At one time the area was known as Sharon, a Biblical name for a mostly level strip of land running between mountains and the sea, and the name of the Vermont birth town of Joseph Smith, founder of the Latter Day Saint movement.[5] Another former name was Provo Bench.[5] In an apparent attempt to attract more investment to the town and provide an easy way for the large population of farmers with orchards to ship produce, in 1914 it was named after Walter C. Orem, President of the Salt Lake and Utah Railroad in the early 1900s.[6] Orem was incorporated on May 5, 1919.
Orem is situated in a high desert, with an average elevation of 4,756 feet. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 18.4 square miles (48 km2), all land. The city is located near the eastern shore of Utah Lake, bordering Provo on the east and south, Vineyard to the west, Lindon contiguous to the north, and Mount Timpanogos/Wasatch Mountain range to the east.
Orem, Utah – Racial and ethnic composition Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.
The 2000 Census counted 84,324 people, 23,382 households, and 19,079 families. The population density at that time was 4,572.6 people per square mile (1,765.5 people/km2). There were 24,166 housing units at an average density of 1,310.4 per square mile (505.9/km2).
There were 23,382 households, out of which 48.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 69.0% were married couples living together, 9.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 18.4% were non-families. 12.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 5.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.57 and the average family size was 3.93.
In the city, the population was spread out, with 35.4% under the age of 18, 17.4% from 18 to 24, 25.8% from 25 to 44, 14.5% from 45 to 64, and 6.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 24 years. For every 100 females, there were 98.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.2 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $52,703, and the median income for a family was $59,066. Males had a median income of $42,249 versus $30,742 for females. The per capita income for the city was $20,971. About 10.3% of families and 13.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16% of those under age 18 and 6% of those age 65 or over.
Orem is located in the Alpine School District[13] and is home to three high schools, three junior high schools, and 14 elementary schools.[14]Stevens-Henager College is also located in Orem, as is an education center of Utah State University.
Utah Valley University is a public university operated by the state of Utah. UVU is one of the United States' only Open Enrollment Universities offering acceptance to all applicants. As a university, UVU offers a wide variety of bachelor's and master's degrees. UVU is the largest and fastest growing public university in Utah with its attendance of over 43,000 undergraduates.[15]
The campus's notable features include the UCCU Center, the Digital Learning Center library, the Hal Wing Track and Field Complex, and the Woodbury School of Business. The Roots of Knowledge stained glass display is located in the Fulton Library on campus.[16]
Government
The city of Orem is governed by a council-manager system. The mayor and council members are elected and serve part-time, while the city manager is appointed and serves full-time. There are six city council members that serve alongside the mayor. The mayor and city council are elected to staggered four year terms.[17]
WordPerfect (now owned by Corel, was first named Satellite Software International, or SSI, and used Orem City Center as its headquarters for a time in offices the city had available in the basement)
The Pioneer League 2020 season was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Utah Catzz
Football
Professional Indoor Football League
UCCU Center
1998
1998
0
The Professional Indoor Football League only operated for one year during the 1998 season.
Utah Flash
Basketball
NBA G League
UCCU Center
2007
2011
0
The Utah Flash was later moved and is now known as the Delaware Blue Coats.
Utah Valley Thunder
Football
American Indoor Football Association
UCCU Center
2009
2009
0
The Utah Valley Thunder returned to the Arena Football League until 2013.
Transportation
Public transit
Several modes of transportation are available in Orem. The Utah Transit Authority operates the Frontrunner train, Utah Valley Express (UVX) bus rapid transit and regular bus service in the city. The Orem station serves Utah Transit Authority's FrontRunner train.[35] The UVX route runs from Orem Central Station through UVU and along University Parkway through Orem's uptown near its southern boundary with Provo, which is where the opposite end of the bus line is located.[36]
Major highways
The road system includes an Interstate highway, US highways, state highways, and city-maintained roads. Interstate 15 runs through the west side of Orem with four interchanges in the city.[37]US Highway 89 (State Street) runs northwest–southeast through the middle of the city, while US Highway 189 (University Avenue) passes through a short section of northeast Orem. There are also four state routes that pass through the city - SR-52 (800 North/Canyon Parkway), SR-114 (Geneva Road), SR-241 (1600 North), and SR-265 (University Parkway).[38]
Orem has more than 20 parks throughout the city. In 2017, the Orem Splash Pad opened at Palisade Park. The Splash Pad uses 1,000 gallons per minute and has a weave spray nozzle as well as 22 other spray nozzles.[40] The Skate Park opened in 2002 and has a quarter acre of cemented space for extreme sport use.[41] City Center Park is home to the annual Orem Summerfest as well as concerts and other cultural events.[42] City parks include:[43]
Bonneville Park
Cascade Park
Cherry Hill Park
City Center Park
Community park
Foothill Park
Geneva Park
Hillcrest Park
Lakeside Sports Park
Mt. Timpanogos Park
Nielson's Grove Park
Northridge Park
Orchard Park
Palisade Park
Scera Park
Sharon Park
Skate Park
Spring Water Park
Westmore Park
Windsor Park
Sister cities
Orem has one sister city in Ürümqi, China, according to the Utah League of Cities and Towns and the Utah Sister Cities Coalition.[44]
^Tayler, Howard. "Blógünder Schlock » About". Retrieved November 6, 2007. Howard Tayler is the award-winning cartoonist responsible for Schlock Mercenary and the inventor of the "chupaqueso." He's married and lives in Orem, UT[...].
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