Koosharem, Utah

Koosharem is a town in Sevier County, Utah, United States. Koosharem is also known as "Grass Valley". It generally comprises the area known as Burrville, Utah on the north, south through the valley and through the town of Koosharem and down to the south end with the town of Greenwich, Utah. The valley is made up of private lands nestled within the Fishlake National Forest. Koosharem is situated at the cross-roads for travelers going between Capitol Reef National Park and Bryce Canyon National Park and/or Zion's National Park. Koosharem is also the closest town to the famous Fish Lake. The town also serves as an important point along the many trails of the Piute ATV Trail System.

Koosharem, Utah
Town
Welcome sign in Koosharem, September 2007
Location in Sevier County and the state of Utah.
Coordinates: 38°30′39″N 111°52′57″W
CountryUnited States
StateUtah
CountySevier
Settled1877
Named forNative American word for the valley named after the deep red clover indigenous to the area.
Area
 • Total0.83 sq mi (2.16 km2)
 • Land0.83 sq mi (2.16 km2)
 • Water0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Elevation
6,919 ft (2,109 m)
Population
 (2010)
 • Total327
 • Estimate 
(2019)[2]
330
 • Density396.16/sq mi (152.96/km2)
Time zoneUTC-7 (Mountain (MST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-6 (MDT)
ZIP code
84744
Area code(s)435
FIPS code49-41680[3]
GNIS feature ID1442357[4]

Koosharem's only store, the historic Grass Valley Mercantile, shares this secondary naming reference.

The name of the town Koosharem originates from the Native Americans indigenous to the area, the Piute Indians and their term for the valley named for the deep red clover that grows in the lush meadows of the Koosharem Valley,.[5] The population was 276 at the 2000 census.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 0.6 square miles (1.5 km2), all land. A 2008 annexation increased the population to an official estimate of 400.[6]

Koosharem has one church, a cemetery, baseball diamond, fire station, a dairy, a motel, two restaurants, and a store (post office located inside that store).

Koosharem is rural and isolated but relatively centrally located. The table shows driving miles from the center of Koosharem to the following:

DestinationRoad Miles
Bryce Canyon National Park70
Fish Lake, Sevier County15
Zion National Park133
Richfield, Utah29
Sigurd, Utah28
Salt Lake City, Utah (Airport)185
Las Vegas, Nevada (Airport)292
Moab, Utah195
Grand Junction, Colorado244

Koosharem and the Grass Valley include habitat for threatened and endangered species. These species include the Greater Sage Grouse,[7] the Utah Prairie Dog, Pygmy Rabbit,[8][9] bald eagles, golden eagles, western toad, ferruginous hawk,

Economy

The economy of Koosharem is primarily agriculture based. Koosharem does have other economic contributors including the Sorenson's Ranch School for troubled youth, ATV rentals, and tourism from the national parks, hunting and guiding, national forest (Fishlake National Forest) visitors, Paiute ATV Trail riders, and sight seers.

Koosharem's reputation as world class wildlife destination got bolstered in 2008 when the world record "Spider Bull" Elk was taken on the mountains just west of Koosharem.[10]

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.%±
1890232—
190040072.4%
1910287−28.2%
192037330.0%
1930319−14.5%
194037517.6%
1950300−20.0%
1960148−50.7%
1970141−4.7%
198018329.8%
199026645.4%
20002763.8%
201032718.5%
2019 (est.)330[2]0.9%
U.S. Decennial Census[11]

As of the census[3] of 2010, there were 327 people residing in Koosharem, an 18.48% increase from 2000. In the 2000 census, there were 276 people, 88 households, and 79 families residing in the town. The population density was 497.1 people per square mile (190.3/km2). There were 133 housing units at an average density of 239.5 per square mile (91.7/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 94.93% White, 1.45% Native American, 1.09% Asian, 0.36% Pacific Islander, 1.81% from other races, and 0.36% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.71% of the population.

There were 88 households, out of which 46.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 80.7% were married couples living together, 6.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 9.1% were non-families. 9.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.14 and the average family size was 3.30.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 35.1% under the age of 18, 10.1% from 18 to 24, 22.1% from 25 to 44, 21.0% from 45 to 64, and 11.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 30 years. For every 100 females, there were 98.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 103.4 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $34,583, and the median income for a family was $40,625. Males had a median income of $32,500 versus $18,929 for females. The per capita income for the town was $13,481. About 5.3% of families and 8.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.0% of those under the age of 18 and none of those 65 or over.

Education

Koosharem is located in the Sevier School District and has one elementary school.

See also
  • List of cities and towns in Utah

References
  1. "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 7, 2020.
  2. "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". United States Census Bureau. May 24, 2020. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
  3. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  4. "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. October 25, 2007. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  5. Van Cott, John W. (1990). Utah Place Names. Salt Lake City: University of Utah Press. p. 216. ISBN 0-87480-345-4.
  6. "GOPB DEA Sub County Estimates". Governor's Office of Planning and Budget – State of Utah. 2008. Archived from the original on September 1, 2009. Retrieved October 19, 2009.
  7. "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on June 9, 2015. Retrieved June 9, 2015.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  8. http://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=4927&context=etd
  9. http://www.cspinet.org/new/pdf/pygmy_rabbit_listing_petition_2003.doc
  10. http://archive.thespectrum.com/article/20090403/LIFESTYLE05/904030329/World-record-elk-can-still-bagged-Utah
  11. "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.

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