RANK #403 / 996 · POP 58,068 · UT
PROJECTED GROWTH: +1.1%
Iron County, Utah, is often recognized for Cedar Breaks National Monument, a vast natural amphitheater with colorful rock formations resembling a smaller Bryce Canyon. Located in southwestern Utah, it sits approximately 180 miles from Las Vegas and 260 miles from Salt Lake City, with Cedar City serving as its largest community and a regional hub. The county's landscape transitions from arid deserts in the west to forested plateaus in the east, offering diverse outdoor recreation including hiking, mountain biking, skiing at Brian Head Resort, and exploring petroglyphs at Parowan Gap. Commutes within the county are generally short, averaging under 17 minutes.
Life in Iron County blends small-town community with access to outdoor activities. The Iron County School District serves over 8,500 students across numerous elementary and secondary schools, and Southern Utah University provides higher education opportunities. The economy, historically tied to mining and agriculture, is diversifying. Recent developments include investments in advanced manufacturing, construction, and logistics, with an expanded Iron Springs Project Area aiming to attract new businesses and coordinate infrastructure. Government and education also remain significant employment sectors.
Overvalued relative to economy
Below national median
Moderate climate & terrain
Above national median (13x)
Housing looks overvalued at 7.2x — home prices are high relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Zion Solar Project (Solar + Battery Storage)
NextEra Energy Resources
|
$755M | Proposed |
|
Honeycomb Energy Storage Project (4 BESS facilities)
Clearway Energy Group
|
$605M | Under Construction |
|
Antelope Data Center (Proposed AI Data Center)
Pronghorn Development
|
$500M | Proposed |
|
Appaloosa Solar I
Greenbacker
|
$200M | Operating |
|
American Pacific Corporation Expansion
American Pacific Corporation (AMPAC)
|
$100M | Planned |
|
Iron Springs Inland Port Project Area (Railroad Transload Facilities)
Utah Inland Port Authority (UIPA), Savage
|
$50M | Operating |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Iron County has a Boom Town Index score of 60/100, ranking #403 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +2.8% and a median household income of $63,005, it's an above-average county on economic indicators.
The median home value in Iron County is $299,400 with median rent at $935/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.2104, which is less affordable than the national average.
Population growth: +4.0% year-over-year. Job growth: +2.8%. Home values changed +3.8% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 3.94% of Iron County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.