Box Elder County

county

Box Elder County, Utah

Overview

Geography

Region: Great Basin region
Elevation: 9,180 ft
Total Area: 6,729 sq mi
Land Area: 5,746 sq mi
Water Area: 984 sq mi
Latitude: 41.51
Longitude: -113.1
Climate: Diverse topography with rich farmlands, extensive marshlands, barren desert, and high, forested mountains.
Notable Features: Great Salt Lake · Great Salt Lake Desert · Wasatch Mountains · Wellsville Mountains · Promontory Mountains · Bear River · Malad River Valley
Neighboring Areas: Cassia County, ID · Oneida County, ID · Elko County, NV · Cache County, UT · Davis County, UT · Tooele County, UT · Weber County, UT

Demographics

Population (2020): 57,666
Est. Population (2024): 64,120
Median Age: 32.9
Median Income: $84,550
Poverty Rate: 8.4%
Owner-Occupied: 75.7%
Racial & Ethnic Composition: 87.7% White, with smaller percentages of other races, Native American, Asian, Black or African American, Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, and multiracial populations. Approximately 10% of the population is Hispanic or Latino.

Governance

Government Type: Determined by Utah Code, options include commission or council-mayor/manager

Economy

Unemployment Rate: 3.4%
Economic Profile: Agriculture · Aerospace · Defense
Employment Sectors: Agriculture · Manufacturing · Defense-related industries

Education

Colleges & Universities: Utah State University (Brigham City and Tremonton campuses)

Infrastructure

Recreation

Outdoor Access: Yes
Major Recreation Areas: Willard Bay State Park · Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge · Crystal Hot Springs · Mantua Reservoir

History

Founded: 1856
Named After: Box elder trees abundant in the county
Historical Significance: Site of the completion of the first transcontinental railroad; rich in prehistoric and Native American history; early Mormon settlement and cooperative enterprise.
Key Events: Completion of the Transcontinental Railroad at Promontory Summit (May 10, 1869) · Treaty of Box Elder (July 30, 1863)