Best counties to live in Utah

Written by:
April 8, 2024
Laura Beach // Shutterstock

Best counties to live in Utah

More counties in the United States experienced population growth in the last year, according to the latest Census data, even as pandemic-related moving trends begin to normalize.

Counties in the South continued to experience growth, particularly in Florida, where 96% of its 67 counties gained new residents. Polk County, Florida, a suburb of Orlando, added the most, with 26,000 people moving there in 2023.

Meanwhile, counties in the Midwest and Northeast continued to lose population, but at slower rates than the year before. Some of the biggest losses were in counties home to large cities, including Cook County, Illinois (home of Chicago) and the boroughs of Brooklyn and Queens in New York.

Many counties are experiencing growth due to their job opportunities, education, or relatively affordable housing costs. Others are favored for their historic or well-designed downtowns or access to cultural opportunities.

Stacker compiled a list of the best counties to live in Utah using rankings from Niche. Niche ranks counties by various factors including public schools, educational attainment, cost of living, and housing.

Keep reading to see if your county made the list.

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#20. Sanpete County, Utah

- Overall Rank: Not ranked
- Population: 28,816
- Median household income: $64,356
- Median home value: $268,600 (78% own)
- Median rent: $910 (22% rent)
- Top public schools: Ephraim School (grade B+), North Sanpete Middle School (grade B), Manti High School (grade B)
- Top private schools: Wasatch Academy (grade A+)
- Top places: Ephraim (grade B), Mount Pleasant (grade B minus), Manti (grade B minus)

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BUI LE MANH HUNG // Shutterstock

#19. Emery County, Utah

- Overall Rank: Not ranked
- Population: 9,898
- Median household income: $67,056
- Median home value: $168,700 (78% own)
- Median rent: $662 (22% rent)
- Top public schools: Cottonwood School (grade B), Ferron School (grade B minus), Castle Dale School (grade B minus)
- Top private schools: Second Chances In Southern Utah (grade unavailable)
- Top places: Castle Dale (grade B minus), Orangeville (grade B minus), Elmo (grade B minus)

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#18. Box Elder County, Utah

- Overall Rank: Not ranked
- Population: 58,291
- Median household income: $72,769
- Median home value: $308,900 (76% own)
- Median rent: $927 (24% rent)
- Top public schools: Garland School (grade B+), Box Elder High School (grade B), Box Elder Middle School (grade B)
- Top private schools: Triumph Academy (grade unavailable), Utah State University Brigham City Child Development Laboratory (grade unavailable)
- Top places: Willard (grade B), Brigham City (grade B), Perry (grade B)

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Abdulelah Fakhrani //Shutterstock

#17. Iron County, Utah

- Overall Rank: Not ranked
- Population: 58,068
- Median household income: $63,005
- Median home value: $299,400 (68% own)
- Median rent: $935 (32% rent)
- Top public schools: SUU SUCCESS Academy (grade A), Iron Springs School (grade B), Escalante Valley School (grade B)
- Top private schools: Life Quest Girls Academy (grade unavailable), Moonridge Academy (grade unavailable)
- Top places: Cedar City (grade B), Enoch (grade B minus), Parowan (grade C minus)

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#16. Grand County, Utah

- Overall Rank: Not ranked
- Population: 9,680
- Median household income: $59,171
- Median home value: $426,800 (67% own)
- Median rent: $1,020 (33% rent)
- Top public schools: Grand County High School (grade B minus), Helen M. Knight School (grade C), Grand County Middle School (grade C)
- Top private schools: Castle Valley Academy (grade unavailable)
- Top places: Moab (grade B minus), Castle Valley (grade C minus)

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Chris Curtis // Shutterstock

#15. Sevier County, Utah

- Overall Rank: Not ranked
- Population: 21,667
- Median household income: $66,972
- Median home value: $239,400 (80% own)
- Median rent: $791 (20% rent)
- Top public schools: Pahvant School (grade B+), North Sevier High School (grade B), Richfield High School (grade B)
- Top private schools: Sorenson's Ranch School (grade unavailable), High Top Ranch School (grade unavailable), Storm Ridge Ranch School (grade unavailable)
- Top places: Richfield (grade B+), Glenwood (grade B+), Aurora (grade B)

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#14. San Juan County, Utah

- Overall Rank: Not ranked
- Population: 14,524
- Median household income: $52,108
- Median home value: $177,900 (80% own)
- Median rent: $861 (20% rent)
- Top public schools: Monticello High School (grade B+), Monticello School (grade B), San Juan High School (grade B minus)
- Top private schools:
- Top places: Blanding (grade B+), Monticello (grade B minus), Montezuma Creek (grade C minus)

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#13. Morgan County, Utah

- Overall Rank: Not ranked
- Population: 12,367
- Median household income: $120,854
- Median home value: $556,900 (87% own)
- Median rent: $1,276 (13% rent)
- Top public schools: Mountain Green School (grade A minus), Mountain Green Middle School (grade B+), Morgan Elementary School (grade B)
- Top private schools:
- Top places: Morgan (grade B), Mountain Green (grade B), Enterprise (grade C+)

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#12. Garfield County, Utah

- Overall Rank: Not ranked
- Population: 5,121
- Median household income: $56,481
- Median home value: $237,800 (73% own)
- Median rent: $779 (27% rent)
- Top public schools: Panguitch Elementary School (grade B minus), Panguitch Middle School (grade B minus), Escalante Elementary School (grade B minus)
- Top private schools: Turn-About Ranch (grade unavailable)
- Top places: Bryce Canyon City (grade B), Boulder (grade B), Panguitch (grade B minus)

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#11. Millard County, Utah

- Overall Rank: Not ranked
- Population: 13,027
- Median household income: $69,403
- Median home value: $227,000 (76% own)
- Median rent: $801 (24% rent)
- Top public schools: Delta North School (grade B), Delta Middle School (grade B), Millard High School (grade B)
- Top private schools: White River Academy (grade unavailable)
- Top places: Delta (grade B minus), Fillmore (grade B), Hinckley (grade B)

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#10. Washington County, Utah

- Overall Rank: 1,253
- Population: 183,297
- Median household income: $71,976
- Median home value: $417,400 (72% own)
- Median rent: $1,321 (28% rent)
- Top public schools: George Washington Academy (grade A), UT SUCCESS Academy (grade A), Crimson Cliffs Middle School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Liahona Academy (grade B minus), Cinnamon Hills Youth Crisis Center (grade unavailable), Coral Sands Academy (grade unavailable)
- Top places: Washington (grade B+), Santa Clara (grade B), St. George (grade B)

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#9. Beaver County, Utah

- Overall Rank: 1,173
- Population: 7,102
- Median household income: $80,268
- Median home value: $248,200 (80% own)
- Median rent: $948 (20% rent)
- Top public schools: Minersville School (grade A minus), Belknap School (grade A minus), Minersville School (grade B+)
- Top private schools:
- Top places: Beaver (grade B), Milford (grade B), Minersville (grade C)

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#8. Kane County, Utah

- Overall Rank: 1,125
- Population: 7,814
- Median household income: $70,327
- Median home value: $297,500 (78% own)
- Median rent: $1,124 (22% rent)
- Top public schools: Kanab Middle School (grade B+), Kanab Elementary School (grade B+), Kanab High School (grade B+)
- Top private schools:
- Top places: Kanab (grade B+), Big Water (grade A minus), Orderville (grade B)

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#7. Weber County, Utah

- Overall Rank: 910
- Population: 262,960
- Median household income: $82,291
- Median home value: $346,800 (74% own)
- Median rent: $1,188 (26% rent)
- Top public schools: No. Ut. Academy of Math Engineering & Science Ogden (grade A), Weber Innovation High School (grade A minus), Valley School (grade B+)
- Top private schools: Saint Joseph Catholic High School (grade A+), Oakgrove School (grade B minus), St. Joseph Catholic Elementary School (grade A+)
- Top places: Pleasant View (grade B+), North Ogden (grade B+), South Ogden (grade B)

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#6. Wasatch County, Utah

- Overall Rank: 626
- Population: 35,009
- Median household income: $104,855
- Median home value: $620,800 (77% own)
- Median rent: $1,586 (23% rent)
- Top public schools: Old Mill School (grade A), Soldier Hollow Charter School (grade A minus), Midway School (grade A minus)
- Top private schools: Daniels Academy (grade unavailable)
- Top places: Heber (grade B+), Midway (grade B), Daniel (grade C)

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#5. Summit County, Utah

- Overall Rank: 481
- Population: 42,524
- Median household income: $126,392
- Median home value: $895,100 (81% own)
- Median rent: $1,822 (19% rent)
- Top public schools: Park City High School (grade A), Jeremy Ranch School (grade A), McPolin School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Park City Day School (grade unavailable), Little Miners Montessori School (grade unavailable)
- Top places: Park City (grade A), Snyderville (grade A), Summit Park (grade A minus)

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#4. Salt Lake County, Utah

- Overall Rank: 440
- Population: 1,180,643
- Median household income: $90,011
- Median home value: $440,400 (67% own)
- Median rent: $1,394 (33% rent)
- Top public schools: Itineris Early College High School (grade A+), Skyline High School (grade A), Canyon Rim Academy (grade A)
- Top private schools: Waterford School (grade A+), Rowland Hall (grade A+), Judge Memorial Catholic High School (grade A+)
- Top places: Greater Avenues (grade A+), Central City/Liberty-Wells (grade A+), East Liberty Park (grade A)

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#3. Davis County, Utah

- Overall Rank: 383
- Population: 363,032
- Median household income: $101,285
- Median home value: $423,200 (78% own)
- Median rent: $1,407 (22% rent)
- Top public schools: No. Ut. Academy for Math Engineering & Science (grade A+), Davis High School (grade A), Kay's Creek Elementary School (grade A minus)
- Top private schools: Layton Christian Academy (grade A minus), Dorius Academy (grade B minus), Saint Olaf Catholic School (grade A)
- Top places: Kaysville (grade A), Centerville (grade A), Farmington (grade A minus)

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#2. Cache County, Utah

- Overall Rank: 335
- Population: 134,428
- Median household income: $72,719
- Median home value: $351,700 (64% own)
- Median rent: $1,025 (36% rent)
- Top public schools: InTech Collegiate Academy (grade A), Bear River Charter School (grade A), Edith Bowen Laboratory School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Logan River Academy (grade unavailable), Uinta Academy (grade unavailable)
- Top places: River Heights (grade A), Hyde Park (grade A minus), Smithfield (grade A minus)

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#1. Utah County, Utah

- Overall Rank: 327
- Population: 666,021
- Median household income: $91,263
- Median home value: $443,000 (69% own)
- Median rent: $1,330 (31% rent)
- Top public schools: Utah County Academy of Sciences (UCAS) (grade A+), Karl G. Maeser Preparatory Academy (grade A+), John Hancock Charter School (grade A)
- Top private schools: American Heritage School (grade A), Liahona Preparatory Academy (grade A minus), Meridian School (grade B)
- Top places: Highland (grade A), Cedar Hills (grade A), Lehi (grade A minus)

This story features data reporting and writing by Elena Cox and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 50 states.

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