RANK #201 / 996 · POP 58,291 · UT
PROJECTED GROWTH: +2.0%
Box Elder County, Utah, is known for the Golden Spike National Historical Park, where the transcontinental railroad was completed in 1869. Located in Utah's northwest corner, it sits about an hour north of Salt Lake City, with Brigham City serving as its largest community and county seat. The county offers a mix of historic towns and rural communities, with diverse topography ranging from the Wellsville Mountains to the Great Salt Lake and its surrounding marshlands. Outdoor recreation is a significant draw, with opportunities for birdwatching at the Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge, boating and fishing at Willard Bay State Park and Mantua Reservoir, and numerous hiking and biking trails.
Life in Box Elder County appeals to families and those seeking a more conservative, community-oriented lifestyle. Commuting to Ogden is feasible, with Brigham City just 25 minutes north by car. The Box Elder School District serves the entire county with above-average public schools. The economy is largely driven by manufacturing, which is the county's largest employment sector. Agriculture also plays an important role, with abundant fruit orchards, especially peaches, being a local highlight. Recent economic developments include investments in manufacturing, with companies expanding operations and creating jobs.
Above national median (4.7x)
Well below national median
Above national median
Above national median (13x)
Housing is fairly valued at 6.2x relative to local economic output. Climate and geography support a structural premium. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Wonder Valley AI Data Center Project
O'Leary Digital
|
$7,500M | Planned |
|
Nucor Towers & Structures Production Plant
Nucor Towers & Structures, Inc.
|
$204M | Planned |
|
Rocket Solar Project
Rocket Solar, LLC (Enyo Renewable Energy affiliate)
|
$100M | Operating |
|
Steel Solar Project
DE Shaw Renewable Investments
|
$100M | Operating |
|
Lithium Extraction Plant
Lilac Solutions
|
$50M | Proposed |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Box Elder County has a Boom Town Index score of 80/100, ranking #201 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at -0.1% and a median household income of $72,769, it's an above-average county on economic indicators.
The median home value in Box Elder County is $308,900 with median rent at $927/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.2356, which is less affordable than the national average.
Population growth: +2.5% year-over-year. Job growth: -0.1%. Home values changed +1.5% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 4.24% of Box Elder County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.