Davis County, Utah
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Davis County is a county located in the state of Utah. In 2000 the population was 238,994 and by 2004 was estimated at 261,208. It was named for Daniel C. Davis, captain in the Mormon Battalion. Its county seat is Farmington and its largest city is Layton6.
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History
Davis County was created by the territorial legislature in 1852, with Farmington designated as its county seat, because of its geographic location midway between boundaries at the Weber River on the north, and the Jordan River on the south.
During its first 50 years, Davis County grew slowly. With the advent of the Utah Central Railroad in 1870, a transition to mechanized agriculture and a surge of commerce, banking, improved roads, new water systems, and electrification of homes began. However, by 1940, the population was barely 16,000.
With the establishment of Hill Air Force Base in northern Davis County, there was a surge of civilian employment after World War II. The county doubled in population between 1940 and 1950, and doubled again between 1950 and 1960. By 1990 there were 188,000 residents, and in 2000, there were 238,994. By 2030, the county is expected to have a population of about 360,000.
Law and Government
A three-member board of commissioners is the county's governing body. Each of these commissioners serve four-year terms, which overlap for the sake of continuity. They are responsible for all county services and operations. They approve, adopt, and amend the budget; they also serve as the legislative body and regulate business licensing in the county's unincorporated areas. The current county commissioners are Carol Page, Dan McKonkie, and Alan Hansen, with Commissioner Page currently serving as Commission Chair.
The clerk/auditor serves as the county's chief financial and budget officer. The current Clerk/Auditor is Steve Rawlings.
The treasurer is responsible for collection and investing of county funds. The current Treasurer is Mark Altom.
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,641 km² (634 mi²). 789 km² (304 mi²) of it is land and 853 km² (329 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 51.95% water.
Geographic Features
The county is generally between the Great Salt Lake on the west, and the Wasatch Mountains on the east. It includes Antelope Island, which is the largest island in the lake.
Major Highways
Interstate 15 runs north-to-south, and connects the county to Salt Lake and Ogden. This is the most important road in the county. Other important roads include Highway 89. In order to alleviate traffic congestion, a new freeway known as the Legacy Highway began construction, but construction has been halted due to environmentalists claiming that the environmental impact statement is incomplete.
Adjacent Counties
Davis County is bordered by
- Weber County on the north
- Salt Lake County on the south
- Tooele County on the west
- Morgan County on the east
Economy
Many citizens live in Davis County, but work in either Salt Lake City or the Ogden area, as the county is between these two metropolitan areas.
Demographics
As of the census2 of 2000, there are 238,994 people, 71,201 households, and 59,239 families residing in the county. The population density is 303/km² (785/mi²). There are 74,114 housing units at an average density of 94/km² (243/mi²). The racial makeup of the county is 92.26% White, 1.09% Black or African American, 0.58% Native American, 1.53% Asian, 0.27% Pacific Islander, 2.30% from other races, and 1.97% from two or more races. 5.42% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 71,201 households out of which 49.50% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 70.80% are married couples living together, 9.20% have a female householder with no husband present, and 16.80% are non-families. 13.60% of all households are made up of individuals and 4.60% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 3.31 and the average family size is 3.67.
In the county, the population is spread out with 35.10% under the age of 18, 12.20% from 18 to 24, 28.20% from 25 to 44, 17.10% from 45 to 64, and 7.30% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 27 years. For every 100 females there are 100.90 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 98.50 males.
The median income for a household in the county is $53,726, and the median income for a family is $58,329. Males have a median income of $40,913 versus $25,904 for females. The per capita income for the county is $19,506. 5.10% of the population and 4.00% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 5.90% of those under the age of 18 and 4.10% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
Cities and towns
- Bountiful
- Centerville
- Clearfield
- Clinton
- Farmington
- Fruit Heights
- Kaysville
- Layton
- North Salt Lake
- South Weber
- Sunset
- Syracuse
- West Bountiful
- West Point
- Woods Cross
Education
Public education in Davis County is served by the Davis County School District.
External Links
Davis County's Official Website (http://www.daviscountyutah.gov)
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| State Capital: | |
| Regions: |
Dixie | Great Salt Lake | Great Salt Lake Desert | Uinta Mountains | Wasatch Front | Wasatch Back | Wasatch Range |
| Major Metros: |
Ogden | Provo | Saint George | Salt Lake City |
| Suburbs: |
Bountiful | Clearfield | Draper | Layton | Midvale | Murray | Orem | Roy | Sandy | Taylorsville | West Jordan | West Valley City |
| Smaller Cities: |
Brigham City | Cedar City | Logan | Moab | Park City | Price | Richfield | Tooele | Vernal |
| Counties: |
Beaver | Box Elder | Cache | Carbon | Daggett | Davis | Duchesne | Emery | Garfield | Grand | Iron | Juab | Kane | Millard | Morgan | Piute | Rich | Salt Lake | San Juan | Sanpete | Sevier | Summit | Tooele | Uintah | Utah | Wasatch | Washington | Wayne | Weber |