St. George, the largest city in southern Utah, is nestled in a picturesque valley surrounded by impressive red, sandstone cliffs. It is the county seat of Washington County, in the southwest corner of Utah, just six miles from the Arizona State line on Interstate I-15. Zion National Park and Bryce Canyon are only a few hours away. "Utah's Dixie" has been recognized as an excellent retirement spot in many recent publications, and Washington County remains a thriving area.

Once in awhile, you find a place with charm, beauty, spirit & excitement..... A place with a colorful past and a vision for the future.

The City of St. George, once regarded as a retirement community, is quickly becoming a mecca for endurance sports, and favorite golf and softball destination. St. George hosts hundreds of sporting event each year, including the Huntsman World Senior Games, the NJCAA national fast pitch softball tournament, and the St. George Marathon, bringing hundreds of millions of dollars to the local economy. The World Triathlon Corporation has recently announced that St. George will be the home of the Ford Ironman Triathlon Series for the next five years. St. George is also constructing a new replacement airport; this project is the only brand new public airport under construction in the country, and is creating hundreds of jobs for area residents.

Education has always played an important role in St. George. The Washington County School District is one of the strongest districts in Utah. Dixie State College grew from a two-year institution to an accredited four-year college, and is currently pursuing a direct affiliation with the University of Utah. The college's setting is spectacular, with warm weather year-round. The college provides excellent opportunities in the liberal arts, business, and vocational and natural sciences.

Today Washington County School District provides public education for more than 18,277 students. There are 19 elementary schools, 4 middle schools and 6 high schools.

The growing population of the county has prompted placing many of the elementary and middle school students on a year round educational program. Year round school consists of four track schedules which alternate time off. At any given time, three tracks are attending and one track is off. Generally, students attend 45 days then "track off" for 15 days. Traditional holidays are observed. High school students follow a traditional August to May schedule.

One of the City's strengths is its ability to partner with other local, state and federal agencies to improve wildlife habitat and protect open space and hillsides throughout St. George. The City has partnered with various agencies to create the Red Cliffs Desert Reserve Habitat Conservation Plan, setting aside 60,000 acres of open space adjacent to the City for the preservation of the Mojave Desert Tortoise. The City has also worked with private landowners to purchase and protect thousands of acres of wetlands and hillside throughout the community.

With over 34 miles of paved trails and 32 parks, St. George is an outdoor enthusiast's dream. Washington County is endowed with mild, low humidity winters with over 300 sunny days per year. The desert climate promotes year-round recreation and leisure activities. St. George has captured the National Softball Association's Award for "Softball Complex of the Year" for seven years in a row, and hosts 40 softball tournaments per year. Known as the "Year 'Round Golf Capital of Utah," we also offer ten great, scenic golf courses.

Southern Utah is known for its array of outdoor and indoor activities. Zion National Park, with its incredible scenery and majestic mountains, is just 45 minutes away. Hiking, biking, horseback riding, climbing, and river rafting are some of the many possibilities for this area. Snow Canyon State Park is just 10 minutes outside of St. George, with the Tuacahn outdoor theatre nearby featuring outdoor plays, concerts and other performances year round. Brian Head Ski Resort, for those who enjoy snow skiing or snowboarding, is 90 minutes north. The summer Shakespearean Festival in Cedar City is less than an hour away.

Shoppers will also be delighted with the selections available at the Red Cliffs Mall, the Zion Factory Outlet Stores, and thePromenade Mall. These shopping plazas feature easy access from Interstate-15, and are set in an architectural style that is inviting and an attractive addition to the growing area.

Housing Cost

An amazing array of properties is available in St. George and the surrounding areas. The average home price in St. George is approximately $240,000 for a 2,000+ square-foot home. St. George was deemed the 7th safest city of its size in the United States by the Farmers Insurance Group based on statistics for 2007.

Demographics

Population in July 2007: 71,161. St George covers 64.4 square miles. It sits at an elevation of 2,761 feet above sea level.

Zip codes: 84770 - Area code commonly used in this area: 435

Weather

St. George, UT climate is hot during summer when temperatures tend to be in the 80's and cold during winter when temperatures tend to be in the 40's.

The warmest month of the year is July with an average maximum temperature of 99.99 degrees Fahrenheit, while the coldest month of the year is December with an average minimum temperature of 28.50 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 moderate during winter with an average difference of 27 degrees Fahrenheit.

The annual average precipitation at St. George is 8.77 Inches. Rainfall in is fairly evenly distributed throughout the year. The wettest month of the year is January with an average rainfall of 1.29 Inches.

Information provided by idcide.com and city data.com