Provo is a city in Utah and the county seat of Utah County, located about 50 miles south of Salt Lake City along the Wasatch Front. It lies between the cities of Orem to the north and Springville to the south. It is perhaps best-known as home to the main campus of Brigham Young University.
Settled in 1849 by 33 families from Salt Lake City, Provo has grown to a population of 105,166 (2000 Census), although a 2004 Census Bureau estimate places its population at 99,624, which has been protested by the Mayor of Provo. In October 2005, The Census Bureau revised Provo's estimated population to be 111,718. This would make it the third largest city in Utah behind Salt Lake City and West Valley City. The site was named Fort Utah by the Mormon settlers, but re-named Provo in 1850 for tienne Provost, an early French-Canadian trapper who arrived in the region in 1825.
Every July, Provo hosts the Stadium of Fire at BYU. It is held in LaVell Edwards Stadium, home to Brigham Young University's NCAA American football team. The Independence Day festivites are quite popular among local residents and have featured such notable figures as David Hasselhoff, Reba McEntire, Mandy Moore, Huey Lewis and the News and Sean Hannity.
Software company Novell, Inc. was founded and originally headquartered in Orem but soon after developed and moved into a facility in Provo. Novell continues to operate and employ around 2000 at the Provo facility. Provo also owns and operates iProvo, the nation's largest municipal Fiber to the Home network.
Provo is located at 40°14'40" North, 111°39'39" West (40.244421, -111.660804). It lies in the Utah Valley at an elevation of 4,549 feet (1,387 meters).
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 108.2 km2 (41.8 mi2). 102.7 km2 (39.6 mi2) of it is land and 5.6 km2 (2.2 mi2) of it is water. The total area is 5.14% water.
The Wasatch Range contains many peaks within Utah County along the east side of the Wasatch Front. One of these peaks, known as Y Mountain, towers over the city. There is a large "Y" made of whitewashed concrete half-way up the steep mountain, built in the early part of the 20th century to commemorate Brigham Young University (original plans included construction of all three letters: BYU). Wild deer (and less frequently, cougars and moose) still roam the mountains. The scenery is generally considered enjoyable and allows for hiking, skiing, fishing and other outdoor activities.
As of the census of 2000, there are 105,166 people, 29,192 households, and 19,938 families residing in the city. The population density is 1,024.3/km2 (2,653.2/mi2). There are 30,374 housing units at an average density of 295.8/km2 (766.3/mi2). The racial makeup of the city is 88.52% White, 0.46% African American, 0.80% Native American, 1.83% Asian, 0.84% Pacific Islander, 5.10% from other races, and 2.44% from two or more races. 10.47% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 29,192 households out of which 33.8% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.0% are married couples living together, 7.8% have a female householder with no husband present, and 31.7% are non-families. 11.8% of all households are made up of individuals and 4.6% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 3.34 and the average family size is 3.40.
22.3% of residents are under the age of 18, 40.2% from 18 to 24, 23.2% from 25 to 44, 8.6% from 45 to 64, and 5.7% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 23 years. For every 100 females there are 92.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 89.3 males.
The median income for a household in the city is $34,313, and the median income for a family is $36,393. Males have a median income of $32,010 versus $20,928 for females. The per capita income for the city is $13,207. 26.8% of the population and 12.5% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 14.4% of those under the age of 18 and 4.3% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
The population of Provo is heavily Mormon (LDS). According to one report, Provo is 88% LDS.