10 Largest Cities in Utah by Population
- Salt Lake City: 199,723
- West Valley City: 140,230
- West Jordan: 116,961
- Provo: 115,162
- Orem: 98,129
- Sandy: 96,904
- St. George: 95,342
- Ogden: 87,321
- Layton: 81,773
- South Jordan: 77,487
1. Salt Lake City
Salt Lake City is the largest city in Utah and has a population of 199,723. It's also the 117th most populated city in the US and the anchor of the Salt Lake City metro area, which is home to 1.2 million residents. Plus, it forms a major part of the Salt Lake City-Ogden-Provo MSA, which includes a total of 2.7 million residents, making it the 22nd largest in the US. The Church of the Latter-Day Saints has a major presence in the city, and Mormons make up close to 50% of the population. It's also a relatively young city; the median age is 31.9, and 74% of SLC residents are between 18 and 65.
2. West Valley City
West Valley City is the second largest city in Utah, with a population of 140,230. Located about 11.3 miles southwest of SLC, West Valley City is a fast-growing suburb that is part of the larger metro area. It was initially incorporated in 1980 by combining four unincorporated areas: Granger, Hunter, Chesterfield, and Redwood. The population has nearly doubled during that time and increased by an additional 8.3% between 2010 and 2020. It's also a very diverse community, and the racial and ethnic breakdown is 38% White, 41% Hispanic or Latino, 7% Asian, 6% Islander, 5% Black or African American, and 4% two or more races.
3. West Jordan
The third largest city in Utah is West Jordan, another popular suburb of Salt Lake City. Situated at the southwest end of the Salt Lake Valley at the foothills of the Oquirrh Mountains, West Jordan is a lively community full of natural beauty. The population has increased rapidly since the 1970s, when there were less than 5,000 residents, and between 2010 and 2020, the population increased by 12.8%. It's also a very family-friendly community, and married couples make up 70% of households.
4. Provo
Provo is the fourth largest city in Utah and comprises the largest metropolitan area outside of Salt Lake City, with a population of 115,162 residents. It's the anchor city in the Provo-Orem metro area, which is home to around 526,810 residents. Brigham Young University is in Provo, an institution operated by the Mormon Church. As a result, it attracts mostly students and young professionals; 44% of residents are in their 20s, and the median age is 23.4. Provo is also known as a popular destination for skiers and snowboarders and a hub for technology startups.
5. Orem
The fifth largest city in Utah is Orem, which has 98,129 residents. It's the second largest city in the Provo-Orem MSA and also home to Utah Valley University. Like Provo, Orem attracts many young residents, and the median age is 27.4, while 54% of residents are under 30. It has a robust economy with many educational and employment opportunities, and the population has steadily increased since 1900, gaining 11.1% more residents between 2010 and 2020.
6. Sandy
Sandy is another popular SLC suburb and the 6th largest city in Utah. It's an affluent community that tends to attract families and married couples. The median household income is $104,577, which is 20% higher than the rest of the state. However, the median age is 40.4, and married couples make up 70% of households. The population increased by 10.8% between 2010 and 2020.
7. St. George
The 7th largest city in Utah is St. George, which is home to 95,342 people. Located in Washington County in Southern Utah, just north of the Arizona border, St. George is the largest city in Utah by population outside of the Wasatch Front. It's the primary city in the St. George MSA, which has an estimated population of just over 180,000. Like many major Utah cities, St. George has seen a rapid population in the past few decades, and the number of residents increased by 30.8% between 2010 and 2020.
8. Ogden
Ogden is the eighth largest city in Utah, with 87,321 residents. Situated about 40 miles north of Salt Lake City, the city anchors the Ogden-Clearfield MSA, which is home to nearly 715,000 residents. Weber State University is in Ogden, and about 20% of residents are in their 20s. While not growing quite as rapidly as other Utah cities, the population still increased by 5.4% between 2010 and 2020.
9. Layton
With 81,773 residents, Layton is the ninth-largest city in Utah. It's the second-largest city in the Ogden-Clearfield MSA and the largest in Davis County by population. The city is adjacent to the Hill Air Force Base and attracts many military families. It has also experienced an explosion in the number of residents over the past few decades, and the population increased by 21.5% between 2010 and 2020.
10. South Jordan: 77,487
The 10th largest city in Utah is South Jordan, a community within the Salt Lake City metro area that has a population of 77,487. Situated on the banks of the Jordan River between the Oquirrh and Wasatch Mountains, South Jordan is known for its scenic beauty and has 37 public parks. It's a very wealthy suburb with a median household income of $118,560. It's also one of the safest cities in Utah, with a crime rate that is 82% lower than the national average. As a result, the community is growing rapidly, and the population increased by 53.7% between 2010 and 2020.