Utah County, Utah

From Farming to Supporting Rapid Population Growth

Between Silicon Valley wages and small-town values, this vibrant county has cracked the code on sustainable boom-town economics

Between the towering Wasatch Mountains and the shimmering waters of Utah Lake sits a county that has quietly become one of America’s fastest-growing economic regions. Utah County gained 21,853 new residents in 2024 alone, capturing 43.4% of the entire state’s population growth. The numbers tell a story of magnetic appeal beyond scenic vistas.

“One of the main benefits of living in the county is close access to lots of different amenities,” explains Ezra Nair, Utah County’s administrator. “We have the mountains and the lake and we’re sandwiched right between those. We’re a regional economic hub, the Provo-Orem metropolitan area is key to our county.” These geographic advantages create practical benefits for residents and businesses. Salt Lake City, Utah’s capital, sits just 45 minutes north, while world-class skiing and outdoor recreation lie minutes away in any direction. This proximity has attracted a demographic that sets Utah County apart from typical American communities.

“We have a lot of young families in the county. We’re one of the youngest counties probably in the nation and that’s due in large part to having a lot of kids here,” Nair notes. The median age creates a workforce and consumer base that appeals to forward-thinking companies seeking growth markets. Economic diversity provides stability that pure tech hubs often lack. Agriculture remains significant, creating an environment where “people love being both rural and urban in this county,” as Nair describes it.

Economic Diversification and Workforce Development

Utah County has strategically developed multiple sectors, creating resilience that many single-industry areas lack. Healthcare expansion represents one of the most significant growth areas, with infrastructure investments positioning the county as a medical education hub.

“We actually have two medical schools here in Utah County, Rocky Mountain University and the Noorda College of Osteopathic Medicine,” Nair explains. “One of our larger universities, Brigham Young University, is creating a medical school as well that’s starting up shortly here.” The concentration of medical education institutions creates a pipeline for healthcare professionals while attracting related industries and research facilities.

The Silicon Slopes ecosystem now encompasses over 1,000 companies, with Salt Lake City ranking 12th for tech labor market conditions in North America. Major corporations like Adobe, Microsoft, and Oracle have established significant presences, with Adobe alone employing over 2,000 people at its Lehi campus with tech job growth reaching 12.9% between 2019 and 2023.

“Silicon Slopes is a big part of the county, which is kind of a second national tech hub,” Nair notes. “We’ve got Silicon Valley in California and then Silicon slopes up in Utah. We have a lot of tech jobs, but then we’re also really diverse in our economic market.” Tech workers earn median wages 82% higher than all other occupations in the state, creating purchasing power that benefits the broader economy.

The workforce development advantage stems from having several major universities within the county boundaries. “Utah County hosts five major universities. Utah County is a pipeline for talent. These schools feed local businesses with skilled graduates in the tech sector, business, healthcare, engineering, and they’re finding jobs right here,” Curtis Blair, President and CEO for the Utah Valley Chamber of Commerce, explains. Employment statistics support this optimism, with Utah maintaining a 2.9% unemployment rate while adding approximately 11,000 jobs annually at a 2% growth rate.

Housing Affordability and Smart Solutions

Housing affordability is currently Utah County’s most pressing challenge, a direct consequence of its economic success. Utah ranked as the nation’s 9th most expensive housing market in 2024, with median single-family home prices reaching $547,700. The state’s housing affordability crisis has become so acute that it topped Utah Foundation surveys as residents’ primary concern.

“What has been one of our toughest challenges is that the secret’s out about Utah County and so we’ve had a lot of people moving here, which has driven up the prices a lot,” Nair acknowledges. Utah County falls into the “seriously unaffordable” category, with home-to-income ratios between 4.1 and 5.0, making homeownership increasingly difficult for middle-income families.

Local leaders have responded with creative housing strategies. Mixed-use projects combine residential and commercial spaces, while higher-density options provide alternatives to expensive single-family homes. Condominiums and townhomes now account for more than a quarter of all sales, with median condo prices running 27% below single-family homes.

“We try to do all we can to make living affordable, although it is tough to deal with that housing issue, but by developing new housing, by looking at creative options to have different types of housing, mixed use housing,” Nair explains. “We’ve got a couple of really significant mixed use housing developments popping up throughout the county that’s been helpful.”

Building permits data shows where growth concentrates. Eagle Mountain led all Utah cities with 1,556 residential building permits in 2024, followed by Saratoga Springs with 1,354 and Lehi with 1,036 permits.

Downtown Revitalization and Collaborative Governance

Utah County’s approach to downtown development mirrors a broader philosophy of collaborative governance that sets it apart from other rapidly growing regions. “Our downtown focus is in combination and consultation with our chamber of commerce. We have a strong chamber of commerce that includes our city and South Salem and we lean heavily on the Utah Valley Chamber of Commerce,” Mike Mendenhall, Mayor, Spanish Fork, explains. His dual role as both mayor and Main Street business owner provides unique insight into downtown challenges.

Spanish Fork’s Main Street serves as a local downtown and regional thoroughfare, creating complex planning requirements. “The street functions as a Utah Department of Transportation corridor, handling traffic from multiple communities while maintaining its role as the city’s commercial heart,” Mayor Mendenhall notes. “We’re trying to be intentional about the safety, walkability, and vibrancy of it.”

Utah maintains its AAA bond rating and balanced budget requirements, providing stability that supports long-term development projects. Commissioners focus on investments that generate future returns rather than short-term fixes. “Our commissioners are fantastic, also a younger bunch as well, and they really do a good job of holding true to our values and holding true to the history that’s made us such a great place to live,” Nair explains. “But then also planning for the future, looking ahead, seeing how we can invest a dollar today that’s going to pay off with tens of hundreds of dollars tomorrow.”

Blair emphasizes the uniqueness of this collaborative approach after experiencing other metropolitan areas. “I spent some time in Denver, a metropolitan area just south of Denver just like we are here south of Salt Lake City and I’ve got to tell you that the potential for Utah County to welcome in yet another million people by the year 2065 is going to require working together as a community at all levels.”

Infrastructure Investment and Heritage Preservation

Utah County balances massive infrastructure projects with preservation of its agricultural heritage, creating a development model that honors the past while preparing for future growth. “We have a large roadway project to connect the south part of the county. Loafer Mountain Parkway is a road we’ve just opened a new thoroughfare to help better connect some of the existing population base to the more growing population base in the south part of the county,” Nair explains. The project addresses traffic flow as the county approaches one million residents within the next two decades.

Water infrastructure receives equal priority through comprehensive reuse programs. County officials have invested heavily in systems that capture, treat, and redistribute water resources across multiple municipalities. Santaquin exemplifies this approach, operating a facility that recycles 100% of its water output for over 13 years.

“We’re building our own bicycle mountain bike parks up in the canyon on our own private property and trying to create not only growth and help those that are building but also things for those people when they get here,” Dan Olson, Mayor of Santaquin, notes. The city has doubled its population in eight years while maintaining its rural character through strategic planning.

Agricultural preservation coexists with modern development in ways that surprise visitors from other growth regions. Santaquin maintains the largest contiguous cherry orchard west of the Mississippi River, while Spanish Fork continues hosting one of the top 10 Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association events annually. The county fairgrounds receive ongoing investment from both county and city sources.

“The quality of life is second to none,” Mayor Mendenhall states. “When we surpass Salt Lake County as the largest population county in the state, guess what? We’ll still have rodeo arenas; we’ll still have places that have livestock. Certainly, the cherry production is not going anywhere.”

Preparation for the 2034 Winter Olympics drives additional infrastructure upgrades. Transportation improvements include the planned $3 billion FrontRunner double-tracking project, which would allow trains to run every 15 minutes instead of current schedules. Provo Airport, already the fastest-growing airport in America, will receive further enhancements.

Olympic venue preparations build on existing facilities rather than creating new ones. Snowbasin Resort has announced infrastructure upgrades including chairlift replacements that double uphill capacity. The approach leverages the county’s 2002 Olympics legacy while modernizing for contemporary needs.

Strategic Priorities for the Next Two Years

Utah County’s rapid growth trajectory demands comprehensive long-term planning. County administrators are undertaking strategic planning processes that will guide development decisions for the next decade and beyond, addressing everything from infrastructure capacity to public safety needs.

“We are, from a management perspective, creating a strategic plan that will establish our priorities for the next 10 to 15 years and look at build out scenarios for infrastructure in the county. We’re approaching a million residents. We’ll be there probably well within the next 20 years,” Nair explains. The planning process addresses fundamental infrastructure needs, from transportation networks to public safety capacity.

Public safety expansion represents a critical priority as population growth accelerates. Current jail facilities will require significant expansion to serve a doubled population, while the sheriff’s department capacity must scale accordingly. “And then being able to continue to keep our county safe. Really, that’s a huge part. Our sheriff’s department is doing a great job, but we’ll need more capacity at our jail just as we continue to bring in more people,” Nair notes.

Transportation infrastructure dominates the Olympic preparation timeline. The Utah Legislature is developing special financing districts specifically for 2034 Games infrastructure, using tax increment financing over 25 to 40 years. Major projects include Interstate 80 improvements at Kimball Junction and Interstate 84 redesign near Mountain Green for Snowbasin access.

For Santaquin, growth management requires balancing rural character with urban services. Mayor Olson’s priorities include hotel development and Main Street improvements that accommodate residents and Olympic visitors. “We’re working extremely hard. We’re inviting and working with new hotels that are looking to come into Santaquin. We’ve revitalized all Main Street, turning it into a five-lane road,” he explains.

The state has committed significant resources to southern Utah County development. “We were just awarded a new station so that we could update the interstate from Payson to Juab County with three lanes, which is a transportation necessity that we have down here before the growth gets anymore, as well as a new interchange,” Mayor Olson adds.

Economic development continues despite growth pressures, with data centers and technology companies expanding operations throughout the county. The combination of available land, an educated workforce, and business-friendly policies maintains Utah County’s competitive position for attracting investment.

The next 24 months will test Utah County’s ability to execute ambitious infrastructure projects while preserving the collaborative approach that enabled its success. With the 2034 Olympics providing both a deadline and catalyst, leaders must balance immediate Olympic needs with long-term community development. The challenge lies not in managing growth itself, but in growing well.

AT A GLANCE

Name: Utah County

What: America’s second-largest county by population in Utah, home to Silicon Slopes tech hub, major universities, and agricultural heritage sites.

Where: Utah

Website: utahcounty.gov