Millard County
County
Old Millard County courthouse
Old Millard County courthouse
Map of Utah highlighting Millard County
Location within the U.S. state of Utah
Map of the United States highlighting Utah
Utah's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 39°03′N 113°06′W / 39.05°N 113.1°W / 39.05; -113.1
Country United States
State Utah
FoundedOctober 4, 1851
Named forMillard Fillmore
SeatFillmore
Largest cityDelta
Area
 • Total6,828 sq mi (17,680 km2)
 • Land6,572 sq mi (17,020 km2)
 • Water255 sq mi (660 km2)  3.7%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total12,975
 • Density1.9/sq mi (0.73/km2)
Time zoneUTC−7 (Mountain)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−6 (MDT)
Congressional district2nd
Websitewww.millardcounty.org

Millard County (/ˈmɪlərd/ MIL-ərd) is a county in the U.S. state of Utah. As of the 2020 United States Census, the population was 12,975.[1] Its county seat is Fillmore,[2] and the largest city is Delta.

History

The Utah Territory legislature created the county on October 4, 1851, with territory not previously covered by county creations and including some area in the future state of Nevada. It was named for the thirteenth US President Millard Fillmore, who was in office then.[3] Fillmore was designated as the county seat. The county boundaries were altered in 1852 and again in 1854. On March 2, 1861, the US government created the Nevada Territory, which effectively de-annexed the described portion of Millard County falling in that Territorial Proclamation. The county boundary was further altered in 1862, 1866, 1888, and in 1919. In 1921 a boundary adjustment with Sevier brought Millard to its present configuration.[4]

Fillmore, located near the geographic center of the territory, was originally built as the capital of Utah Territory. The Utah Territorial Legislature approved a plan to locate the capital in the Pahvant Valley. On October 28, 1851, Utah Governor Brigham Young traveled to the valley and chose the specific site for Fillmore. The town was surveyed that same day. A colonizing company soon followed; they built houses, a grist mill, and a sawmill. Construction of the Territorial Statehouse was initiated in 1852. The Territorial legislature met in Fillmore for the first (and only time) in 1855. The following year they voted to keep the capital in Great Salt Lake City.[5]

Geography

Millard County lies on the west side of Utah. Its west border abuts the east border of the state of Nevada. The county terrain consists of arid, rough undulating flatlands interrupted by numerous hills and mountain ridges.[6] The highest point in the county is Mine Camp Peak in the Central Utah Plateaus, at 10,222 feet (3,116 m) ASL.[7] The county has a total area of 6,828 square miles (17,680 km2), of which 6,572 square miles (17,020 km2) is land and 255 square miles (660 km2) (3.7%) is water.[8] It is the third-largest county in Utah by area.

The Sevier Desert covers much of Millard County, being the seafloor of ancient Lake Bonneville. Sevier Lake, a mostly dry remnant of Lake Bonneville, is in central Millard County. The Pahvant Mountains form the county's eastern boundary. Fillmore and other farming communities lie at the base of the Pahvant Mountains. Delta sits several miles from the banks of the Sevier River in the middle of the basin.

Major highways[6]

Adjacent counties

Protected areas[6]

  • Circus Hollow Wildlife Management Area
  • Clear Lake Waterfowl Management Area
  • Fishlake National Forest (part)
  • Halfway Hill Wildlife Management Area

Lakes[6]

  • Abraham Reservoir
  • Alexander Lake
  • Antelope Spring (along Cove Creek)
  • Antelope Spring Reservoir
  • AT T Road Reservoir
  • Beaver River Reservoir
  • Big Drum Reservoir
  • Big Sage Reservoir
  • Bitterweed Lake
  • Black Point Reservoir
  • Black Spring
  • Bloom Trail Reservoir
  • Borden Basin Reservoir
  • Burnt Tree Pond
  • Carr Lake
  • Cat Canyon Reservoir
  • Cedar Pass Reservoir
  • Chokecherry Reservoir
  • Clay Knoll Reservoir
  • Clear Lake
  • Clear Spot Reservoirs
  • Coates Reservoir
  • Cockleburr Lake
  • Confusion Hills Reservoir
  • Conger Reservoir
  • Construction Reservoir
  • Coyote Spring (near Beaver River)
  • Coyote Spring (Tule Valley)
  • Crafts Lake
  • Crater Reservoir
  • Cricket Reservoir
  • Cricket Reservoir Number 2
  • D M A D Reservoir
  • Danish Reservoir
  • Deadman Reservoir
  • Deep Lake
  • Deseret Reservoirs
  • Devils Kitchen Reservoir
  • East Antelope Reservoir
  • East Hardpan Reservoir
  • East Tule Bench Reservoir
  • Ecks Knoll Reservoir
  • Fillmore Wash Reservoir
  • Fool Creek Number Two Reservoir
  • Fool Creek Reservoir Number 1
  • Foote Reservoir
  • Georges Reservoir
  • Greener Reservoir
  • Gunnison Bend Reservoir
  • Halls Double Reservoir
  • Hardpan Reservoir
  • Headquarters Reservoir
  • Highway Reservoir
  • Hinckley Trail Reservoir
  • Hodgsen Pond
  • Hole-in-the-Rock Reservoir
  • Horsetrap Reservoir
  • Indian Queen Reservoir
  • Indian Ranch
  • Jackson Pond
  • Jensen Spring
  • Johnson Pond
  • Lakeview Reservoir
  • Lawson Cove Reservoir
  • Little Drum Reservoir
  • Long Ridge Reservoir
  • Lower Clay Spring
  • Madsen Reservoir
  • Miller Canyon Reservoir
  • Mormon Gap Reservoir
  • Mud Flat Reservoir
  • Mud Lake Spring
  • Mud Springs
  • Needle Hardpan Reservoir
  • Needle Reservoir
  • Neels Reservoir Number 2
  • Nelson Reservoir Number 2
  • Nielson Pond
  • North Clay Knoll Reservoir
  • North Knoll Spring
  • Pine Pass Reservoir
  • Pony Express Reservoir
  • Preuss Lake
  • Probst Pond
  • Rain Lakes
  • Red Rock Number 1 Reservoir
  • Red Rock Number 2 Reservoir
  • Robins Lake
  • Ruths Pond
  • Salt Lake
  • Salt Marsh Lake
  • Scipio Lake
  • Sevier Lake
  • Sevier Lake Reservoir
  • Sevier Lake Reservoir Number 1
  • Sevier Lake Reservoir Number 4
  • Sevier Lake Reservoir Number 5
  • Sevier Lake Reservoir Number 6
  • Smelter Knolls Reservoir
  • Snake Pass Reservoir
  • Soap Hollow Reservoir
  • Soap Wash Reservoir
  • South Cedar Wash Reservoir
  • South Horse Hollow Reservoir
  • South Tule Spring
  • Spring Lake
  • Squidike Spring
  • Stage Road Reservoir
  • Steamboat Pass Reservoir
  • Styler Reservoir
  • Swan Lake
  • Swan Lake Salt Marsh
  • Swasey Hardpan Reservoir
  • Swasey Reservoir Number 2
  • Swasey Reservoir Number 3
  • Swasey Reservoir Number 4
  • Swasey Wash Reservoir
  • Tamarack Reservoir
  • The Lakes
  • Thompson Knoll Reservoir
  • Topaz Slough
  • Tule Spring
  • Twin Springs
  • Warm Springs
  • Watsons Cow Pond
  • West Clay Knoll Reservoir
  • West Marshall Tract Reservoir
  • West Neels Reservoir
  • Whirlwind Reservoir
  • Willow Spring (near Tule Spring)

Great Stone Face

The Great Stone Face and a portrait of Joseph Smith Jr.

Pahvant Valley in Millard County has several ancient lava flows and extinct volcanoes, known as the Black Rock Desert volcanic field, including the "Black Rock" lava flow. About 17 miles (27 km) southwest of Delta, near Black Rock's northwest perimeter is a feature named the "Great Stone Face", which protrudes about four stories above the general elevation.[9] Locals claim that this rock formation, when viewed at the correct angle, appears similar to a profile of Joseph Smith.[10][11] At ground level, within view of the "Great Stone Face", is a large, smooth-faced rock covered in Native American petroglyphs.

Notch Peak

Notch Peak is 50 miles (80 km) west of Delta. The skyline appears to have a notch taken out of it when viewed from Delta.

Little Sahara Sand Dunes

Little Sahara Recreation Area, 25 miles (40 km) north of Delta, is a popular area for ATV riders.[12]

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
1860715—
18702,753285.0%
18803,72735.4%
18904,0338.2%
19005,67840.8%
19106,1187.7%
19209,65957.9%
19309,9453.0%
19409,613−3.3%
19509,387−2.4%
19607,866−16.2%
19706,988−11.2%
19808,97028.4%
199011,33326.3%
200012,4059.5%
201012,5030.8%
202012,9753.8%
US Decennial Census[13]
1790–1960[14] 1900–1990[15]
1990–2000[16] 2010[17] 2020[18]

As of the 2000 United States Census, there were 12,405 people, 3,840 households, and 3,091 families in the county. The population density was 1.89 people per square mile (0.73 people/km2). There were 4,522 housing units at an average density of 0.69 units per square mile (0.27 units/km2). In 2000 there were 3,840 households, of which 46.10% had children under 18 living with them, 70.60% were married couples living together, 7.10% had a female householder with no husband present, and 19.50% were non-families. 18.30% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.19, and the average family size was 3.66.

The county population contained 37.30% under 18, 8.00% from 18 to 24, 22.90% from 25 to 44, 19.40% from 45 to 64, and 12.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 30 years. For every 100 females, there were 104.90 males. For every 100 females aged 18 and over, there were 101.90 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $36,178, and the median income for a family was $41,797. Males had a median income of $36,989 versus $20,168 for females. The per capita income for the county was $13,408. About 9.40% of families and 13.10% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.20% of those under age 18 and 7.20% of those aged 65 or over.

The 2000 Census reported the racial makeup of the county was 93.94% White, 0.10% Black or African American, 1.31% Native American, 0.48% Asian, 0.20% Pacific Islander, 2.76% from other races, and 1.21% from two or more races. 7.18% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

By 2005, 86.7% of Millard County's population was non-Hispanic whites. The proportion of African Americans had doubled to 0.2%. Native Americans were now 1.5% of the country's population. Asians had fallen to only 0.4% of the population. 11.0% of the population was Latino, just above the 10.9% for Utah.[19]

As of 2010, Millard County had a population of 12,310. The ethnic and racial makeup of the population was 84.7% non-Hispanic white, 0.1% black, 1.0% Native American, 0.6% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 1.5% reporting two or more races, and 12.8% Hispanic or Latino.[20]

Economy

Millard County is working hard to make it easier to build Earthships, straw bale homes, and other ecological and sustainable housing.[21]

Millard County is the home of the Telescope Array Project ultra-high-energy cosmic ray observatory. The Lon and Mary Watson Millard County Cosmic Ray Center was dedicated on March 20, 2006.[22]

Japanese internment camp

The Topaz War Relocation Center was a World War II Japanese internment camp located in Millard County 15 miles (24 km) west of Delta. The location is open to the public, with a memorial at the northwest corner.

Politics and government

Millard County has traditionally voted Republican. In no national election since 1944 has the county selected the Democratic Party candidate (as of 2020).

State elected offices
Position District Name Affiliation First elected
  Senate 24 Derrin Owens Republican 2020[23]
  House of Representatives 68 Merrill Nelson Republican 2012[24]
  Board of Education 14 Mark Huntsman Nonpartisan 2014[25]
United States presidential election results for Millard County, Utah[26]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No. %No. %No. %
2020 5,404 87.30% 624 10.08% 162 2.62%
2016 3,860 73.26% 431 8.18% 978 18.56%
2012 4,478 88.59% 431 8.53% 146 2.89%
2008 3,653 77.08% 758 15.99% 328 6.92%
2004 4,084 83.74% 626 12.84% 167 3.42%
2000 3,850 80.63% 696 14.58% 229 4.80%
1996 2,681 63.29% 945 22.31% 610 14.40%
1992 2,496 52.33% 742 15.56% 1,532 32.12%
1988 3,515 74.63% 1,124 23.86% 71 1.51%
1984 4,345 78.11% 1,192 21.43% 26 0.47%
1980 3,620 79.79% 795 17.52% 122 2.69%
1976 2,484 62.68% 1,224 30.89% 255 6.43%
1972 2,689 70.48% 777 20.37% 349 9.15%
1968 2,318 66.06% 971 27.67% 220 6.27%
1964 1,973 57.44% 1,462 42.56% 0 0.00%
1960 2,248 61.15% 1,425 38.76% 3 0.08%
1956 2,667 69.09% 1,193 30.91% 0 0.00%
1952 2,994 69.74% 1,299 30.26% 0 0.00%
1948 2,184 54.21% 1,817 45.10% 28 0.69%
1944 1,889 49.67% 1,909 50.20% 5 0.13%
1940 1,943 45.66% 2,302 54.10% 10 0.24%
1936 1,466 38.25% 2,313 60.34% 54 1.41%
1932 1,916 49.70% 1,881 48.79% 58 1.50%
1928 2,263 60.83% 1,440 38.71% 17 0.46%
1924 1,917 55.74% 1,025 29.81% 497 14.45%
1920 2,199 62.56% 1,167 33.20% 149 4.24%
1916 1,293 40.31% 1,804 56.23% 111 3.46%
1912 970 41.10% 865 36.65% 525 22.25%
1908 1,011 55.73% 765 42.17% 38 2.09%
1904 1,001 59.23% 683 40.41% 6 0.36%
1900 938 52.55% 844 47.28% 3 0.17%
1896 166 10.71% 1,384 89.29% 0 0.00%

Communities

Map of Millard County communities

Cities

Towns

Census-designated places

Unincorporated communities[6]

Former communities

  • Bloom
  • Borden
  • Clear Lake
  • Greenwood
  • Ibex
  • Sunflower
  • Topaz
  • Van

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Millard County, Utah". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 30, 2023.
  2. ↑ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ↑ Van Atta, Dale (January 22, 1977). "You name it - there's a town for it". The Deseret News. p. 15. Retrieved October 18, 2015.
  4. ↑ "Utah: Individual County Chronologies". Utah Atlas of Historical County Boundaries. Newberry Library. 2008. Archived from the original on March 6, 2016. Retrieved June 26, 2015.
  5. ↑ Jenson, Andrew. Encyclopedic History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. (Salt Lake City, Utah: Deseret News Press, 1941) p. 250
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 Millard County UT Google Maps (accessed 27 March 2019)
  7. ↑ ""Highest Point in Utah Counties". Peakbagger (accessed 27 March 2019)". Archived from the original on March 27, 2019. Retrieved March 27, 2019.
  8. ↑ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". US Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved June 25, 2015.
  9. ↑ The Great Stone Face, Millard Co, Utah State Historical Society; J. Willard Marriott Library, University of Utah, retrieved September 15, 2014
  10. ↑ "Places to see: Utah Historical Sites", UtahOutdoorActivities.com, Utah Outdoor Activities, retrieved September 15, 2014
  11. ↑ Arave, Lynn (May 9, 2010), "Does the Great Stone Face really resemble the Prophet Joseph?", Deseret News
  12. ↑ Little Sahara Recreation Area.
  13. ↑ "US Decennial Census". US Census Bureau. Retrieved June 25, 2015.
  14. ↑ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved June 25, 2015.
  15. ↑ Forstall, Richard L., ed. (June 25, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". US Census Bureau. Retrieved March 27, 2015.
  16. ↑ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). US Census Bureau. April 2, 2001. Retrieved June 25, 2015.
  17. ↑ "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 6, 2011. Retrieved December 29, 2013.
  18. ↑ 2020 Population and Housing State Data | Utah
  19. ↑ Millard County QuickFacts from the US Census Bureau Archived June 6, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
  20. ↑ "U.S. Census website". Retrieved February 15, 2017.
  21. ↑ Moon, Lana; Dearden, Tony; Henry, John. "General Plan" (PDF). Millard County.
  22. ↑ Draper, Dean (March 22, 2006). "Cosmic ray center dedicated". Millard County Chronicle Progress
  23. ↑ "Senator Owens Utah Senate". senate.utah.gov. Retrieved November 16, 2021.
  24. ↑ "Rep. Nelson, Merrill F." Utah House of Representatives. Retrieved November 15, 2021.
  25. ↑ "Mark Huntsman". www.schools.utah.gov. Retrieved November 15, 2021.
  26. ↑ Leip, David. "Atlas of US Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved March 31, 2018.
  27. ↑ Jenson, Andrew (2004). Church Chronology. Whitefish MT: Kessinger Publishing. p. 54. ISBN 1-4179-6854-0.
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