La Verkin, Utah

La Verkin, Utah
City
La Verkin in 2023
Location in Washington County and the state of Utah
Coordinates: 37°12′49″N113°16′0″W / 37.21361°N 113.26667°W / 37.21361; -113.26667
Country	United States
State	Utah
County	Washington
Settled	1897
Incorporated	1927
Founded by	Thomas Judd
Named for	Spanish: La Virgen: 'The Virgin'
Area [1]
• Total	12.78 sq mi (33.10 km2)
• Land	12.78 sq mi (33.10 km2)
• Water	0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Elevation	3,192 ft (973 m)
Population  (2010) [2]
• Total	4,060
• Estimate  (2019) [3]	4,446
• Density	347.86/sq mi (134.31/km2)
Time zone	UTC-7 (Mountain (MST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC-6 (MDT)
ZIP code	84745
Area code	435
FIPS code	49-43440 [4]
GNIS feature ID	1429398 [5]
Website	Official website

La Verkin is a city in Washington County, Utah, United States. The population was 4,060 as of 2010, an increase from 3,392 in 2000. La Verkin is within walking distance of Hurricane, and the two cities have historically had close ties.

Theories about the origin of the city's name suggest that it may be a corruption of the Spanish la virgen, after the nearby Virgin River, ^[6] or possibly an error in the transcription of the term "beaver skin." ^[7]

The city made national headlines in 2001 when the City Council passed an ordinance declaring La Verkin a "United Nations-free zone". ^{[8] [9]}

La Verkin contains the southernmost highway junction to Zion National Park, at the intersection of Utah SR-9. The city is also home to Pah Tempe Hot Springs, a historic volcanic sulfur spring that sits on the edge of Virgin River. There is also a noted pony-truss style bridge, built in 1908, that rises some 200 feet (61 m) over the river, spanning over 75 feet (23 m) in length.^{[ citation needed ]}

La Verkin Elementary School is the only public school in the city. Higher grades attend school in neighboring Hurricane. The city contains several large private schools for troubled youth, most visibly Cross Creek Academy.

La Verkin has continued its small, incremental growth through the years, despite geographical limitations. There is a single large, modern market (Davis Farmer's Market), which includes a fuel center. Two coffee shops, and a casual dining restaurant, catering to tourists and locals alike.

Law Enforcement; La Verkin Police Department and Washington County Sheriff's Department. Fire Department; Hurricane Valley Fire Department. Power Department; Rocky Mountain Power, Ash Creek Water District, managed by La Verkin City Power Department.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 16.1 square miles (41.8 km²), all land.

Climate

According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, La Verkin has a semi-arid climate, abbreviated "BSk" on climate maps. ^[10]

Climate data for La Verkin, Utah
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Record high °F (°C)	74 (23)	80 (27)	93 (34)	97 (36)	106 (41)	111 (44)	114 (46)	111 (44)	108 (42)	103 (39)	85 (29)	74 (23)	114 (46)
Average high °F (°C)	52.2 (11.2)	57.1 (13.9)	65.5 (18.6)	72.8 (22.7)	82.5 (28.1)	93.5 (34.2)	98.3 (36.8)	96.4 (35.8)	89.3 (31.8)	75.9 (24.4)	61.6 (16.4)	50.8 (10.4)	74.7 (23.7)
Average low °F (°C)	29.1 (−1.6)	33.3 (0.7)	39.8 (4.3)	44.2 (6.8)	52.2 (11.2)	60.9 (16.1)	67.6 (19.8)	67.2 (19.6)	59.3 (15.2)	47.2 (8.4)	34.8 (1.6)	28.1 (−2.2)	47.0 (8.3)
Record low °F (°C)	−2 (−19)	2 (−17)	10 (−12)	21 (−6)	23 (−5)	34 (1)	46 (8)	39 (4)	31 (−1)	17 (−8)	12 (−11)	1 (−17)	−2 (−19)
Average precipitation inches (mm)	1.43 (36)	1.81 (46)	1.43 (36)	0.77 (20)	0.46 (12)	0.20 (5.1)	0.61 (15)	0.96 (24)	0.93 (24)	0.99 (25)	0.86 (22)	1.19 (30)	11.64 (296)
Average snowfall inches (cm)	0.3 (0.76)	0.4 (1.0)	0.2 (0.51)	0 (0)	0 (0)	0 (0)	0 (0)	0 (0)	0 (0)	0 (0)	0 (0)	0.5 (1.3)	1.4 (3.6)
Source: NOAA [11]

Demographics

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1910	120		—
1920	173		44.2%
1930	236		36.4%
1940	349		47.9%
1950	387		10.9%
1960	365		−5.7%
1970	463		26.8%
1980	1,174		153.6%
1990	1,771		50.9%
2000	3,392		91.5%
2010	4,060		19.7%
2019 (est.)	4,446	[3]	9.5%
U.S. Decennial Census [12]

As of the census ^[4] of 2000, there were 3,392 people, 1,053 households, and 840 families residing in the city. The population density was 210.3 people per square mile (81.2/km²). There were 1,158 housing units at an average density of 71.8 per square mile (27.7/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 93.81% White, 0.12% African American, 1.27% Native American, 0.21% Asian, 0.12% Pacific Islander, 1.92% from other races, and 2.56% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.60% of the population.

There were 1,053 households, out of which 44.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 66.3% were married couples living together, 9.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 20.2% were non-families. 17.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.20 and the average family size was 3.61.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 35.8% under the age of 18, 9.1% from 18 to 24, 24.5% from 25 to 44, 17.5% from 45 to 64, and 13.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 29 years. For every 100 females, there were 98.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.0 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $35,949, and the median income for a family was $39,432. Males had a median income of $30,051 versus $19,602 for females. The per capita income for the city was $12,113. About 10.1% of families and 12.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.7% of those under age 18 and 6.4% of those age 65 or over.

See also

• Utah portal

• List of cities and towns in Utah

References

1. "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 7, 2020.
2. "Population and Housing Unit Estimates" . Retrieved October 22, 2019.
3. "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". United States Census Bureau. May 24, 2020. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
4. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved January 31, 2008.
5. "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. October 25, 2007. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
6. "Virgin River".
7. "Utah History Encyclopedia". Archived from the original on October 12, 2004. Retrieved September 15, 2004.
8. "U.N.-Free Zone" Hurricane Valley Journal, October 15, 2003
9. "ACLU of Utah Asks La Verkin City Council to Repeal the United Nations Free Zone Ordinance", ACLU of Utah, July 17, 2001
10. Climate Summary for La Verkin, Utah
11. "NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals Quick Access". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration . Retrieved September 19, 2021.
12. "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.

External links

• Official website
• History of La Verkin from the Utah History Encyclopedia