Provo is the second largest city in Utah outside of the Salt Lake City metropolitan area, and is located about 43 miles south of Salt Lake City along the Wasatch Front. Provo is the county seat of Utah County and lies between the cities of Orem to the north and Springville to the south. The Provo metropolitan area, which includes Orem and Springville, is also the second largest metro area in the state.
The city is home to Brigham Young University, one of the largest private higher education institutions in the United States, which is operated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The largest Missionary Training Center for the Church is also located in Provo. The city is a key operational center for Novell and has been a focus area for technology development in the state. The city was also home to the Peaks Ice Arena, which served as a venue for the Salt Lake City Winter Olympics in 2002.
Provo is consistently receiving high marks for its livability and is praised for quality health care, educational prowess, and affordable housing. Provo serves as a regional center for government, business, and education, and leads the state in commercial building, attracting leading corporations. Provo provides many cultural amenities from ski slopes to the art complex of Sundance. Temperatures range from 0 to 100 degrees Fahrenheit. The four seasons here are very distinct. Good Skiing is less than an hour away. This is a highly educated community with Brigham Young University and Utah Valley State College along with several other institutions of higher learning in the area.
Two of Provo Utah's most distinguishing landmarks: "Y" Mountain and Provo Power's smokestack.
At 8520 feet (2597 m), Y Mountain is located directly east of Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. The Slide Canyon/Y Mountain Trail leads to a large block Y located 1.2 miles (1.9 km) from a parking area at the mountain's base. The Y was built over a hundred years ago as the insignia for BYU. For years the trail to the Y has been one of the most hiked trails in Utah Valley and provides a beautiful view of Provo, Orem, the rest of the many cities in Utah Valley and Utah Lake (a large freshwater lake that feeds the Great Salt Lake). The trail is also regularly used by hikers, bikers, paragliders and hunters to access the backcountry in the Slide Canyon area.
The large white Y on the side of the mountain has become the nationally recognized insignia for BYU and the reason why BYU is often called the "Y". It is made of concrete and is 380 feet high and 130 feet wide (116 by 40 m). No other college in the United States has a larger symbol, in fact, the Y is even larger than the letters in the "Hollywood sign" in California.
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 (and occasionally the city streets). The scenery is generally considered enjoyable and allows for hiking, skiing, fishing and other outdoor activities.
Provo is home to Seven Peaks Water Park, the Peaks Ice Arena, world class trout fishing on the Provo River, and much more. America's Freedom Festival at Provo, the city's summer festival is one of the nation's biggest Independence Day celebrations. This festival includes parades, contests, sporting events, and Stadium of Fire. WinterFest in Downtown Provo, a family celebration during the holidays, includes Christmas lights, candy windows, First Night, and fireworks.
Housing Cost
Estimated median house or condo value in 2007: $213,700
Mean prices in 2007: All housing units: $253,190; Detached houses: $282,539; Townhouses or other attached units: $200,343; In 2-unit structures: $235,760; In 3-to-4-unit structures: $283,178; In 5-or-more-unit structures: $147,986; Mobile homes: $38,198.
Demographics
Population in July 2007: 117,592. Provo covers 39.6 square miles. It sits at an elevation of 4,549 feet above sea level.
Zip codes: 84601, 84602, 84603, 84604, 84605, 84606 - Area code: 801
Weather
Provo, UT climate is warm during summer when temperatures tend to be in the 70's and very cold during winter when temperatures tend to be in the 30's.
The warmest month of the year is July with an average maximum temperature of 93.40 degrees Fahrenheit, while the coldest month of the year is January with an average minimum temperature of 22.50 degrees Fahrenheit.
Temperature variations between night and day tend to be relatively big during summer with a difference that can reach 33 degrees Fahrenheit, and fairly limited during winter with an average difference of 18 degrees Fahrenheit.
The annual average precipitation at Provo is 20.13 Inches. Rainfall in is fairly evenly distributed throughout the year. The wettest month of the year is January with an average rainfall of 2.13 Inches.
Information provided by idcide.com and city data.com
