Sanpete County
County
Sanpete County Courthouse
Sanpete County Courthouse
Map of Utah highlighting Sanpete 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°22′N 111°35′W / 39.37°N 111.58°W / 39.37; -111.58
Country United States
State Utah
FoundedJanuary 31, 1850
Named forChief Sanpitch
SeatManti
Largest cityEphraim
Area
 • Total1,603 sq mi (4,150 km2)
 • Land1,590 sq mi (4,100 km2)
 • Water12 sq mi (30 km2)  0.8%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total28,437
 • Density18/sq mi (6.8/km2)
Time zoneUTC−7 (Mountain)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−6 (MDT)
Congressional districts2nd, 4th
Websitesanpete.com

Sanpete County (/sænˈpiːt/ san-PEET) is a county in the U.S. state of Utah. As of the 2020 United States Census, the population was 28,437.[1] Its county seat is Manti,[2] and its largest city is Ephraim. The county was created in 1850.[3]

History

The Sanpete Valley may have been traversed or inhabited as long as 32,000 BP by small bands of hunters. This habitation may have continued for about 20,000 years when the extinction of larger game animals forced a change. About 8,500 years ago, different groups (characterized by use of atlatls, millstones and textiles) came onto the scene. These also departed the area about 2,500 years ago, for unknown reasons, after which the area does not seem to have been visited by humans for 1,500 years.

Archeological evidence indicates that the Fremont people appeared next on the stage (from about 1-1300 CE), the first inhabitants of the area to domesticate crops and create relatively large communal settlements. In this county, the best-known Fremont site to date is "Witch's Knoll" three miles (4.8 km) SE of Ephraim. Around 1300 AD the evidence of Fremont habitation also ceases. The most recent groups of indigenous Americans in the Sanpete region are the Ute, Paiute, Goshute, and Shoshoni, who appeared in Utah about 1300 and "perhaps they displaced, replaced, or assimilated the part-time Fremont hunter-gatherers."[4] The Utes, Paiutes, Goshute and Shoshone share a common language family called Numic.[5]

Mormon pioneers arrived in the Great Basin in the summer of 1847. The first few years were spent establishing a base in the Great Salt Lake Valley, then groups were sent, usually by the directive of the church leaders, to settle the more outlying areas. In 1849 two Ute chiefs traveled from what is now Sanpete County about 125 miles (201 km) north to the Salt Lake Valley to request a Mormon settlement be established. The chiefs, Walkara and Sowiette, asked Mormon leader Brigham Young to settle a group of his people in the valley of Sanpitch.[5] Young sent a party to explore the area in August of that year. It was deemed favorable to settlement, and Brigham Young called Isaac Morley and George Washington Bradley to organize about fifty families to move south and settle "San Pete."[5] The group of 224 arrived on 19 November, led by Isaac Morley, Charles Shumway, Seth Taft, and George Washington Bradley. After some debate, the first settlement in the valley was established on the present site of Manti, Utah.[5]

The State of Deseret enacted the county effective January 31, 1850. The region was named for the Ute chief Sanpitch, which was changed to Sanpete.[6] According to William Bright, the name comes from the Ute word saimpitsi, meaning "people of the tules".[7]

The county boundaries were adjusted more than a dozen times during the 19th century. These adjustments often shrank it from its previous size. As of 1880, the county of Sanpete included the area of what would later become modern-day Carbon County, as well as some of Emery, Uintah, and Grand Counties.[8] An adjustment in 1913 and refining of the county boundary definitions in 1919 brought Sanpete County to its present configuration.[9]

The Sanpete County Courthouse, completed in 1935 by the Works Project Administration, is on the National Register of Historic Places.[10]

Geography

The Sanpete Valley runs from north to south through the center of the county.[11] The county is sloped to the south, with its highest point east of Ephraim, on South Tent Mountain[11] at 11,285 ft (3,440 m) ASL.[12] The county has a total area of 1,603 square miles (4,150 km2), of which 1,590 square miles (4,100 km2) is land and 12 square miles (31 km2) (0.8%) is water.[13] The geographical center of Utah is located in Sanpete County, just west of Ephraim.

Sanpete County is bounded along its eastern side by the Wasatch Plateau (sometimes known as the Manti Mountains). The Wasatch Plateau rises to approximately 11,000 feet (3,400 m). Most of the Wasatch Plateau is encompassed by the Manti Division of the Manti-La Sal National Forest. Runoff from the western slopes of these mountains provides water to the county's cities and agricultural areas. Central Sanpete is dominated by the Sanpete Valley (sometimes known as the Sanpitch Valley), where most of the county's cities are located. The western side of the valley is bounded by the lower and drier San Pitch Mountains, which also form part of the western boundary of the county. The San Pitch River runs from north to south through Sanpete and empties into the Sevier River in southwestern Sanpete. This portion of the Sevier River Valley is known as Gunnison Valley.

Major highways

  • United States Highway US-89
  • Utah State Highway UT-28
  • Utah State Highway UT-31
  • Utah State Highway UT-116
  • Utah State Highway UT-132
  • Utah State Highway UT-137
  • Utah State Highway UT-264

Adjacent counties

Protected areas

Lakes

  • Academy Mill Reservoir
  • Beaver Dam Reservoir (Benches Pond)
  • Big Springs
  • Blind Lake
  • Blue Lake (near Grassy Lake)
  • Blue Lake (near Henningson Reservoir)
  • Blue Lake (near Wrigley Springs Reservoir)
  • Boulger Reservoir
  • Brush Reservoir
  • Chester Ponds
  • Commissary Spring
  • Cottonwood Reservoir
  • Cove Lake
  • Deep Lake
  • Dry Hole Reservoir
  • Duck Fork Reservoir
  • Emerald Lake
  • Emery Reservoir
  • Fairview Lakes
  • Ferron Reservoir
  • Grass Flat Reservoir
  • Grassy Lake
  • Gunnison Reservoir
  • Hamburger Lake
  • Harmonica Lake
  • Hartney Lake
  • Henningson Reservoir
  • Huntington Reservoir
  • Island Lake
  • Jet Fox Reservoir
  • John August Lake
  • Johnson Springs
  • Julius Flat Reservoir
  • Little Madsen Reservoir
  • Lizard Lake
  • Loggers Fork Reservoir
  • Lower Gooseberry Reservoir
  • Madsen Lake
  • Marys Lake
  • McKinley Strates Reservoir
  • Miller Flat Reservoir (part)
  • New Canyon Reservoir
  • Newfield Reservoir
  • Ninemile Reservoir
  • Olafs Pond
  • Oleys Lakes
  • Olsen Slough
  • Palisade Lake
  • Patton Reservoir
  • Petes Hole Reservoir
  • Petes Reservoir
  • Rolfson Reservoir
  • Rush Pond
  • Sevier Bridge Reservoir (Yuba Lake) (part)
  • Slide Lake
  • Sixmile Ponds
    • Lower Pond
    • Upper Pond
  • Snow Lake
  • Soup Bowl
  • Spinners Reservoir
  • Crooked Creek Spring
  • Three Lakes (one of the three)
  • Town Reservoir
  • Twin Lake
  • Wales Reservoir
  • Willow Lake
  • Woods Lake
  • WPA Ponds
  • Wrigley Springs Reservoir (part)
  • Yearns Reservoir

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
1850365—
18603,815945.2%
18706,78677.9%
188011,55770.3%
189013,14613.7%
190016,31324.1%
191016,7042.4%
192017,5054.8%
193016,022−8.5%
194016,0630.3%
195013,891−13.5%
196011,053−20.4%
197010,976−0.7%
198014,62033.2%
199016,25911.2%
200022,76340.0%
201027,82222.2%
202028,4372.2%
US Decennial Census[14]
1790–1960[15] 1900–1990[16]
1990–2000[17] 2010[18] 2020[19]

2000 census

As of the 2000 United States Census, there were 22,763 people, 6,547 households, and 5,067 families in the county. The population density was 14.3 people per square mile (5.5 people/km2). There were 7,879 housing units at an average density of 4.96 units per square mile (1.92 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 92.43% White, 0.31% Black or African American, 0.87% Native American, 0.48% Asian, 0.36% Pacific Islander, 4.06% from other races, and 1.49% from two or more races. 6.63% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

In 2005 Sanpete County had a population that was 88.7% non-Hispanic whites. African Americans constituted 0.5% of the population. Native Americans were 1.0% of the population. Asians were 0.8% of the population. Pacific Islanders were growing faster in numbers than Asians and were tied with Asians at 0.8%. 8.1% of the population was now Latino.[20]

There were 6,547 households, of which 43.40% had children under 18 living with them, 67.00% were married couples living together, 7.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 22.60% were non-families. 17.80% 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 3.27, and the average family size was 3.68.

The county population contained 33.20% under 18, 16.40% from 18 to 24, 21.80% from 25 to 44, 17.80% from 45 to 64, and 10.80% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 25 years. For every 100 females, there were 102.40 males. For every 100 females aged 18 and over, there were 100.90 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $33,042, and the median income for a family was $37,796. Males had a median income of $30,527 versus $19,974 for females. The per capita income for the county was $12,442. About 10.40% of families and 15.90% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.90% of those under age 18 and 9.60% of those aged 65 or over.

Economy

Turkeys in a typical holding pen in northern Sanpete County near Moroni

Sanpete County is a largely agricultural region of the state, dotted with rural farming towns. Agriculture, livestock, small businesses, government employment, and Snow College form the economic backbone of the county.

A significant industry in the county is turkey ranching and the Moroni Feed Company, a turkey producing and processing cooperative. Moroni Feed Company is a part owner of the marketing cooperative Norbest.[21] Moroni Feed Company operates several divisions throughout the county, including a turkey processing plant, hatchery, feed mill, propane store, and sales office located in and near the town of Moroni. The company employs over 600 people throughout the state, with the corporate headquarters located near Moroni. Numerous turkey barns and sheds dot the landscape, primarily around Moroni and the other northern Sanpete towns.

Alfalfa fields and other animal feed crops make up the bulk of the agricultural activity and economy of the county.

Communities

Map of Sanpete County communities

Cities

Towns

Unincorporated communities

Ghost towns

Politics and government

Sanpete County has traditionally voted Republican. In no national election since 1936 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[22]
  House of Representatives 58 Steven J. Lund Republican 2020[23]
  House of Representatives 70 Carl Albrecht Republican 2016[24]
  Board of Education 14 Mark Huntsman Nonpartisan 2014[25]
United States presidential election results for Sanpete County, Utah[26]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No. %No. %No. %
2020 10,459 82.19% 1,794 14.10% 472 3.71%
2016 6,673 65.12% 1,061 10.35% 2,513 24.52%
2012 8,406 88.05% 980 10.27% 161 1.69%
2008 6,664 75.06% 1,631 18.37% 583 6.57%
2004 7,004 82.33% 1,189 13.98% 314 3.69%
2000 5,781 77.81% 1,211 16.30% 438 5.90%
1996 3,631 58.78% 1,568 25.38% 978 15.83%
1992 2,995 44.80% 1,302 19.48% 2,388 35.72%
1988 4,579 70.26% 1,822 27.96% 116 1.78%
1984 5,507 81.26% 1,227 18.11% 43 0.63%
1980 5,143 77.76% 1,260 19.05% 211 3.19%
1976 3,683 62.06% 1,925 32.43% 327 5.51%
1972 3,995 70.68% 1,220 21.59% 437 7.73%
1968 3,304 62.20% 1,696 31.93% 312 5.87%
1964 2,620 50.71% 2,547 49.29% 0 0.00%
1960 3,322 60.35% 2,180 39.60% 3 0.05%
1956 3,883 68.59% 1,778 31.41% 0 0.00%
1952 4,146 65.12% 2,221 34.88% 0 0.00%
1948 3,336 52.02% 3,041 47.42% 36 0.56%
1944 3,196 51.00% 3,071 49.00% 0 0.00%
1940 3,722 51.34% 3,524 48.61% 4 0.06%
1936 2,738 40.57% 3,959 58.67% 51 0.76%
1932 3,147 46.06% 3,600 52.69% 86 1.26%
1928 3,694 59.63% 2,482 40.06% 19 0.31%
1924 3,374 56.39% 2,228 37.24% 381 6.37%
1920 3,741 60.15% 2,406 38.69% 72 1.16%
1916 2,918 45.16% 3,382 52.34% 162 2.51%
1912 2,488 41.98% 1,984 33.47% 1,455 24.55%
1908 3,334 57.76% 2,307 39.97% 131 2.27%
1904 3,829 66.65% 1,741 30.30% 175 3.05%
1900 3,575 59.12% 2,441 40.37% 31 0.51%
1896 1,813 34.87% 3,387 65.13% 0 0.00%

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Sanpete County, Utah". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 1, 2023.
  2. ↑ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on June 26, 2015. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ↑ "Utah: Individual County Chronologies". Utah Atlas of Historical County Boundaries. The Newberry Library. 2008. Archived from the original on March 6, 2016. Retrieved June 26, 2015.
  4. ↑ National Park Service. Fremont Indians. Accessed 07 June 2022
  5. 1 2 3 4 "Albert Antrei & Allen Roberts A History of Sanpete County (1999). pp. 19-25 (accessed 31 March 2019)" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on April 1, 2019. Retrieved April 1, 2019.
  6. ↑ "Where did Sanpete get its Name?". Sanpete.com. Sanpete County UT. Archived from the original on May 23, 2013. Retrieved July 21, 2013.
  7. ↑ Bright, William (2004). Native American Placenames of the United States. University of Oklahoma Press. p. 419. ISBN 978-0-8061-3598-4. Archived from the original on January 11, 2014. Retrieved October 13, 2016.
  8. ↑ Mitchell, Samuel (December 12, 2017). "Mitchell's 1880 State and County Map of Utah and Nevada". MapGeeks. Retrieved November 27, 2021.
  9. ↑ John HL, et al. (2008). "UT: Individual County Chronologies". digital.newberry.org. The Newberry Library. Retrieved February 18, 2022.
  10. ↑ John McCormick (1984). "Utah State Historical Society Structure/Site Information: Sanpete County Courthouse". National Park Service. Retrieved August 13, 2019. With accompanying photo from 1984
  11. 1 2 "Sanpete County UT Google Maps (accessed 31 March 2019)". Archived from the original on April 1, 2019. Retrieved April 1, 2019.
  12. ↑ "Utah County High Points/Sanpete Co. Peakbagger (accessed 31 March 2019)". Archived from the original on March 27, 2019. Retrieved April 1, 2019.
  13. ↑ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". US Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved June 25, 2015.
  14. ↑ "US Decennial Census". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on May 7, 2015. Retrieved June 25, 2015.
  15. ↑ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Archived from the original on August 11, 2012. Retrieved June 25, 2015.
  16. ↑ Forstall, Richard L., ed. (June 25, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on April 3, 2015. Retrieved March 27, 2015.
  17. ↑ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). US Census Bureau. April 2, 2001. Archived (PDF) from the original on December 18, 2014. Retrieved June 25, 2015.
  18. ↑ "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 4, 2016. Retrieved December 29, 2013.
  19. ↑ 2020 Population and Housing State Data | Utah
  20. ↑ 2005 Census Reports at www.census.gov
  21. ↑ "Norbest: Moroni Feed Company". Archived from the original on July 10, 2006.
  22. ↑ "Senator Owens Utah Senate". senate.utah.gov. Retrieved November 16, 2021.
  23. ↑ "Rep. Lund, Steven J." Utah House of Representatives. Retrieved November 17, 2021.
  24. ↑ "Rep. Albrecht, Carl R." Utah House of Representatives. Archived from the original on November 17, 2021. Retrieved November 17, 2021.
  25. ↑ "Mark Huntsman". www.schools.utah.gov. Archived from the original on November 15, 2021. Retrieved November 15, 2021.
  26. ↑ Leip, David. "Atlas of US Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Archived from the original on March 23, 2018. Retrieved March 31, 2018.

39°22′N 111°35′W / 39.37°N 111.58°W / 39.37; -111.58

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