Koosharem, Utah | |
|---|---|
 Welcome sign in Koosharem, September 2007 | |
 Location inSevier County and the state ofUtah. | |
| Coordinates:38°30′39″N111°52′57″W / 38.51083°N 111.88250°W /38.51083; -111.88250 | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Utah |
| County | Sevier |
| Settled | 1877 |
| Named after | Native American word for the valley named after the deep red clover indigenous to the area. |
| Area | |
• Total | 0.83 sq mi (2.16 km2) |
| • Land | 0.83 sq mi (2.16 km2) |
| • Water | 0 sq mi (0.00 km2) |
| Elevation | 6,919 ft (2,109 m) |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 244 |
| • Density | 396.2/sq mi (152.96/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-7 (Mountain (MST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-6 (MDT) |
| ZIP code | 84744 |
| Area code | 435 |
| FIPS code | 49-41680[2] |
| GNIS feature ID | 1442357[3] |
Koosharem is a town inSevier County, Utah, United States. Koosharem is also known as "Grass Valley". It generally comprises the area known as Burrville, Utah on the north, south through the valley and through the town of Koosharem and down to the south end with the town of Greenwich, Utah. The valley is made up of private lands nestled within the Fishlake National Forest. Koosharem is situated at the cross-roads for travelers going between Capitol Reef National Park and Bryce Canyon National Park and/or Zion National Park. Koosharem is also the closest town to the famous Fish Lake. The town also serves as an important point along the many trails of thePiute ATV Trail System.
Koosharem's only store, the historicGrass Valley Mercantile, shares this secondary naming reference.
The name of the town Koosharem originates from the Native Americans indigenous to the area, the Piute Indians and their term for the valley named for the deep red clover that grows in the lush meadows of the Koosharem Valley,.[4] The population was 244 at the2020 census.[5]
According to theUnited States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 0.6 square miles (1.5 km2), all land. A 2008annexation increased the population to an official estimate of 400.[6]
Koosharem has one church, a cemetery, baseball diamond, fire station, a dairy, a motel, two restaurants, and a store (post office located inside that store).
Koosharem is rural and isolated but relatively centrally located. The table shows driving miles from the center of Koosharem to the following:
| Destination | Road Miles |
|---|---|
| Bryce Canyon National Park | 70 |
| Fish Lake, Sevier County | 15 |
| Zion National Park | 133 |
| Richfield, Utah | 29 |
| Sigurd, Utah | 28 |
| Salt Lake City, Utah (Airport) | 185 |
| Las Vegas, Nevada (Airport) | 292 |
| Moab, Utah | 195 |
| Grand Junction, Colorado | 244 |
Koosharem and the Grass Valley include habitat for threatened and endangered species. These species include theGreater Sage Grouse,[7] theUtah Prairie Dog, Pygmy Rabbit,[8][9]bald eagles,golden eagles,western toads, andferruginous hawks.
Koosharem has acold semi-arid climate (KöppenBSk).
| Climate data for Koosharem, Utah, 1991–2020 normals, 1893-2020 extremes: 6930ft (2112m) | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °F (°C) | 64 (18) | 69 (21) | 77 (25) | 79 (26) | 91 (33) | 96 (36) | 98 (37) | 98 (37) | 92 (33) | 90 (32) | 78 (26) | 63 (17) | 98 (37) |
| Mean maximum °F (°C) | 51.8 (11.0) | 55.5 (13.1) | 65.1 (18.4) | 72.9 (22.7) | 81.8 (27.7) | 87.6 (30.9) | 92.4 (33.6) | 89.1 (31.7) | 83.8 (28.8) | 77.5 (25.3) | 64.4 (18.0) | 54.4 (12.4) | 91.3 (32.9) |
| Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | 38.7 (3.7) | 43.0 (6.1) | 51.7 (10.9) | 59.1 (15.1) | 68.6 (20.3) | 79.6 (26.4) | 84.9 (29.4) | 81.8 (27.7) | 74.8 (23.8) | 62.5 (16.9) | 50.7 (10.4) | 39.4 (4.1) | 61.2 (16.2) |
| Daily mean °F (°C) | 25.3 (−3.7) | 29.3 (−1.5) | 36.5 (2.5) | 42.9 (6.1) | 50.5 (10.3) | 60.3 (15.7) | 66.4 (19.1) | 64.2 (17.9) | 56.9 (13.8) | 45.3 (7.4) | 34.8 (1.6) | 25.0 (−3.9) | 44.8 (7.1) |
| Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | 11.9 (−11.2) | 15.6 (−9.1) | 21.4 (−5.9) | 26.7 (−2.9) | 32.4 (0.2) | 41.1 (5.1) | 47.9 (8.8) | 46.6 (8.1) | 39.0 (3.9) | 28.2 (−2.1) | 18.9 (−7.3) | 10.7 (−11.8) | 28.4 (−2.0) |
| Mean minimum °F (°C) | −9.1 (−22.8) | −1.5 (−18.6) | 5.7 (−14.6) | 14.3 (−9.8) | 21.4 (−5.9) | 29.4 (−1.4) | 37.4 (3.0) | 37.3 (2.9) | 25.4 (−3.7) | 14.9 (−9.5) | 2.0 (−16.7) | −7.0 (−21.7) | −11.6 (−24.2) |
| Record low °F (°C) | −28 (−33) | −24 (−31) | −13 (−25) | 0 (−18) | 12 (−11) | 18 (−8) | 27 (−3) | 26 (−3) | 11 (−12) | −6 (−21) | −17 (−27) | −32 (−36) | −32 (−36) |
| Averageprecipitation inches (mm) | 0.70 (18) | 0.48 (12) | 0.72 (18) | 0.59 (15) | 0.88 (22) | 0.55 (14) | 1.29 (33) | 1.37 (35) | 1.14 (29) | 1.16 (29) | 0.56 (14) | 0.65 (17) | 10.09 (256) |
| Average snowfall inches (cm) | 7.30 (18.5) | 5.90 (15.0) | 6.40 (16.3) | 2.20 (5.6) | 1.00 (2.5) | 0.20 (0.51) | 0.00 (0.00) | 0.00 (0.00) | 0.10 (0.25) | 1.90 (4.8) | 4.80 (12.2) | 8.30 (21.1) | 38.1 (96.76) |
| Source 1: NOAA (1981-2010 snowfall)[10][11] | |||||||||||||
| Source 2: XMACIS2 (records & monthly max/mins)[12] | |||||||||||||
Koosharem's economy is based on a combination of traditional agriculture and growing tourism-related industries.
Agriculture. Farming and ranching remain significant economic activities in the area, utilizing the local land for crop cultivation and livestock raising.
Tourism and Recreation. The town's location near natural attractions has led to the development of tourism-based businesses:
Local Businesses. The town center includes:
Other Economic Contributors
Koosharem's economy continues to evolve, balancing its agricultural roots with an expanding service sector catering to both residents and visitors. riders, and sight seers.
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1890 | 232 | — | |
| 1900 | 400 | 72.4% | |
| 1910 | 287 | −28.2% | |
| 1920 | 373 | 30.0% | |
| 1930 | 319 | −14.5% | |
| 1940 | 375 | 17.6% | |
| 1950 | 300 | −20.0% | |
| 1960 | 148 | −50.7% | |
| 1970 | 141 | −4.7% | |
| 1980 | 183 | 29.8% | |
| 1990 | 266 | 45.4% | |
| 2000 | 276 | 3.8% | |
| 2010 | 327 | 18.5% | |
| 2020 | 244 | −25.4% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census[13] | |||
As of thecensus[2] of 2010, there were 327 people residing in Koosharem, an 18.48% increase from 2000. In the 2000 census, there were 276 people, 88 households, and 79 families residing in the town. Thepopulation density was 497.1 people per square mile (190.3/km2). There were 133 housing units at an average density of 239.5 per square mile (91.7/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 94.93%White, 1.45%Native American, 1.09%Asian, 0.36%Pacific Islander, 1.81% fromother races, and 0.36% from two or more races.Hispanic orLatino of any race were 4.71% of the population.
There were 88 households, out of which 46.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 80.7% weremarried couples living together, 6.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 9.1% were non-families. 9.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.14 and the average family size was 3.30.
In the town, the population was spread out, with 35.1% under the age of 18, 10.1% from 18 to 24, 22.1% from 25 to 44, 21.0% from 45 to 64, and 11.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 30 years. For every 100 females, there were 98.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 103.4 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $34,583, and the median income for a family was $40,625. Males had a median income of $32,500 versus $18,929 for females. Theper capita income for the town was $13,481. About 5.3% of families and 8.8% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 16.0% of those under the age of 18 and none of those 65 or over.
Koosharem is located in the Sevier School District.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link){{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)Places adjacent to Koosharem, Utah | |
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Municipalities and communities ofSevier County, Utah,United States | ||
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| Cities |  | |
| Towns | ||
| Unincorporated communities | ||
| Ghost town | ||
| Indian reservation | ||
| Footnotes | ‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties | |
| International | |
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| National | |
