View source for Provo, Utah

{{Short description|City in Utah, United States}}
{{Redirect|Provo, United States|other places|Provo#United States{{!}}Provo § In the United States}}
{{Use American English|date=September 2024}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2020}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name                            = Provo
| other_name                      = Fort Utah
| settlement_type                 = [[List of municipalities in Utah|City]]
| motto                           = "Welcome Home"
| image_skyline                   = Downtown Provo.jpg
| imagesize                       = 
| image_caption                   = Downtown Provo in January 2016
| image_flag                      = Flag of Provo, Utah (2015–).svg
| image_blank_emblem              = 
| blank_emblem_size               = 161 px
| blank_emblem_type               = Logo

<!-- Maps -->
 | image_map                = {{Maplink|frame=yes|plain=y|frame-width=280|frame-height=280|frame-align=center|stroke-width=4|zoom=11|type=shape-inverse|stroke-color=#0047BA|fill=#808080|title=Provo|id=Q23443|fill-opacity=0.4|frame-coordinates={{Coord|40.23384|-111.65853}}}}
 | map_caption              = Interactive map of Provo
 | pushpin_map              = Utah#USA
 | pushpin_map_caption      = Location within Utah##Location within the United States
 | pushpin_relief           = 1
 | pushpin_label            = Provo

<!-- Location -->
 | subdivision_type         = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
 | subdivision_name         = {{US}}
 | subdivision_type1        = [[U.S. state|State]]
 | subdivision_name1        = {{flag|Utah}}
 | subdivision_type2        = [[List of counties in Utah|County]]
| subdivision_name2               = [[Utah County, Utah|Utah]]
<!-- Government -->
| government_footnotes            = 
| government_type                 = [[Mayor–council]]
| leader_title                    = Mayor
| leader_name                     = [[Michelle Kaufusi]]
| established_title               = Founded
| established_date                = 1849
| established_title1              = [[Incorporated town|Incorporated]]
| established_date1               = April 1850
| named_for                       = [[Étienne Provost]]<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=sa9SAAAAIBAJ&pg=2503%2C5092871|title=You name it - there's a town for it|last=Van Atta|first=Dale|newspaper=[[Deseret News]]|publisher=[[Deseret Digital Media]]|location=[[Salt Lake City]]|page=W6|date=January 22, 1977|access-date=October 18, 2015}}</ref>
<!-- Area -->
| unit_pref                       = Imperial
| area_footnotes                  = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2019">{{cite web|title=2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2019_Gazetteer/2019_gaz_place_49.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=August 7, 2020}}</ref>
| area_total_km2                  = 114.44
| area_land_km2                   = 107.97
| area_water_km2                  = 6.47
| area_total_sq_mi                = 44.19
| area_land_sq_mi                 = 41.69
| area_water_sq_mi                = 2.50
<!-- Population -->
| population_as_of                = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
| population_footnotes            = <ref name = "provopopulation">[[U.S. Census Bureau]] 2010 Population</ref><ref name="Census Bureau">{{cite web|url=http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/49/4962470.html|title=US Census QuickFacts|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160123235333/http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/49/4962470.html|archive-date=January 23, 2016}}</ref>
| population_total                = 115162
| population_density_km2          = 1066.61
| population_density_sq_mi        = 2762.34
| population_metro                = 697,141 ([[Metropolitan statistical area|US: 86th]])
| population_urban               = 588,609 ([[List of United States urban areas|US: 75th]])
| population_density_urban_km2   = 1,410.6 
| population_density_urban_sq_mi = 3,653.5
<!-- General information -->
| timezone              = [[Mountain Time Zone|Mountain (MST)]]
| utc_offset            = &minus;7
| timezone_DST          = MDT
| utc_offset_DST        = &minus;6
| elevation_footnotes   = <ref name=gnis/>
| elevation_ft          = 4551
| coordinates           = {{coord|40|14|40|N|111|39|39|W|region:US-UT|display=inline,title}}
| postal_code_type      = [[ZIP Code]]s
| postal_code           = 84601–84606
| area_code_type        = [[North American Numbering Plan|Area codes]]
| area_code             = [[Area codes 385 and 801|385, 801]]
| blank_name            = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
| blank_info            = 49-62470<ref name="GR2">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=January 31, 2008|title=U.S. Census website}}</ref>
| blank1_name           = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] ID
| blank1_info           = 2411499<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|2411499}}</ref>
| website               = {{URL|http://www.provo.org/}}
| footnotes             = 
}}

'''Provo''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|p|r|oʊ|.|v|oʊ}} {{respell|PROH|voh}}) is a city in and the [[county seat]] of [[Utah County, Utah]], United States. It is {{convert|43|mi|km}} south of [[Salt Lake City]] along the [[Wasatch Front]], and lies between the cities of [[Orem, Utah|Orem]] to the north and [[Springville, Utah|Springville]] to the south. With a population at the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]] of 115,162,<ref name = "provopopulation" /> Provo is the [[List of municipalities in Utah|fourth-largest city]] in Utah and the principal city in the [[Provo-Orem metropolitan area]], which had a population of 526,810 at the 2010 census.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov |title=2010 Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171) Summary File |work=2010 Census |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]], Population Division |access-date=February 5, 2011 }}</ref> It is Utah's second-largest [[metropolitan area]] after [[Salt Lake City metropolitan area|Salt Lake City]].

Provo is the home to [[Brigham Young University]] (BYU),<ref>{{cite web|url=https://vacationidea.com/destinations/best-things-to-do-in-provo-ut.html |title=25 Fun Things to Do in Provo, Utah |website=VacationIdea.com |date=August 14, 2021 |access-date=August 24, 2021}}</ref> a private higher education institution operated by [[the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints]] (LDS Church). Provo also has the LDS Church's largest [[Missionary Training Center]] (MTC). The city is a focus area for technology development in Utah, with several billion-dollar [[startup company|startups]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://pando.com/2013/07/25/the-street-in-provo-thats-home-to-three-billion-dollar-companies/|title=The street in Provo that's home to three billion-dollar tech companies|website=Pando|date=July 25, 2013|access-date=April 1, 2016|archive-date=April 17, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210417140027/https://pando.com/2013/07/25/the-street-in-provo-thats-home-to-three-billion-dollar-companies/|url-status=dead}}</ref> The city's [[Peaks Ice Arena]] was a venue for the Salt Lake City [[2002 Winter Olympics|Winter Olympics in 2002]].

==History==
[[File:Fort Utah c1850.jpg|thumb|right|Ft. Utah in 1850]]
The Provo area was originally called Timpanogas, a [[Colorado River Numic language|Numic]] ([[Ute people]]) word perhaps meaning "rock river".<ref name="Bright2004">{{cite book|last=Bright|first=William|author-link=William Bright|title=Native American Placenames of the United States|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5XfxzCm1qa4C&pg=PA495|access-date=February 10, 2019|year=2004|publisher=University of Oklahoma Press|isbn=978-0-8061-3598-4|page=495}}</ref> The area was inhabited by the [[Timpanogos]].<ref name=historytogo5 /> It was the largest and most settled area in modern-day Utah.<ref name=Virginia >{{cite book|title=Ute Indians of Utah, Colorado, and New Mexico|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=dMS9AwAAQBAJ&q=%22Utah+lake%22+among+Ute&pg=PT32|author=Virginia McConnell Simmons|date = May 18, 2011| publisher=University Press of Colorado |isbn = 9781457109898}}</ref> The ample food from the Provo River made the Timpanogos a peaceful people.{{clarify|date=June 2022}}<ref name=historytogo5>{{cite web|url=http://historytogo.utah.gov/people/ethnic_cultures/the_history_of_utahs_american_indians/chapter5.html|title=Chapter Five - The Northern Utes of Utah|access-date=July 25, 2016|archive-date=May 8, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160508235935/http://historytogo.utah.gov/people/ethnic_cultures/the_history_of_utahs_american_indians/chapter5.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> The area also served as the traditional meeting place for the [[Ute people|Ute]] and [[Shoshone]] tribes and was used as a common location for worship of their creator deity.{{clarify|date=June 2022}}<ref name=blackhawk>{{cite book|title=Indian Depredations in Utah|url=http://www.blackhawkwarutah.com/|author=Peter Gottfredson|access-date=December 17, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180121184357/http://www.blackhawkwarutah.com/|archive-date=January 21, 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref>

[[Silvestre Vélez de Escalante]], a Spanish [[Franciscan]] missionary-explorer, is considered the first European explorer to have visited the area in 1776. He was guided by two Timpanogos Utes, whom he called Silvestre and Joaquín.<ref name=Joaquin>{{cite web|url=http://www.provo.org/Home/ShowDocument?id=2258|title=Joaquin Neighborhood Plan pg. 3 :: City of Provo|access-date=January 19, 2017|archive-date=February 25, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210225000113/http://www.provo.org/Home/ShowDocument?id=2258|url-status=dead}}</ref> Escalante chronicled this first European exploration across the [[Great Basin Desert]]. The Europeans did not build a permanent settlement but traded with the Timpanogos, whom they called Lagunas (lake people) or Come Pescado (fish eaters).<ref name=Virginia />

In 1847, the [[Mormon pioneers]] arrived in the [[Salt Lake Valley]], which was just north of [[Mount Timpanogos|Timpanogos Mountain]]. At first, the Natives were friendly with the Mormons. But, as relations deteriorated with the Shoshoni and Utes because of disputes over land and cattle, tensions rose. Because of the reported stolen goods of settlers by the Utes, [[Brigham Young]] gave small militia orders "to take such measures as would put a final end to their [Indian] depredations in future." This ended in what is known as the [[Battle Creek massacre]], in modern-day [[Pleasant Grove, Utah]].
 
The Mormons continued pushing into Timpanog lands. In 1849, 33 [[Mormon]] families from Salt Lake City established [[Fort Utah]]. In 1850, Brigham Young sent an army from Salt Lake to drive out the Timpanogos in what is called the [[Provo War]].<ref name=mailed_fist>{{cite web|url=http://content.lib.utah.edu/cdm/ref/collection/USHSArchPub/id/7265|title=Utah Historical Quarterly Volume XLVI :: Utah State Historical Society - Historic and Prehistoric Publications|access-date=July 23, 2016|archive-date=August 17, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160817130542/http://content.lib.utah.edu/cdm/ref/collection/USHSArchPub/id/7265|url-status=dead}}</ref> Escalating tensions with the Timpanog contributed to the [[Walkara#Walker War|Walker War]].{{Citation needed|date=March 2017}} Fort Utah was renamed Provo in 1850 for [[Étienne Provost]],<ref>{{Citation | last = Cannon | first = Kenneth | title = Utah History Encyclopedia | publisher = University of Utah Press | year = 1994 | chapter = Provo | chapter-url = https://www.uen.org/utah_history_encyclopedia/p/PROVO.shtml | url = https://www.uen.org/utah_history_encyclopedia/ | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20221103115958/https://www.uen.org/utah_history_encyclopedia/p/PROVO.shtml | archive-date = November 3, 2022 | isbn =9780874804256 | access-date = March 26, 2024}}</ref> an early [[French-Canadian]] trapper who arrived in the region in 1825.

In 1850, the first schoolhouse was constructed in Provo, built within Utah Fort.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.provolibrary.com/historical-provo-timeline |title=Provo Library timeline of Provo |access-date=May 27, 2018 |archive-date=May 27, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180527201337/http://www.provolibrary.com/historical-provo-timeline |url-status=dead }}</ref>

As more [[Latter-day Saints]] arrived, Provo quickly grew as a city. It soon was nicknamed ''The Garden City'' with a large number of fruit orchards and gardens there.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.utah.com/destinations/cities-towns/provo/things-to-do/history/|title=Provo - History|website=www.utah.com}}</ref>

In 1872, a railroad reached Provo. It was also this year that the Provo Woolen Mills opened. They were the first large factory in Provo and employed about 150 people, initially mainly skilled textile laborers who had emigrated from Britain.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://historytogo.utah.gov/places/olympic_locations/historyofprovo.html |title=Utah History to Go article on Provo |access-date=May 27, 2018 |archive-date=March 17, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180317125714/http://historytogo.utah.gov/places/olympic_locations/historyofprovo.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==Geography==
[[File:RockCanyon.jpg|thumb|Rock Canyon in Provo]]

Provo lies on the eastern bank of [[Utah Lake]] in [[Utah Valley]] at an elevation of {{convert|4549|ft}}. According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city has an area of {{convert|114.4|km2|order=flip}}, of which {{convert|107.9|km2|order=flip}} is land and {{convert|6.5|km2|order=flip}}, or 5.66%, is water.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov |title=Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (G001): Provo city, Utah |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=March 8, 2012 }}</ref>

The [[Wasatch Range]] contains many peaks within [[Utah County, Utah|Utah County]] along the east side of the [[Wasatch Front]]. One of them, known as [[Y Mountain]], towers over the city. There is a large [[hillside letter]] ''Y'' made of whitewashed concrete halfway up the steep mountain, built in the early part of the 20th century to commemorate BYU (original plans included construction use of all three letters). Wild deer (and less frequently, [[cougar]]s, and [[moose]]) still roam the mountains (and occasionally the city streets). The geography allows for hiking, [[skiing]], [[fishing]] and other outdoor activities.

===Climate===
Provo's climate can be classified as either a [[hot-summer Mediterranean climate]] classification ([[Köppen climate classification|Köppen]]: ''Csa'') or as a [[semi-arid climate#Cold semi-arid climates|cool semi-arid climate]] (Köppen: ''BSk''). Overall, annual rainfall at the location of BYU is around {{convert|17.23|in|mm|-1|sp=us}}; however, the western part of the metropolitan area near Orem is substantially drier, receiving only around {{convert|13.5|in|mm|-1|sp=us}} of precipitation and consequently has a [[semi-arid climate#Cold semi-arid climates|cool semi-arid climate]] (Köppen: ''BSk'').<ref name = NOAA /> The wettest calendar year in Provo has been 1983 with {{convert|37.54|in|mm|1}} and the driest 2020 with {{convert|7.28|in|mm|1}}.<ref name = NOAA />
 
Winters are cold with substantial snowfall averaging {{convert|57.2|in|cm|sp=us}} and a record monthly total of {{convert|66.0|in|cm|sp=us}} in January 1918, during which the record snow cover of {{convert|34|in|cm}} was recorded on the 17th. Seasonal snowfall has ranged from {{convert|127.5|in|cm|sp=us}} in 1983–84 to {{convert|10.1|in|cm|sp=us}} in 2014–15. Very cold weather may occur when cold air from over the [[Continental Divide]] invades the region: although only four mornings fall to or below {{convert|0|F|C|1|disp=or}} during an average winter and this temperature was not reached at all between 1999 and 2006, during the very cold January 1917 (average temperature {{convert|14.9|F|C|1|disp=semicolon}}), seventeen mornings fell this cold.<ref name = NOAA /> By contrast, in several recent winters like 1994–95, 1995–96, 1999–2000, 2004–05, and 2005–06, averages have been above freezing every month.
 
Temperatures warm rapidly during the spring, with the first afternoon over {{convert|70|F|C|1}} on March 21, the last freeze expected on April 29, and the first temperature equal to or hotter than {{convert|90|F|C|1}} on May 30. Rainfall is not infrequent during the spring: over {{convert|5.10|in|mm|-1|sp=us}} was recorded in the Mays of 1995 and 2011, and a total of {{convert|12.29|in|mm|1}} fell during the four-month span of March to June 2005 – in contrast as little as {{convert|2.04|in|mm|1}} fell in the same months of 2012.<ref name = NOAA />
 
Being too far north to gain any influence from [[North American Monsoon|the monsoon]] except in rare cases like the {{convert|4.38|in|mm|1}} of rainfall of August 1983, Provo's summers are hot and dry, though relatively short – no maxima above {{convert|100|F|C|1}} have been recorded outside the range of June 7 to August 27. Monthly maxima average over {{convert|91|F|C|1}} in July and August, and precipitation averages under one inch per month with a two-month total in 2016 as low as {{convert|0.06|in|mm|1|sp=us}}. The hottest month on record is July 2003 with a mean of {{convert|81.8|F|C|1}}, and a mean maximum of {{convert|99.0|F|C|1}}. The hottest temperature on record is {{convert|108|F|C|1}} on July 13, 2002.<ref name = NOAA />
 
The fall season sees steady cooling and a transition to winter weather, with rare influences of rain systems from further south, as in the record wet month of September 1982, which saw {{convert|6.53|in|mm|1}} of total precipitation, including {{convert|4.15|in|mm|1}} over the last six days from a storm moving in from Arizona. The last maximum of {{convert|90|°F|°C|1}} can be expected around September 10, and the first morning below freezing on October 14.<ref name = NOAA />

{{Weather box
|location = Provo, Utah ([[Brigham Young University|BYU]] campus), 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1916–present
|single line = Y
|collapsed = yes
|Jan record high F = 63
|Feb record high F = 73
|Mar record high F = 84
|Apr record high F = 89
|May record high F = 98
|Jun record high F = 105
|Jul record high F = 108
|Aug record high F = 107
|Sep record high F = 102
|Oct record high F = 90
|Nov record high F = 77
|Dec record high F = 72
|year record high F= 108
| Jan avg record high F  = 55.3
| Feb avg record high F  = 62.6
| Mar avg record high F  = 73.8
| Apr avg record high F  = 81.9
| May avg record high F  = 90.2
| Jun avg record high F  = 98.5
| Jul avg record high F  = 102.7
| Aug avg record high F  = 100.0
| Sep avg record high F  = 94.4
| Oct avg record high F  = 83.9
| Nov avg record high F  = 70.0
| Dec avg record high F  = 57.9
| year avg record high F = 103.2
|Jan high F = 41.0
|Feb high F = 47.5
|Mar high F = 58.3
|Apr high F = 65.5
|May high F = 75.5
|Jun high F = 87.0
|Jul high F = 95.0
|Aug high F = 92.7
|Sep high F = 82.9
|Oct high F = 68.4
|Nov high F = 53.0
|Dec high F = 41.2
|year high F = 67.3
|Jan mean F = 32.3
|Feb mean F = 37.4
|Mar mean F = 46.3
|Apr mean F = 52.5
|May mean F = 61.4
|Jun mean F = 70.9
|Jul mean F = 78.6
|Aug mean F = 76.7
|Sep mean F = 67.3
|Oct mean F = 54.5
|Nov mean F = 42.2
|Dec mean F = 32.7
|year mean F = 54.4
|Jan low F = 23.5
|Feb low F = 27.2
|Mar low F = 34.3
|Apr low F = 39.5
|May low F = 47.2
|Jun low F = 54.7
|Jul low F = 62.1
|Aug low F = 60.8
|Sep low F = 51.8
|Oct low F = 40.7
|Nov low F = 31.4
|Dec low F = 24.2
|year low F = 41.5
| Jan avg record low F  = 8.4
| Feb avg record low F  = 13.4
| Mar avg record low F  = 22.0
| Apr avg record low F  = 28.1
| May avg record low F  = 34.8
| Jun avg record low F  = 42.7
| Jul avg record low F  = 53.4
| Aug avg record low F  = 52.2
| Sep avg record low F  = 39.7
| Oct avg record low F  = 28.0
| Nov avg record low F  = 17.2
| Dec avg record low F  = 9.8
| year avg record low F = 5.4
|Jan record low F = -20
|Feb record low F = -20
|Mar record low F = 0
|Apr record low F = 12
|May record low F = 27
|Jun record low F = 29
|Jul record low F = 35
|Aug record low F = 39
|Sep record low F = 21
|Oct record low F = 11
|Nov record low F = 3
|Dec record low F = -30
|year record low F= -30
|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation inch = 1.95
|Feb precipitation inch = 1.56
|Mar precipitation inch = 1.55
|Apr precipitation inch = 1.92
|May precipitation inch = 2.01
|Jun precipitation inch = 0.93
|Jul precipitation inch = 0.51
|Aug precipitation inch = 0.73
|Sep precipitation inch = 1.24
|Oct precipitation inch = 1.59
|Nov precipitation inch = 1.39
|Dec precipitation inch = 1.81
|year precipitation inch = 
|Jan snow inch = 12.5
|Feb snow inch = 8.7
|Mar snow inch = 4.0
|Apr snow inch = 3.1
|May snow inch = 0.2
|Jun snow inch = 0.0
|Jul snow inch = 0.0
|Aug snow inch = 0.0
|Sep snow inch = 0.0
|Oct snow inch = 0.6
|Nov snow inch = 4.6
|Dec snow inch = 11.2
|unit precipitation days = 0.01 in
|Jan precipitation days = 9.9
|Feb precipitation days = 9.5
|Mar precipitation days = 8.8
|Apr precipitation days = 9.7
|May precipitation days = 9.2
|Jun precipitation days = 5.4
|Jul precipitation days = 4.5
|Aug precipitation days = 5.4
|Sep precipitation days = 6.1
|Oct precipitation days = 6.8
|Nov precipitation days = 8.0
|Dec precipitation days = 9.3
|unit snow days = 0.1 in
|Jan snow days = 5.6
|Feb snow days = 4.2
|Mar snow days = 2.5
|Apr snow days = 1.5
|May snow days = 0.1
|Jun snow days = 0.0
|Jul snow days = 0.0
|Aug snow days = 0.0
|Sep snow days = 0.0
|Oct snow days = 0.3
|Nov snow days = 2.7
|Dec snow days = 5.7
|Jan percentsun = 50
|Feb percentsun = 55
|Mar percentsun = 67
|Apr percentsun = 69
|May percentsun = 71
|Jun percentsun = 80
|Jul percentsun = 73
|Aug percentsun = 79
|Sep percentsun = 83
|Oct percentsun = 73
|Nov percentsun = 50
|Dec percentsun = 56
|Jan uv = 2
|Feb uv = 3
|Mar uv = 5
|Apr uv = 7
|May uv = 9
|Jun uv = 10
|Jul uv = 10
|Aug uv = 9
|Sep uv = 7
|Oct uv = 4
|Nov uv = 3
|Dec uv = 2
|source 1 = NOAA<ref name = NOAA >{{cite web|url = https://w2.weather.gov/climate/xmacis.php?wfo=slc|title = NowData – NOAA Online Weather Data  |publisher = [[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration]]|access-date = February 14, 2012}}</ref><ref>
{{cite web
|url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&stations=USC00427064&format=pdf&dataTypes=MLY-TMAX-NORMAL,MLY-TMIN-NORMAL,MLY-TAVG-NORMAL,MLY-PRCP-NORMAL,MLY-SNOW-NORMAL
|publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
|title = U.S. Climate Normals Quick Access – Station: Provo BYU, UT
|access-date = April 9, 2023
}}
</ref>
|source 2= Weather Atlas <ref name="Weather Atlas">{{cite web |url=https://www.weather-us.com/en/utah-usa/provo-climate |title=Provo, Utah, USA - Monthly weather forecast and Climate data |publisher=Weather Atlas |access-date=July 4, 2019 }}</ref>
}}

{{wide image|Panoramic View of Provo and Utah Valley after Sunset from the Y Mountain Trailhead.jpg|1500px|A panoramic view of Provo after sunset, in February 2014}}

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1860= 2030
|1870= 2384
|1880= 3432
|1890= 5159
|1900= 6185
|1910= 8925
|1920= 10303
|1930= 14766
|1940= 18071
|1950= 28937
|1960= 36047
|1970= 53131
|1980= 74108
|1990= 86835
|2000= 105166
|2010= 112488
|2020= 115162
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|website=Census.gov|access-date=June 4, 2015}}</ref>
}}

[[File:Race and ethnicity 2020 Provo, UT.png|thumb|Map of racial distribution in Provo, 2020 U.S. census. Each dot is one person: {{legend inline|outline=white|white|text=⬤|textcolor=rgb(115, 178, 255)|White}} {{legend inline|outline=white|white|text=⬤|textcolor=rgb(159, 212, 0)|Black}} {{legend inline|outline=white|white|text=⬤|textcolor=rgb(255, 0, 0)|Asian}} {{legend inline|outline=white|white|text=⬤|textcolor=rgb(255, 170, 0)|Hispanic}} {{legend inline|outline=white|white|text=⬤|textcolor=rgb(140, 81, 181)|Multiracial}} {{legend inline|outline=white|white|text=⬤|textcolor=rgb(153, 102, 51)|Native American/other}}]]

===2020 census===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
|+'''Provo, Utah – racial and ethnic composition'''<br><small>{{nobold|''Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.''}}</small>
!Race / ethnicity <small>(''NH = Non-Hispanic'')</small>
!Pop 2000<ref name=2000CensusP004>{{Cite web|title=P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Provo city, Utah|url=https://data.census.gov/table?g=160XX00US4962470&tid=DECENNIALSF12000.P004|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref>
!Pop 2010<ref name=2010CensusP2>{{Cite web|title=P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Provo city, Utah|url=https://data.census.gov/table?q=p2&g=160XX00US4962470&tid=DECENNIALPL2010.P2|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref>
!{{partial|Pop 2020}}<ref name=2020CensusP2>{{Cite web|title=P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Provo city, Utah|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=p2&g=160XX00US4962470&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref>
!% 2000
!% 2010
!{{partial|% 2020}}
|-
|[[Non-Hispanic or Latino whites|White]] alone (NH)
|88,311
|87,186
|style='background: #ffffe6; |81,655
|83.97%
|77.51%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |70.90%
|-
|[[Non-Hispanic or Latino African Americans|Black or African American]] alone (NH)
|432
|672
|style='background: #ffffe6; |971
|0.41%
|0.60%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.84%
|-
|[[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]] or [[Alaska Native]] alone (NH)
|703
|719
|style='background: #ffffe6; |590
|0.67%
|0.64%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.51%
|-
|[[Asian Americans|Asian]] alone (NH)
|1,903
|2,743
|style='background: #ffffe6; |2,772
|1.81%
|2.44%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |2.41%
|-
|[[Pacific Islander Americans|Pacific Islander]] alone (NH)
|873
|1,229
|style='background: #ffffe6; |1,655
|0.83%
|1.09%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |1.44%
|-
|[[Race and ethnicity in the United States census|Other race]] alone (NH)
|141
|194
|style='background: #ffffe6; |406
|0.13%
|0.17%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.35%
|-
|[[Multiracial Americans|Mixed-race or multiracial]] (NH)
|1,790
|2,654
|style='background: #ffffe6; |5,718
|1.70%
|2.36%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |4.97%
|-
|[[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic or Latino]] (any race)
|11,013
|17,091
|style='background: #ffffe6; |21,395
|10.47%
|15.19%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |18.58%
|-
|'''Total'''
|'''105,166'''
|'''112,488'''
|style='background: #ffffe6; |'''115,162'''
|'''100.00%'''
|'''100.00%'''
|style='background: #ffffe6; |'''100.00%'''
|}

===2010 census===
At the [[2010 United States Census|2010 census]],<ref name="GR2" /> 112,488 people, 31,524 households and 21,166 families resided in the city. The [[population density]] was {{convert|2,697.6|pd/sqmi}}. The racial makeup of the city was 84.8% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 0.7% [[African American (U.S. census)|Black or African American]], 0.8% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|American Indian]], 2.5% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 1.1% [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 6.6% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 3.4% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] residents of any race were 15.2% of the population.

There were 31,524 households, of which 34.8% had children under 18 living with them, 55.4% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 8.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.9% were non-families. 12.8% of all households were made up of a single individual, and 4.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.24, and the average family size was 3.41.

In the city, 22.3% of residents were under 18, 36.4% were from 18 to 24, 24.8% from 25 to 44, 10.5% from 45 to 64, and 5.8% were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 23.3 years. For every 100 females, there were 98.2 males. For every 100 females aged 18 and over, there were 96.4 males.

===2000 census===
At the [[2000 United States census|2000 census]],<ref name="GR2" /> 105,166 people, 29,192 households and 19,938 families resided in the city. The [[population density]] was {{convert|2,653.2|pd/sqmi}}. There were 30,374 housing units at an average density of {{cvt|766.3|/sqmi}}. The racial makeup of the city was 88.52% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 0.46% [[African American (U.S. census)|Black or African American]], 0.80% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|American Indian]], 1.83% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.84% [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 5.10% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 2.44% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] residents of any race were 10.47% of the population.

There were 29,192 households, of which 33.8% had children under 18 living with them, 57.0% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 7.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.7% were non-families. 11.8% of all households were made up of a single individual, and 4.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.34, and the average family size was 3.40.

In the city, 22.3% of residents were under 18, 40.2% from 18 to 24, 23.2% from 25 to 44, 8.6% from 45 to 64, and 5.7% were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 23 years. For every 100 females, there were 92.6 males. For every 100 females aged 18 and over, there were 89.3 males.

The [[median household income]] was $34,313, and the median family income was $36,393. Males had a median income of $32,010 and females $20,928. The [[per capita income]] was $13,207. About 12.5% of families and 26.8% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 14.4% of those under age 18 and 4.3% of those aged 65 or over.

The residents of Provo are predominantly members of the LDS Church. According to data taken in 2000 by the [[Association of Religion Data Archives|ARDA]], 88% of the overall population, and 98% of religious adherents in the Provo-Orem area are Latter-day Saints.<ref name="religious">{{cite web|url=http://www.thearda.com/mapsReports/reports/metro/6520_2000.asp|title=Religious adherents in Provo-Orem, Utah|website=Thearda.com|access-date=February 12, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131021204152/http://www.thearda.com/mapsReports/reports/metro/6520_2000.asp|archive-date=October 21, 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> According to a study in 2015, the Provo-Orem metro area is about as dissimilar to the rest of America as possible. Weighing factors such as race, housing, income, and education, the study ranked Provo-Orem 376th of 381 of the United States' largest cities in terms of resemblance to the country.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.sltrib.com/news/2652352-155/which-utah-city-least-resembles-the|title=Provo-Orem is least American area in Utah, study says|author=Amy Mcdonald|work=The Salt Lake Tribune|language=en-US|date=June 24, 2015|access-date=May 8, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160504102231/http://www.sltrib.com/news/2652352-155/which-utah-city-least-resembles-the|archive-date=May 4, 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Religion===
{{Bar box|width=450px|bars=
{{bar percent|[[Latter Day Saint movement|LDS]]|red|88.7}}
{{bar percent|[[Catholicism|Catholic]]|lime|1.3}}
{{bar percent|[[Protestantism|Protestant]]|purple|0.6}}
{{bar percent|Other|grey|0.3}}
{{bar percent|None|black|9.1}}
|float=right|left1=Religion|right 1=Percent (%)|title=Religion in Provo, Utah (2010)}}
According to the breakdown for Utah County in 2010, most people (90.6%) were Christian, with [[The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints|Latter-day Saints]] constituting 88.7% of the population. [[Catholicism|Catholics]] constituted 1.3% and [[Protestantism|Protestants]] constituted 0.6%. Other religions constituted 0.3% of the population. 9.1% of the population did not adhere to any religion.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thearda.com/Archive/Files/Descriptions/RCMSCY10.asp |title=U.S. Religion Census: Religious Congregations and Membership Study, 2010 (County File) |website=thearda.com |access-date=February 19, 2018}}</ref>

==Economy==
===Local companies===
Provo has more than 100 [[restaurants]] (with over 60 in the downtown area)<ref name="provo restaurants">{{cite web|url=https://www.downtownprovo.com/businesses/|title=Businesses|website=DowntownProvo.org|access-date=April 28, 2017}}{{Dead link|date=August 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> and a couple of [[shopping center]]s. [[The Shops At Riverwoods]] and [[Provo Towne Centre]], both [[shopping mall]]s, operate in Provo. Several small shops, music venues, and boutiques have popped up downtown, along Center Street and University Avenue. Downtown has also begun to host  "gallery strolls" every first Friday of the month that features local artists. There are many dining establishments in and around downtown Provo.

Five Provo companies are listed on [[Inc. (magazine)|Inc.com's Inc. 5000]] list of the fastest-growing private companies in the United States. The largest, DieCuts With a View, is ranked number 1403 and has revenues of $26.2 million.<ref name="inc5000-diecuts">{{cite web|url=http://www.inc.com/inc5000/2007/company-profile.html?id=200714030 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130126145747/http://www.inc.com/inc5000/2007/company-profile.html?id=200714030 |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 26, 2013 |title=DieCuts With a View |work=[[Inc. (magazine)|Inc.]] |access-date=October 7, 2008 }}</ref> Other companies on the list are VitalSmarts (ranked 4109, with $41.4 million in revenue),<ref name="inc5000-vitalsmarts">{{cite web|url=http://www.inc.com/profile/vitalsmarts |archive-url=https://wayback.archive-it.org/all/20141021231740/http://www.inc.com/profile/vitalsmarts |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 21, 2014 |title=VitalSmarts |work=[[Inc. (magazine)|Inc.]] |access-date=October 7, 2008 }}</ref> and Connect Public Relations (ranked 3694, with $6.1 million in revenue).<ref name="inc5000-connect">{{cite web|url=http://www.inc.com/inc5000/2007/company-profile.html?id=200736940 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130126054317/http://www.inc.com/inc5000/2007/company-profile.html?id=200736940 |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 26, 2013 |title=Connect Public Relations |work=[[Inc. (magazine)|Inc.]] |access-date=October 7, 2008 }}</ref> The global recreation and entertainment company [[Ryze Trampoline Parks]], with locations throughout Asia, Europe and the U.S., is headquartered in Provo.<ref>Bethany Clough, [http://www.fresnobee.com/2011/10/19/2583346_skywalk-trampoline-arena-set-to.html?rh=1 "Skywalk trampoline arena opens today in Made,"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150212163518/http://www.fresnobee.com/2011/10/19/2583346_skywalk-trampoline-arena-set-to.html?rh=1 |date=February 12, 2015 }}, ''The Fresno Bee'', October 19, 2011. Retrieved February 10, 2015.</ref>

[[Novell]], the dominant personal computer networking company from the mid-1980s through the mid-1990s, was headquartered in Provo and occupied several buildings at the height of its success. It was eventually acquired by [[The Attachmate Group]] and then by [[Micro Focus]], which still maintains facilities there.

The Food & Care Coalition is a local organization providing services to the homeless and low-income citizens of Provo and Utah counties. It also provides [[Volunteering|volunteer]] opportunities.

===International companies===
[[File:Novell HQ Provo April 2008.jpg|thumb|[[Novell]] headquarters]]
[[File:NuskinBuildingProvo.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Nu Skin Enterprises|Nu Skin]] headquarters]]

*[[Action Target]], a shooting range manufacturer
*[[Morinda Bioactives]] (formerly Tahitian Noni International), a [[multi-level marketing]] health and skin care manufacturer whose products are based on the Tahitian fruit called [[noni]]
*[[North American Arms]], a firearms manufacturer
*[[Nu Skin Enterprises]], a multi-level marketing firm for skin care products founded in 1984
*[[Qualtrics]], a private research software company
*[[Vivint]] (formerly APX Alarm Security Solutions), a [[residential security]] company

===Top employers===
According to Provo's 2019 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report,<ref>{{Cite web|last=City of Provo|date=2019|title=Annual Financial Report|url=https://www.provo.org/Home/ShowDocument?id=16214|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201003191238/https://www.provo.org/Home/ShowDocument?id=16214|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 3, 2020}}</ref> the top employers in the city were:

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! #
! Employer
! # of employees
|-
| 1
| [[Brigham Young University]]
|5,000-6,999
|-
|2
| [[Utah Valley Hospital|Utah Valley Regional Medical Center]]
|3,000-3,999
|-
|3
| [[Vivint]]
|3,000-3,999
|-
|4
| Arm Security
|1,000-1,999
|-
|5
| [[Revere Health]]
|1,000-1,999
|-
|6
| Chrysalis Utah
|1,000-1,999
|-
|7
| [[Qualtrics]]
|1,000-1,999
|-
|8
| RBD Acquisition
|1,000-1,999
|-
|9
| [[Frontier Communications]]
|500-999
|-
|10
| [[Nu Skin Enterprises|Nu Skin International]]
|500-999
|}

==Arts and culture==
===Annual cultural events===
[[File:CosmoAtTheParade.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Cosmo the Cougar]] at [[America's Freedom Festival at Provo]]]]

Every July, Provo hosts [[America's Freedom Festival at Provo]] which includes the [[Stadium of Fire]] at BYU. It is held in [[LaVell Edwards Stadium]], home to BYU's [[National Collegiate Athletic Association|NCAA]] [[American football|football]] team. The Independence Day festivities are popular among residents and have featured such notable figures as [[Bob Hope]], [[David Hasselhoff]], [[Reba McEntire]], [[Kelly Clarkson]], [[Mandy Moore]], [[Huey Lewis and the News]], [[Toby Keith]], [[Sean Hannity]], [[Glenn Beck]], [[Fred Willard]], and [[Taylor Hicks]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://deseretnews.com/dn/view/0,1249,635212442,00.html|title=Taylor Hicks at Stadium of Fire 2006|work=Deseret News|access-date=February 12, 2014|archive-date=November 27, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071127061333/http://deseretnews.com/dn/view/0,1249,635212442,00.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> In 2015, the event included performances by [[Journey (band)|Journey]] and [[Olivia Holt]], and was hosted by television personality [[Montel Williams]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.sltrib.com/entertainment/2327471-155/journey-to-headline-provos-stadium-of |newspaper=[[The Salt Lake Tribune]] |title=Journey to headline Provo's Stadium of Fire show this July 4}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title = Journey to headline Stadium of Fire 2015; Disney Channel's Olivia Holt will Perform; TV icon Montel Williams to Host|url = http://www.freedomfestival.org/press_release/journey-to-headline-stadium-of-fire-2015-disney-channels-olivia-holt-will-perform-tv-icon-montel-williams-to-host/|website = freedomfestival.org|access-date = January 3, 2016|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160116164209/http://www.freedomfestival.org/press_release/journey-to-headline-stadium-of-fire-2015-disney-channels-olivia-holt-will-perform-tv-icon-montel-williams-to-host/|archive-date = January 16, 2016|url-status = dead}}</ref>

Provo has two other large festivals each fall. [[Festival Latinoamericano]] is an annual family-oriented Labor Day weekend event in downtown Provo that offers the community a taste of the region's [[Hispanic]] culture through ethnic food, vendors, and performances.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://festivalprovo.com/Home/tabid/36/language/en-US/Default.aspx|title=Festival Latinoamericano official website|website=Festivalprovo.com|access-date=February 12, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130809061548/http://www.festivalprovo.com/Home/tabid/36/language/en-US/Default.aspx|archive-date=August 9, 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref>

The city has hosted an annual LGBT Provo Pride Festival since 2013.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.provopride.org/provo-pride-fest-boosts-lgbt-visibility-in-mormonisms-happy-valley/|title=Provo Pride – Provo Pride Fest boosts LGBT visibility in Mormonism's 'Happy Valley'|website=provopride.org|access-date=June 28, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160616170437/http://www.provopride.org/provo-pride-fest-boosts-lgbt-visibility-in-mormonisms-happy-valley/|archive-date=June 16, 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Points of interest===
[[File:ProvoLibrary.jpg|thumb|[[Provo City Library]] in the former Brigham Young Academy]]
[[File:Provo Tabernacle.jpeg|thumb|The [[Provo Tabernacle]] before destruction by fire in 2010. It was later renovated into [[Provo City Center Temple]].]]
[[File:Provo Utah Temple 1.jpg|thumb|The [[Provo Utah Temple]]]]
[[File:Utah valley convention center.jpg|thumb|The Utah Valley Convention Center]]

====Covey Center for the Arts====
The Covey Center for the Arts,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.coveycenter.org/|title=Covey Center for the Arts|publisher=Covey Center for the Arts|access-date=February 12, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131021204153/http://www.coveycenter.org/|archive-date=October 21, 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> a performing arts center, is at 425 West Center Street. It features plays, ballets, art showcases, and musical performances throughout the year. The size of the building is a total of {{Convert|42000|sqft|4=0}}. The main performance hall seats 670 people. Three dance studios are furnished with a piano, ballet bars, and mirrors. Another theater, the Brinton Black Box Theater, seats 60 for smaller, more intimate events. There are also two art galleries: the {{Convert|1620|sqft|adj=on}} Secured Gallery and the Eccles Gallery in the lower lobby.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.coveycenter.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=section&layout=blog&id=4&Itemid=4 |title=Covey Center for the Arts facts |publisher=Covey Center for the Arts |access-date=February 12, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131107194658/http://www.coveycenter.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=section&layout=blog&id=4&Itemid=4 |archive-date=November 7, 2013 }}</ref>

==== LDS Church MTC====
Provo is the location of the church's largest MTC. Each week approximately 475 [[Mormon Missionary|missionaries]] enter for 3–9 weeks of training before they depart for the mission field, becoming part of more than 58,000 in more than 120 countries. About 1,100 instructors (many of them returned missionaries) teach 62 languages. The MTC in Provo began construction in July 1974 and was completed in July 1976. The MTC was expanded in the early 1990s to become the largest of the 17 such centers than in the world.<ref>{{Cite news|author=Robb Hicken |title=BYU helps push language learning for missionaries |url=http://newsnet.byu.edu/story.cfm/57697 |website=BYU NewsNet |date=December 1, 2005 |access-date=November 9, 2006 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060903031314/http://newsnet.byu.edu/story.cfm/57697 |archive-date=September 3, 2006 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lds.org/ldsnewsroom/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=37bc12fccd78f010VgnVCM100000176f620aRCRD&vgnextchannel=3e0511154963d010VgnVCM1000004e94610aRCRD |title=LDS Newsroom - Statistics of LDS Church |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100810124300/http://www.lds.org/ldsnewsroom/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=37bc12fccd78f010VgnVCM100000176f620aRCRD&vgnextchannel=3e0511154963d010VgnVCM1000004e94610aRCRD |archive-date=August 10, 2010 }}</ref> Additional construction was completed in 2017.<ref name=MTCbuildings2017>{{cite news |url= https://www.deseret.com/2017/7/26/20616666/new-mtc-buildings-in-provo-include-larger-classrooms-outside-study-space#missionaries-study-outside-the-provo-missionary-training-center-in-provo-on-wednesday-july-26-2017-new-renovations-have-been-made-to-accommodate-3700-missionaries |title=New MTC buildings in Provo include larger classrooms, outside study space|last= Lockhart |first= Ben |date= July 26, 2017 |newspaper= [[Deseret News]] |access-date= August 14, 2020 }}</ref><ref name=MTCbuildings20172>{{cite news |url= https://www.deseret.com/2017/7/26/20616524/lds-church-releases-photos-videos-of-expanded-mtc#missionaries-make-use-of-the-stairways-in-the-missionary-training-center-in-provo-now-lit-with-much-natural-light-due-to-the-new-expansion |title=LDS Church releases photos, videos of expanded MTC|last= Hanks |first= Bethany |date= July 26, 2017 |newspaper= [[Deseret News]] |access-date= August 14, 2020 }}</ref>

====Provo City Library at Academy Square====
The [[Provo City Library]] is a public library that occupies the building of the former Brigham Young Academy, built-in 1892. The building was added to the [[National Register of Historic Places]] in 1976. Its collection contains over 277,000 media. The library is on University Avenue and 550 North.

====Provo Recreation Center====
With construction finished in 2013, the center provides a location for aquatic and gym recreation next to the Provo Power plant.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.provo.org/community/recreation-center|title=Recreation Center &#124; City of Provo, UT|website=www.provo.org}}</ref>

====Provo Utah Temple====
The Provo Utah Temple is at the base of Rock Canyon in Provo. This temple has been among the busiest in the LDS Church due to its proximity to BYU and the MTC.<ref name="utah.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.utah.com/mormon/provo_area.htm|title=Utah Valley/Provo Area Mormon History Sites|website=Utah.com|access-date=October 7, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080905163837/http://www.utah.com/mormon/provo_area.htm|archive-date=September 5, 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref> The temple closed in February 2024, has been razed, and is currently being reconstructed. The temple, estimated for completion in 2027, will reopen as the ''Provo Utah Rock Canyon Temple''.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-02-20 |title=The Provo Temple Will Reopen as the Provo Rock Canyon Temple |url=https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/the-provo-temple-will-reopen-as-the-provo-utah-rock-canyon-temple |access-date=2024-10-07 |website=newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org |language=en}}</ref>

==== Provo City Center Temple ====
Located at the corner of University Avenue and Center Street, the Provo City Center Temple serves as another temple for the Provo area's Latter-day Saint population. After a fire in 2010 destroyed the Provo Tabernacle,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.deseret.com/2010/12/18/20368291/provo-tabernacle-burns-in-four-alarm-fire|title=Provo Tabernacle burns in four-alarm fire|last=Reavy|first=Pat|date=December 18, 2010|website=Deseret News|language=en|access-date=October 29, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191029163931/https://www.deseret.com/2010/12/18/20368291/provo-tabernacle-burns-in-four-alarm-fire|archive-date=October 29, 2019|url-status=dead}}</ref> [[Thomas S. Monson]], then LDS Church [[President of the Church (LDS Church)|president]], announced the site would become the city's second temple.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.heraldextra.com/provo-city-center-temple-announcement/youtube_e322bb56-98b6-5f07-9b2b-f75b48825fd6.html|title=2011: Provo City Center Temple announcement|last=Armstrong|first=Caleb|website=Daily Herald|language=en|access-date=October 29, 2019|archive-date=October 29, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191029163936/https://www.heraldextra.com/provo-city-center-temple-announcement/youtube_e322bb56-98b6-5f07-9b2b-f75b48825fd6.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> Renovations were finished and the temple was dedicated in March 2016.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.deseret.com/2016/3/20/20585354/elder-oaks-dedicates-provo-city-center-temple-as-150th-temple-of-the-lds-church|title=Elder Oaks dedicates Provo City Center Temple as 150th temple of the LDS Church|last=Walch|first=Tad|date=March 20, 2016|website=Deseret News|language=en|access-date=October 29, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191029163937/https://www.deseret.com/2016/3/20/20585354/elder-oaks-dedicates-provo-city-center-temple-as-150th-temple-of-the-lds-church|archive-date=October 29, 2019|url-status=dead}}</ref>

====Utah Valley Convention Center====
The Utah Valley Convention Center opened in 2012.<ref name="conventioncenter2010">{{cite web|url=http://www.deseretnews.com/article/700040577/|archive-url=https://wayback.archive-it.org/all/20131021214904/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/700040577/Construction-of-Utah-County-Convention-Center-gets-under-way.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 21, 2013|title=Construction of Utah County Convention Center gets under way|work=Deseret News|date=June 15, 2010|access-date=August 6, 2010}}</ref>  It has {{Convert|83578|sqft}} of combined meeting, pre-function and garden space.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.utahvalleyconventioncenter.com/about/|title=ABOUT US|website=Utah Valley Convention Center|access-date=May 14, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160530123411/http://www.utahvalleyconventioncenter.com/about/|archive-date=May 30, 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref>

====Other points of interest====
* [[Brigham Young University Arboretum]]
* [[BYU Museum of Paleontology]]
* [[LaVell Edwards Stadium]], home of the [[NCAA]] [[college football]] [[BYU Cougars]] as well as [[Stadium of Fire]], an annual [[4th of July]] [[fireworks]] show and concert
* [[Marriott Center|The Marriott Center]], home of the NCAA [[college basketball]] [[BYU Cougars]]. The Marriott Center is also used for large university gatherings, such as devotionals, guest lectures, and [[graduation]] ceremonies
* [[Peaks Ice Arena]], hockey venue for the [[2002 Winter Olympic Games]]
* The [[Provo River]], known for fishing, and the Provo River Parkway, a paved bicycle and walking trail adjacent to the river<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.utahcountyonline.org/parks/ParkDetails.asp?IDNO=5 |title=Provo River Parkway |website=Utahcountyonline.org |access-date=April 1, 2011 |archive-date=July 11, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110711073506/http://www.utahcountyonline.org/parks/ParkDetails.asp?IDNO=5 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
* [[Reed O. Smoot House]], a [[National Historic Landmark]], at 183 East 100 South
* Seven Peaks Water Park, the largest water park in Utah.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sevenpeaks.com|title=Seven Peaks Water Park|website=Sevenpeaks.com|access-date=February 12, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151101163843/http://www.sevenpeaks.com/|archive-date=November 1, 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* [[The Shops At Riverwoods]], a center of residences, retail, and entertainment at the mouth of [[Provo Canyon]]
* [[Timpanogos Cave National Monument]]
* [[Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest]], a national forest on the [[Wasatch Front]] bordering the east edge of Provo and Utah Valley
* [[Utah Lake]], a fresh-water lake popular for fishing, boating, and other recreational activities

==Government==
{{Further|List of Utah State Legislatures|List of United States Senators from Utah|Utah's 3rd congressional district|15th Utah Senate District|16th Utah Senate District}}

Federally, Provo is part of [[Utah's 3rd congressional district]], represented by Republican [[Mike Kennedy (politician)|Mike Kennedy]], elected in 2024.

===City administration===
{| id="toc" style="float: right; margin-right: 1em; width: 30%; font-size: 90%;" cellspacing="3"
|-
| colspan="3" style="text-align:center;"|'''Elected officials of Provo City as of 2024'''
|-
|'''Official'''||'''Position'''||'''Term ends'''
|-
|[[Michelle Kaufusi]]||Mayor||2022-2026
|-
| colspan="3" style="text-align:center;"|'''City council members'''
|-
|Katrice Mackay||City Wide I||2022-2026
|-
|Gary Garrett||City Wide II||2024-2028
|-
|Craig Christensen||District 1||2024-2028
|-
|George Handley||District 2||2022-2026
|-
|Becky Bogdin||District 3||2024-2028
|-
|Travis Hoban||District 4||2024-2028
|-
|Rachel Whipple||District 5||2022-2026
|}

Provo is administered by a seven-member city council<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.provo.org/government/city-council/contact-the-council|title=Contact The Council &#124; City of Provo, UT|website=www.provo.org}}</ref> and a mayor. Five of the council seats are elected by individual city districts, and two of the seats are elected by the city as a whole. These elected officials serve four-year terms, with elections alternating every two years. Provo has a [[Mayor–council government]], which creates two separate but equal branches of government. The mayor is chief executive of the city and the council is the legislative and policy-making body of the city.<ref>{{cite web | title=Provo Government Format | url=https://provomayor.blogspot.com/2012/03/provos-unique-form-of-government.html | website=Blogspot.Com | year=2009 | access-date=May 1, 2012 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131021204153/http://provomayor.blogspot.com/2012/03/provos-unique-form-of-government.html | archive-date=October 21, 2013 | url-status=dead }}</ref> The mayor is [[Michelle Kaufusi]], who has been in office since December 5, 2017.

In 2025, WalletHub ranked Provo as the best-run American city.<ref>Best- & Worst-Run Cities in America in 2025</ref>{{better source needed|date=June 2025}}

==Education==
[[File:Provo iv.jpg|thumb|[[Brigham Young University]] taken from the east of the campus]]
[[File:US Navy 060909-N-3271W-002 The Brigham Young University Cheer Squad greet the U.S. Navy Parachute Demonstration Team Leap Frogs after they parachuted into the stadium prior to the game.jpg|thumb|Pre-game entertainment parachuters at [[LaVell Edwards Stadium]]]]

===Higher education===
BYU is a private university operated by the LDS Church. BYU is the largest private religious university in the United States, with more than 30,000 students.<ref>{{cite web |title=Brigham Young University |url=https://www.cur.org/boilerplate/brigham-young-university/#:~:text=Founded%20in%201875%20by%20Brigham,of%20lifelong%20learning%20and%20service. |website=cur.org |publisher=Council on Undergraduate Research |access-date=12 May 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250513014053/https://www.cur.org/boilerplate/brigham-young-university/ |archive-date=13 May 2025}}</ref> It is the flagship of the [[Church Educational System]]. On the campus is the [[Spencer W. Kimball Tower]], the tallest building in Provo.<ref name="Emporis">{{cite web |website=Emporis |title=Kimball Tower |access-date= April 7, 2007 |url=http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=kimballtower-provo-ut-usa |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070525233528/http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=kimballtower-provo-ut-usa |url-status=usurped |archive-date=May 25, 2007 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |publisher=Brigham Young University |title=Campus Information |access-date=April 7, 2007 |url=http://unicomm.byu.edu/directories/bldg.aspx?id=SWKT|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051210175053/http://unicomm.byu.edu/directories/bldg.aspx?id=SWKT|archive-date=December 10, 2005 }}</ref>

[[Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions]] is a private, for-profit university emphasizing graduate healthcare education. The Northwest Commission accredits the university of Colleges and Universities (NWCCU). RMUoHP offers programs in nursing practice, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and health science. RMUoHP will be building Utah County's first new medical school.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.heraldextra.com/business/local/utah-county-to-be-site-of-new-medical-school/article_859a1d19-5356-5011-af30-154a28241926.html |title=Utah County to be site of new medical school |newspaper=The Daily Herald |access-date=October 1, 2016 |archive-date=October 1, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161001051715/http://www.heraldextra.com/business/local/utah-county-to-be-site-of-new-medical-school/article_859a1d19-5356-5011-af30-154a28241926.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>

[[Provo College]] is a private, for-profit educational institution specializing in career education. The school is accredited by the [[Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools]] (ACICS). Provo College offers associate degrees and diplomas in fields such as nursing, medical assisting, criminal justice, graphic design, and office administration.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.provocollege.edu/programs.php |title=Utah College Programs - Provo College - Provo & American Fork, Utah |publisher=Provo College |access-date=February 12, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121018135134/http://www.provocollege.edu/programs.php |archive-date=October 18, 2012 |url-status=dead  }}</ref>{{Independent source inline|date=May 2013}}

===Primary and secondary education===
Almost all of Provo is within the [[Provo School District]].<ref name=SDmap>{{cite web|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st49_ut/schooldistrict_maps/c49049_utah/DC20SD_C49049.pdf|title=2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Utah County, UT|publisher=[[U.S. Census Bureau]]|accessdate=2022-10-17|pages=2-3 (PDF p. 3-4/7)}}</ref> The school board has seven members, each representing a different district of the city. There are thirteen elementary schools, two middle schools, and three high schools. [[Provo High School]] was the first school in [[Utah County]] to be an IB World school. The school has a record of 4A state basketball championships, more state champions than any other school in the state.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.deseretnews.com/preprecords/bkb/bkbttitles.html |title=Utah High School Sports Records |work=Deseretnews.com |access-date=February 12, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131021214902/http://www.deseretnews.com/preprecords/bkb/bkbttitles.html |archive-date=October 21, 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref> [[Timpview High School]] has a record of 4A state football championships.{{Citation needed|date=March 2017}}{{When|date=March 2017}}

A small section of the city lies within [[Alpine School District]].<ref name=SDmap/>

==Infrastructure==
===Transportation===
[[File:Provo frontrunner station.jpg|thumb|The ''[[FrontRunner]]'' at [[Utah Transit Authority]]'s [[Provo station (Utah Transit Authority)|Provo station]], July 2013]]
[[File:Amtrak station provo utah.jpg|thumb|[[Amtrak]]'s [[Provo station (Amtrak)|Provo station]], July 2013]]
[[Interstate 15 in Utah|Interstate 15]] runs through western Provo, connecting it with the rest of the Wasatch Front and much of Utah. [[U.S. Route 89 in Utah|US-89]] runs northwest to southeast through the city as State Street, while [[U.S. Route 189|US-189]] connects US-89 with I-15, BYU, and Orem to the north. At the north edge of the city, US-189 heads northeast into [[Provo Canyon]], where it connects with [[Heber City, Utah|Heber]].

[[Amtrak]], the national passenger rail system, provides service to [[Provo station (Amtrak)|Provo station]], operating its ''[[California Zephyr]]'' daily in both directions between [[Chicago]], [[Illinois]], and [[Emeryville, California|Emeryville]], [[California]] (in the [[San Francisco Bay Area]]). Provo also can be accessed by Salt Lake Express intercity buses and the extensive [[Utah Transit Authority]] (UTA) bus system. UTA's [[Commuter rail in North America|commuter rail]] service, the ''[[FrontRunner]]'', opened an extension to Provo from Salt Lake City on December 10, 2012.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=23322825 |title=FrontRunner South opens, brings changes to north line |website=KSL.com |date=December 10, 2012 |access-date=February 12, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222010421/http://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=23322825 |archive-date=February 22, 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The [[Provo station (Utah Transit Authority)|Provo Intermodal Center]],  near the Amtrak station, connects the ''FrontRunner'' with local bus routes, as well as Greyhound service.

The [[Provo Municipal Airport]] is Utah's second busiest airport regarding the number of aircraft take-offs and landings.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.sltrib.com/news/2987562-155/provo-now-utahs-no-2-airport|title=Provo now Utah's No. 2 airport, passing St. George and Wendover|newspaper=Salt Lake Tribune|date=September 25, 2015|last=Davidson|first=Lee}}</ref> [[Allegiant Airlines]] has been based out of the airport since 2022.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.heraldextra.com/news/local/2022/nov/16/allegiant-opens-home-base-in-provo-announces-nonstop-flights-to-nashville/|title=Allegiant opens home base in Provo, announces nonstop flights to Nashville}}</ref>

==Notable people==
{{main|List of people from Provo, Utah}}
Provo is home to (or the hometown of) many well-known people, including [[The Osmonds]] (including [[Donny Osmond|Donny]], [[Marie Osmond|Marie]], and the [[Osmond Brothers]]),<ref name="osmond-bio">{{cite web| url=http://www.biography.com/search/article.do?id=9430119| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930014745/http://www.biography.com/search/article.do?id=9430119| url-status=dead| archive-date=September 30, 2007| title=The Osmonds (The Osmond Family) biography| website=[[Biography Channel]]| access-date=October 7, 2008}}</ref> LDS Church [[Apostle (LDS Church)|apostle]] [[Dallin H. Oaks]], and NFL and BYU quarterback [[Steve Young]].<ref name="profootball-hof">{{cite web| url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/feature/featureIndex?page=nflhof2005| title=Class Acts| publisher=[[ESPN]]| year=2005| access-date=October 7, 2008}}</ref> [[Goodwin Knight]], who served as the 35th Governor of California (1947–1953), was born in Provo. The global economist [[Dambisa Moyo]] moved to Provo following her marriage to [[Qualtrics]] co-founder Jared Smith.<ref name="SmithMoyoMarriage">{{cite web| url=https://www.lusakatimes.com/2020/12/29/dambisa-moyo-finds-love-in-the-us/ | title=Dambisa Moyo finds love in the US| website=Lusaka Times| date=December 29, 2020| access-date=29 December 2020}}</ref>

==Sister cities==
Provo has three sister cities designated by [[Sister Cities International]]:<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.provo.org/econdev.sister_cities.html|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131021204214/http://www.provo.org/econdev.sister_cities.html|url-status=dead|title=Sister Cities :: Provo City :: Making Life Better|first=Provo|last=City|archivedate=October 21, 2013|website=www.provo.org}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://provo.org/departments/economic-development/sister-cities|title=City of Provo, UT : Sister Cities|access-date=May 6, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150413174800/http://www.provo.org/departments/economic-development/sister-cities|archive-date=April 13, 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* [[Nanning]], China
* [[Chengdu]], China
* [[Meissen]], Germany

==See also==
{{portal|Utah}}
* [[List of cities and towns in Utah]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category|Provo, Utah}}
{{Wikivoyage|Provo|'''Provo, Utah'''}}
* {{official website|http://www.provo.org}}
* [http://contentdm.lib.byu.edu/cdm/search/collection/ProvoPhoto Provo historical images] at the Harold B. Lee Library, Brigham Young University
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20160106191818/http://findingaid.lib.byu.edu/viewItem/MSS%20SC%202962 Aerial view of Provo, Utah, MSS SC 2962] at [[L. Tom Perry Special Collections]], [[Harold B. Lee Library]], [[Brigham Young University]]
* {{cite web|title=Provo, Utah|url=https://www.c-span.org/series/?citiesTour&city=8247|publisher=[[C-SPAN]] Cities Tour|date=July 2016}}

{{Geographic Location
 | Centre    = Provo
 | North     = [[Orem, Utah|Orem]]
 | Northeast = ''[[Deer Creek State Park (Utah)|Deer Creek State Park]]'' / [[Charleston, Utah|Charleston]], [[Daniel, Utah|Daniel]]<br />[[Wallsburg, Utah|Wallsburg]]
 | East      = [[Independence, Utah|Independence]]
 | Southeast = ''[[Uinta National Forest]]''
 | South     = [[Payson, Utah|Payson]], [[Spanish Fork, Utah|Spanish Fork]], [[Springville, Utah|Springville]]
 | Southwest = [[Genola, Utah|Genola]] / ''Utah Lake''
 | West      = [[Fairfield, Utah|Fairfield]] / ''Utah Lake''
 | Northwest = [[Saratoga Springs, Utah|Saratoga Springs]] / ''[[Utah Lake]]''
}}

{{Provo, Utah}}
{{Utah County, Utah}}
{{Utah}}
{{Utah county seats}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Provo, Utah| ]]
[[Category:Cities in Utah]]
[[Category:Cities in Utah County, Utah]]
[[Category:County seats in Utah]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1849]]
[[Category:Wasatch Front]]
[[Category:1849 establishments in the United States]]