Wayne County, Utah

Wayne County is a county in the U.S. state of Utah. As of the 2020 census, the population was 2,486,[1] making it the fourth-least populous county in Utah. Its county seat is Loa.[2]

For other uses, see Wayne County.

Wayne County
County
Tithing Office in Loa, Utah.
Tithing Office in Loa, Utah.
Map of Utah highlighting Wayne County
Location within the U.S. state of Utah
Map of the United States highlighting Utah
Utah's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 38°22′N 110°54′W
Country United States
State Utah
FoundedMarch 10, 1892
Named forWayne County, Tennessee
SeatLoa
Largest townLoa
Area
 • Total2,466 sq mi (6,390 km2)
 • Land2,461 sq mi (6,370 km2)
 • Water5.8 sq mi (15 km2)  0.2%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total2,486
 • Density1.0/sq mi (0.39/km2)
Time zoneUTC−7 (Mountain)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−6 (MDT)
Congressional district2nd
Websitewww.waynecountyutah.org

History

Due to its remoteness and harsh terrain, settlements did not appear in the future Wayne County until the 1880s. By 1892, there was enough settlement and enough interest in a separate county (due mainly to the difficulty of accessing the Piute County seat), that Utah Territory passed an act (effective date March 10, 1892)[3] to separate the east portion of Piute into a separate county.[4] The county was named for Wayne County, Tennessee, itself named for Anthony Wayne.[5] The county boundaries have remained unchanged since its creation.

Geography

The eastern border of Wayne County is delineated by the meanders of the Green River, which flows southward to discharge into the Colorado River. After the two rivers join, the combined southwestern flow forms the remaining portion of the county's eastern border. The central part of the county is drained by the Fremont River and Muddy Creek. The Fremont begins at Fish Lake in Sevier County and flows into Wayne County near its northwestern corner. It joins the Muddy near Hanksville to form the Dirty Devil River, which flows southeastward out of the county's southern border to discharge into Colorado. Wayne County terrain varies from rough forestland on the west to arid poor soil carved by drainages and rocky outcrops.[6] The terrain slopes to the east and south; its highest area is near its NW corner, at 9,888 ft (3,014 m) ASL.[7] The county has a total area of 2,466 square miles (6,390 km2), of which 2,461 square miles (6,370 km2) is land and 5.8 square miles (15 km2) (0.2%) is water.[8]

The Green River, passing through the canyons of Canyonlands National Park, forms the eastern boundary. The San Rafael Desert occupies the center of the county. Thousand Lake Mountain and Boulder Mountain flank Rabbit Valley on the western end of the county, where beautiful forests contrast with the deserts to the east. The small population of the county is centered in Rabbit Valley, with one town of 200, Hanksville, located in Graves Valley north of the Henry Mountains. Wayne County is also home to Capitol Reef National Park.

Major highways

Adjacent counties

National forests/parks

Lakes
  • Abes Knoll Reservoir
  • Alkali Lake
  • Bald Knoll Reservoir
  • Beaver Dam Reservoir
  • Beef Hollow Reservoir
  • Bicknell Reservoir
  • Big Hollow Reservoir
  • Black Point Reservoir
  • Blackburn Reservoir
  • Blind Lake (near Neff Reservoir)
  • Blind Lake (near Pear Lake)
  • Blue Lake
  • Bobs Hole
  • Brinkerhoff Pond
  • Buffalo Pond
  • Bull Roost Reservoir
  • Bullberry Lakes
  • Cameron Reservoir
  • Cedar Peak Lake
  • Coleman Reservoir
  • Cook Lake
  • Cub Lake
  • Curler Lake
  • Cyclone Co-op Reservoir
  • Cyclone Knoll Reservoir
  • Dead Horse Lake
  • Deadman Hollow Reservoir
  • Deep Creek Lake
  • Donkey Reservoir
  • Dry Lake Reservoir
  • East Bicknell Sand Wash Pond
  • East Gate Reservoir
  • Eightmile Reservoir
  • Emily Lake
  • Evans Reservoir
  • Fish Creek Reservoir
  • Flat Top Reservoir
  • Flatiron Lakes
  • Flossie Lake
  • Government Lake
  • Grass Lake (near Bobs Hole)
  • Grass Lake (near Torgerson Lake)
  • Green Lake
  • Gripe Reservoir
  • Hare Lake
  • Heart Lake
  • Honeymoon Lake
  • Hunt Reservoir
  • Jakes Knoll Reservoir
  • Jane Lake
  • Jay Pond
  • Jim Larson Reservoir
  • Lava Lake
  • Lee Lake
  • Left Hand Reservoir
  • Lightning Lake
  • Long Hollow Reservoir
  • Lost Lake
  • Lower Balsam Reservoir
  • Lower Reservoir
  • Meadow Gulch Reservoir
  • Middle Balsam Reservoir
  • Middle Reservoir
  • Mill Meadow Reservoir (part)[6]
  • Miller Lake
  • Mitts Reservoir
  • Moroni Reservoir
  • Mud Lake
  • Ned Reservoir
  • Neff Reservoir
  • Ottos Reservoir
  • Parker Hollow Reservoir
  • Pass Reservoir
  • Pear Lake
  • Petes Pond
  • Pine Creek Reservoir
  • Pole Canyon Reservoir
  • Raft Lake
  • Right Fork Wildcat Reservoir
  • Rock Lake
  • Rock Point Reservoir
  • Round Lake (near Heart Lake)
  • Round Lake (near Lower Reservoir)
  • Sage Reservoir
  • Smooth Knoll Reservoir
  • Snow Lake
  • Snow Lakes
  • Solitaire Lake
  • Spray Reservoir
  • Square Reservoir
  • Tidwell Reservoir
  • Torgerson Lake
  • Twin Lakes
  • Upper Balsam Reservoir
  • Vance Reservoir
  • West Bicknell Pond
  • West Flat Top Reservoir Number 1
  • West Flat Top Reservoir Number 2
  • White Rock Reservoir
  • Wide Hollow Reservoir
  • Wildcat Reservoir
  • Woodys Reservoir
Panorama of the Great Gallery in Canyonlands National Park

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
19001,907—
19101,749−8.3%
19202,09719.9%
19302,067−1.4%
19402,39415.8%
19502,205−7.9%
19601,728−21.6%
19701,483−14.2%
19801,91128.9%
19902,17713.9%
20002,50915.3%
20102,77810.7%
20202,486−10.5%
US Decennial Census[9]
1790–1960[10] 1900–1990[11]
1990–2000[12] 2010[13] 2020[14]

2000 census

As of the 2000 United States Census, there were 2,509 people, 890 households, and 669 families in the county. The population density was 1.02 people per square mile (0.39 people/km2). There were 1,329 housing units at an average density of 0.54 units per square mile (0.21 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 97.29% White, 0.16% Black or African American, 0.36% Native American, 0.08% Asian, 0.16% Pacific Islander, 1.24% from other races, and 0.72% from two or more races. 1.99% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 890 households, out of which 36.20% had children under 18 living with them, 66.50% were married couples living together, 5.30% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.80% were non-families. 21.50% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.60% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.81, and the average family size was 3.31.

The county population contained 32.40% under the age of 18, 8.10% from 18 to 24, 22.50% from 25 to 44, 22.60% from 45 to 64, and 14.40% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 103.50 males. For every 100 females aged 18 and over, there were 103.50 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $32,000, and the median income for a family was $36,940. Males had a median income of $26,645 versus $20,000 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,392. About 12.70% of families and 15.40% of the population were below the poverty line, including 22.10% of those under age 18 and 8.20% of those aged 65 or over.

Ancestry and ethnicity

As of 2017 the largest self-identified ancestry groups/ethnic groups in Wayne County, Utah were:[15]

Largest ancestries (2017)Percent
English45.5%
German16.3%
Dutch8.4%
Danish7.6%
Irish5.8%
Scottish5.4%
Swedish3.9%
American2.3%
Welsh1.7%
Polish1.2%

[15]

Communities

Towns

Census-designated places

Unincorporated communities

Former communities
View north of Hanksville from Route 24. Factory Butte in background.

Politics and government

Wayne County voters are traditionally Republican. In only one national election since 1948 has the county selected the Democratic Party candidate (as of 2020).

State elected offices
Position District Name Affiliation First elected
  Senate 24 Derrin Owens Republican 2020[16]
  House of Representatives 73 Phil Lyman Republican 2018[17]
  Board of Education 14 Mark Huntsman Nonpartisan 2014[18]
United States presidential election results for Wayne County, Utah[19]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No. %No. %No. %
2020 1,229 75.40% 365 22.39% 36 2.21%
2016 966 67.74% 271 19.00% 189 13.25%
2012 1,089 82.06% 215 16.20% 23 1.73%
2008 940 70.04% 335 24.96% 67 4.99%
2004 1,062 78.09% 279 20.51% 19 1.40%
2000 953 77.80% 202 16.49% 70 5.71%
1996 741 64.89% 265 23.20% 136 11.91%
1992 706 57.63% 236 19.27% 283 23.10%
1988 784 68.59% 353 30.88% 6 0.52%
1984 930 80.24% 224 19.33% 5 0.43%
1980 835 76.05% 226 20.58% 37 3.37%
1976 555 59.11% 334 35.57% 50 5.32%
1972 597 71.75% 183 22.00% 52 6.25%
1968 511 62.85% 248 30.50% 54 6.64%
1964 400 49.26% 412 50.74% 0 0.00%
1960 446 53.86% 382 46.14% 0 0.00%
1956 499 63.81% 283 36.19% 0 0.00%
1952 536 66.09% 275 33.91% 0 0.00%
1948 367 44.16% 460 55.35% 4 0.48%
1944 325 43.05% 430 56.95% 0 0.00%
1940 380 43.13% 500 56.75% 1 0.11%
1936 329 38.52% 522 61.12% 3 0.35%
1932 398 49.26% 401 49.63% 9 1.11%
1928 422 68.17% 195 31.50% 2 0.32%
1924 331 57.27% 241 41.70% 6 1.04%
1920 396 61.97% 224 35.05% 19 2.97%
1916 225 35.89% 393 62.68% 9 1.44%
1912 282 52.03% 183 33.76% 77 14.21%
1908 279 49.91% 184 32.92% 96 17.17%
1904 310 53.26% 251 43.13% 21 3.61%
1900 324 52.94% 282 46.08% 6 0.98%
1896 78 16.15% 405 83.85% 0 0.00%

See also
  • National Register of Historic Places listings in Wayne County, Utah
  • For additional History of Wayne County Utah see "Utah's Stolen Treasures" by Gene Covington ISBN 978-1-62516-335-6 (e-book) or ISBN 978-1-61897-954-4 (paperback)

References
  1. "Wayne County, Utah". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 1, 2023.
  2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. "[[Newberry Library]]. Individual County Chronologies - Wayne County UT (accessed March 25, 2019)". Archived from the original on March 6, 2016. Retrieved March 25, 2019.
  4. ""History". This narrative says the county was established in May 1892 (possibly referring to the date its government was organized). Wayne County website (accessed 25 March 2019)". Archived from the original on March 24, 2019. Retrieved March 24, 2019.
  5. Murphy, Miriam B. (January 1999). A History of Wayne County (PDF). Utah Centennial County History Series. Salt Lake City: Utah State Historical Society. pp. 78–80. ISBN 0-913738-45-X. Retrieved January 27, 2015.
  6. Wayne County UT Google Maps (accessed 24 March 2019)
  7. ""Find an Altitude/Wayne County UT" Google Maps (accessed 24 March 2019)". Archived from the original on May 21, 2019. Retrieved March 24, 2019.
  8. "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". US Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved June 26, 2015.
  9. "US Decennial Census". US Census Bureau. Retrieved June 26, 2015.
  10. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved June 26, 2015.
  11. Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 27, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". US Census Bureau. Retrieved June 26, 2015.
  12. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). US Census Bureau. April 2, 2001. Retrieved June 26, 2015.
  13. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on September 5, 2015. Retrieved December 30, 2013.
  14. 2020 Population and Housing State Data | Utah
  15. "American FactFinder - Results". Archived from the original on February 13, 2020.
  16. "Senator Owens Utah Senate". senate.utah.gov. Retrieved November 16, 2021.
  17. "Rep. Lyman, Phil". Utah House of Representatives. Archived from the original on November 15, 2021. Retrieved November 15, 2021.
  18. "Mark Huntsman". www.schools.utah.gov. Archived from the original on November 15, 2021. Retrieved November 15, 2021.
  19. Leip, David. "Atlas of US Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved March 31, 2018.
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