Brad Abrams, abrad@cedarcity.org
Iron County is situated in the middle of five national parks, several national monuments, and other outdoor recreational areas. Each year millions of visitors frequent Cedar Breaks National Monument, Brian Head Ski Resort, Kolob Canyons, Frontier Homestead State Park and the Tony-Award winning Utah Shakespeare Festival.
Iron County is conveniently located 250 miles south of Salt Lake City and 175 miles north of Las Vegas along the I-15 corridor, which is directly accessible to 48 million people or 86.5 percent of the western metropolitan population within one day’s trucking.
Iron County has access to a major freeway and state road systems, Union Pacific rail service, a fully-developed commercial service airport, and fast-tracked permitting.
Located in the world’s best backyard, Southern Utah University is known as the University of the Parks thanks to its proximity to several outdoor recreational areas and its educational partnerships with the National Park Service. Iron County is also home to Southwest Technical College, a public technical college that focuses on certificate programs for the trades.
County History
Iron County was originally an agricultural and mining community and has since diversified their economic base in the sectors of education, tourism, and manufacturing. As home to a large public university, a thriving tourism industry, and a growing manufacturing hub, Cedar City is now a regional center for southwestern Utah.
Challenges and Opportunities
With the workforce being everyone’s top concern, Iron County’s small population base is a challenge to overcome. However, recent growth shows a more positive picture, with Iron County’s population, projected to increase by 35 percent to over 70,000 people in the next 20 years (according to the Gardner Institute). Because of this new growth and other factors, such as a growing student population, tech-pipeline, and strong education network, Iron County is well-positioned to meet future workforce demands.
Future Vision
Looking toward the next 20 to 30 years, Iron County resolves to encourage wise economic growth while managing its natural resources, preserving the scenic landscape, and maintaining a quality of life for its residents.
| Description | Census Data |
| Residents | 52,775 |
| Population change from 2010-2018 | 14.3% |
| Median Income | $45,422 |
| % of Individuals in Poverty | 15.6% |
| % of Adults with HS Diploma | 92.4% |
| % of Adults with Bachelor’s Degree | 28.7% |
| Employed (2016) | 12,402 |
| %Unemployment Rate | 3.2% |
| Projected Labor Force 2020 | 24,100 |
| Projected Labor Force 2025 | 26,093 |
Sources: Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute
Notable Community Aspects
This tract includes Port 15 Utah, a 540-acre, rail-served shovel-ready industrial park that is fully developed with high capacity industrial-scale power, natural gas, water, sewer, and redundant fiber.
Notable Economic Development Incentives
Cedar City and local taxing entities have created a local incentive matrix, offering a post-performance incentive program based on new property tax increment generated by the relocation or expansion of a project. At state level, the following incentives and programs are available: State Tax Increment Financing (TIF), Recycling Market Development Zone (RMDZ), Utah Rural Jobs Program (URJP), Enterprise Zone Tax Credits (EZTC), Rural Economic Development Incentive (REDI), Rural Fast Track (RFT), Rural Rapid Manufacturing
Key Takeaways
This exceptional location allows businesses access to major freeway systems, state roads, Union Pacific rail, and a fully-developed airport.
Qualified Incentives
| Description | Enterprise 360 Data |
| % Adults w/High School Diploma | 92.92% |
| % of Adults w/a Bachelor’s Degree | 32.03% |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.98% |
| Median Household Income | $55,584 |
| % of People in Poverty | 20.72% |
| Homeownership Rate | 72.85% |
| Median Gross Rent | $1,044 |
| Residential Vacancy Rate | 27.87% |
| Low-Income & Severely Cost-Burdened | 14.41% |
| Median Owner Occupied Home Value | $171,500 |
| Total Population | 871 |
Sources: Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute
Notable Community Aspects
Cedar City’s Historic Downtown is included in this tract which intersects with SR-14, the main access point for tourists visiting the national parks and other recreational areas. This tract is also home to Southern Utah University, the Tony-Award Winning Utah Shakespeare Festival, and the Southern Utah Museum of Arts, all of which attract thousands of tourists annually.
Notable Economic Development Incentives
Cedar City and local taxing entities have created a local incentive matrix, offering a post-performance incentive program based on new property tax increment generated by the relocation or expansion of a project. In addition to the local incentive, the following state-level incentives and programs are available: State Tax Increment Financing (TIF), Recycling Market Development Zone (RMDZ), Utah Rural Jobs Program (URJP), Enterprise Zone Tax Credits (EZTC),Rural Economic Development Incentive (REDI), Rural Fast Track (RFT), Rural Rapid Manufacturing
Key Takeaways
| Description | Enterprise 360 Data |
| % Adults w/High School Diploma | 94.98% |
| % of Adults w/a Bachelor’s Degree | 30.03% |
| Unemployment Rate | 0.77% |
| Median Household Income | $30,811 |
| % of People in Poverty | 35.20% |
| Homeownership Rate | 39.63% |
| Median Gross Rent | $647 |
| Residential Vacancy Rate | 20.95% |
| Low-Income & Severely Cost-Burdened | 17.61% |
| Median Owner Occupied Home Value | $163,300 |
| Total Population | 1,474 |
Sources: Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute
Visit the Utah Department of Workforce Services economic snapshot here.