Over half of Davis County, 365 of its 630-square-mile area, is covered in water by the Great Salt Lake. The lake provides habitat for over 200 species of birds. The lake and its birds attract tourists to the county to bird watch, sail, and enjoy the nature preserves. Visitors also come to Davis County to hike, camp, and cycle in the beauty of the Wasatch Mountains. In 2014 the county had 11,287 leisure- and hospitality-related jobs. A report regarding the Economic Significance of the Great Salt Lake to the State of Utah, includes information regarding economic benefits of recreation.
Agriculture is an important industry for Davis County. Within the county in 2012, it was estimated that 55,017 acres of farmland produce $36,760,000 in market value annually. The industry is a multiplier for economic activity, with 2.03 jobs created to support the industry for every new agricultural job. In other words, $830,000 is required in seeds, feed, chemicals, etc., to support every $1 million of agricultural output.
Mining is an economic resource in Davis County. In 2013 revenues from mining were over $28 million. Much of this revenue came from sand, gravel, stone, oil, and gas.
The county is home to the Hill Air Force Base, which is located just east of Clearfield. It is the US Air Force’s third largest base in terms of population and size. It employs 23,000 people.
Sources
- Bioeconomics, Inc. 2012. Economic Significance of the Great Salt Lake to the State of Utah. Report prepared for the Great Salt Lake Advisory Council, January 26.
- Utah Association of Conservation Districts. 2012. Davis County Resource Assessment.
- Natural Resources Conservation Service. 2005. Davis County, Utah Resource Assessment.
- Economic Development Corporation of Utah. 2013. Davis County Profile.
Agriculture is an important economic resource in Morgan County. With 354,300 acres of range and shrubland, the county is home to four dairy farms with over 1,000 dairy cattle, 6,000 beef cattle, and three other livestock operations, including mink farming. The county also has 17,780 acres classified as “prime farmland (if irrigated)” or “farmland of statewide importance.” Major crops in Morgan County include alfalfa, barley, oats, Christmas trees, and woody landscaping plants. In 2012 Morgan County’s market value of products sold was $20,362,000.
Those looking to recreate in Morgan County enjoy beautiful scenery and wildlife. The East Canyon and Lost Creek State parks are popular summer recreation destinations. Visitors come to Morgan County to enjoy camping, hiking, biking, fishing, and golfing. In 2014 the county had 187 leisure- and hospitality-related jobs.
In the recent past, Morgan County’s economy has begun to be more diversified by manufacturing, trade, and construction.
Sources
- U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Agricultural Statistics Service. n.d. 2012 Census of Agriculture County Profile Morgan County, Utah.
- U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service. 2005. Morgan County, Utah Resource Assessment.
- Utah Association of Conservation Districts. 2013. Morgan County Resource Assessment.
Salt Lake County, with its 16 incorporated communities and 1,029,655 residents (2010 census), is the largest county in Utah by population and the 39th most populous county in the United States. People are one of Salt Lake County’s great assets. Developing the labor force occurs within the county at the University of Utah, Salt Lake Community College, LDS Business College, BYU Salt Lake Center, Westminster College, and via a handful of other learning institutions.
Salt Lake County contains valuable natural resources. Sales from mineral resources added up to $417,488,188 in 2013. On the west side of the county, the Wasatch Mountain Range offers four world-class ski resorts: Snowbird, Alta, Solitude, and Brighton. The Jordan River runs the length of Salt Lake County and empties into the Great Salt Lake. The numberless tributary streams make the river rich in minerals, benefiting wildlife and agricultural pursuits such as alfalfa and winter wheat production. In 2012 the county had 630 farms covering 78,162 acres. The total market value sold that year was $21,521,000.
The Salt Lake City International Airport supports the county’s thriving tourism industry. In 2013, 4.2 million skiers visited Utah. Of the state’s 15 ski resorts, 11 of them are within 1 hour of Salt Lake City International Airport. In addition to enjoying the county’s natural resources, visitors typically make their way to Temple Square, theme and water parks, aquariums, museums, and national monuments. In 2014 Salt Lake County had 53,646 leisure and hospitality related jobs.
Sources
- Economic Development Corporation of Utah. 2013. Salt Lake County Profile.
- University of Utah, Bureau of Economic and Business Research. 2015. Tourism, Travel, and Recreation.
- U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service. 2005.Salt Lake County, Utah Resource Assessment.
- Utah Association of Conservation Districts. 2013. Salt Lake County Resource Assessment.
Tooele County is the second largest county in Utah with 6,923 square miles of land. Three mountain ranges run through the county including the Oquirrh Mountains, the Deep Creeks, and the Onaqui and Stansbury Mountains. The demand for the county’s mineral resources has continued to increase over time. In 2013 the total sales of mineral resources added up to $2,753,323.
Other valued resources include range lands (which make up 75 percent of the county) and timber. There are a total of 347,024 acres of farmland divided between 476 farms (as of 2012). The market value from sales in 2012 was $40,386,000.
Tooele County also attracts recreation visitors. The county offers pristine land, where visitors may hike, camp, hunt, fish, and ride bikes, horses, and off highway vehicles. Further opportunities to ride are available at the Miller Motorsports Park, where guests come to race motorcycles, autos, bikes, and carts. In 2014 the county had 1,537 leisure- and hospitality-related jobs.
Sources
- U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Agricultural Statistics Service. n.d. 2012 Census of Agriculture County Profile Tooele County Utah.
- U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service. 2005. Tooele County Resource Assessment.
- Utah Association of Conservation Districts. 2013. Tooele County Resource Assessment.
Weber County, home to 15 incorporated cities, is rich with economic resources; including natural resources, business development, and recreational and tourist attractions.
Weber’s agricultural industry is supported by the Weber River and Ogden River, which are the main waterways that support irrigation in the county. In 2012 Weber County had 117,415 acres of farmland, which produced $39,872,000 in sales. In 2009 agriculture is estimated to have contributed $83.7 million dollars in economic activity. The main crops produced in Weber County are alfalfa, grain, corn silage, and pasture. Weber County’s forests and mineral deposits have allowed diversification of its economy. In 2013 the mining industry produced $3,034,101 in sales revenues.
A driver in economic development in Weber County is the former Defense Depot in Ogden, which was converted into the Business Depot of Ogden (BDO). While several federal facilities operate out of the BDO, it also supports operations of businesses such as Kenco, Lofthouse Foods, and the Ogden Standard Examiner, to name a few. Economic development is further supported by an educated and skilled labor force. Weber State University and Ogden/Weber Applied Technology College are both excellent institutions of higher education located in Weber County.
Recreational opportunities are abundant with the county’s portion of the Wasatch Mountains. Three prime ski resorts are housed within the county, Powder Mountain, Nordic Valley, and Snowbasin. The county also boasts a top-notch winter sports facility, the Weber County Ice Sheet. In 2014 the county had 8,449 leisure- and hospitality-related jobs.
Sources
- University of Utah, The Policy Institute. 2015. Utah Travel and Tourism Profile.
- U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Agricultural Statistics Service. n.d. 2012 Census of Agriculture County Profile Weber County Utah.
- U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service. 2005. Weber County, Utah Resource Assessment.
- Utah Association of Conservation Districts. 2013. Weber County Resource Assessment.