Gunnison, Utah

Gunnison is a city in the Sevier Valley in southwestern Sanpete County, Utah, United States. The population was 3,509 at the 2020 census. The city was named in honor of John W. Gunnison, a United States Army officer who surveyed for the transcontinental railroad in 1853.[4]

Gunnison, Utah
City
Looking south down Gunnison's Main Street (US-89), June 2005
Looking south down Gunnison's Main Street (US-89), June 2005
Location in Sanpete County and the state of Utah.
Location in Sanpete County and the state of Utah.
Coordinates: 39°9′19″N 111°49′6″W
CountryUnited States
StateUtah
CountySanpete
Founded1859
Named forJohn Williams Gunnison
Area
[1]
 • Total4.79 sq mi (12.40 km2)
 • Land4.79 sq mi (12.40 km2)
 • Water0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Elevation
[2]
5,138 ft (1,566 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total3,509
 • Density732.57/sq mi (282.85/km2)
Time zoneUTC-7 (Mountain (MST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-6 (MDT)
ZIP code
84634
Area code435
FIPS code49-32660[3]
GNIS feature ID1428432[2]
WebsiteOfficial website

History

2007 gas spill
Looking north along the west side of Main Street (US-89) in Gunnison, September 2010

In the summer of 2007, over 24,000 US gallons (91,000 L)[5] of gasoline leaked from a storage tank beneath the Top Stop gas station, located on the corner of South Main and East Center and owned by Wind River Petroleum. The gasoline leaked throughout the soil beneath South Main Street and eventually throughout the southwest side of town, contaminating businesses and homes. On August 10, 2007, local and state officials ordered the temporary evacuation of an entire Main Street block, heavily populated with businesses, because of the fumes from the gasoline leak. In the weeks following, Wasatch Environmental installed underground soil-ventilation systems.[6] Several businesses, including the Top Stop, permanently closed, and some homes were evacuated. Gunnison City, along with several businesses and residents, filed suit against Wind River Petroleum over the handling of the gas leak.[7] As of 2010, approximately $3 million ($1 million from a state cleanup fund, $2 million from Wind River Petroleum) had been spent on the cleanup, which is expected to last a decade.[5] Gunnison City recently completed a Main Street rehabilitation project valued at over $1 million.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 5.3 square miles (14 km2), all land.

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
1870475—
188072953.5%
189084515.9%
1900829−1.9%
191095014.6%
19201,11517.4%
19301,057−5.2%
19401,1155.5%
19501,1442.6%
19601,059−7.4%
19701,0731.3%
19801,25517.0%
19901,2983.4%
20002,39484.4%
20103,28537.2%
20203,5096.8%
U.S. Decennial Census[8]

Demographics

As of the census[3] of 2000, there were 2,394 people, 513 households, and 410 families residing in the city. The population density was 451.9 people per square mile (174.4/km2). There were 549 housing units at an average density of 103.6 per square mile (40.0/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 88.35% White, 1.84% African American, 2.51% Native American, 0.79% Asian, 0.58% Pacific Islander, 3.97% from other races, and 8.00% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 7.10% of the population.

There were 513 households, out of which 45.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 72.1% were married couples living together, 6.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 19.9% were non-families. 18.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years or older. The average household size was 3.12, and the average family size was 3.59.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 25.3% under 18, 13.2% from 18 to 24, 33.8% from 25 to 44, 17.9% from 45 to 64, and 9.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females, there were 197.4 males. For every 100 females aged 18 and over, there were 240.6 males. The startling ratio of women to men is due to the presence of the Central Utah Correctional Facility, located one half mile northeast of downtown Gunnison. This state-run prison opened in 1990, has a capacity of 1500 inmates, and currently houses only male offenders.[9]

The median income for a household in the city was $33,147, and the median income for a family was $37,500. Males had a median income of $27,207 versus $23,958 for females. The per capita income for the city was $14,537. About 9.8% of families and 11.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.9% of those under age 18 and 10.9% of those aged 65 or over.

Education

Gunnison is located in the South Sanpete School District and has one elementary school, one middle school, and one high school, Gunnison Valley High School, (all of which are known as Gunnison Valley).

See also

References
  1. "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 7, 2020.
  2. U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Gunnison, Utah
  3. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  4. Leigh, Rufus Wood (1961). Five hundred Utah place names: their origin and significance. Salt Lake City: Deseret News Press. p. 34.
  5. Fahys, Judy (July 16, 2010). "Legal settlement signed 3 years after Gunnison gasoline leak". Salt Lake Tribune. Retrieved March 22, 2011.
  6. Hales, John (November 10, 2007). "Gas leak aftermath has Gunnison reeling — and seeking answers". Deseret News. Salt Lake City: Deseret Digital Media. Retrieved March 22, 2011.
  7. "Gunnison City sues over gas leak". Daily Herald. March 13, 2008. Retrieved March 22, 2011.
  8. "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  9. "Gunnison Prison". Utah Department of Corrections. Archived from the original on June 9, 2012. Retrieved September 29, 2012.
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