History of Utah in Timeline

Utah is a landlocked state in the Mountain West, bordering Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Wyoming, Idaho, and Nevada. It's the 13th largest by area but only the 30th most populous. The majority of its population resides in the Wasatch Front, including Salt Lake City, the state capital. Another population center is Washington County in the southwest. A significant portion of western Utah lies within the Great Basin.

1918: Establishment of 29 Counties in Utah

Since 1918, Utah has been divided into 29 counties, ranging in size from 298 to 7,819 square miles.

December 12, 1932: Record low temperature for inhabited location

On December 12, 1932, the record low temperature for an inhabited location in Utah was −49 °F (−45 °C) at Woodruff.

1939: Establishment of Alta Ski Area

In 1939, the Alta Ski Area was established, marking the beginning of Utah's world-renowned skiing industry.

1957: Utah State Parks Commission Creation

In 1957, Utah created the Utah State Parks Commission with four parks.

1970: Completion of I-70 Stretch from Salina to Green River

In 1970, the 103-mile stretch of I-70 from Salina to Green River was completed, marking the country's longest stretch of interstate without services. At the time, it was the longest stretch of entirely new highway constructed in the U.S. since the Alaska Highway was completed in 1943.

1970: Utah Stars join the ABA

In 1970, the Utah Stars competed in the ABA.

1975: "The Greatest Snow on Earth" Becomes Official State Slogan

In 1975, "The Greatest Snow on Earth" officially became the state slogan of Utah, after being in unofficial use since 1962.

1976: Utah Stars in the ABA

From 1970 to 1976, the Utah Stars competed in the ABA.

1977: Gary Gilmore Executed by Firing Squad

In 1977, Gary Gilmore was executed by firing squad in Utah, marking the first execution after the 1972-1976 national moratorium on capital punishment ended.

1978: Sundance Film Festival Founded

In 1978, the Sundance Film Festival was founded in Park City, Utah.

1979: New Orleans Jazz Move to Salt Lake City

In 1979, the Utah Jazz of the National Basketball Association moved to Salt Lake City from New Orleans.

February 1, 1985: Record low temperature

On February 1, 1985, the record low temperature in Utah was −69 °F (−56 °C), recorded at Peter Sinks in the Bear River Mountains.

1990: English speakers in Utah

In 1990, 92.2% of all state residents five years of age or older spoke only English at home.

August 11, 1993: F3 tornado in the Uinta Mountains

On August 11, 1993, an F3 tornado, the strongest in Utah's history, occurred in the Uinta Mountains.

1994: No Democrat Has Won in Utah County Since 1994

Even though Utah Democratic candidates are predominantly LDS, socially conservative, and pro-life, no Democrat has won in Utah County since 1994.

1996: Republican Presidential Candidate Receives Smaller Vote Share in Utah

In the 1996 Presidential elections the Republican candidate received a smaller 54% of the vote while the Democrat earned 34%.

1997: Utah Starzz in the WNBA

In 1997, the Utah Starzz joined the WNBA.

1998: Church Promotes Bipartisanship

In 1998, the church expressed concern that Utahns perceived the Republican Party as an LDS institution and authorized lifelong Democrat and Seventy Marlin Jensen to promote LDS bipartisanship.

August 11, 1999: Salt Lake City Tornado

On August 11, 1999, an F2 tornado moved across downtown Salt Lake City, causing damage and resulting in one fatality and 60 injuries.

2000: Utah's population growth

Between 2000 and 2010, Utah experienced significant population growth, becoming the second-fastest-growing state according to the 2010 census.

2000: Fastest-growing counties in Utah

From 2000 to 2010, Wasatch County, Washington County, and Tooele County were the three fastest-growing counties. In that same timeframe, Saratoga Springs experienced the highest growth rate at 1,673%.

2000: English speakers in Utah

In 2000, 87.5% of all state residents five years of age or older spoke only English at home, a decrease from 92.2% in 1990.

2000: Fastest growing states since 2000

Since 2000, Utah has been one of the fastest growing states. Also, from 2000 to 2005, St. George was the fastest-growing metropolitan area in the United States.

2001: "Utah! Where Ideas Connect" Adopted as State Slogan

In 2001, Utah Governor Mike Leavitt approved "Utah! Where Ideas Connect" as the new state slogan.

2002: Antidepressant prescriptions in Utah

A 2002 national prescription drug study determined that antidepressant drugs were "prescribed in Utah more often than in any other state, at a rate nearly twice the national average".

2002: Salt Lake City hosted the Winter Olympics

In 2002, Salt Lake City hosted the Winter Olympics, which became one of the most successful Winter Olympics in history, watched by over two billion viewers and generating a $100 million profit.

2002: Salt Lake City Winter Olympic Games

Salt Lake City won the bid for the 2002 Winter Olympic Games, boosting the economy and spurring infrastructure development like the TRAX light-rail system.

2003: Utah Starzz in the WNBA

From 1997 to 2003, the Utah Starzz competed in the WNBA.

2004: George W. Bush Utahn votes

George W. Bush polled 70.9% of Utahn votes in 2004.

2004: George W. Bush Wins Every County in Utah

In 2004, Republican George W. Bush won every county in Utah and Utah gave him his largest margin of victory of any state. He won the state's five electoral votes by a margin of 46 percentage points with 71.5% of the vote.

2005: Fastest-growing metropolitan area

From 2000 to 2005, St. George was the fastest-growing metropolitan area in the United States.

2005: Real Salt Lake Founded

In 2005, Real Salt Lake of Major League Soccer was founded.

March 10, 2006: "Life Elevated" Becomes New State Slogan

On March 10, 2006, the Utah Travel Council and the office of Governor Jon Huntsman announced that "Life Elevated" would be the new state slogan, replacing "Utah! Where Ideas Connect".

2006: Legislation Aimed at Banning Joint Custody for Non-Biological Parents Vetoed

In 2006, the Utah legislature passed legislation aimed at banning joint custody for a non-biological parent of a child, but it was vetoed by the governor.

July 4, 2007: Record high temperature

On July 4, 2007, Utah's record high temperature of 118 °F (48 °C) was recorded south of St. George.

2007: Deer Valley Park City Ranked Top Ski Resort

Between 2007 and 2011, Deer Valley Park City was ranked the top ski resort in North America in a survey organized by Ski Magazine.

2007: Utah Ranked Top State for Economic Dynamism

In 2007, Utah was ranked as the top state in the nation for Economic Dynamism, according to the 2007 State New Economy Index. The ranking was based on the extent to which state economies were knowledge-based, globalized, entrepreneurial, information technology-driven, and innovation-based.

2008: Real Salt Lake Women began to play

In 2008, Real Salt Lake Women began play in the Women's Premier Soccer League.

2008: Forever Strong movie release

In 2008, the movie Forever Strong was released, inspiring the growth of rugby in Utah.

2008: John McCain Utahn votes

John McCain polled 62.5% of Utahn votes in the 2008 United States presidential election.

2008: Utah's Flat Income Tax Established

Since 2008, Utah's personal income tax has been a flat five percent for all taxpayers.

February 2009: Africanized honeybees found in southern Utah

In February 2009, Africanized honeybees were found in southern Utah.

August 11, 2009: Gary Herbert Sworn in as Governor

After Jon Huntsman Jr. resigned to serve as U.S. Ambassador to China, Gary Herbert was sworn in as governor of Utah on August 11, 2009.

2009: Utah Ski Resorts Highly Ranked in Ski Magazine Reader Survey

According to the 2009 Ski Magazine reader survey, six of the top ten resorts deemed most "accessible", and six of the top ten with the best snow conditions, were located in Utah.

2009: BYU wins National Championship

In 2009, BYU won the National Championship in college rugby. Rugby has been growing in popularity in Utah.

2009: Real Salt Lake Wins MLS Cup

In 2009, Real Salt Lake won the MLS Cup, becoming the only major league sports team in Utah to have won a national championship.

2010: LDS Church membership in Utah

According to results from the 2010 U.S. census, combined with official LDS Church membership statistics, LDS church members represented 62.1% of Utah's total population.

2010: Utah's population growth

According to the 2010 census, Utah was the second fastest-growing state in the United States between 2000 and 2010, with a growth rate of 23.8 percent.

2010: Utah Number One for Volunteerism

According to the Corporation for National and Community Service, between 2008 and 2010, Utah ranked number one for volunteerism in the nation, with an average of 884,000 volunteers each contributing 89.2 hours, amounting to $3.8 billion of service.

2010: Fastest-growing counties in Utah

Between 2000 and 2010, Wasatch County, Washington County, and Tooele County were the three fastest-growing counties. In that same timeframe, Saratoga Springs experienced the highest growth rate at 1,673%.

2010: Gary Herbert Elected to Serve Remainder of Term

In 2010, Gary Herbert was elected to serve out the remainder of the term in a special election, defeating Democratic nominee Peter Corroon.

2010: Largest denominational groups

In 2010, the Association of Religion Data Archives (ARDA) reported that the three largest denominational groups in Utah are the LDS Church, the Catholic Church, and the Southern Baptist Convention.

2010: Fastest population growth since 2010

The 2020 U.S. census confirmed the fastest population growth in the nation since 2010 in Utah.

2010: 2010 U.S. Census in Utah

The U.S. Census Bureau reported a 16.00% population increase in Utah between the 2010 U.S. census and July 1, 2019.

January 12, 2011: New Regional Airport Opens at St. George

On January 12, 2011, a new regional airport at St. George opened.

2011: Deer Valley Park City Ranked Top Ski Resort

Between 2007 and 2011, Deer Valley Park City was ranked the top ski resort in North America in a survey organized by Ski Magazine.

2011: Ethnic minorities population of Utah

In 2011, 28.6% of Utah's population younger than the age of one were ethnic minorities, meaning they had at least one parent who was of a race other than non-Hispanic white.

2011: Bilingual workforce in Utah

In 2011, one-third of Utah's workforce was reported to be bilingual, developed through a program of acquisition of second languages beginning in elementary school.

2012: Study on winter precipitation falling as snow

A 2012 study found that the proportion of winter (January–March) precipitation falling as snow has decreased by nine percent during the last half century.

2012: Gross state product and per capita personal income

According to the Bureau of Economic Analysis, the gross state product of Utah in 2012 was US$130.5 billion, and the per capita personal income was $45,700.

2012: Utahns ranked fourth in overall well-being

According to the Gallup-Healthways Global Well-Being Index as of 2012, Utahns ranked fourth in overall well-being in the United States.

2012: BYU wins National Championship

In 2012, BYU won the National Championship in college rugby.

2012: Gary Herbert Wins Full Four-Year Term

In 2012, Gary Herbert won election to a full four-year term as governor, defeating the Democrat Peter Cooke.

2012: Coral Pink Sand Dunes tiger beetle proposal

In 2012, it was proposed that the Coral Pink Sand Dunes tiger beetle be listed as a threatened species, but the proposal was not accepted.

2012: Utah Returns as Most Republican State

In 2012, with Mormon Mitt Romney as the Republican nominee, Utah regained its position as the most Republican state in the U.S.

2012: Mitt Romney Utahn votes

Mitt Romney received 72.8% of the Utahn votes in 2012.

December 20, 2013: Same-Sex Marriage Legalized in Utah

On December 20, 2013, same-sex marriage became legal in Utah after a ruling by U.S. District Court Judge Robert J. Shelby in Kitchen v. Herbert.

2013: Rugby growth in Utah

As of 2013, rugby had grown to 70 teams in the state of Utah, with more than 3,000 players.

January 6, 2014: Stay Granted on Same-Sex Marriage Ruling

On January 6, 2014, the U.S. Supreme Court granted the Utah Attorney General's office a stay of the ruling that legalized same-sex marriage, pending consideration by the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals.

October 6, 2014: Same-Sex Marriages Commence Again in Utah

On October 6, 2014, the U.S. Supreme Court declined a writ of certiorari, and the 10th Circuit Court issued their mandate later that day, lifting their stay which allowed same-sex marriages to commence again in Utah.

2014: BYU wins National Championship

In 2014, BYU won the National Championship in college rugby.

2014: Protective Laws Enacted for LGBTQ People in Utah

Since 2014, protective laws for LGBTQ people in Utah have been increasingly enacted, including the legalization of same-sex marriage after federal courts ruled the state's ban unconstitutional in 2014.

2015: Religious people in Utah

According to a Gallup poll, Utah had the third-highest number of people reporting as "Very Religious" in 2015, at 55%.

2015: BYU wins National Championship

In 2015, BYU won the National Championship in college rugby.

2015: Real Monarchs began to play

In 2015, Real Monarchs began to play at Rio Tinto Stadium as the official reserve side for RSL competing in the third-tier MLS Next Pro.

2016: Real Salt Lake Women moved to United Women's Soccer

In 2016, Real Salt Lake Women moved to United Women's Soccer.

2016: Salt Lake City Stars relocation

In 2016, the Salt Lake City Stars, the G League affiliate of the Utah Jazz, relocated from Idaho to Utah.

2016: Donald Trump Wins Utah with a Plurality

In the 2016 presidential election, Republican Donald Trump carried Utah, marking the thirteenth consecutive win by a Republican presidential candidate, but with only a plurality, the first time this had happened since 1992.

May 2017: Africanized honeybees spread into eight counties

By May 2017, Africanized honeybees had spread into eight counties in Utah, as far north as Grand and Emery counties.

2017: LDS Church membership in Utah

In 2017, 62.8% of Utahns were members of the LDS Church.

2017: Utah Warriors formed

In 2017, the Utah Warriors, a Major League Rugby team based in Salt Lake City, were formed.

2017: Vegas Golden Knights join NHL

In 2017, with the addition of the Vegas Golden Knights to the National Hockey League, Utah became the second-least populous U.S. state to have a major professional sports league franchise.

March 2018: Utah Passes "Free-Range Parenting" Bill

In March 2018, Utah passed the United States' first "free-range parenting" bill, which was signed into law by Governor Gary Herbert.

2018: Number of plant species in Utah

As of 2018, there are 3,930 species of plants in Utah, with 3,128 of those being indigenous and 792 being introduced.

2018: LDS Church membership in Utah

In 2018, 61.2% of Utahns were members of the LDS Church.

2018: Real Monarchs moved to Zions Bank Stadium

In 2018, Real Monarchs moved to Zions Bank Stadium, located at RSL's training center in Herriman.

July 1, 2019: Utah Population Estimate

On July 1, 2019, the U.S. Census Bureau estimated the population of Utah to be 3,205,958, a 16.00% increase since the 2010 U.S. census.

2019: LDS Church membership in Utah

In 2019, 60.7% of Utahns were members of the LDS Church.

2019: Real Salt Lake Women folded

In 2019, Real Salt Lake Women folded.

2019: Utah Fully Repeals Anti-Sodomy Law

In 2019, the Utah state legislature fully repealed the state's anti-sodomy law, which had been invalidated in 2003 by Lawrence v. Texas.

January 2020: Official list managed by the Utah Bird Records Committee

As of January 2020, there were 466 species included in the official list managed by the Utah Bird Records Committee (UBRC).

March 18, 2020: Earthquake near Salt Lake City

On March 18, 2020, Utah experienced a 5.7 magnitude earthquake originating near Magna, close to Salt Lake City.

2020: Brown recluse spider status in Utah

As of summer 2020, the brown recluse spider has not been officially confirmed in Utah.

2020: 2020 U.S. Census in Utah

At the 2020 U.S. census, Utah had a population of 3,271,616.

2020: Real Salt Lake shuttered the Royals

Due to fallout from controversies surrounding RSL's ownership, leading to the club's eventual sale, RSL shuttered the Royals after the 2020 season, selling its player-related assets to a new Kansas City franchise.

2020: Burgess Owens Defeats Ben McAdams

In 2020, Ben McAdams lost re-election to Burgess Owens, a Republican, in Utah's 4th congressional district.

2020: Associated Press profiles Utah's political culture

In 2020, the Associated Press wrote an article profiling Utah's bipartisan political culture during the presidential election year, highlighting conservative support for LGBT rights and marijuana use.

2020: Utah Ranked 3rd Easiest State for Voting

In a 2020 study, Utah was ranked as the 3rd easiest state for citizens to vote in.

January 4, 2021: Spencer Cox Sworn in as Governor of Utah

On January 4, 2021, Spencer Cox was sworn in as the current governor of Utah.

2022: Homeless population in Utah

According to HUD's 2022 Annual Homeless Assessment Report, there were an estimated 3,557 homeless people in Utah.

2022: Utah births to unmarried women lowest in US

In 2022, Utah had the lowest percent of births to unmarried women of any US state, at 20.3 percent.

2023: Paper challenging Utahns are Mormons

A 2023 paper challenged this perception (claiming only 42% of Utahns are Mormons) however most statistics still show a majority of Utah residents belong to the LDS church

2024: J. Bracken Lee Remains Most Recent Non-LDS Governor

As of 2024, J. Bracken Lee (1949–1957) remains the most recent of the three Governors of Utah who was not a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church).

2024: Utah moves to the Big 12 Conference

In 2024, the University of Utah will move from the Pac-12 Conference to the Big 12 Conference.

2024: Utah Hockey Club Established

In 2024, the Utah Hockey Club was established, and will begin playing during the 2024–25 National Hockey League season. The team uses the existing roster, staff and draft picks of the Arizona Coyotes.