OCR Text |
Show SECTION 4 STATE WATER PLAN - JORDAN RIVER BASIN DEMOGRAPHICS AND ECONOMIC FUTURE Salt Lake Valley is the major population and employment center in the state. In addition to Salt Lake City, with a 1990 population of 159,936, Salt Lake County is home to three of the 10 largest cities in Utah. The population density for Salt Lake County has grown from 900 people per square mile in 1990 to 995 people per square mile in 1995. Much of the county's rugged terrain, however, cannot be developed. Consequently it may be more appropriate to consider the population density of Salt Lake Valley ( lands at or below elevation 5200) which is currently approaching 2,000 people per square mile. 4.1 Introduction The economy of the Salt Lake Valley is characterized by a commercial and industrial urban core in Salt Lake City with suburban communities expanding north, south and west. The Wasatch Mountains to the east provide part of the water supply and land for prestige residential and commercial developments in the foothills. Some limited agricultural production is still evident, mainly in the southwest part of the valley. A revived real estate market, however, is rapidly displacing all but the most tenacious farmers, and reducing the land base available to those that remain. Population of Salt Lake County is expected to increase throughout the projection period, 1995- 2020. The rate of growth is expected to average 1.96 percent annually, but should range between 2.8 percent and 0.5 percent throughout the period. During the 1980s, services overtook trade to become the industry providing the most employment in Salt Lake County. The unemployment rate was 4.5 percent in 1995 compared to the state average rate of 4.9 percent. As the basin's economy grows, planning at all levels of government will depend on reliable and consistent data on the demand for water. This section presents data to help local leaders anticipate the need for timely water resources development. Combining these data with the latest technology for delivering, using and conserving available water should result in coordinated planning and manageable economic growth. 4.2 Demographics Salt Lake County's population in expected to grow by 1.96 percent average annual rate of change. This is slightly below the expected growth of the state which is 1.99 percent. Several communities within the county are expected to grow at a faster rate, at least in the short term. The population projections shown in Table 4- 1 and Figure 4- 1 are for cities and unincorporated areas in Salt Lake County. Taylorsville has recently become a city. Population estimates and projections for the new city are not available at this time. The four largest cities in Salt Lake County, Salt Lake City, West Valley City, Sandy and West Jordan, are home to 408,162 people or 21 percent of the state's population ( 1994 census). Salt Lake City lost population during the 1970- 1990 era, but it is expected to show steady growth in the future. The areas of Sandy, West Jordan and West Valley have seen tremendous growth in recent years. Kearns, West Valley and Taylorsville are close to being fully developed. Future population growth will likely concentrate in South Jordan, Draper and Riverton. Additional growth will occur in West Jordan, Sandy, Bluffdale and other communities as remaining open areas fill in. County population is expected to reach 1,301,094 by the year 2020. An important component of future population growth is in- migration. Net in- migration ( total in- migration less total out- migration) in 1995 was estimated to be 4,800 persons in Salt Lake County, 4- 1 |