2000,^[233]2004^[234]and2012elections. In1992, Utah was the only state in the nation where Democratic candidate Bill Clinton finished behind both Republican candidate George HW Bush and Independent candidateRoss Perot.^[235]In 2004, Republican George W. Bush won every county in the state and Utah gave him his largest margin of victory of any state. He won the state's five electoral votes by a margin of 46 percentage points with 71.5% of the vote. In the 1996 Presidential elections the Republican candidate received a smaller 54% of the vote while the Democrat earned 34%.^[236]

In 2020, theAssociated Presswrote a piece profiling Utah's political culture duringthat year's presidential election. The article noted a more bipartisan and cooperative environment, along with conservative support of liberal causes such as LGBT rights and marijuana use, despite the Republican dominance in the state and the political polarization seen in other parts of the U.S. at the time.^[237]

Utah's population is concentrated in two areas, theWasatch Frontin the north-central part of the state, with over 2.6 million residents; andWashington County, in southwestern Utah, locally known as "Dixie", with more than 175,000 residents in the metropolitan area.

According to the 2010 census, Utah was the second fastest-growing state (at 23.8 percent) in the United States between 2000 and 2010 (behind Nevada).St. George, in the southwest, is the second fastest-growing metropolitan area in the United States, trailingGreeley, Colorado.

The three fastest-growing counties from 2000 to 2010 wereWasatch County(54.7%),Washington County(52.9%), andTooele County(42.9%). However,Utah Countyadded the most people (148,028). Between 2000 and 2010,Saratoga Springs(1,673%),Herriman(1,330%),Eagle Mountain(893%),Cedar Hills(217%),South Willard(168%),Nibley(166%),Syracuse(159%),West Haven(158%),Lehi(149%),Washington(129%), andStansbury Park(116%) all at least doubled in population.West Jordan(35,376), Lehi (28,379),St. George(23,234),South Jordan(20,981),West Valley City(20,584), and Herriman (20,262) all added at least 20,000 people.^[238]

Utah Rank	City	Population (2020) within city limits	Land area	Population density (/mi2)	Population density (/km2)	County
1	Salt Lake City	199,723	109.1 sq mi (283 km2)	1,830.6	706	Salt Lake
2	West Valley City	140,230	35.4 sq mi (92 km2)	3,961.3	1,524	Salt Lake
3	West Jordan	116,961	30.9 sq mi (80 km2)	3,785.1	1,462	Salt Lake
4	Provo	115,162	39.6 sq mi (103 km2)	2,908.1	1,118	Utah County
5	Orem	98,129	18.4 sq mi (48 km2)	5,333.1	2,044	Utah County
6	Sandy	96,904	22.3 sq mi (58 km2)	4,345.5	1,671	Salt Lake
7	St. George	95,342	64.4 sq mi (167 km2)	1,480.5	571	Washington
8	Ogden	87,321	26.6 sq mi (69 km2)	3,282.7	1,266	Weber
9	Layton	81,773	22.0 sq mi (57 km2)	3,717	1,434	Davis
10	South Jordan	77,487	22.05 sq mi (57 km2)	3,514.1	1,359	Salt Lake
11	Lehi	75,907	26.3 sq mi (68 km2)	2,886.2	1,116	Utah
12	Millcreek	63,380	13.7 sq mi (35 km2)	4,626.3	1,811	Salt Lake
13	Taylorsville	60,448	10.7 sq mi (28 km2)	5,649.3	2,159	Salt Lake

Combined statistical area	Population (2010)
Salt Lake City-Ogden-Clearfield comprises: Salt Lake CityandOgden-ClearfieldMetropolitan Areas and Brigham CityandHeberMicropolitan Areas (as listed below)	1,744,886

Utah Rank	Metropolitan area	Population (2017)	Counties
1	Salt Lake City*	1,203,105	Salt Lake,Tooele,Summit
2	Ogden-Clearfield*	665,358	Weber,Davis,Morgan
3	Provo-Orem	617,675	Utah
4	St. George	165,662	Washington
5	Logan	138,002	Cache,Franklin (Idaho)

• Until 2003, the Salt Lake City and Ogden-Clearfield metropolitan areas were considered as a single metropolitan area.^{[citation needed]}

Utah Rank	Micropolitan area	Population (2010)
1	Brigham City	49,015
2	Cedar City	44,540
3	Vernal	29,885
4	Heber	21,066
5	Price	19,549
6	Richfield	18,382

• 
  Salt Lake City
• 
  Logan
• 
  Ogden
• 
  Park City
• 
  Provo
• 
  Sandy
• 
  St. George
• 
  Layton

Utah is the second-least populous U.S. state to have amajor professional sports leaguefranchise after theVegas Golden Knightsjoined theNational Hockey Leaguein 2017. TheUtah Jazzof theNational Basketball Associationplay at theDelta Center^[240]inSalt Lake City. The team moved to the city from New Orleans in 1979 and has been one of the most consistently successful teams in the league (although they have yet to win a championship). Salt Lake City was previously host to theUtah Stars, who competed in theABAfrom 1970 to 1976 and won one championship, and to theUtah Starzzof theWNBAfrom 1997 to 2003.

Real Salt LakeofMajor League Soccerwas founded in 2005 and plays their home matches atAmerica First FieldinSandy. RSL remains the only Utah major league sports team to have won a national championship, having won the MLS Cup in 2009.^[241]RSL currently operates three adult teams in addition to the MLS side.Real Monarchs, competing in the third-tierMLS Next Pro, is the official reserve side for RSL. The team began to play in the 2015 season at Rio Tinto Stadium,^[242]remaining there until moving toZions Bank Stadium, located at RSL's training center inHerriman, for the 2018 season and beyond.^[243]TheUtah Royalsreturned to theNational Women's Soccer League(NWSL), the top level of U.S. women's soccer, in 2024. The original team of that name, which shared ownership with RSL and also played at America First Field, started NWSL play in 2018.^[244]Due to fallout from controversies surrounding RSL's ownership, leading to the club's eventual sale, RSL shuttered the Royals after the 2020 season, selling its player-related assets to anew Kansas City franchise.^[245]The NWSL gave the new RSL owners an option for a new NWSL franchise, which was exercised in 2023 with the announcement that the Royals would return in 2024 and play at America First Field.^[246]Before the creation of the Royals, RSL's main women's side had beenReal Salt Lake Women, which began play in theWomen's Premier Soccer Leaguein 2008 and moved toUnited Women's Soccerin 2016. RSL Women currently play atUtah Valley UniversityinOrem.

Utah's highest levelMinor League Baseballteam is theTriple-ASalt Lake Bees, who play atSmith's Ballparkin Salt Lake City as a part of thePacific Coast League. Utah also has one minor leaguehockeyteam, theUtah Grizzlies, who play at the Maverik Center and compete in theECHL.

Utah has seven universities that compete inDivision Iof theNCAA. Three of the schools havefootballprograms that participate in the top-levelFootball Bowl Subdivision:BYUandUtahin theBig 12 Conference(with Utah moving from thePac-12 Conferencein 2024), andUtah Statein theMountain West Conference. In addition,Weber StateandSouthern Utah (SUU)compete in theBig Sky Conferenceof theFCS.Utah Tech, with an FCS football program, andUtah Valley, with no football program, are members of theWestern Athletic Conference(WAC). Utah Tech football plays in theUnited Athletic Conference, a football-only partnership between the WAC and theAtlantic Sun Conference(ASUN). Most of these schools house select teams outside of their primary conferences; for example, BYU men's volleyball plays in theMountain Pacific Sports Federationand Utah plays men's lacrosse in the ASUN.

Salt Lake City hosted the2002 Winter Olympics. After early financial struggles and scandals, the 2002 Olympics eventually became among the most successful Winter Olympics in history from a marketing and financial standpoint. Watched by more than two billion viewers, the Games ended up with a profit of $100 million.^[247]

Utah has hosted professional golf tournaments such as theUniting Fore Care Classicand currently theUtah Championship.

Rugbyhas been growing quickly in the state of Utah, growing from 17 teams in 2009 to 70 as of 2013^[update]with more than 3,000 players, and more than 55 high school varsity teams.^[248][249]The growth has been inspired in part by the 2008 movieForever Strong.^[249]Utah fields two of the most competitive teams in the nation incollege rugby—BYU and Utah.^[248]BYU has won the National Championship in 2009, 2012, 2013, 2014, and 2015. Formed in 2017, theUtah Warriorsare aMajor League Rugbyteam based in Salt Lake City.^[250]

Utah will get ateamfor the National Hockey League in the2024-25season. The team will start using the existing roster, staff and draft picks of theArizona Coyotes, which played home games in several locations in thePhoenix metropolitan area, most recently inTempe. The team nickname has yet to be decided.

Utah is the setting of or the filming location for many books, films,^[251]television series,^[251]music videos, and video games.

Utah's capitalSalt Lake Cityis the final location in the video gameThe Last of Us.^[252]

• 
  Monument Valleyin southeastern Utah. This area was used to film many Hollywood Westerns.
• 
  The otherworldly look of the Bonneville Salt Flatshas been used in many movies and commercials.

• Index of Utah-related articles
• Outline of Utah

This article incorporates public domain material from the website of theUtah Division of State Parks.

• UtahatCurlie
• Gannett, Henry(1888)."Utah".Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. XXIV (9th ed.).

• "State of Utah"(official Web site).
• "Energy Data & Statistics for Utah".US: DoE. Archived fromthe originalon June 20, 2008. RetrievedJune 27,2008.

• Utah: State Resource Guide, from the Library of Congress

• "National Guard". UT: Army. Archived fromthe originalon June 20, 2011. RetrievedJune 11,2011.
• "Air National Guard". UT: Air Force. RetrievedNovember 7,2015.
• "Hill Air Force Base". UT: Air Force. RetrievedMay 4,2017.

• Gamble, W. H.; Mitchell, S. Augustus (1875).County map of Utah and Nevada(Map). Texas Tech University."Utah State Facts". USDA. RetrievedNovember 7,2015.
• "Real-time, geographic, and other scientific resources of Utah". USGS. Archived fromthe originalon October 21, 2015. RetrievedNovember 7,2015.
• "QuickFacts". The US: Census Bureau. Archived fromthe originalon November 4, 2015. RetrievedNovember 7,2015..
• Geographic data related toUtahatOpenStreetMap

• Utah Office of Tourism Official WebsiteArchivedFebruary 12, 2021, at theWayback Machine
• Office of Tourism(requiresAdobe Flash)
• Utah State Parks
• Utah Traffic and Road Conditions

• Utah State Chamber of CommerceArchivedJune 24, 2020, at theWayback Machine

Preceded by Wyoming

List of U.S. states by date of statehood Admitted on January 4, 1896 (45th)

Succeeded by Oklahoma

39°N111°W / 39°N 111°W /39; -111 (State of Utah)