Vernal, Utah

:"Vernal" is an adjective meaning "of or pertaining to spring."

Infobox Settlement
official_name = Vernal, Utah
settlement_type = City
nickname =
motto =

imagesize =
image_caption =


image_

mapsize = 250px
map_caption = Location of Vernal, Utah


mapsize1 =
map_caption1 =

subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = United States
subdivision_type1 = State
subdivision_name1 = Utah
subdivision_type2 = County
subdivision_name2 = Uintah

government_footnotes =
government_type =
leader_title =
leader_name =
leader_title1 =
leader_name1 =
established_title =
established_date =

unit_pref = Imperial
area_footnotes =

area_magnitude =
area_total_km2 = 11.9
area_land_km2 = 11.9
area_water_km2 = 0.0
area_total_sq_mi = 4.6
area_land_sq_mi = 4.6
area_water_sq_mi = 0.0

population_as_of = 2000
population_footnotes =
population_total = 7714
population_density_km2 = 650.0
population_density_sq_mi = 1683.4

timezone = Mountain (MST)
utc_offset = -7
timezone_DST = MDT
utc_offset_DST = -6
elevation_footnotes =
elevation_m = 1624
elevation_ft = 5328
latd = 40 |latm = 27 |lats = 17 |latNS = N
longd = 109 |longm = 32 |longs = 8 |longEW = W

postal_code_type = ZIP codes
postal_code = 84078-84079
area_code = 435
blank_name = FIPS code
blank_info = 49-80090GR|2
blank1_name = GNIS feature ID
blank1_info = 1433885GR|3
website =
footnotes =

Vernal is a city in Uintah County, Utah, United States. The population was 7,714 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Uintah CountyGR|6.The city's Vernal-Uintah County Airport has scheduled air service to Denver provided by Great Lakes Aviation. Service is subsidized by the Essential Air Service program.

Vernal is one of the largest cities in the United States without a railway. One was proposed in the past, with a railway station being built. There is still a railway approximately 60 miles away from city limits. Railways are used for coal being delivered to the power plant and the transportation of gilsonite, a former major part of the economy in the area. The area is in a fossil fuel boom, bringing great amounts of economy to the area.

Geography

Vernal is located at coor dms|40|27|17|N|109|32|08|W| on the northern edge of the Colorado Plateau and south of Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area on the Utah-Wyoming state line.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 4.6 square miles (11.9 km²), all of it land.

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 7,714 people, 2,709 households, and 1,977 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,683.4 people per square mile (650.3/km²). There were 2,957 housing units at an average density of 645.3/sq mi (249.3/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 94.52% White, 0.18% African American, 2.31% Native American, 0.34% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 1.18% from other races, and 1.43% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.45% of the population. There were 2,709 households out of which 41.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.8% were married couples living together, 12.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.0% were non-families. 22.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.77 and the average family size was 3.28.

In the city the population was spread out with 32.3% under the age of 18, 13.0% from 18 to 24, 24.8% from 25 to 44, 17.6% from 45 to 64, and 12.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 28 years. For every 100 females there were 96.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.1 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $30,357, and the median income for a family was $34,453. Males had a median income of $32,137 versus $20,938 for females. The per capita income for the city was $13,497. About 14.7% of families and 14.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 20.6% of those under age 18 and 8.7% of those age 65 or over.

Education

Vernal's schools include Ashley Valley Education Center, Uintah High, Vernal Junior High, Vernal Middle, Ashley Elementary, Discovery Elementary, and a branch of Utah State University. Uintah School District built two new elementary schools in 2007; Maeser and Naples Elementary in the nearby communities to accommodate increased enrollment and eliminate unsafe older buildings. Other area schools include Davis Elementary, Lapoint Elementary, and Eagle View Elementary.

Notable natives

* Earl W. Bascom - Inventor [http://www.inventors.about.com/od/bstartinventors/a/Earl_Bascom.htm] , Hall of Fame rodeo cowboy, actor, international artist and sculptor [http://www.bascombronze.com]
* Gordon Gee - Academic, has held more university presidencies (5) than any other American
* James Woods - Actor

ee also

*Dinosaur National Monument
*Ouray National Wildlife Refuge

References

External links

* [http://www.dinoland.com/ Dinoland Vacation Guide] Tourism info for Vernal and Northeastern UT
* [http://www.lds.org/temples/main/0,11204,1912-1-87-0,00.html LDS Vernal Utah Temple] City Landmark - Photo and info
* [http://www.uintah.k12.ut.us/ Uintah County School District] Vernal Utah Public Schools
* [http://www.blm.gov/utah/vernal/ BLM Vernal Office]
* [http://www.stateparks.utah.gov/park_pages/field.htm Utah Field House] State Park Natural History Museum in Vernal UT