RANK #617 / 996 · POP 666,021 · UT
PROJECTED GROWTH: +0.3%
Utah County, Utah, is often defined by its dramatic natural scenery, with the towering Wasatch Mountains to the east and Utah Lake, the state's largest freshwater lake, to the west. Provo, the county seat, is approximately 35 miles south of Salt Lake City. Commuting to Salt Lake City is possible via I-15 or the FrontRunner commuter rail. The community offers extensive outdoor recreation, including hiking the Y Trail in Provo, mountain biking at Corner Canyon, fishing at Utah Lake State Park, and skiing at Sundance Mountain Resort. Bridal Veil Falls in Provo Canyon is another notable natural landmark.
Life in Utah County is characterized by a family-oriented atmosphere and a strong sense of community. The public school system is above average, with institutions like Utah County Academy of Science and Karl G. Maeser Preparatory Academy ranking highly. The economy is expanding, driven by growth in technology, often referred to as "Silicon Slopes," and ongoing development in commercial and residential sectors. This growth attracts both young professionals and families, contributing to a consistent demand for housing.
Overvalued relative to economy
Prices detached from rents
Housing looks overvalued at 7.6x — home prices are high relative to local economic output. Climate and geography support a structural premium. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
QTS Data Center Campus
QTS
|
$500M | Under Construction |
|
Various New Residential Communities
Multiple Builders (e.g., David Weekley Homes, Meritage Homes, Richmond American Homes, EDGEhomes)
|
$500M | Under Construction |
|
Meta Data Center
Meta
|
$100M | Operating |
|
Provo Power Plant Upgrade
Utah Municipal Power Agency (UMPA)
|
$50M | Completed |
|
Buc-ee's Travel Center
Buc-ee's
|
$50M | Planned |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Utah County has a Boom Town Index score of 38/100, ranking #617 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +1.5% and a median household income of $91,263, it faces some economic headwinds compared to faster-growing counties.
The median home value in Utah County is $443,000 with median rent at $1,330/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.206, which is less affordable than the national average.
Population growth: +2.7% year-over-year. Job growth: +1.5%. Home values changed +2.4% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 3.04% of Utah County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.