Santaquin is Utah County's slowest growing city, with a population that has increased only 96 percent since 1950. Over the past 10 years the city's population grew by 9.7 percent. The average size of a household in Santaquin is 3.63 members.
Santaquin could be called the even-sexed city, with 1,196 males and 1,190 females. About 59 percent of the city's residents are 16 years of age or older. About 27 percent of Santaquin residents are between the age of 24 and 45. About 11 percent are under the age of 5.Origin of city's name
Originally called Summit City because it is situated on a summit between Juab and Utah counties. The name was changed to Santaquin in 1856 to honor the Sanpitch Indian chief who later became a farmer and cattle rancher in the area.
Date of incorporation
Jan. 4, 1932
Recreation
5 ballparks
1 tennis court
1 boxing club
3 city parks
1 canyon park
1 canyon camping area
1 picnic pavillion
1 public library
1 pioneer museum
Largest employer
Olson's Greenhouse, about 100 employees during the spring months, about 40 during the other months.
Largest commerical property taxpayer
Olson's Greenhouse, about $3,100 per year
Political profile
Although mostly Republican, Santaquin is not as Republican as most Utah County cities. In the 1988 presidential election, 544 of the 957 Santaquin residents who voted, or 56 percent, cast their ballots for George Bush. Michael Dukakis received 413 votes. Most of Santaquin's registered voters go to the polls. In the 1988 election, 86 percent of the city's 1,120 registered voters cast ballots.
Did you know?
That Black Hawk, leader of the Ute Indian tribe during the Black Hawk War of the 1860s, died at Spring Lake near Santaquin in 1870 and was buried in the foothills near the city. For the past four years Utah's Ute Indians have held their annual celebration at Santaquin's city park.
The city is also the center of the state's sour cherry industry and apple industry. The city is surrounded by several fruit packing plants, including the plant where Candi's Apple Juice is manufactured and packaged. The city holds a celebration during the first week in August called Cherry Days.
Santaquin is where the famous western painter Jim Norton resides.
Crime
Murder, 0
Rape, 1
Robbery, 0
Aggravated assault, 5
Burglary, 10
Population
2,386, Utah's 72nd largest city
White 2,322
Black 0
Hispanic 138
American Indian 12
Asian or Pacifici Indian 6
Other 46
Median home price
$50,900
Median age
22.3
Sources: Santaquin City Corp., U.S. Census Bureau, Utah County Clerk, State Bureau of Criminal Identification, "Utah: A Guide to the State," by Ward Roylance, and "Utah Place Names," by John Van Cott.