American Fork, Utah

Infobox Settlement
official_name = American Fork, Utah
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settlement_type = City
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mapsize = 250px
map_caption = Location of American Fork, Utah

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map_caption1 = Location of Utah in the United States
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subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = United States
subdivision_type1 = State
subdivision_name1 = Utah
subdivision_type2 = County
subdivision_name2 = Utah
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area_total_km2 = 19.5
area_land_km2 = 19.5
area_water_km2 = 0.0
area_total_sq_mi = 7.5
area_land_sq_mi = 7.5
area_water_sq_mi = 0.0
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population_as_of = 2000
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population_total = 21,941
population_density_km2 = 1,123.5
population_density_sq_mi = 2,910.7
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timezone = MST
utc_offset = -7
timezone_DST = MDT
utc_offset_DST = -6
latd = 40 |latm = 23 |lats = 3 |latNS = N
longd = 111 |longm = 47 |longs = 31 |longEW = W
elevation_footnotes =
elevation_m = 1404
elevation_ft = 4606
postal_code_type = ZIP code
postal_code = 84003
area_code = 801
blank_name = FIPS code
blank_info = 49-01310GR|2
blank1_name = GNIS feature ID
blank1_info = 1438194GR|3
website =
footnotes = 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. It is part of the Provo–Orem, Utah Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 21,941 at the 2000 census. It has been rapidly growing since the 1970s.

Geography

American Fork is located at coor dms|40|23|3|N|111|47|31|W|city (40.384200, -111.791963)GR|1.

The elevation is 4566 feet above sea level. [http://www.idcide.com/citydata/ut/american-fork.htm]

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.

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 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.

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. By the 1860s, American Fork had established a public school, making them the first community in the territory of Utah to offer public education to its citizens. [ [http://www.jacobsonfamily.com/index/thomas_barlow_forbes Biography of Joseph B. Forbes] , Jacobson Family, Retrieved 2008-05-15] In the 1870s, American Fork served as a rail access point for mining activities in American Fork Canyon. For several decades in the 1900s, 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. An annual summer celebration in the city is still called "Steel Days" in honor of the economic importance of the mill, which closed in November 2001. [Geneva Steel] The steel mill was located approximately 6 miles (10 km) SE from town, on land on the east shore of Utah Lake.

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.

Education

Public schools in American Fork are part of the Alpine School District. Private schools include the American Heritage School (located at 736 N 1100 E.)

Recreation

* The Fox Hollow (formerly Tri-City) golf course is a public golf course located in American Fork.
* American Fork's proximity to the Wasatch Range gives numerous recreation opportunities.

Notable Residents

* Paul Dayton Bailey
* Merrill J. Bateman
* Reva Beck Bosone
* Joseph Barlow Forbes
* Gary R. Herbert
* Emily Harris

Miscellaneous

* The 2007 film "American Fork" was filmed in that city.Fact|date=April 2008
* The 1983 film "Footloose" was filmed on location in American Fork and surrounding communities of the Provo-Orem area.Fact|date=April 2008
* An estimated 80 percent of the city's population is Mormon (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints) which gives it one of the state's highest percentages. Mormonism has seen a steady decline, however, in the multi-religious Salt Lake area.Fact|date=April 2008
* American Fork has a inter-city exchange program with Indio, California, U.S. in a way similar to an international Sister City.Fact|date=April 2008
* The town and surrounding area of Utah Valley is nicknamed "Happy Valley" in part of the popularly depicted high standard of living (i.e. lower crime rates, less pollution, a more stable economy in terms of wages and job opportunities, a more social conservative culture, etc).Fact|date=April 2008
* The American Fork High School Band has marched in parades and band competitions across the country, including Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in 2007. [Sharon Haddock, [http://deseretnews.com/article/1,5143,695211318,00.html American Fork band prepares for its Macy's parade performance] ,Deseret News, September 19, 2007. Retrieved 2008-05-15.]

References

External links

* [http://www.afcity.org/ American Fork City Official Website]
* [http://www.onlineutah.com/americanforkhistory.shtml/ American Fork City History]