Wasatch County, Utah

{{Short description|County in Utah, United States}} {{Use American English|date=June 2025}} {{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}} {{Infobox U.S. county | county = Wasatch County | state = Utah | ex image = Heber Tabernacle 2.jpg | ex image size = 220px | ex image cap = Wasatch Stake Tabernacle in Heber City. | seal = WasatchCountyUtahSeal.jpg | founded year = 1862 | founded date = | seat wl = Heber City | largest city wl = Heber City | area_total_sq_mi = 1206 | area_land_sq_mi = 1176 | area_water_sq_mi = 30 | area percentage = 2.5 | population_as_of = 2020 | population_total = 34788 | pop_est_as_of = 2025 | population_est = 38514 {{gain}} | population_density_sq_mi = auto | web = https://www.wasatchcounty.gov | named for = Ute word for ''mountain pass'' | time zone = Mountain | district = 3rd |logo=Logo of Wasatch County, Utah.svg|logo size=180px}}

'''Wasatch County''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|w|ɑː|s|æ|tʃ}} {{respell|WAH|satch}}) is a county in the U.S. state of Utah. As of the 2020 United States census, the population was 34,788.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Wasatch County, Utah |url=https://data.census.gov/profile/Wasatch_County,_Utah?g=050XX00US49051 |access-date=July 1, 2023 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}</ref> Its county seat and largest city is Heber City.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Find a County |url=http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |access-date=June 7, 2011 |publisher=National Association of Counties}}</ref> The county was named for a Ute word meaning "mountain pass" or "low place in the high mountains".

Wasatch County is part of the Heber, UT Micropolitan Statistical Area as well as the Salt Lake City–Provo–Orem, UT Combined Statistical Area.

==History== The first settlers were Mormon pioneers, in 1859, settling near present Heber City, Midway, and Charleston. On January 17, 1862, the Utah Territory legislature created the county, annexing areas from Great Salt Lake, Green River, Sanpete, Summit, and Utah counties. Heber was selected as the county seat. Wasatch in Ute means "mountain pass" or "low pass over high range". Heber City was named for Mormon Apostle Heber C. Kimball. The county boundaries were altered in 1880 and 1884, and then on January 4, 1915, the eastern portion was partitioned off to become Duchesne County. The Wasatch County boundaries have remained unchanged since 1915.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Individual County Chronologies/Wasatch County UT. [[Newberry Library]] (accessed April 1, 2019) |url=https://publications.newberry.org/ahcbp/documents/UT_Individual_County_Chronologies.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306153326/http://publications.newberry.org/ahcbp/documents/UT_Individual_County_Chronologies.htm |archive-date=March 6, 2016 |access-date=April 1, 2019}}</ref>

==Geography== Heber Valley has a relatively cool climate since it is mountain-ringed, and over half the land is {{convert|7,500|ft|m|abbr=off}} above sea level. The average annual precipitation is about {{convert|16|in|mm|abbr=off}}. The county is divided into two watersheds—the Colorado and the Great Basin drainage systems.<ref name="WCU">[https://www.google.com/maps/place/Wasatch+County,+UT/@40.2952328,-111.5365544,10z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x874de65eb6103803:0xeb2596f61f05bdf2!8m2!3d40.3629418!4d-110.9983515 ''Wasatch County UT'' Google Maps (accessed 1 April 2019)]</ref> Flowing from the East are Daniels, Lake Fork, and Center creeks. From the north and northeast is the Provo River. Flowing from the west is Snake Creek. The county's highest point is the west slope of Murdock Mountain<ref name=WCU/> in the Uinta Mountains, at {{convert|10,840|ft|m|abbr=on}} ASL.<ref>[https://www.peakbagger.com/list.aspx?lid=13209 Utah County High Points/Wasatch County. Peakbagger (accessed 1 April 2019)]</ref>

Wasatch County has a total area of {{convert|1206|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|1176|sqmi}} is land and {{convert|30|sqmi}} (2.5%) is water.<ref>{{Cite web |date=August 22, 2012 |title=2010 Census Gazetteer Files |url=http://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/counties_list_49.txt |access-date=June 26, 2015 |publisher=US Census Bureau}}</ref>

===Major highways=== {{div col|colwidth=28em}} * U.S. Route 6 * U.S. Route 40 * U.S. Route 189 * Utah State Route 32 * Utah State Route 35 * Utah State Route 113 * Utah State Route 248 * Utah State Route 319<ref name=WCU/> {{div col end}}

===Adjacent counties=== * Salt Lake County - northwest * Summit County - north * Duchesne County - east * Utah County - southwest

===Protected areas=== {{div col|colwidth=28em}} * Ashley National Forest (part) * Currant Creek Campground (USFS) * Currant Creek Wildlife Management Area (part) * Deer Creek State Park * Rock Cliff Campground (Utah State Park) * Soldier Creek Recreational Area * Uinta National Forest (part) * Wasatch Mountain State Park * Wasatch National Forest (part) * Wildcat Mountain Wildlife Management Area<ref name=WCU/> {{div col end}}

===Lakes=== {{div col|colwidth=28em}} * Currant Creek Reservoir * Deer Creek Reservoir * Jordanelle Reservoir * Strawberry Reservoir * Witts Lake<ref name=WCU/> {{div col end}}

==Demographics== {{US Census population |1870= 1244 |1880= 2927 |1890= 3595 |1900= 4786 |1910= 8920 |1920= 4625 |1930= 5636 |1940= 5754 |1950= 5574 |1960= 5308 |1970= 5863 |1980= 8523 |1990= 10089 |2000= 15215 |2010= 23530 |2020= 34788 |estyear=2025 |estimate=38514 |estref=<ref name="USCensusEst2025">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/popest/2020s-counties-total.html|title=County Population Totals and Components of Change: 2020-2025|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=April 10, 2026}}</ref> {{gain}} |align-fn=center |footnote=US Decennial Census<ref>{{Cite web |title=US Decennial Census |url=https://www.census.gov/prod/www/decennial.html |access-date=June 26, 2015 |publisher=US Census Bureau}}</ref> 1790–1960<ref>{{Cite web |title=Historical Census Browser |url=http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu |access-date=June 26, 2015 |publisher=University of Virginia Library}}</ref> 1900–1990<ref>{{Cite web |date=March 27, 1995 |editor-last=Forstall |editor-first=Richard L. |title=Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990 |url=https://www.census.gov/population/cencounts/ut190090.txt |access-date=June 26, 2015 |publisher=US Census Bureau}}</ref> 1990–2000<ref>{{Cite web |date=April 2, 2001 |title=Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000 |url=https://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |access-date=June 26, 2015 |publisher=US Census Bureau}}</ref> 2010<ref name="QF">{{Cite web |title=State & County QuickFacts |url=http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/49/49051.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110902011329/http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/49/49051.html |archive-date=September 2, 2011 |access-date=December 30, 2013 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}</ref> 2020<ref>[https://www.census.gov/library/visualizations/interactive/2020-population-and-housing-state-data.html 2020 Population and Housing State Data | Utah]</ref> }}

===2020 census=== According to the 2020 United States census<ref name="2020CensusDHC">{{Cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/data/tables/2023/dec/2020-census-dhc.html|title=2020 Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics File (DHC)|author=United States Census Bureau|author-link=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=November 3, 2024}}</ref> and 2020 American Community Survey,<ref name="2020ACS">{{Cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/data/developers/data-sets/acs-5year.2020.html|title=American Community Survey 5-Year Data (2009-2022)|author=United States Census Bureau|author-link=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=November 3, 2024}}</ref> there were 34,788 people in Wasatch County with a population density of 29.6 people per square mile (11.4/km2). Among non-Hispanic or Latino people, the racial makeup was 28,168 (81.0%) White, 141 (0.4%) African American, 67 (0.2%) Native American, 347 (1.0%) Asian, 41 (0.1%) Pacific Islander, 65 (0.2%) from other races, and 913 (2.6%) from two or more races. 5,046 (14.5%) people were Hispanic or Latino.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;" |+'''Wasatch County, Utah – Racial and ethnic composition''' {{nobold|''Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.''}} !Race / Ethnicity (''NH = Non-Hispanic'') !Pop 2000<ref name=2000CensusP004>{{Cite web|title=P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Wasatch County, Utah|url=https://data.census.gov/table/DECENNIALSF12000.P004?q=P004:+HISPANIC+OR+LATINO,+AND+NOT+HISPANIC+OR+LATINO+BY+RACE+[73]&g=050XX00US49051|publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=February 2, 2026|df=mdy }}</ref> !Pop 2010<ref name=2010CensusP2>{{Cite web|title=P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - Wasatch County, Utah|url=https://data.census.gov/table/DECENNIALPL2010.P2?q=p2&g=050XX00US49051|website=United States Census Bureau |access-date=February 2, 2026|df=mdy }}</ref> !{{partial|Pop 2020}}<ref name=2020CensusP2>{{Cite web|title=P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - Wasatch County, Utah|url=https://data.census.gov/table/DECENNIALPL2020.P2?q=p2&g=050XX00US49051|website=United States Census Bureau |access-date=February 2, 2026|df=mdy }}</ref> !% 2000 !% 2010 !{{partial|% 2020}} |- |White alone (NH) |14,188 |19,818 |style='background: #ffffe6; |28,168 |93.25% |84.22% |style='background: #ffffe6; |80.97% |- |Black or African American alone (NH) |32 |49 |style='background: #ffffe6; |141 |0.21% |0.21% |style='background: #ffffe6; |0.41% |- |Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) |59 |52 |style='background: #ffffe6; |67 |0.39% |0.22% |style='background: #ffffe6; |0.19% |- |Asian alone (NH) |44 |168 |style='background: #ffffe6; |347 |0.29% |0.71% |style='background: #ffffe6; |1.00% |- |Pacific Islander alone (NH) |15 |24 |style='background: #ffffe6; |41 |0.10% |0.10% |style='background: #ffffe6; |0.12% |- |Other race alone (NH) |2 |14 |style='background: #ffffe6; |65 |0.01% |0.06% |style='background: #ffffe6; |0.19% |- |Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) |100 |221 |style='background: #ffffe6; |913 |0.66% |0.94% |style='background: #ffffe6; |2.62% |- |Hispanic or Latino (any race) |775 |3,184 |style='background: #ffffe6; |5,046 |5.09% |13.53% |style='background: #ffffe6; |14.51% |- |'''Total''' |'''15,215''' |'''23,530''' |style='background: #ffffe6; |'''34,788''' |'''100.00%''' |'''100.00%''' |style='background: #ffffe6; |'''100.00%''' |}

There were 17,665 (50.78%) males and 17,123 (49.22%) females, and the population distribution by age was 10,578 (30.4%) under the age of 18, 19,617 (56.4%) from 18 to 64, and 4,593 (13.2%) who were at least 65 years old. The median age was 35.3 years.

There were 11,040 households in Wasatch County with an average size of 3.15 of which 8,770 (79.4%) were families and 2,270 (20.6%) were non-families. Among all families, 7,325 (66.3%) were married couples, 543 (4.9%) were male householders with no spouse, and 902 (8.2%) were female householders with no spouse. Among all non-families, 1,772 (16.1%) were a single person living alone and 498 (4.5%) were two or more people living together. 4,578 (41.5%) of all households had children under the age of 18. 8,421 (76.3%) of households were owner-occupied while 2,619 (23.7%) were renter-occupied.

The median income for a Wasatch County household was $85,807 and the median family income was $99,014, with a per-capita income of $38,622. The median income for males that were full-time employees was $62,837 and for females $37,394. 4.8% of the population and 3.4% of families were below the poverty line.

In terms of education attainment, out of the 19,926 people in Wasatch County 25 years or older, 920 (4.6%) had not completed high school, 4,099 (20.6%) had a high school diploma or equivalency, 6,207 (31.2%) had some college or associate degree, 5,742 (28.8%) had a bachelor's degree, and 2,958 (14.8%) had a graduate or professional degree.

===2010 census=== As of the 2010 United States census, there were 23,530 people, 4,743 households, and 3,870 families in the county. The population density was {{convert|20.0|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|people |people|}}. There were 9,840 (2009) housing units at an average density of {{convert|8.37|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|units |units|}}. The racial makeup of the county was 90.4% White, 0.3% Black or African American, 0.5% Native American, 0.8% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, and 1.4% from two or more races. 13.5% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 7,287 households, out of which 43.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 68.70% were married couples living together, 7.4% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.8% had a male householder with no wife present, and 20.1% were non-families. 15.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 4.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.18 and the average family size was 3.19.

The county population contained 36.3% under the age of 20, 5.2% from 20 to 24, 28.1% from 25 to 44, 21.9% from 45 to 64, and 8.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 31.6 years. For every 100 females there were 103.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 101.5 males.

==Communities== ===Cities=== * Heber City (county seat) * Midway * Park City (part)<ref name="WasatchSDmap">{{Cite web |title=2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Wasatch County, UT |url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st49_ut/schooldistrict_maps/c49051_wasatch/DC20SD_C49051.pdf |access-date=November 2, 2022 |publisher=U.S. Census Bureau}} - [https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st49_ut/schooldistrict_maps/c49051_wasatch/DC20SD_C49051_SD2MS.txt Text list]</ref>

===Towns=== {{div col|colwidth=28em}} * Charleston * Daniel * Hideout * Independence * Interlaken * Wallsburg {{div col end}}

===Census-designated places=== * Timber Lakes

===Unincorporated communities=== {{div col|colwidth=28em}} * Center Creek * Deer Mountain * Mayflower Mountain * Soldier Creek Estates * Soldier Summit * Wildwood (part) {{div col end}}

===Former communities=== {{div col|colwidth=28em}} * Hailstone * Jordanelle * Keetley {{div col end}}

==Politics and government== The county is governed by a seven-member county council with an appointed county manager.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Wasatch County Administrative Services |url=http://www.co.wasatch.ut.us/departments/administrative_services.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110930080517/http://www.co.wasatch.ut.us/departments/administrative_services.aspx |archive-date=September 30, 2011 |access-date=October 17, 2011}}</ref>

Wasatch County has traditionally voted Republican. In no national election since 1964 has the county selected the Democratic Party candidate (as of 2024).

{| class="wikitable" |+State elected offices ! colspan="2" style="text-align:center; vertical-align:bottom;" |Position !District ! style="text-align:center;" |Name ! valign="bottom" |Affiliation ! style="vertical-align:bottom; text-align:center;" |First elected |- | style="background-color:{{party color|Republican Party (United States)}}" |  |Senate |16 | style="text-align:center;" |Curt Bramble | style="text-align:center;" |Republican | style="text-align:center;" |2000<ref>{{Cite web |title=Senator Bramble Utah Senate |url=https://senate.utah.gov/sen/BRAMBCS/ |access-date=November 16, 2021 |website=senate.utah.gov}}</ref> |- | style="background-color:{{party color|Republican Party (United States)}}" |  |Senate |26 | style="text-align:center;" |Ronald Winterton | style="text-align:center;" |Republican | style="text-align:center;" |2018<ref>{{Cite web |title=Senator Winterton Utah Senate |url=https://senate.utah.gov/sen/WINTER/ |access-date=November 16, 2021 |website=senate.utah.gov}}</ref> |- | style="background-color:{{party color|Republican Party (United States)}}" |  |Senate |27 | style="text-align:center;" |David Hinkins | style="text-align:center;" |Republican | style="text-align:center;" |2008<ref>{{Cite web |title=Senator Hinkins Utah Senate |url=https://senate.utah.gov/sen/HINKIDP/ |access-date=November 16, 2021 |website=senate.utah.gov}}</ref> |- | style="background-color:{{party color|Republican Party (United States)}}" |  |House of Representatives |54 | style="text-align:center;" |Mike Kohler | style="text-align:center;" |Republican | style="text-align:center;" |2020<ref>{{Cite web |title=Rep. Kohler, Mike L. |url=https://house.utah.gov/rep/KOHLEM/ |access-date=November 17, 2021 |website=Utah House of Representatives |language=en-US |archive-date=November 17, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211117205758/https://house.utah.gov/rep/KOHLEM/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> |- | style="background-color:{{party color|Republican Party (United States)}}" |  |Board of Education |12 | style="text-align:center;" |James Moss Jr. | style="text-align:center;" |Republican | style="text-align:center;" |2020<ref>{{Cite web |title=James Moss Jr. |url=https://www.schools.utah.gov/board/members/utah/jamesmoss |access-date=November 16, 2021 |website=www.schools.utah.gov}}</ref> |- |}

{{PresHead|place=Wasatch County, Utah|source=<ref>{{Cite web |last=Leip |first=David |title=Atlas of US Presidential Elections |url=http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS |access-date=March 31, 2018 |website=uselectionatlas.org}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://vote.utah.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/2020-General-Election-Canvass.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260311194017/https://vote.utah.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/2020-General-Election-Canvass.pdf |archive-date=March 11, 2026 |url-status=live|title=2020 General Election|last=Cox|first=Spencer|author-link=Spencer Cox|date=November 23, 2020|work=Lieutenant Governor of Utah|access-date=April 28, 2026}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://vote.utah.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/2024-General-Election-Statewide-Canvass-2.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260426100225/https://vote.utah.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/2024-General-Election-Statewide-Canvass-2.pdf |archive-date=April 26, 2026 |url-status=live|title=November 5, 2024 General Election Statewide Canvass|last=Henderson|first=Deidre|author-link=Deidre Henderson|date=November 25, 2024|work=Lieutenant Governor of Utah|access-date=April 27, 2026}}</ref>}}  {{PresRow|1896|Democratic|51|1,333|0|Utah}} {{PresRow|1900|Democratic|723|781|5|Utah}} {{PresRow|1904|Republican|1,042|656|16|Utah}} {{PresRow|1908|Republican|1,265|985|100|Utah}} {{PresRow|1912|Republican|1,210|957|734|Utah}} {{PresRow|1916|Democratic|817|885|14|Utah}} {{PresRow|1920|Republican|1,061|665|12|Utah}} {{PresRow|1924|Republican|1,105|727|277|Utah}} {{PresRow|1928|Republican|1,340|973|4|Utah}} {{PresRow|1932|Democratic|1,042|1,103|18|Utah}} {{PresRow|1936|Democratic|1,029|1,299|6|Utah}} {{PresRow|1940|Democratic|1,199|1,502|1|Utah}} {{PresRow|1944|Democratic|1,058|1,249|2|Utah}} {{PresRow|1948|Democratic|1,165|1,219|5|Utah}} {{PresRow|1952|Republican|1,677|968|0|Utah}} {{PresRow|1956|Republican|1,738|864|0|Utah}} {{PresRow|1960|Republican|1,480|1,066|1|Utah}} {{PresRow|1964|Democratic|1,158|1,420|0|Utah}} {{PresRow|1968|Republican|1,611|941|91|Utah}} {{PresRow|1972|Republican|2,046|693|175|Utah}} {{PresRow|1976|Republican|1,940|1,092|118|Utah}} {{PresRow|1980|Republican|2,799|994|153|Utah}} {{PresRow|1984|Republican|2,789|1,015|20|Utah}} {{PresRow|1988|Republican|2,487|1,451|59|Utah}} {{PresRow|1992|Republican|1,822|1,042|1,472|Utah}} {{PresRow|1996|Republican|2,222|1,374|646|Utah}} {{PresRow|2000|Republican|3,819|1,476|380|Utah}} {{PresRow|2004|Republican|5,503|1,854|155|Utah}} {{PresRow|2008|Republican|5,430|2,892|303|Utah}} {{PresRow|2012|Republican|7,220|2,191|229|Utah}} {{PresRow|2016|Republican|6,115|3,063|3,088|Utah}} {{PresRow|2020|Republican|10,795|6,187|599|Utah}} {{PresRow|2024|Republican|11,495|6,459|400|Utah}} {{PresFoot}}

==Education== All areas of the county are in the Wasatch County School District.<ref name=WasatchSDmap/>

==References== {{Reflist|30em}}

==External links== {{Commons category|Wasatch County, Utah}} * {{Official website|http://www.co.wasatch.ut.us}}

{{Geographic Location |Centre = Wasatch County |North = Summit County |East = Duchesne County |Southwest = Utah County |Northwest = Salt Lake County }}

{{Coord|40.33|-111.16|display=title|type:adm2nd_region:US-UT_source:UScensus1990}}

Category:Wasatch County, Utah Category:1862 establishments in Utah Territory Category:Populated places in the United States established in 1862