Orem
Orem, Utah offers a wide array of opportunities for those who want to make this part of Utah their home. Along with Provo, Utah, Orem is located up against the Wasatch Range of the Rocky Mountains in the center of the beautiful Utah Valley. It’s an ideal place to put down your roots. Orem continues to rank highly on the “Best Places to Live in America” survey of Money Magazine.
The sixth largest city in Utah, Orem is growing, attracting many due to its close proximity to wonderful outdoor recreation areas. Known as Family City USA, the city is the perfect environment to raise your kids. Nestled between the mountains and the shores of Utah Lake, this picturesque setting has culture, entertainment and education to fit every need. The outdoors beckons you into the wild and untamed lands surrounding to enjoy Mother Nature at her best. It’s no wonder that Orem ranks as a contender for one of the best places to live.
To get out in the backcountry is an adventure of a lifetime. The fabulous Wasatch Range will keep you exploring on weekends, with plenty to do for the whole family. In the summer, mountain biking and hiking the wilderness trails is exciting. Wintertime holds many thrills, with skiing being the choice of pastimes.
With a plentiful market of affordable homes, relocating to Orem is easy. For those desiring a safe place to raise a family, and looking for the best in schooling and adventurous fun year round, Orem real estate is the only choice. For single-family homes, you’ll find the median price in Orem is around $250,000.
Orem Activities
For the best in quality recreation activities, Orem, Utah is the ideal pick for your home. All year you can experience a wide array of outdoor fun in the area. The kids will love to explore the city parks and historical sites of the region. Provo and Orem are close neighbors and everything you need is just minutes away. A favorite destination is Utah Lake State Park. There’s no better summer fun than taking to the water for water skiing or swimming, or just laying on the shore enjoying the mountain views.
For real adventure, you can take off into the back country on some of the popular trails. Go by foot on an exciting hike or grab your mountain bike. Up Provo Canyon, you can visit Bridal Veil Falls, with its incredible 600-foot drop. Rafting or kayaking down Provo River could become your adventure of choice. You’ll be glad you chose Orem for your home.
Orem Crime Statistics
Orem, Utah is one of the safest places you can pick to live with your family. You can see by the statistics that the Orem area is rated as one of the safest in the US. With a population of over 91,000, the rates of violent crime are far below the national average. Utah County, where Orem is located, is said to have the second lowest violent crime rate per the FBI.
While murder, rape, robbery, and aggravated assault are considered violent crimes, property crimes are the offenses of burglary, larceny-theft, and motor vehicle theft. Both sets of statistics in Orem prove it to be one of the safest cities around to have as your home. For example, motor vehicle theft is about half the national average for the same population.
Orem Demographics
You’ll love seeing Orem, Utah at a single glance. You can get an overview of one of the best places to live in the United States by checking out these statistics. The population as of 2007 was 90,857 and growing by 7.75% since the year 2000. The median age in Orem is 26.6 and the male population totals about 46.9% while females are at 50.3%. Of the folks in Orem, 58.7% are married and 31.1% have never been married. For those residents who are over 24 years old, 91.5% have a high school education or higher. The voting public is 85.9% Republican and 11.6% Democrat, with Independents coming in at 2.3%.
Orem Events
Orem shows class and style with its events scheduled throughout the year. There are always fascinating things to do for the whole family. Of course, summers are the busiest times for Orem families, with something to keep the children and adults entertained the entire season. The Timpanogos Storytelling Festival is one of the largest storytelling festivals in the US, with more than 26,000 attending. The kids will love the bedtime stories presented at Mt. Timpanogos Park. There will be plenty of music and entertainment for all.
Of course, don’t forget the Orem Summerfest! This is exciting for everyone, with a great parade, children’s crafts, fireworks and more surprises. Take in some theater presentations at the SCERA Shell Outdoor Theatre. These classics will have you returning for more. The National Youth Theater Festival is held in June at the SCERA Center for the Arts and has workshops to assist young artists in improving their acting skills.
Orem History
Orem’s early history is closely tied to that of Provo, because of the cities’ close proximity. Indians made their home in Utah Valley, and fur traders roamed and hunted the mountains and canyons. Later Orem (known at the time as “Provo bench”) was settled by farmers, and they grew many fertile fields and orchards. It existed as a beautiful extension of Provo.
Orem was incorporated in 1919 as the people living there felt that this new town would be able to finance a water system for the region, something badly needed. They took the new name from the owner of the railroad running between Salt Lake City and Provo, Walter Orem. Homesteads sprung up along the main highway through the territory (now State Street) and spread out to the secondary roads that gave access to the fields. Now much of the farmland has turned into the urban area you see today, with lovely shopping areas and residential districts.
Orem Health Care
For optimum physical and dental health care, you can count on the hospital services and dentists available to you in Orem, Utah. The Orem Community Hospital is located at 331 North 400 West in Orem, with others close by – such as the Timpanogos Regional Hospital at 750 West 800 North, or the Utah Valley Regional Medical Center which is 9 miles away in Provo. Only 10 miles distant is the American Fork Hospital in American Fork, Utah.
You and your family can get excellent dental care at any of the numerous dental offices in Orem. There are a number of well-known centers, including Frandsen Family Dentistry, Barry Family Dental Group and Donald A Dodge. With such a wide choice, you will be able to find the dentist that fits your needs.
Orem Libraries
Over a million items are checked out every year from the Orem City Library. And why? It’s because they have what you’re looking for! With more than 203,000 books, over 27,000 audio materials and over 20,000 video materials on their shelves, Orem Library is there to serve Orem residents with the best in personalized service. Your kids will be spending some quality time here and become educated in so many things. You can find the ideal books for your children to read by referring to the List of the Best Children’s Books of the 21st Century & Best Books of 2007.
The library is located on 58 N State Street, on the northeast corner of State and Center Streets. There’s parking that can be easily accessed from 100 North. They are open on Monday through Friday from 9:30 am until 9 pm. On Saturday, they’re open from 9:30 am to 6 pm. The library is closed on Sundays and holidays.
Orem Parks
If you like to get out in the sun for a great time in the summer months, you’ll find some wonderful parks in Orem. Your kids will have the perfect playtime and enjoy all the amenities these parks provide. The largest in the area is Utah Lake State Park, with its vast opportunities at some water sports and picnic sites. Another favorite is Mt. Timpanogos Park on Provo Canyon Road. It has 44 acres of green just for your enjoyment. You can rent one of the pavilions at SCERA Park and have your own event there. The kids will find two playground areas and there is a great jogging or walking path.
Outdoor lovers take advantage of the many parks that Orem offers, including Bonneville Park with two lighted tennis courts, and Cascade Park with its basketball courts and softball field. Those brilliant days of sunshine are too wonderful to waste indoors!
Orem Public Safety
Orem, Utah maintains public safety at the highest standards for the welfare of its citizens. Besides having public officials and employees on call continually, the Public Safety Department manages administrative duties to protect the public.
For your convenience, here are the numbers you need to know in Orem:
Any Emergency – 911
Police (non-emergency) 801-229-7070
The Orem Department of Public Safety, Fire Division (non-emergency) 801-229-7327
Columbia Orem Hospital at 750 W 800 N
801-714-6000
The Orem Police Department is located at 95 E Center Street, Orem
Telephone number:
801-229-7070
Sheriff (Utah County)
801-343-4000
Orem City Fire Department 801-229-7327
Orem Fire Station 801-229-2587
Orem Fire Department 801-229-7021
Animal Control Shelter 801- 785-3442
Orem Department of Public Safety
Orem Schools
There’s no better place to raise a family. Orem provides some of the best schools in Utah and works to maximize all student achievement. The overriding goal of this great school system is for all children to improve their interests and love of learning. The place to start is elementary school, naturally, and Orem has seven elementary schools with over 5200 students enrolled. Then they will move forward to one of the three Junior High Schools and eventually to one of the four public High Schools in Orem. You’ll also find a choice in private schools between the Challenger School and Montessori Learning Center, both taking pre-kindergarten to fourth grade.
Orem Shopping
You will always find what you need in Orem, as you’ll find the largest shopping mall in all of Utah right here. The University Mall is a two-story mall containing some of the most fashionable stores around these days. The famous retailers you must visit at this mall are Macy’s, with over 212,000 square feet of floor space, and Mervyn’s. Nordstrom also has a large store at the University Mall. The Sports Authority is there to serve you, as well.
Only a short distance away is the Provo Towne Centre where you can find some wonderful entertainment and dining. The sixteen-screen Cinemark Theater will show the top running movies, and you can get something to eat in a glass rotunda overlooking the Rockies. In Orem there is also the Mountain Shadows Shopping Center to browse. No matter where you go, you’ll find the best in fashion and customer care.
Orem Voting
It’s your responsibility to register to vote, and when you move to Orem, Utah you will need to re-register. It’s never too late. If you are 18 years of age or older and are a U.S. citizen, and have lived in Utah for at least 30 days before the election, you can register. Your voter registration is valid for your lifetime unless you move, change your name or want to change your party affiliation.
There are two ways to register. You can go in person to the Utah County Clerk’s Election Office in Provo. It is located at 100 East Center Street, Room 3100 and is open from Monday to Friday – 8 am to 5 pm. You can do this 15 days prior to the election in which you wish to cast your vote. Or you can go online to Utah County Elections to get forms. You then must send in your registration form postmarked at least 30 days before the election in which you intend to vote.
