Provo
Provo, Utah, an incredible city only 45 miles south of Salt Lake City, has proven to be “the” place to put down roots. With a large market of affordable homes, Provo has been the top choice for those wanting a safe environment, outdoor activities close by and the best in schools and recreation for their children. At any given time, you will find hundreds of homes to choose from, with a median price around $230,000.
The third-largest city in Utah, Provo is based on strong family values with safe neighborhoods and friendly residents making for fabulous neighbors. The city was originally called Fort Provo when founded by a group of Mormons in 1849, but was renamed Provo in 1850, after Étienne Provost, a French-Canadian trapper.
Provo, Utah lies along the along the Wasatch Front, a mountain range with forests and rivers the envy of any outdoorsman. Mount Timpanogos towers over the city. The scenery is spectacular with wildlife roaming the canyons and hills. There are numerous points of interest to explore in and around Provo. The Peaks Ice Arena and the Reed O. Smoot House are only a few of the sights you can enjoy.
In the summer months, the Wasatch Range beckons the adventurer to explore the surrounding backcountry. Activities are abundant, with hiking, biking and fishing in the summer months, and skiing in winter being among the favorites. World class climbing can be found on the granite peaks and in many of the canyons. Finding Provo real estate has never been easier.
Provo Activities
Your leisure time is important to you – and Provo, Utah can satisfy all your recreation needs. Quality activities exist for the whole family, and all year round. With a number of great theme parks, historical sites, city parks and outdoors fun, Provo offers something for everyone. Of course, one of the most popular destinations is the Utah Lake State Park, with over 90,000 acres of lake, mountains surrounding and perfect temperatures. In the summer you can beat the heat by swimming and water skiing. And in the winter… ice-skating!
Take in the spectacular scenery around Provo by hiking or biking on a few of the many trails. Along the Provo River Parkway Trail you can view panoramas of canyon and river. If you continue up Provo Canyon, you can see one of the area’s most magnificent landmarks – Bridal Veil Falls. Plummeting over 600 feet, this falls is a favorite of those that come to visit in the spring and summertime. There’s so much to do, it’s difficult to list it all. From the nearby Uinta National Forest in the Wasatch Range to the limestone caverns at Timpanogos Cave National Monument, there is a wealth of activities to fill your days. You can attempt a rafting or kayaking trip down the Provo River or have an awesome ride up the ski lift at Sundance Resort. Fishing is a thrill as you get a wide choice of great fishing holes in numerous trout steams. You’ll have no lack of adventure!
Provo Crime Statistics
Beautiful Provo, Utah is a safe place to live for you and your family. The statistics here speak for themselves. Utah County (in which Provo is located) has the second lowest violent crime rate per the FBI annual crime report. Thus Provo has rated a 1.7 average per 100,000 people for the most violent of crimes (murder) when the national average comes in at 7 in 100,000. Property crime also tends to be much lower in Provo than the overall average in the state of Utah.
Provo Demographics
Enjoy seeing Provo at a glance! It’s always good to know the overview of one of the best places to live in the US. The population as of 2006 was 115,135 and growing at about 1.7%. About 84% are White and 10% Hispanic. The male population is 46.9% of the total while the females are at 53.1%. Of the folks in Provo, 61.2% are married and 38.9% are single, with 21.3% being families with children. With 89.4% of the population older than 24 years of age having a high school education or higher, this outranks many other cities in the US. The voting public is 85.9% Republican and 11.6% Democrat, with Independents coming in at 2.3%.
Provo Events
There’s always something going on in Provo! Young and old take part in activities and events throughout the Provo area, and this continues all year. From picnics and big band dances for seniors at the Eldred Senior Center, to summer festivals, educational programs and performing arts entertainment, Provo has ongoing fun and frolicking for the whole family. Provo City Parks and Recreation has tours, monthly activities for seniors and much more. Each May is Senior Citizen Month and celebrations go on throughout the month at the Senior Center. Spring Dances and Pancake Breakfasts are favorites. And everyone can attend.
In August a big hit for the family is “Movies in the Park.” Bring your blankets or chairs and get a free movie under the stars. There’s a lot going on that welcomes in the beginning of America’s Freedom Festival. Part of this festival includes a monumental fireworks display on the Fourth of July at the Stadium of Fire, with lots of music and fun. “Days of 47” signals the celebration of the arrival of the very first pioneers into the Salt Lake City Valley. This event commemorates the influence of the pioneers of yesterday and today.
Provo History
The Ute Indians were the first to live in the Provo, Utah region, settling in the beautiful valley between the Utah Lake and the towering Wasatch Mountains. Most of their villages were near the lake, since fish was their primary diet. Then in 1776, the Utah Valley had its first white visitor – a Spanish Franciscan missionary who explored the area and chronicled his adventures.
Early in the 1800s, the fur traders came to take advantage of the good hunting in this mountain land. One of these trappers, Etienne Provost, started a trading post and gave his name to the river and town that had been established. In 1849, Mormon settlers came from Salt Lake City and made Provo the second major Mormon settlement in Utah. The home of Brigham Young Academy, the largest church-affiliated university in the US, the influence of the Mormons remains in Provo even today, with friendly and welcoming residents.
Provo Health Care
For optimal health care, you can count on the hospital services and dentists available to you in Provo, Utah. The Utah Valley Regional Medical Center is located at 1034 North 500 West in Provo, with others close by – such as the Orem Community Hospital which is 6 miles away, and the Timpanogos Regional Hospital, also in Orem. Only 14 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 Provo. There are approximately 8 well-known centers, including Provo Pediatric Dental, Jeppson Dental and Ashman Dental. With such a wide choice, you will be able to find the dentist that fits your needs.
Utah Valley Regional Medical Center
Provo Libraries
Provo, Utah boasts one library, but what a library it is! Located at 425 West Center Street, the Provo City Library at Academy Square caters to the education and fun of everyone, young and old. There are over 178,000 books on the shelves, over 8,800 audio materials and more than 7,700 video materials. You will certainly be able to find what you are looking for in this fabulous library.
Provo City Library also has almost 70,000 registered patrons and numerous programs and events. One favorite is a series of classes addressing how to live healthy, eat good food and plan meals correctly. To top it off, the classes are free. This is just a sample of what you can get at your local library. They provide a Personalized Reading service where you simply fill out a questionnaire online and get between three to five individualized book recommendations from the Librarian. The Summer Reading Program is a favorite among teens. The library is open 9 am to 9 pm Monday through Friday, and from 9 am to 6 pm on Saturday.
Provo Library at Academy Square
Provo Parks
Provo has a number of parks to accommodate those who are inclined to spend their days in the beautiful sun of Utah. Of all the parks in and around the city, Utah Lake State Park is probably the favorite. With picnic sites, camping and lots of water sports, this park can’t be beat. The area surrounding this fabulous freshwater lake offers fishing and a visitor center. Another attraction is Fort Utah, which is a replica of the first settled area in Provo. There you’ll find softball fields, a soccer field and a playground and picnic area.
With so many places to spend weekend days in the summer, Provo is the choice for outdoors lovers. Pioneer Park is the top pick for kids, with a wading stream, playground and even a bandstand for evening concerts, just like in the old days. Be sure not to miss the museum at Pioneer Park, which highlights Western art and artifacts from early Utah. You can also visit some of the original cabins which were built when the settlement became too big for Fort Utah.
Provo Public Safety
Provo, 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 Provo:
Any Emergency – 911
Public Safety (non-emergency) 801-852-6210
Hospital–Utah Valley Regional Med Center
801-373-7850
The Provo Police Department is located at 351 West Center St., Provo, UT 84603.
Telephone number:
801-852-6210
Sheriff (Utah County)
801-343-4000
Fire Station 1
801-852-6321
Fire Station 2
801-852-6322
Fire Station 3
801-852-6323
Fire Station 4
801-852-6324
Animal Control
801-852-6241
Provo Schools
Provo is the home of Brigham Young University, founded by Mormon pioneer settlers in 1875. BYU is recognized internationally as a top-ranked institution of higher learning. The Wasatch Front is home to several highly-acclaimed universities, including Utah Valley University, the University of Utah and Utah State University.
A great place to raise a family, Provo provides some of the best elementary, middle and high schools in Utah, working to maximize student achievement. The school system has the goal for all children to improve their interests and love of learning. Mastering the basics, of course, comes first. Provo has seven outstanding elementary schools, with over 4,000 children enrolled. Additionally there are three middle schools in the city. You could also choose from three private elementary/middle schools for your little one.
Provo Shopping
Shopping is ideal in Provo, Utah. With plenty of fashionable shops and all the famous retailers, you will never be at a lack of the items you need and desire. At Provo Towne Centre you’ll discover not only lots of shopping, but entertainment and dining as well. Drop in at the GAP to find the latest in styles, or Victoria’s Secret for enticing lingerie. The soft seats throughout the mall will allow you to rest up in comfort. There are 16 screens to choose from at the Cinemark Theater, and you can grab a bite to eat in the glass rotunda overlooking the beautiful Rockies.
If you love good food and want to concentrate on a healthy diet, you should get yourself to the University Mall, with specialists in health and diet foods offering the best in quality. The Shops at Riverwoods also is the place to go to get the most popular in fashion.
Provo 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.
