Orem, Utah | |
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 Orem City Center | |
 Flag | |
| Nickname: Family City USA | |
 Interactive map of Orem | |
  Orem Location within Utah Show map of Utah Orem Location within the United States Show map of the United States | |
| Coordinates:40°17′26″N111°43′47″W / 40.29056°N 111.72972°W /40.29056; -111.72972 | |
| Country |  United States |
| State |  Utah |
| County | Utah |
| Settled | 1877 |
| Town charter granted | May 5, 1919 |
| Named after | Walter C. Orem |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Karen McCandless |
| Area | |
• Total | 18.57 sq mi (48.10 km2) |
| • Land | 18.57 sq mi (48.10 km2) |
| • Water | 0 sq mi (0.00 km2) |
| Elevation | 4,767 ft (1,453 m) |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 98,129[1] |
| • Density | 5,267.2/sq mi (2,033.67/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-7 (Mountain (MST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-6 (MDT) |
| Area codes | 385, 801 |
| FIPS code | 49-57300[3] |
| GNIS feature ID | 2411333[2] |
| Website | orem |
Orem is a city inUtah County, Utah, United States, in the north central part of the state. It is adjacent toProvo,Lindon, andVineyard and is approximately 45 miles (72 km) south ofSalt Lake City.
Orem is one of the principal cities of the Provo-Orem, UtahMetropolitan Statistical Area, which includes all of Utah andJuab counties. The 2020 population was 98,129,[1] while the2010 population was 88,328[4] making it the5th most populous city in Utah.Utah Valley University is located in Orem.
At one time the area was known asSharon, a Biblical name for a mostly levelstrip of land running between mountains and the sea, and the name of theVermont birth town ofJoseph Smith, founder of theLatter Day Saint movement.[5] Another former name wasProvo Bench.[5]
Unlike many other early Utah communities, Orem's houses were not originally clustered in a town composed of regular city blocks. Instead, Orem's farmers dispersed their homes, building them along the territorial highway (now called State Street) and other major roads so that they could be close to both transportation corridors and to their fields and orchards.[6]
In an apparent attempt to attract more investment to the town and provide an easy way for the large population of farmers with orchards to ship produce, in 1914 it was named after Walter C. Orem, President of theSalt Lake and Utah Railroad in the early 1900s.[7] Orem was incorporated on May 5, 1919.[7]
In 2025,Charlie Kirk, an Americanright-wing activist and co-founder ofTurning Point USA, wasassassinated atUtah Valley University.[8]
Orem is in a high desert, with an average elevation of 4,767 ft (1,453 m). According to theUnited States Census Bureau, the city covers an area of 18.4 sq mi (48 km2), all land. Orem is near the eastern shore ofUtah Lake, borderingProvo on the east and south,Vineyard to the west,Lindon contiguous to the north, andMount Timpanogos/Wasatch Mountain range to the east.
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1890 | 435 | — | |
| 1900 | 692 | 59.1% | |
| 1910 | 1,064 | 53.8% | |
| 1920 | 1,664 | 56.4% | |
| 1930 | 1,915 | 15.1% | |
| 1940 | 2,914 | 52.2% | |
| 1950 | 8,351 | 186.6% | |
| 1960 | 18,394 | 120.3% | |
| 1970 | 25,729 | 39.9% | |
| 1980 | 52,399 | 103.7% | |
| 1990 | 67,561 | 28.9% | |
| 2000 | 84,324 | 24.8% | |
| 2010 | 88,328 | 4.7% | |
| 2020 | 98,129 | 11.1% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census[9][1] | |||
| Race / Ethnicity(NH = Non-Hispanic) | Pop 2000[10] | Pop 2010[11] | Pop 2020[12] | % 2000 | % 2010 | % 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White alone (NH) | 73,076 | 68,433 | 68,948 | 86.66% | 77.48% | 70.26% |
| Black or African American alone (NH) | 267 | 524 | 866 | 0.32% | 0.59% | 0.88% |
| Native American orAlaska Native alone (NH) | 521 | 528 | 485 | 0.62% | 0.60% | 0.49% |
| Asian alone (NH) | 1,202 | 1,688 | 1,968 | 1.43% | 1.91% | 2.01% |
| Pacific Islander alone (NH) | 710 | 856 | 1,409 | 0.84% | 0.97% | 1.44% |
| Other race alone (NH) | 103 | 162 | 469 | 0.12% | 0.18% | 0.48% |
| Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) | 1,228 | 1,913 | 4,130 | 1.46% | 2.17% | 4.21% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 7,217 | 14,224 | 19,854 | 8.56% | 16.10% | 20.23% |
| Total | 84,324 | 88,328 | 98,129 | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% |
As of 2011 the 88,112 residents of Orem had a racial and ethnic composition of 89.3%white, 0.9% black orAfrican American, 0.9%Native American, 1.6%Asian, 0.5%Pacific Islander Americans, 4% non-Hispanics reporting some other race, 2.9% two or more races reported and 14.8%Hispanic, as Orem has a largeMexican American community with otherLatinos residing in the city. This contrasts with thecensus[3] of 2000, which showed a racial makeup of 90.80%White, 0.33%African American, 0.73%Native American, 1.45%Asian, 0.86%Pacific Islander, 3.64% fromother races, and 2.18% from two or more races.Hispanic orLatino of any race were 8.56% of the population.
The 2000 Census counted 84,324 people, 23,382 households, and 19,079 families. Thepopulation density at that time was 4,572.6 people per square mile (1,765.5 people/km2). There were 24,166 housing units at an average density of 1,310.4 per square mile (505.9/km2). There were 23,382 households, out of which 48.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 69.0% weremarried couples living together, 9.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 18.4% were non-families. 12.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 5.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.57 and the average family size was 3.93.
In the city, the population was spread out, with 35.4% under the age of 18, 17.4% from 18 to 24, 25.8% from 25 to 44, 14.5% from 45 to 64, and 6.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 24 years. For every 100 females, there were 98.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.2 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $52,703, and the median income for a family was $59,066. Males had a median income of $42,249 versus $30,742 for females. Theper capita income for the city was $20,971. About 10.3% of families and 13.8% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 16% of those under age 18 and 6% of those age 65 or over.
As of 2002, over 97% of all church-going citizens of Orem are members ofthe Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.[13][better source needed] Due to the high numbers of Latter-day Saints in the area, Church PresidentRussell M. Nelson announced atemple in Orem on October 5, 2019.[14] The temple is located 0.5 miles (800 m) south of theInterstate 15 exit at University Parkway on South Geneva Road.
Orem has a wide variety of stores and businesses. It is also home toUniversity Place, Utah County's oldest mall, opened in March 1973.[15]
According to the city's 2023 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report,[16] the city's top employers are:
| # | Employer | # of employees | Percent of Total City Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Utah Valley University | 3,030 | 5.9% |
| 2 | Alpine School District | 1,222 | 2.4% |
| 3 | City of Orem | 569 | 1.1% |
| 4 | Timpanogos Regional Hospital | 507 | 1.0% |
| 5 | Avetta, LLC | 500 | 1.0% |
| 6 | Wal-Mart | 499 | 1.0% |
| 7 | Target Corporation | 409 | 0.8% |
| 8 | United Parcel Service, Inc. | 360 | 0.7% |
| 9 | Costco | 350 | 0.7% |
| 10 | U.S. Synthetic Corporation | 347 | 0.7% |
| Total | 7,793 | 15.3% |
Several notable companies started in Orem:
Oremfest is an annual, multi-day summer festival that has included different activities over the years, but most recently has featured a charity golf tournament,[17] pool party, outdoor concert, volunteer opportunities, car show, and parade.[18] Oremfest originated in 1949 to celebrate the completion of State Street.[19] Other events traditionally included in the festival: a baby contest, a boutique, theRotary Club Breakfast, a 5K Fun Run, fireworks, a carnival, and vendor booths.
The festival came to be known as Summerfest, until Orem city officials received acease-and-desist letter in 2022 fromMilwaukee World Festival Inc., based on that city'sSummerfest music festival trademark and usage of the name dating back to 1969.[20] In lieu of signing a licensing agreement to use the Summerfest name, the Orem city council opted instead to rebrand to Oremfest. Other Utah cities likeSouth Jordan, however, obtained permission use the trademarked Summerfest name for their own festivals.[21]
As of 2025, other city arts and cultural events[22] through fall and winter include:
Orem's first library opened in 1939, before eventually relocating. The new Orem Public Library was built on the same lot as city hall, adjacent to City Center Park, under Mayor Winston Crawford's tenure in 1971.[23] The library features stained glass art depicting several fairy tales at a window near the children's storytelling wing, the piece was created by artistTom Holdman at the beginning of his career.[24] Library Hall is an events space used for author visits, film screenings, and other programs, and includes an art gallery in thedōTERRA South Lobby.[25]
Orem has been home to a number of professional sports teams in addition to being the home to Utah Valley University's Wolverines athletic teams. TheOrem Owlzminor league baseball team, arookie league affiliate of theLos Angeles Angels, began play in 2005.[26] The Owlz won 5 championships and had more than 90 major league players as part of the team.[27] The Owlz played their home games atUCCU Ballpark on the campus ofUtah Valley University. The stadium has a capacity of 5,000 spectators.[28] The Owlz competed in thePioneer League against teams from Colorado, Idaho, Montana and one team in Utah – theOgden Raptors.[29] They relocated toWindsor, Colorado, in 2021 and became theNorthern Colorado Owlz.[30]
Orem has also been the home to two indoor football teams as well as a G League professional basketball team. In 1998, theUtah Catzz played their only season in theProfessional Indoor Football League as the league only lasted one season. TheUtah Flash was anNBA G League affiliate of thePhiladelphia 76ers that was established in 2007.
| Club | Sport | League | Venue | Established | Concluded | Championships | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Orem Owlz | Baseball | Pioneer League, Baseball | UCCU Ballpark | 2005 | 2020 | 5 | The Pioneer League 2020 season was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. |
| Utah Catzz | Football | Professional Indoor Football League | UCCU Center | 1998 | 1998 | 0 | The Professional Indoor Football League only operated for one year during the 1998 season. |
| Utah Flash | Basketball | NBA G League | UCCU Center | 2007 | 2011 | 0 | The Utah Flash was later moved and is now known as the Delaware Blue Coats. |
| Utah Valley Thunder | Football | American Indoor Football Association | UCCU Center | 2009 | 2009 | 0 | The Utah Valley Thunder returned to the Arena Football League until 2013. |
Orem has more than 20 parks throughout the city. In 2017, the Orem Splash Pad opened at Palisade Park. The Splash Pad uses 1,000 US gallons (3,800 L) per minute and has a weave spray nozzle as well as 22 other spray nozzles.[31] The Skate Park opened in 2002 and has 0.25 acres (1,000 m2) of cemented space for extreme sport use.[32] City Center Park is home to the annual Orem Summerfest as well as concerts and other cultural events.[33]
Orem has acouncil–manager government. The mayor and council members are elected and serve part-time, while the city manager is appointed and serves full-time. Six city council members serve alongside the mayor. The mayor and city council are elected to staggered four-year terms.[34] The Orem City Center Complex on State Street housed city staffer offices from 1969 until 2025, when a new city hall was built.[35] The old city hall was 3D scanned before it was demolished.[36]
List of mayors of Orem[37] (years served):
Orem is in theAlpine School District[44] and is home to three high schools, three junior high schools, and 14 elementary schools.[45] An education center ofUtah State University is also in Orem.
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Utah Valley University is a public university operated by the state of Utah. UVU is one of the United States' only Open Enrollment Universities, accepting all applicants. UVU offers a wide variety of bachelor's and master's degrees. It is Utah's largest and fastest-growing public university, with over 43,000 undergraduates.[46]The campus's notable features include theUCCU Center, the Digital Learning Center library, the Hal Wing Track and Field Complex, and the Woodbury School of Business. TheRoots of Knowledge stained glass display is in the Fulton Library on campus.[47]
Several modes of transportation are available in Orem. TheUtah Transit Authority operates theFrontrunner train,Utah Valley Express (UVX) bus rapid transit and regular bus service in the city. TheOrem station serves Utah Transit Authority'sFrontRunner train.[48] The UVX route runs from Orem Central Station through UVU and along University Parkway through Orem's uptown near its southern boundary with Provo, which is where the opposite end of the bus line is located.[49]
The road system includes anInterstate highway,US highways,state highways, and city-maintained roads.Interstate 15 runs through the west side of Orem with four interchanges in the city.[50]US Highway 89 (State Street) runs northwest–southeast through the middle of the city, whileUS Highway 189 (University Avenue) passes through a short section of northeast Orem. There are also four state routes that pass through the city –SR-52 (800 North/Canyon Parkway),SR-114 (Geneva Road),SR-241 (1600 North), andSR-265 (University Parkway).[51]
Notable groups include:
Orem has one sister city inÜrümqi, China, according to the Utah League of Cities and Towns and the Utah Sister Cities Coalition.[70]
Howard Tayler is the award-winning cartoonist responsible for Schlock Mercenary and the inventor of the "chupaqueso." He's married and lives in Orem, UT[...].
Places adjacent to Orem, Utah | |
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Municipalities and communities ofUtah County, Utah,United States | ||
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| Other communities | ||
| Indian reservation | ||
| Ghost towns | ||
| Footnotes | ‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties | |
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