Utah
The Beehive State
Quick Stats
Map
Seal & Motto
"Industry"
Additional Information
A single word representing the beehive symbol of cooperative hard work, reflecting the pioneering spirit of Utah's settlers.
Adopted 1896.
Population Growth
Overview
Utah, the 'Beehive State,' is one of the most visually extraordinary places on Earth. Its red-rock canyon country, sculpted over millions of years, contains more named arches than anywhere on the planet and five of the most spectacular national parks in the world. Paired with world-class ski resorts boasting 'the Greatest Snow on Earth' and a booming Silicon Slopes technology corridor, Utah is a state of relentless, industrious beauty.
Historical Significance
Utah officially joined the Union on January 4, 1896, as the 45th state after a decades-long struggle — statehood was repeatedly denied due to the practice of polygamy. Its history is defined by Brigham Young leading 70,000 Mormon pioneers across the plains in 1847 to build Salt Lake City, the completion of the First Transcontinental Railroad at Promontory Summit in 1869, and the creation of Yellowstone's predecessor national parks.
Top Cities & Hubs
Salt Lake City
Population: ~200,000The state capital and spiritual home of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, a modern cosmopolitan city at the foot of the Wasatch Range with world-class skiing 30 minutes from downtown and a booming tech and finance sector.
West Valley City
Population: ~140,000The state's second-largest city, a diverse and dynamic residential hub just west of Salt Lake City and a major commercial center serving the greater Wasatch Front metropolitan region.
West Jordan
Population: ~117,000One of the nation's fastest-growing communities, a family-oriented city in the Salt Lake Valley with strong retail and business sectors and easy access to both the Oquirrh and Wasatch mountain ranges.
Provo
Population: ~115,000Home to Brigham Young University and the thriving Silicon Slopes tech corridor, Provo is a national leader in startup formation and entrepreneurship and was named America's "Digital City" for its gigabit fiber network.
Orem
Population: ~98,000Adjacent to Provo and sharing its Silicon Slopes economy, Orem is a major retail and business hub consistently ranked among the nation's most prosperous and family-friendly cities.
Key Landmarks & Economy
Did You Know?
- Utah has been called the "Silicon Slopes" — its tech corridor between Salt Lake City and Provo is one of the fastest-growing tech economies in the U.S., home to Adobe, Qualtrics, Domo, and over 6,000 tech companies.
- The Transcontinental Railroad was completed at Promontory Summit, Utah on May 10, 1869, when the Central Pacific's "Jupiter" and Union Pacific's "No. 119" locomotives met and a golden spike was driven to celebrate the achievement.
- Utah has the youngest median age of any U.S. state, partly due to its large family sizes — the average household size in Utah is the largest in the nation, and the state leads in birth rate.