Grantsville, Utah facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Grantsville, Utah
City
Grantsville City Office
Location in Tooele County and the state of Utah
Location of Utah in the United States
Country	United States
State	Utah
County	Tooele
Settled	1848
Named for	George D. Grant
Area
• Total	37.59 sq mi (97.36 km2)
• Land	37.47 sq mi (97.05 km2)
• Water	0.12 sq mi (0.30 km2)
Elevation	4,265 ft (1,300 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	12,617
• Estimate  (2019)	12,064
• Density	335.65/sq mi (129.59/km2)
Time zone	UTC-7 (Mountain (MST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC-6 (MDT)
ZIP code	84029
Area code(s)	435
FIPS code	49-31120
GNIS feature ID	2410648

Grantsville is a city in Tooele County, Utah, in the United States. It is the second largest city in the county. Grantsville is part of the larger Salt Lake City area.

In 2020, about 12,617 people lived in Grantsville. The city has grown steadily over time. Recently, it has grown faster because it is close to Salt Lake City. People also like its small-town feel and lower housing costs. A large Wal-Mart distribution center and fun places like Deseret Peak and Utah Motorsports Campus are also nearby. Many people who work in the Salt Lake Valley now live in Grantsville.

History of Grantsville

The land where Grantsville is located was first home to the Goshute tribe.

Early Names and Settlers

Grantsville was first called "Willow Creek." It was also known as "Twenty Wells" because of the natural springs that provided fresh water. Mormon pioneers settled Grantsville in 1850. The first settlers were brothers-in-law James McBride and Harrison Severe, along with their families.

Around 1853, the city was renamed Grantsville. This new name honored Colonel George D. Grant, a leader in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. A post office opened in Grantsville in 1864. The Anderson–Clark Farmstead, which has buildings from the 1880s, was first owned by James McBride.

Geography and Climate

Grantsville is surrounded by natural features. To the south is South Mountain, which separates two valleys. Stansbury Island is to the north. The Oquirrh Mountains and the Great Salt Lake are to the east. The Stansbury Mountains are on the west side.

Roads and Travel

SR-138 runs through the city. This road connects Grantsville to I-80 to the northwest. It also goes east to Stansbury Park.

Weather in Grantsville

The climate in Grantsville is hot during the summer months. Winters are cold and often bring snow. Sometimes, the city can get extra snow from the lake-effect snow of the Great Salt Lake. However, it is usually too far southwest for this to happen often.

City Area

The city covers about 19.34 square miles (50.1 km²). Most of this area, about 19.2 square miles (49.7 km²), is land. A small part, about 0.04 square miles (0.1 km²), is water.

Population and People

Grantsville has seen its population grow steadily over the years.

2020 Census Information

In 2020, Grantsville had 12,617 people living in 3,855 households. There were about 335.65 people per square mile. Most residents, about 91.2%, were White. About 7.3% of the population was Hispanic or Latino.

Many households, about 68.8%, were married couples living together. The average family size was 3.69 people. The average age of people in Grantsville was 27.9 years. About 8.1% of the population was 65 years or older.

The average income for a household in the city was $84,293. About 5.0% of the people lived below the poverty line.

Education and Work

About 24.9% of the people in Grantsville have a college degree or higher. A large number of students, 79.0%, are enrolled in kindergarten through 12th grade.

Most workers, 72.8%, are employed by private companies. About 16.8% work for the government.

Education in Grantsville

Grantsville is part of the Tooele County School District. The city has several schools for students of all ages.

Schools in the City

There are three elementary schools in Grantsville:

• Grantsville Elementary
• Twenty Wells Elementary
• Willow Elementary

For older students, there is Grantsville Junior High School and Grantsville High School. The city also has a few preschools for younger children.

New School Building

On July 13, 2009, a fire damaged Grantsville Elementary School. The school had to close. A new elementary school was built and opened for students in the 2011–2012 school year.

Community Events

Grantsville hosts a special event each year called the Old Folks Sociable. It is a long-standing tradition in the community.

The Old Folks Sociable

The idea for the Old Folks Sociable began in 1875. It was created to honor older parents and community members. The first event in Grantsville took place on January 6, 1884. This annual event has only been canceled twice in its long history of over 125 years.

The Sociable celebrates all current and former residents who are 75 years or older. Grantsville High School becomes a place for high school class reunions and family gatherings. The event also celebrates the history and heritage of Grantsville. It is a chance for people to remember the past.

Activities at the Old Folks Sociable include:

• A 5K run
• A car show
• A special program
• A reception for the honored guests
• A dinner
• A dance

All residents and former residents aged eighteen and older are welcome to attend. The Old Folks Sociable is held every year in March.

Notable People from Grantsville

Many interesting people have come from Grantsville. Here are a few:

• Parley P. Christensen – An American lawyer and politician.
• Joshua Reuben Clark Jr. – A former U.S. ambassador to Mexico.
• William Jefferies Jr. – An English Mormon pioneer and early settler.
• Jack Johnson (tackle) – A professional American football player.
• Merrill Nelson – An American politician.
• Lula Greene Richards – A poet and the first female newspaper editor in Utah Territory.
• Marianne C. Sharp – A leader in the Relief Society of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 1945 to 1974.

See also

In Spanish: Grantsville (Utah) para niños