Goodbye city, hello country: Utah’s rural roundup

Seeking greener acres? Find a home in one of the state’s least populated counties.

While the town of Mayberry may not exist, several rural communities in Utah still embrace the peaceful, friendly quality of life depicted there. You’ll find main streets with historic storefronts, acres of rolling fields and maybe a rodeo, to boot. When big city life has lost its pull — at least as a full-time home — consider moving to a quieter place. KSL Homes takes a look at quaint places found across the state. And if you’re not quite ready to leave your big box store, don’t worry, most are still within a few miles.

Cache County | Median sale price $434,000*

In northernmost Utah, Cache County is known for agriculture — it’s currently home to about 16,000 dairy cattle. Of the 133,000 humans living in the county, more than 40% reside in Logan, while the rest are spread out among several much smaller communities. Wellsville, for example, has a population of just 4,000 while Hyde Park has just 5,400 residents as of the 2020 U.S. Census. 

A major draw of living among the lush, green hills is the quick access to outdoor recreation. During the summer months, you can take advantage of nearby Bear Lake, as well as plenty of hiking and biking trails. In the winter, head to the slopes at Beaver Mountain Ski Area and Cherry Peak Resort. 

Sanpete County | Median sale price $350,000

Central Utah could rightly be called rural Utah, thanks to its low population density and miles of totally uninhabited land (not counting the wildlife). Sanpete County has about 28,600 people in its nearly 1,600 square miles, or about 19 per square mile. Ephraim — its largest city — has about 5,700 people. Nearby Manti, the county seat, has about 3,500.

One of the unique features of a rural town is its array of original buildings. According to Manti officials, the city has the highest concentration of pioneer-built structures in the state. Its economy still hails from the early years, too. Sanpete has always thrived in agriculture, originally with cattle but now mostly turkeys — it’s among the top 10 producers in the U.S. Snow College, in Ephraim, is also a large part of the local economy.

Sevier County | Median sale price $314,750

Richfield is the population center in middle Utah’s Sevier County, but it’s still quite rural with about 8,200 residents. Still, it’s the hub of the county, with shopping and cultural events. There’s also a municipal airport, a 42-bed hospital, a golf course and a bowling alley. There’s a satellite campus for Snow College, too.

If you prefer more open fields surrounding your home, look to nearby Monroe or Salina, both with about 2,500 residents. Smaller still, Elsinore has only 824 people and Joseph just 296. Most land in Sevier County is devoted to agriculture. You’ll find farms growing grains such as hay and barley, as well as livestock such as turkeys, hogs, sheep and cattle. 

Iron County | Median sale price $380,000

Although home to Cedar City and its nationally recognized Utah Shakespearean Festival, Iron County is nothing like its larger theater counterparts. It is, in fact, mostly vast open spaces. Of the 3,278 square miles, a mere 19 of them are considered urban. In 2020, the count was just over 60,000, or about 16 people per square mile. Cedar City is the urban center of the county, with more than half of the population — 37,200. For more remote living, try nearby Parowan, or head 26 miles west to the hamlet of Newcastle, population: 326.

Iron County is an outdoor enthusiast’s dream location. It’s close to several recreation areas, including Cedar Breaks National Monument, Zion National Park, Brian Head Ski Resort and Fish Lake National Forest.

Garfield County | Median sale price $400,000

Despite being the fifth largest county in Utah, Garfield has the second lowest density population in the state — behind Daggett County — with one person per square mile. Hard to get more rural than that. The 5,000 or so residents mainly work in cattle ranching and lumber, but the economy gets a boost from tourism. Living here gets you close to natural wonders such as Bryce Canyon National Park and Panguitch Lake, as well as nearby Capitol Reef National Park and Glen Canyon National Recreation Area.

The town of Panguitch serves as the county seat, with a Main Street of charming storefronts akin to a classic western. There are about 1,700 residents, making it the most populated area in Garfield County. To get really far away from the crowds, head east to Boulder, Henrieville Cannonville or Antimony, where the population hovers around 200.

Rural life

Local parades, stunning sunsets, quaint cafes: It’s what rural life is all about. If cow bellows (or turkey gobbles) sound more appealing than car horns, it might be the place for you. Visit KSL Homes to see what’s available in Utah’s smaller communities, then start making plans for the simpler life. No bumbling sheriff’s deputy required.

*Utah Association of Realtors®