Born of Orem in 1989, Vineyard is one of Utah's newest cities. Its residents, who are mostly dairy farmers, have had to build a municipal government from the ground up.
So far inexperience has not been a problem. Aside from an abundance of agriculture, the city is also rich in industry, with Geneva Steel and 12 other companies providing a more than adequate tax-base. Revenues from Geneva Steel alone were enough to finance a $400,000 city park.Meanwhile, operating expenses are nowhere near the $80,000 per year predicted by the county when Vineyard was incorporated.
City officials are striving to preserve Vineyard's close-knit neighborhoods, its rural flavor and its mix of residential, agricultural, commercial and industrial zones.
Last year, Vineyard gave each family in town a card to the Orem city Library as a Christmas present.
Origin of city's name
Credit for naming Vineyard is given to John Gillies, who planted the first grapevines in the area.\
Date of incorporation
April 24, 1989
Did you know?
Most of Vineyard's residents -- about 75 percent -- are related to each other. According to Cheryl Holdaway, city recorder, the city's population is dominated by two or three families. The Holdaways alone account for about 20 households.
Recreation
Vineyard is constructing a park with a baseball diamond, volleyball court, toddler sand pile and barbecue pavillion next to the new town hall.
Crime (1990)
Murder, 0
Raoe, 0
Robbery, 0
Aggravated assault, 0
Burglary, 1
Median home price
$83,900
Household size
4.19 people per household
Median age
24.5
Political profile
Vineyard has not been incorporated long enough to vote in a presidential election.
Largest employer
Geneva Steel employs about 2,800 people.
Largest property tax payer
Geneva Steel paid $984,566 in property taxes last year.
Population
151, Utah's 211th largest city.
White 143
Hispanic 5
Asian or Pacific Is. 3
American Indian 0
Black 0
Sources: Orem Department of Public Safety, CACI Inc., U.S. Census, Utah Place Names, Vineyard Town, 1990 Census.