Kearns, Utah facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Kearns, Utah
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Location in Salt Lake County and the state of Utah.
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| Country | United States |
| State | Utah |
| County | Salt Lake |
| Founded | 1 May 1942 |
| Granted Township Status | June 1, 2002 |
| Incorporated as a Metro Township | January 1, 2017 |
| Incorporated as a City | May 1, 2024 |
| Named for | Thomas Kearns |
| Area | |
| • Total | 4.63 sq mi (11.99 km2) |
| • Land | 4.63 sq mi (11.99 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) |
| Elevation | 4,528 ft (1,380 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 36,723 |
| • Density | 7,931.53/sq mi (3,062.38/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-7 (Mountain (MST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-6 (MDT) |
| ZIP code |
84118
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| Area code(s) | 385, 801 |
| FIPS code | 49-40470 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1429290 |
Kearns is a city in Salt Lake County, Utah, United States. It is named after Thomas Kearns, who was a U.S. Senator from Utah. In 2020, about 36,723 people lived there. This was a small increase from 35,731 people in 2010. Kearns is famous for being home to the Utah Olympic Oval. This is an indoor speed skating oval that was built for the 2002 Winter Olympics.
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History of Kearns
Kearns began on May 1, 1942, during World War II. It started as a training place for the United States Army Air Forces. It was called Kearns Army Air Base. Before the base was built, the area was mostly dry farmland.
Kearns During World War II
Building the base meant putting up hundreds of buildings very quickly. Most of these buildings were not meant to last a long time. They were made from simple materials like plywood and tarpaper. Thousands of soldiers and airmen lived there temporarily. This made Kearns one of the biggest "cities" in Utah at the time.
Even though it was called an "Air Base," it did not have its own runways. Airmen who flew to Kearns landed at the main airport in Salt Lake City. In 1944, a flying club was even created there. It offered lessons and rented small planes to the soldiers.
On August 15, 1946, the Air Force closed the base. The land and buildings were given to the State of Utah. Because there were already roads and other important structures, the area became popular for building homes and businesses. The town grew very quickly. Some of the old base buildings were used for new purposes. For example, a theater became part of Kearns Junior High School. An old chapel is now part of a Catholic church.
Kearns After the War
After World War II, Kearns grew very fast. It became one of the first suburbs in Salt Lake County. The old streets and building foundations from the military base were used to plan the new town. Homes were built quickly.
In the 1990s, there were disagreements about whether Kearns should become part of nearby cities like West Valley City or West Jordan. But the people of Kearns gathered enough signatures to keep their community's boundaries as they were.
A big event for Kearns was the 2002 Winter Olympics. The Utah Olympic Oval was built in Oquirrh Park for the games. This oval is special because it's at a high altitude, which means the air is thinner. This helps speed skaters go faster! Many world records were set there during the Olympics. Today, it's still used for recreation and is a popular place to visit.
Kearns Today
In 2015, the people of Kearns voted to become a "metro township." This new type of local government allowed them to elect their own council and a mayor. In 2017, the first council members took office. More homes were built around Oquirrh Park, and a new Kearns Library opened in 2020.
Every year in late July or early August, Kearns has a parade. In May 2024, Kearns officially became a city. A mayor for the city will be elected in 2026.
Geography of Kearns
Kearns is located on the western side of the Salt Lake Valley. The city covers about 4.63 square miles (11.99 square kilometers) of land.
Kearns borders West Valley City to the north and west. It borders Taylorsville to the east and West Jordan to the south. Much of Kearns sits on what used to be the bottom of an ancient lake called Lake Bonneville.
There is a natural rise in the land called the Kearns-Benion hill. It is about 100 feet (30 meters) higher than the rest of the valley.
Kearns Climate
Kearns has a climate with big differences between seasons. Summers are usually warm to hot and dry. Winters are cold, and sometimes very cold. This type of climate is called a humid continental climate.
Population of Kearns
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1960 | 17,172 | — | |
| 1970 | 17,071 | −0.6% | |
| 1980 | 21,353 | 25.1% | |
| 1990 | 28,374 | 32.9% | |
| 2000 | 33,659 | 18.6% | |
| 2010 | 35,731 | 6.2% | |
| 2020 | 36,723 | 2.8% | |
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According to the 2020 Census, Kearns had a population of 36,723 people.
In 2010, there were 35,731 people living in Kearns. About 54.1% of the households had children under 18 living with them. The average household had about 3.65 people.
The population was spread out in terms of age:
- 37.2% were under 18 years old.
- 11.2% were between 18 and 24 years old.
- 32.0% were between 25 and 44 years old.
- 13.4% were between 45 and 64 years old.
- 6.3% were 65 years or older.
The average age in Kearns was 26 years.
See also
In Spanish: Kearns (Utah) para niños
