Orem

[awr-uhm, ohr‐]

Orem, city (1990 pop. 67,561), Utah co., N central Utah, near Provo; settled 1861, inc. 1919. Orem is located in an irrigated truck-farming and fruit-growing area. It has a large steel mill, and chemicals, furniture, metal products, electronic equipment, and computer software are manufactured. The city grew substantially in the late 20th cent.

The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia Copyright © 2004.
Licensed from Columbia University Press

Orem, Utah

Orem is a city in the north-central part of the U.S. state of Utah in Utah County. It is adjacent to Provo, Lindon, and Vineyard and is about 45 miles south of Salt Lake City. Orem is one of the principal cities of the Provo-Orem, Utah Metropolitan Statistical Area, which includes all of Utah and Juab counties. The population was 84,324 at the 2000 census, making it the sixth-largest city in Utah. Utah Valley University (formerly Utah Valley State College) is located in Orem. The Orem Owlz of the minor league baseball Pioneer League play their home games at the college.

Orem uses the moniker "Family City USA". At one time the area was known as Sharon, a Biblical name for a mostly level strip of land running between mountains and the sea, and was also known as Provo Bench. It was named in 1914 after Walter C. Orem, who operated a railroad line in the area, in an apparent attempt to attract more investment to the town. Orem was incorporated in 1919.

Geography

Orem is located at (40.298753, -111.696486).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 18.4 square miles (47.8 km²), all of it land.

The City of Orem is located on the eastern shore of Utah Lake. It borders Provo, Utah on the east and is located in the foothills of Mount Timpanogos.

Orem is also popular for its Summerfest celebration and parade which take place in June. In addition, Orem has more square area of parks as compared to city size than any other city in Utah.

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 84,324 people, 23,382 households, and 19,079 families residing in the city. The population density was 4,572.6 people per square mile (1,765.6/km²). There were 24,166 housing units at an average density of 1,310.4/sq mi (506.0/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 90.80% White, 0.33% African American, 0.73% Native American, 1.45% Asian, 0.86% Pacific Islander, 3.64% from other races, and 2.18% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 8.56% of the population.

There were 23,382 households out of which 48.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 69.0% were married 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 $47,529, and the median income for a family was $51,214. Males had a median income of $38,221 versus $22,815 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,590. About 5.8% of families and 8.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.9% of those under age 18 and 4.8% of those age 65 or over.

Despite Orem's image as a predominantly Mormon or White American community, it does have a fair share of ethnic/racial diversity. It's said to have the state's largest Mexican American community and a major area of choice for Latino immigrants since the 1990's.

Education

Orem is located in the Alpine School District and is home to three high schools, three junior high schools, and 16 elementary schools. Utah Valley University and Stevens-Henager College are also located in Orem.