Utah, located in the western United States, is the 45th state admitted to the Union on January 4, 1896. As the 13th-largest in terms of area, 33rd-most populous, and 10th-least-densely populated among the 50 United States, it boasts a diverse demographic and physical profile. The state has a population of around 2.9 million, with about 80% residing along the Wasatch Front, centered on Salt Lake City.
Utah shares its borders with Colorado (east), Wyoming (northeast), Idaho (north), Arizona (south), and Nevada (west), and touches a corner of New Mexico in the southeast. The state is notable for its significant membership — approximately 62% — in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS or Mormons), which greatly influences the culture and daily life of Utah. With the world headquarters of LDS located in Salt Lake City, Utah holds the distinction of being the most religiously homogeneous state, the only state with a Mormon majority, and the only state where the majority of the population belongs to a single church.
Utah is renowned as a hub for transportation, education, information technology, research, and government services. It’s also a center for mining and a major tourist destination, being celebrated for its ample outdoor recreational opportunities. The state saw the second fastest-growing population of any state in 2013, as per the U.S. Census Bureau, and St. George was recognized as the fastest-growing metropolitan area in the United States from 2000 to 2005. In 2012, a Gallup national survey named Utah as the “best state to live in” based on several forward-looking metrics, including various lifestyle, economic, and health-related outlooks.
