Editing Sevier County, Utah

{{Short description|County in Utah, United States}}
{{For|counties with a similar name|Sevier County (disambiguation)}}
{{distinguish|text=[[Sevier, Utah]], an unincorporated community in the southwestern part of the county}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox U.S. county
 | county               = Sevier County
 | state                = Utah
 | seal                 = 
 | founded year         = 1865
 | founded date         = January 16
 | seat wl              = Richfield
 | largest city wl      = Richfield
 | area_total_sq_mi     = 1918
 | area_land_sq_mi      = 1911
 | area_water_sq_mi     = 7.8
 | area percentage      = 0.4
 | coordinates          = {{coord|38.75|-111.80|display=inline,title|type:adm2nd_region:US-UT_source:UScensus1990}}
 | population_as_of     = 2020
 | population_total     = 21522
 | pop_est_as_of        = 
 | population_est       = 
 | population_density_sq_mi = 11.3
 | time zone            = Mountain
 | web                  = www.sevierutah.net
 | named for            = [[Sevier River]]
 | ex image             = Sevier County Courthouse, Richfield, Utah..jpg
 | ex image cap         = Sevier County Courthouse in Richfield
 | district             = 2nd
}}

'''Sevier County''' ({{IPAc-en|s|ɛ|ˈ|v|ɪər}} {{respell|sə|VEER}}) is a [[County (United States)|county]] in [[Utah]], United States. As of the [[2020 United States census]], the population was 21,522.<ref>{{cite web|title=Sevier County, Utah|url=https://data.census.gov/profile/Sevier_County,_Utah?g=050XX00US49041|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=July 1, 2023}}</ref> Its [[county seat]] and largest city is [[Richfield, Utah|Richfield]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx|access-date=June 7, 2011|title=Find a County|publisher=National Association of Counties}}</ref>

[[Pando (tree)|Pando]], a clonal quaking [[aspen]] stand, that, according to some sources, is the oldest (80,000 years) and largest (106 acres, 13 million pounds) organism on Earth, is located in this county.

==History==
Evidence of indigenous peoples residing in Sevier County up to 5,000 BP has been unearthed.<ref>Excavations for US Interstate I-70 in the 1980s produced archaeologic data dating back 5,000 years.</ref> The [[Fremont culture]] of Native Americans occupied the area from about 2000 to 700 BP.<ref>Snow, Dean R. (2009). ''Archaeology of Native North America.'' Prentice Hall {{ISBN|0-13-615686-X}}.</ref> The [[Clear Creek (Utah)|Clear Creek]] site contains native [[petroglyph]]s from that period.

In Utah, the [[Numic language|Numic]]- (or Shoshonean) speaking peoples of the [[Uto-Aztecan language]] family evolved into four distinct groups in the historical period: the [[Northern Shoshone]], Goshute or [[Western Shoshone]], [[Southern Paiute]], and [[Ute people]]s. This territory's central and eastern sections were occupied primarily by various bands of the Ute.<ref>[http://historytogo.utah.gov/utah_chapters/american_indians/nativeamericansinutah.html David Rich Lewis, "Native Americans in Utah"], ''Utah History Encyclopedia'' (accessed December 6, 2016)</ref>

The first modern sighting of the [[Sevier River]] was most likely by the Catholic fathers [[Silvestre Vélez de Escalante]] and [[Francisco Atanasio Domínguez]], on their expedition to [[California]] in 1776.<ref>The Spanish Catholic clerics traveled the [[Great Basin]] to find a reported river to the Pacific Ocean. In this area, they discovered a turbulent ("severo") river that flowed northward to Yuba Lake. Thus the name "Sevier."</ref> The [[Old Spanish Trail (trade route)|Old Spanish Trail]] was the route they mapped. Over the next century, this trail carried [[fur trapper]]s, hunters, government officials, traders, and settlers.

Settlement of this area began when [[Richfield, Utah|Richfield]] was first settled. [[Mormon pioneers|Mormon settlers]] ([[The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints|The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints]]) arrived on June 15, 1864, most of whom had emigrated from Scandinavian countries. Because of the growth in this small community, the people soon petitioned [[Utah Territory]] officials about a separate county.<ref>Bishop, M. Guy. ''A History of Sevier County''. Salt Lake City: Utah State Historical Society, 1997.</ref>

On January 16, 1865, the Utah Territory legislature created the county, with the area annexed from [[Sanpete County, Utah|Sanpete County]]. It was named for the Sevier River.<ref>Van Cott, J. W., 1990, ''Utah Place Names,'' {{ISBN|0-87480-345-4}}</ref> The county seat was Big Spring (later named Richfield). The county borders were adjusted in 1866, 1880, 1890, and in 1921. A clarification of boundary lines corresponding to government survey lines was completed in 1931, marking the present configuration of Sevier County.<ref>[https://publications.newberry.org/ahcbp/documents/UT_Individual_County_Chronologies.htm Individual County Chronologies/Sevier County UT Newberry Library] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306153326/http://publications.newberry.org/ahcbp/documents/UT_Individual_County_Chronologies.htm |date=March 6, 2016 }} (accessed March 29, 2019)</ref>

Although the county was in place by 1865, much of Sevier County was abandoned in the [[Black Hawk War (1865–1872)|Black Hawk War in 1867]]. Attempts to resettle the area were not successful until 1870. By 1874, 753 residents lived in the area.<ref>[http://www.sevierutah.net/index.aspx?nid=188 "History of Sevier County" Sevier County website (accessed 29 March 2019)]</ref>

==Geography==
Sevier County terrain consists of semi-arid but arable rolling areas punctuated by northeast–southwest mountain ridges, usually forested.<ref name=SCU>[https://www.google.com/maps/place/Sevier+County,+UT/@38.7739549,-112.1904069,116075m/data=!3m2!1e3!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x874b0e143a1ade99:0xa4078e99b0266eeb!8m2!3d38.7333524!4d-111.6660725 ''Sevier County UT'' Google Maps (accessed 29 March 2019)]</ref> The highest point is Fish Lake Hightop in the Central Utah Plateau, at {{convert|11,633|ft|m|abbr=on}} ASL.<ref>[https://www.peakbagger.com/list.aspx?lid=13209 Utah County High Points/Sevier County. Peakbaggers (accessed 29 March 2019)]</ref> The county has a total area of {{convert|1918|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|1911|sqmi}} is land and {{convert|7.8|sqmi}} (0.4%) is water.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/counties_list_49.txt|publisher=US Census Bureau|access-date=June 25, 2015|date=August 22, 2012|title=2010 Census Gazetteer Files}}</ref>

===Major highways===
{{div col}}
* {{Jct|state=UT|I|70}}
* {{Jct|state=UT|BL|70|UT|120|nolink1=y}}
* {{Jct|state=UT|US|50}}
* {{Jct|state=UT|US|89}}
* {{Jct|state=UT|UT|10}}
* {{Jct|state=UT|UT|24}}
* {{Jct|state=UT|UT|62}}
* {{Jct|state=UT|UT|72}}
* {{Jct|state=UT|UT|76}}
* {{Jct|state=UT|UT|118}}
* {{Jct|state=UT|UT|119}}
{{div col end}}

===Adjacent counties===
* [[Sanpete County, Utah|Sanpete County]] – north
* [[Emery County, Utah|Emery County]] – east
* [[Wayne County, Utah|Wayne County]] – southeast
* [[Piute County, Utah|Piute County]] – south
* [[Beaver County, Utah|Beaver County]] – southwest
* [[Millard County, Utah|Millard County]] – west

===Protected areas===
{{div col}}
* [[Capitol Reef National Park]] (part)
* [[Fishlake National Forest]] (part)
* [[Fremont Indian State Park and Museum]]
* Koosharem Reservoir Recreation Site
* [[Manti-La Sal National Forest]] (part)
* Sand Ledges Recreation Area
* Willow Creek Wildlife Management Area
{{div col end}}

===Lakes===
{{div col}}
* Abes Reservoir
* Acord Lakes
* Annabella Reservoir
* Bear Valley Reservoir
* Big Lake
* Boobe Hole Reservoir
* Broadhead Lakes
* Cold Spring (near Twin Ponds)
* Coots Slough
* Crater Lakes
* Davis Hollow Reservoir
* Deep Lake
* Duck Lake
* Emerald Lakes
* Farnsworth Reservoir
* Farrell Pond
* Fish Lake
* Floating Island Lake
* Forsyth Reservoir
* Gardner Hollow Reservoirs
* Gates Lake
* Hamilton Reservoir
* Harves River Reservoir
* Hepplers Ponds
* Hunts Lakes
* Indian Springs
* Jeffery Reservoir
* Jensen Spring
* Johnson Valley Reservoir
* Killian Spring
* Koosharem Reservoir
* Lake Louise
* Lost Creek Reservoir
* Lower Hunts Lake
* Magelby Reservoir
* Meeks Lake
* Mill Meadow Reservoir (part)
* Morrell Pond
* [[Mud Lake (Utah)|Mud Lake]]
* Oles Pond
* Ox Spring
* Paradise Valley Lake
* Redmond Lake
* Rex Reservoir
* Rim Seep
* Rocky Ford Reservoir
* Saleratus Reservoir
* Salina Reservoir
* Sargent Lake
* Scrub Flat Reservoir
* Sheep Valley Reservoir
* Silas Spring
* Skutumpah Reservoir
* Slide Lake
* Snow Fence Pond
* Snow Lake
* Solomon Reservoir
* Spring Reservoir
* The Potholes
* Three Creeks Reservoir
* Three Lakes (two of the three)
* Tidwell Pond
* Twin Lake
* Twin Ponds
* Washburn Reservoir
* Willies Flat Reservoir
* Willow Creek Reservoir
* Willow Lake
* Wood Hollow Reservoir
{{div col end}}

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1870= 19
|1880= 4457
|1890= 6199
|1900= 8451
|1910= 9775
|1920= 11281
|1930= 11199
|1940= 12112
|1950= 12072
|1960= 10565
|1970= 10103
|1980= 14727
|1990= 15431
|2000= 18842
|2010= 20802
|2020=21522
|estref=
|align-fn=center
|footnote=US Decennial Census<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/prod/www/decennial.html|title=US Decennial Census|publisher=US Census Bureau|access-date=June 25, 2015}}</ref><br>1790–1960<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu|title=Historical Census Browser|publisher=University of Virginia Library|access-date=June 25, 2015}}</ref> 1900–1990<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/population/cencounts/ut190090.txt|title=Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990|publisher=US Census Bureau|editor-last=Forstall|editor-first=Richard L.|date=June 25, 1995|access-date=March 27, 2015}}</ref><br>1990–2000<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf|title=Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000|publisher=US Census Bureau|date=April 2, 2001|access-date=June 25, 2015}}</ref> 2010<ref name=QF>{{cite web|title=State & County QuickFacts|url=http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/49/49041.html|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=December 29, 2013|archive-date=September 5, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150905102433/http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/49/49041.html|url-status=dead}}</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 [[American Community Survey|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 21,522 people in Sevier County with a [[population density]] of 11.3 people per square mile (4.3/km<sup>2</sup>). Among non-[[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic or Latino]] people, the racial makeup was 19,396 (90.1%) [[White Americans|White]], 65 (0.3%) [[African Americans|African American]], 313 (1.5%) [[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]], 40 (0.2%) [[Asian Americans|Asian]], 49 (0.2%) [[Pacific Islander Americans|Pacific Islander]], 49 (0.2%) from [[Race and ethnicity in the United States census|other races]], and 557 (2.6%) from [[Multiracial Americans|two or more races]]. 1,053 (4.9%) people were Hispanic or Latino.

There were 10,870 (50.51%) males and 10,652 (49.49%) females, and the population distribution by age was 6,449 (30.0%) under the age of 18, 11,325 (52.6%) from 18 to 64, and 3,748 (17.4%) who were at least 65 years old. The median age was 36.3 years.

There were 7,464 households in Sevier County with an average size of 2.88 of which 5,555 (74.4%) were families and 1,909 (25.6%) were non-families. Among all families, 4,491 (60.2%) were [[Marriage|married couples]], 362 (4.8%) were male householders with no spouse, and 702 (9.4%) were female householders with no spouse. Among all non-families, 1,640 (22.0%) were a single person living alone and 269 (3.6%) were two or more people living together. 2,777 (37.2%) of all households had children under the age of 18. 5,752 (77.1%) of households were [[Owner-occupancy|owner-occupied]] while 1,712 (22.9%) were [[Renting|renter-occupied]].

The median income for a Sevier County household was $55,361 and the median family income was $62,058, with a [[per-capita income]] of $24,041. The median income for males that were [[Full-time job|full-time employees]] was $50,183 and for females $36,000. 14.3% of the population and 12.3% of families were below the [[Poverty threshold|poverty line]].

In terms of education attainment, out of the 13,469 people in Sevier County 25 years or older, 1,206 (9.0%) had [[High school dropouts in the United States|not completed high school]], 4,206 (31.2%) had a [[high school diploma]] or equivalency, 5,242 (38.9%) had some college or [[associate degree]], 1,931 (14.3%) had a [[bachelor's degree]], and 884 (6.6%) had a [[Postgraduate education|graduate]] or [[professional degree]].

==Features==
[[Interstate 70 in Utah|Interstate 70]] runs through the county. As Richfield is about halfway between the major cities of [[Los Angeles, California]] and [[Denver, Colorado]], it has built a hospitality industry, with motels and restaurants serving travelers.

[[Fremont Indian State Park and Museum|Fremont Indian State Park]] is found in the [[Clear Creek (Utah)|Clear Creek Canyon]], adjacent to I-70. It is noted for its archaeological remains from the ancient Native American [[Fremont culture]]. Its museum displays found artifacts.

==Politics==
Sevier County is traditionally Republican. In no national election since 1936 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)}}" |&nbsp;
|[[Utah Senate|Senate]]
|24
| style="text-align:center;" |[[Derrin Owens]]
| style="text-align:center;" |[[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
| style="text-align:center;" |2020<ref>{{Cite web|title=Senator Owens Utah Senate|url=https://senate.utah.gov/sen/OWENSD/|access-date=November 16, 2021|website=senate.utah.gov}}</ref>
|-
| style="background-color:{{party color|Republican Party (United States)}}" |&nbsp;
|[[Utah House of Representatives|House of Representatives]]
|70
| style="text-align:center;" |[[Carl Albrecht (politician)|Carl Albrecht]]
| style="text-align:center;" |[[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
| style="text-align:center;" |2016<ref>{{Cite web|title=Rep. Albrecht, Carl R.|url=https://house.utah.gov/rep/ALBRECR/|access-date=November 17, 2021|website=Utah House of Representatives|language=en-US}}</ref>
|-
| style="background-color:{{party color|Republican Party (United States)}}" |&nbsp;
|[[Utah House of Representatives|House of Representatives]]
|73
| style="text-align:center;" |[[Phil Lyman]]
| style="text-align:center;" |[[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
| style="text-align:center;" |2018<ref>{{Cite web|title=Rep. Lyman, Phil|url=https://house.utah.gov/rep/LYMANP/|access-date=November 15, 2021|website=Utah House of Representatives|language=en-US}}</ref>
|-
| style="background-color:lightgrey" |&nbsp;
|Board of Education
|14
| style="text-align:center;" |Mark Huntsman
| style="text-align:center;" |Nonpartisan
| style="text-align:center;" |2014<ref>{{Cite web|title=Mark Huntsman|url=https://www.schools.utah.gov/board/members/utah/markhuntsman|access-date=November 15, 2021|website=www.schools.utah.gov}}</ref>
|-
|}

{{PresHead|place=Sevier County, Utah|source=<ref>{{cite web|url=http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS|title=Atlas of US Presidential Elections|last=Leip|first=David|website=uselectionatlas.org|access-date=March 31, 2018}}</ref>}}
<!-- PresRow should be {{PresRow|Year|Winning party|GOP vote #|Dem vote #|3rd party vote #|State}} -->
{{PresRow|2024|Republican|9,526|1,236|229|Utah}}
{{PresRow|2020|Republican|9,052|1,084|227|Utah}}
{{PresRow|2016|Republican|6,740|695|1,260|Utah}}
{{PresRow|2012|Republican|7,207|738|124|Utah}}
{{PresRow|2008|Republican|6,394|1,359|305|Utah}}
{{PresRow|2004|Republican|6,597|920|124|Utah}}
{{PresRow|2000|Republican|5,763|1,046|268|Utah}}
{{PresRow|1996|Republican|4,031|1,327|769|Utah}}
{{PresRow|1992|Republican|3,160|1,039|2,059|Utah}}
{{PresRow|1988|Republican|4,747|1,403|71|Utah}}
{{PresRow|1984|Republican|5,736|1,072|62|Utah}}
{{PresRow|1980|Republican|5,614|1,112|223|Utah}}
{{PresRow|1976|Republican|3,686|1,564|400|Utah}}
{{PresRow|1972|Republican|3,700|820|551|Utah}}
{{PresRow|1968|Republican|3,190|1,167|387|Utah}}
{{PresRow|1964|Republican|2,617|1,948|0|Utah}}
{{PresRow|1960|Republican|3,166|1,690|1|Utah}}
{{PresRow|1956|Republican|3,646|1,232|0|Utah}}
{{PresRow|1952|Republican|3,996|1,445|0|Utah}}
{{PresRow|1948|Republican|2,791|1,943|16|Utah}}
{{PresRow|1944|Republican|2,345|2,095|5|Utah}}
{{PresRow|1940|Republican|2,703|2,521|4|Utah}}
{{PresRow|1936|Democratic|1,899|2,816|52|Utah}}
{{PresRow|1932|Democratic|2,225|2,303|65|Utah}}
{{PresRow|1928|Republican|2,424|1,399|17|Utah}}
{{PresRow|1924|Republican|2,111|1,201|428|Utah}}
{{PresRow|1920|Republican|2,506|1,425|57|Utah}}
{{PresRow|1916|Democratic|1,720|2,052|68|Utah}}
{{PresRow|1912|Republican|1,452|915|1,098|Utah}}
{{PresRow|1908|Republican|1,780|1,272|188|Utah}}
{{PresRow|1904|Republican|1,725|930|264|Utah}}
{{PresRow|1900|Republican|1,581|1,261|42|Utah}}
{{PresFoot|1896|Democratic|497|1,858|0|Utah}}
{{Clear}}

==Communities==
{{stack|[[File:Sevier County Utah incorporated and unincorporated areas.svg|thumb|Map of Sevier County communities]]}}
{{div col}}

===Cities===
* [[Aurora, Utah|Aurora]]
* [[Monroe, Utah|Monroe]]
* [[Richfield, Utah|Richfield]] (county seat)
* [[Salina, Utah|Salina]]

===Towns===
* [[Annabella, Utah|Annabella]]
* [[Central Valley, Utah|Central Valley]]
* [[Elsinore, Utah|Elsinore]]
* [[Glenwood, Utah|Glenwood]]
* [[Joseph, Utah|Joseph]]
* [[Koosharem, Utah|Koosharem]]
* [[Redmond, Utah|Redmond]]
* [[Sigurd, Utah|Sigurd]]

===Unincorporated communities===
* [[Austin, Utah|Austin]]
* [[Burrville, Utah|Burrville]]
* [[Cove, Sevier County, Utah|Cove]]
* [[Gooseberry, Utah|Gooseberry]]
* [[Nibley, Sevier County, Utah|Nibley]]
* [[Sevier, Utah|Sevier]]
* [[Venice, Utah|Venice]]

===Former communities===
* [[Prattville, Utah|Prattville]]
* [[Vermillion, Utah|Vermillion]] (absorbed into [[Sigurd, Utah|Sigurd]])
{{div col end}}

==Education==
All of the county is in the [[Sevier School District]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st49_ut/schooldistrict_maps/c49041_sevier/DC20SD_C49041.pdf|title=2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Sevier County, UT|publisher=[[U.S. Census Bureau]]|access-date=2024-09-28}} - [https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st49_ut/schooldistrict_maps/c49041_sevier/DC20SD_C49041_SD2MS.txt Text list]</ref>

==See also==
{{stack|{{portal-inline|Utah}}}}
* [[National Register of Historic Places listings in Sevier County, Utah]]

==References==
{{reflist|22em}}

==External links==
{{commons category|Sevier County, Utah}}
* {{official website|http://www.sevierutah.net/}}

{{Geographic Location
|Centre    = Sevier County
|North     = [[Sanpete County, Utah|Sanpete County]]
|East      = [[Emery County, Utah|Emery County]]
|Southeast = [[Wayne County, Utah|Wayne County]]
|South     = [[Piute County, Utah|Piute County]]
|Southwest = [[Beaver County, Utah|Beaver County]]
|West      = [[Millard County, Utah|Millard County]]
}}

{{Sevier County, Utah}}
{{Utah}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Sevier County, Utah| ]]
[[Category:1865 establishments in Utah Territory]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1865]]