| American Fork, Utah | |
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| Coordinates: | |
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| Country | United States |
| State | Utah |
| County | Utah |
| Area | |
| - Total | 7.5 sq mi (19.5 km²) |
| - Land | 7.5 sq mi (19.5 km²) |
| - Water | 0.0 sq mi (0.0 km²) |
| Elevation | 4,606 ft (1,404 m) |
| Population (2000) | |
| - Total | 21,941 |
| - Density | 2,910.7/sq mi (1,123.5/km²) |
| Time zone | MST (UTC-7) |
| - Summer (DST) | MDT (UTC-6) |
| ZIP code | 84003 |
| Area code(s) | 801 |
| FIPS code | 49-01310GR2 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1438194GR3 |
American Fork is a city in Utah County, Utah, United States, at the foot of Mount Timpanogos in the Wasatch Range, north of Utah Lake. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 21,941 and was estimated at 22,387 in 2004. It has been rapidly growing since the 1970s.
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Geography
American Fork is located at (40.384200, -111.791963)GR1. The elevation is 4566 feet above sea level.[1] According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 7.5 square miles (19.5 km²), all of it land. American Fork is home to the Mt. Timpanogos Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
History
The area around Utah Lake was used as a seasonal hunting and fishing ground by the Ute Indians. American Fork was settled in 1850 by Mormon pioneers, and incorporated as Lake City in 1852. Settlers changed the name to American Fork, after the river that runs through it, in 1860. Most residents were farmers and merchants during its early history. In the 1870's, American Fork served as a rail access point for mining activities in American Fork Canyon. For several decades in the 1900's, raising chickens (and eggs) was an important industry in the city. During World War II the town population expanded when the Columbia Steel plant was built in a nearby community. An annual summer celebration in the city is still called "Steel Days" in honor of the importance of the plant, which no longer exists.
Bands in American Fork
As early as 1865, American Fork had its own renowned brass band. American Fork is now known for its high school marching band, which has performed in many large events, including the Rose Bowl Parade, the Presidential inaugural parade, and in 2007, the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade. The marching band was ranked a superior band in 2006 and has gone five years undefeated in the state of Utah until their recent loss at the 2007 Davis Cup, the first time they have lost the event in 7 years. This band has been the state champions of Utah every year since 1991. American Fork competes in-state with Davis High School and Sky View High School, but has a more heated rivalry with Davis High School. American Fork's Jazz Band has won numerous awards throughout the state. The junior high bands have received awards and honors as well. The American Fork Percussion Ensemble has played at numerous venues, including the Grand National Percussion Festival in Indianapolis, Indiana. In the year 2007, all 6 percussion ensembles received a superior rating at the state competition.
Current Development
The city has worked to maintain the downtown Main Street area. This includes construction of several new city buildings, including a library, district court and police complex, and a fire station. Recently, large-scale retailing has come to the west side of American Fork with the Meadows shopping area, and it has become a shopping attraction for North Utah County. The Interstate 15 freeway traverses the traditional southern and western borders of the city. As build-out approaches for the city north of the freeway, it looks to carefully manage expansion and development in the area south of town, between the freeway and Utah Lake.
Demographics
As of the censusGR2 of 2000, there were 21,941 people, 5,934 households, and 5,109 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,910.7 people per square mile (1,123.5/km²). There were 6,108 housing units at an average density of 810.3/sq mi (312.8/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 95.24% White, 0.16% African American, 0.42% Native American, 0.65% Asian, 0.24% Pacific Islander, 1.93% from other races, and 1.36% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.61% of the population. There were 5,934 households out of which 54.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 75.2% were married couples living together, 8.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 13.9% were non-families. 11.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 5.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.64 and the average family size was 3.98. In the city the population was spread out with 38.3% under the age of 18, 11.9% from 18 to 24, 27.6% from 25 to 44, 14.4% from 45 to 64, and 7.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 25 years. For every 100 females there were 100.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.0 males. The median income for a household in the city was $51,955, and the median income for a family was $55,118. Males had a median income of $41,682 versus $24,073 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,293. About 3.2% of families and 4.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.7% of those under age 18 and 5.8% of those age 65 or over.
References
External links
- American Fork City Official Website
- American Fork City History
- American Fork, Utah is at coordinates Coordinates:
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Utah County, Utah |
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|---|---|---|
| County seat: Provo | ||
| Cities |
Alpine | American Fork | Draper | Eagle Mountain | Fairfield | Highland | Lehi | Lindon | Mapleton | Orem | Payson | Pleasant Grove | Provo | Salem | Santaquin | Spanish Fork | Springville |
 |
| Towns |
Cedar Fort | Cedar Hills | Elk Ridge | Genola | Goshen | Saratoga Springs | Vineyard | Woodland Hills |
|
| CDPs |
Benjamin | Elberta | Lake Shore | Palmyra | Spring Lake | West Mountain |
|
| Community | ||
