Isn’t it intriguing that a place named South Box Elder might have a deep connection to trees? The name “Box Elder” itself gives a clue. The whole Box Elder County was named for the box elder trees that abound in the county. South Box Elder offers more than just a name.
Let’s explore Box Elder County first. This county lies at the northwest corner of Utah. It is bordered by Nevada and Idaho. Box Elder County includes large tracts of barren desert. High forested mountains also exist. The Wasatch Front lies along the southeastern border where most cities are.
Box Elder County was created in 1856. The Utah Territory legislature partitioned it from Weber County. Alterations occurred in 1862 and 1866. Adjustments between counties defined its boundaries. In 1880, adjustments between Salt Lake and Weber counties finalized the boundaries. Since then, the boundary has remained unchanged.
The California Trail crossed Box Elder County. The first transcontinental railroad linked up at Promontory Summit in 1869. Robert Smithson built the Spiral Jetty earthwork in 1970. It sits on the north shore of the Great Salt Lake. In 2005, Zaq Landsberg declared his plot independent. He created the Republic of Zaqistan.
Box Elder County has diverse geography. The terrain slopes south toward the Great Salt Lake. However, the northwest corner slopes north. Runoff flows to the Snake River drainage there. The county’s highest point is a mountain ridge. It nears the northwest corner at 9180 feet. The county covers 6729 square miles. Land makes up 5746 square miles. Water covers 984 square miles which is 15%.
The Wellsville Mountains are in the east. A large uninhabited desert lies to the west. The Great Salt Lake is in the southeastern corner. Interstate 15 and Interstate 84 run northward. They diverge at Tremonton. I-84 heads northwest into Idaho. I-15 goes north into eastern Idaho.
In 2020, Box Elder County had 57666 residents. The population density was 8.6 people per square mile. The racial makeup was mostly White. There were also African American, Native American, Asian, and Pacific Islander residents. Hispanic or Latino people made up a significant portion.
There were 29190 males and 28476 females. The median age was 33.0 years. There were 18678 households. The average size was 3.09 people. The median household income was 63573 dollars.
Agriculture plays an important role in Box Elder County. About 40 percent of the land is used for farming or ranching. Common crops include hay, grain, and alfalfa. Sugar beets were planted starting in 1901. Two sugar factories operated for many years.
The county is also known for aerospace and defense. Morton-Thiokol built the Minuteman missile. They also made the space shuttle booster rockets.
So, remember South Box Elder. It is more than just a picnic site. It’s a place connected to a rich history. It is connected to geographical diversity and economic significance within Box Elder County.