St. George Utah is Growing Fast: What to Know Before Moving

In 2020, the U.S. Census Bureau compiled its latest report. Once every decade, the Bureau compiles data directly from U.S. citizens and residents in every corner of the country. In addition to determining things like federal funding, this count also gives us a better picture of where people are moving to, or away from. According to the 2020 U.S. census, St. George Utah is growing fast.St. George Utah was rated the fifth fastest-growing metro area in the country. Between 2010 and 2019, the metro area grew a whopping 29 percent. It went from having 138,115 reported residents to 177,556.This isn’t the first time the city has been noted for its quick growth in popularity. Between 2016 and 2017, St. George Utah was the fastest-growing metro area in the entire country. In just a year, its population increased by 4 percent.This information will likely come as no surprise to those who have lived in St. George for at least a few years. A once quiet town, the city has not only grown in population, but also draws more visitors from across Utah, the U.S., and around the world each year than ever before.So why is St. George Utah growing fast? Let’s take a look at what is drawing so many people to move to the area.

St. George Utah is an Outdoor Lover’s Paradise

For those looking to move to an area with plenty of outdoor activities to enjoy, St. George Utah is just the place. The city is home to dozens of city parks and has two national parks and several state parks within short drives.

Zion National Park is perhaps the best-known natural attraction in the area. In 2020, visitation to Zion National Park increased, making it the fourth most-visited national park in the nation. But it isn’t the only national park in the area.

Another of Utah’s famous Might 5 parks is just over two hours away. Bryce Canyon National Park may not see the same number of visitors as Zion, but its stunning natural amphitheater and towering rock formations make it just beautiful, and well worth the day trip.

Closer to home, Sand Hollow State Park, Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park, and several other Utah state parks offer their own great views. In these parks, visitors can enjoy hiking, off-road areas for UTVs and ATVs, boating, fishing, and more.

It Enjoys a Mild Climate

If you’re someone who hates rainy days, St. George may offer you the perfect solution. The area sees just 10 inches of annual rainfall. Compared to the national average of 38 inches, that’s incredibly low. St. George Utah also beats the national average for the annual number of sunny days. Compared to the U.S. average of 205 days of sun, St. George enjoys 255 sunny days.

Summers in St. George can be hot, with highs in July and August regularly topping 100 degrees Fahrenheit. But the spring and fall are mild and comfortable, and much of the winter season is mild as well. On average, St. George sees just two inches of snowfall a year.

The City Offers Housing Options for Every Price Point

If you’re looking to buy a home and are on a tight budget, the median home price in St. George might be a concern. The average price rose from $360,00 to more than $480,000 thousand in recent years. But that number has been driven higher by new housing developments with luxury homes. This doesn’t mean that families on a tight budget won’t be able to find a housing option that they can afford in the area.

From gated communities to affordable apartments and everything in between, St. George has it all. This means that families, couples, and individuals with various budgets will be able to find a housing option that works for them somewhere in the metro area.

While the cost of living may be higher than in some other parts of Utah, the benefits of living in St. George is well worth the increase. You’ll find that homes and apartment or condo complexes offer a variety of features and upgrades that make living in the area even more enjoyable.

St. George Utah Has a Low Crime Rate

Compared to the rest of the country, and even most of Utah’s other cities, St. George Utah has a very low crime rate.

In 2018, St. George had a crime rate of 227.37 violent crimes per 100,000 citizens. The crime rate across the U.S. for the same year was 380.56 violent crimes per 100,000 residents. Even the state of Utah’s crime rate was higher than that of St. George. In 2018, there were 233.08 violent crimes for every 100,000 people.

It’s a Family-Friendly Destination

One big reason why St. George Utah is growing fast is that it’s very family-friendly. From the low crime rate to the variety of housing options, the city is the perfect place for growing families or couples thinking about taking the next step.

In the city’s many neighborhoods, there are 12 elementary schools, 5 local junior high or middle schools, and 5 local high schools. Each of these schools has received good or great ratings and offers high graduation rates and competitive student-to-teacher ratios.

There are also 3 accredited colleges in the St. George metro area, making it ideal for families who will soon have high school graduates or for adults looking to continue their education.