Daggett County, Utah

Daggett County (/ˈdæɡət/ DAG-ət) is a county in the northeastern corner of the U.S. state of Utah. As of the 2010 United States Census, the population was 1,059,[1] making it the least populous county in Utah. Its county seat is Manila.[2] The county was named for Ellsworth Daggett, the first surveyor-general of Utah. The small community of Dutch John, located near the state line with Colorado and Wyoming, became an incorporated town in January 2016.

Daggett County
U.S. county
Daggett County Courthouse in Manila, May 2008
Location within the U.S. state of Utah
Utah's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 40.89°N 109.51°W / 40.89; -109.51
Country United States
State Utah
FoundedJanuary 7, 1918
Named forEllsworth Daggett
SeatManila
Largest townManila
Area
 • Total721 sq mi (1,870 km2)
 • Land697 sq mi (1,810 km2)
 • Water24 sq mi (60 km2)  3.3%
Population
 (2010)
 • Total1,059
 • Estimate 
(2018)
980
 • Density1.5/sq mi (0.57/km2)
Time zoneUTC−7 (Mountain)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−6 (MDT)
Congressional district1st
Websitewww.daggettcounty.org

History

Due to dangerous roads, mountainous terrain, and frequent bad weather preventing travel via a direct route, 19th century residents in the north portion of Uintah County had to travel 400 to 800 miles (640 to 1,290 km) on both stagecoach and rail to conduct business in Vernal, the county seat, a mere 50 miles (80 km) away. The journey involved overland travel to a train station in Wyoming, to either Mack, Colorado, Price, or Salt Lake City, then a stagecoach to Vernal. In the fall 1917 election, the Uintah county voters voted to establish a separate county on the northern slope of the Uinta Mountains.[3] The act establishing the county was approved on January 7, 1918, naming Manila as the county seat.

The boundary between Daggett and Uintah counties was adjusted in 1919, with some territory being returned to Uintah. Daggett County boundaries have remained unchanged since 1919.[4]

Geography

Daggett County lies at the lower NE corner of Utah. Its north border abuts the south border of the state of Wyoming and its east border abuts the west border of the state of Colorado. Its main geographical features are the Uinta Mountains which comprise its southwestern portion and delineate part of its southern border, and the Green River, which has carved a deep gorge through the east-central part of the county.[5] In 1958 the United States Bureau of Reclamation took advantage of this natural feature to construct the Flaming Gorge Dam, creating the Flaming Gorge Reservoir, which began filling in 1964.

The county terrain slopes to the north and east on the northern flank of the Uintas. The county's highest point is on a mountain crest along its south border, at 12,276' (3742m) ASL.[6] The county has a total area of 721 square miles (1,870 km2), of which 697 square miles (1,810 km2) is land and 24 square miles (62 km2) (3.3%) is water.[7] It is the fourth-smallest county in Utah by area. Over 90% of the land of Daggett County is under federal ownership.

Major highways[5]
  • US - 191
  • Utah State Highway 43
  • Utah State Highway 44
  • Utah State Highway 1364 (Browns Park Rd)

Adjacent counties

Protected areas[5]
  • Ashley National Forest (part)
  • Browns Park Waterfowl Area
  • Browns Park Waterfowl Management Area
  • Clay Basin Wildlife Management Area
  • Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area (part)
  • Goslin Mountain Wildlife Management Area
  • Indian Crossing Campground (BLM)
  • Marshall Draw Wildlife Management Area
  • Taylors Flat Wildlife Management Area

Lakes[5]
  • Anson Lake
  • Browne Lake
  • Daggett Lake
  • Flaming Gorge Reservoir
  • Long Park Reservoir
  • Red Lake
  • Pollen Lake
  • Potter Lake
  • Sheep Creek Lake
  • Spirit Lake
  • Weyman Lake

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.%±
1920400—
19304112.8%
194056437.2%
1950364−35.5%
19601,164219.8%
1970666−42.8%
198076915.5%
1990690−10.3%
200092133.5%
20101,05915.0%
Est. 2018980[8]−7.5%
US Decennial Census[9]
1790–1960[10] 1900–1990[11]
1990–2000[12] 2010–2018[1]

2000 census

As of the 2000 United States Census, there were 1,059 people, 426 households, and 287 families residing in the county. The population density was 1.52 people per square mile (0.59/km²). There were 1,141 housing units at an average density of 1.64/sqmi (0.63/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 95.94% White, 0.38% Black or African American, 0.76% Native American, 0.38% Asian, 0.09% Pacific Islander, 1.42% from other races, and 1.04% from two or more races. 3.12% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 426 households out of which 25.12% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 67.37% were married couples living together, 4.93% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.63% were non-families. 29.11% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.62% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.34 and the average family size was 2.91.

The county population contained 23.61% under the age of 20, 3.78% from 20 to 24, 24.93% from 25 to 44, 28.71% from 45 to 64, and 18.98% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42.8 years. For every 100 females there were 129.22 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 135.17 males.

2016

As of 2016, the largest self reported ancestry groups in Daggett County, Utah were:

  • 35.4% were of English ancestry
  • 9.2% were of Scots-Irish ancestry
  • 8.8% were of German ancestry
  • 8.3% were of Irish ancestry
  • 7.9% were of American ancestry
  • 7.2% were of Dutch ancestry
  • 5.5% were of Danish ancestry.
  • 3.3% were of Swedish ancestry
  • 2.5% were of Scottish ancestry
  • 2.1% were of Italian ancestry
  • 1.6% were of Swiss ancestry
  • 1.6% were of French ancestry
  • 1.5% were of Norwegian ancestry
  • 0.7% were of Polish ancestry[13]

Government

Daggett County is governed by three commissioners, an auditor/recorder, a clerk/treasurer, an assessor, and a sheriff, all elected for four-year terms in partisan elections. Judges stand for non-partisan retention election every four years. Current officeholders and the year the current term began:

  • Commissioner (Interim): Matt Tippets 2019
  • Commission Chairman: Randy Asay 2016
  • Commissioner: Jack Lytle (R) 2018
  • Auditor/Recorder: Keri Pallesen (R) 2011
  • Clerk/Treasurer: Brian Raymond
  • Assessor: Lesa Asay (R) 2011
  • Sheriff: Eric L. Bailey (R) appointed May 2017
  • Justice Court Judge (Manila): Judge Charlene Hartmann (appointed 2007)
  • Justice Court Judge (Dutch John): Judge Anne Steen (appointed 2007) This position was eliminated by the county commission in early 2014.

Daggett County has traditionally voted Republican. In no national election since 1964 has the county selected the Democratic Party candidate (as of 2016).

Presidential election results
Presidential elections results[14]
Year Republican Democratic Third parties
2016 69.4% 331 16.1% 77 14.5% 69
2012 78.1% 406 18.1% 94 3.9% 20
2008 66.9% 297 29.5% 131 3.6% 16
2004 76.2% 380 21.6% 108 2.2% 11
2000 72.9% 317 23.9% 104 3.2% 14
1996 55.6% 237 30.8% 131 13.6% 58
1992 38.9% 172 27.6% 122 33.5% 148
1988 66.0% 272 32.0% 132 1.9% 8
1984 56.4% 296 43.2% 227 0.4% 2
1980 69.9% 290 26.3% 109 3.9% 16
1976 59.5% 217 35.9% 131 4.7% 17
1972 72.9% 204 17.9% 50 9.3% 26
1968 52.2% 152 33.3% 97 14.4% 42
1964 39.7% 112 60.3% 170 0.0% 0
1960 45.0% 196 54.8% 239 0.2% 1
1956 53.1% 102 46.9% 90
1952 51.1% 90 48.9% 86
1948 41.8% 69 57.6% 95 0.6% 1
1944 43.4% 75 56.7% 98
1940 37.5% 96 62.5% 160
1936 37.5% 78 61.5% 128 1.0% 2
1932 52.9% 90 46.5% 79 0.6% 1
1928 77.5% 107 22.5% 31
1924 74.1% 97 19.9% 26 6.1% 8
1920 73.4% 94 25.0% 32 1.6% 2

Commerce and transportation

The few commercial establishments in Daggett County exist to service tourists and users of the Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area. Throughout the county there is one small general store, several gas stations, five cafes or restaurants, five inns/motels, and a few miscellaneous businesses that offer raft rentals. There are also businesses that offer guided fishing trips on the Flaming Gorge Reservoir and the Green River. The economy is primarily related to recreation, management of government land, and ranching. There are no railroads within Daggett County.

Map of Daggett County communities

Communities

Towns

Census-designated places

Unincorporated communities

Former communities

See also

References
  1. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 6, 2011. Retrieved December 29, 2013.
  2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. Industrial Commission of Utah (1920). Report of the Industrial Commission of Utah. Kaysville UT: Inland Publishing Co. p. 346. Retrieved May 1, 2010.
  4. "Individual County Chronologies/Daggett County UT". Newberry Library (accessed March 26, 2019)
  5. Daggett County UT Google Maps (accessed 26 March 2019)
  6. ""Utah County High Points/Daggett Co." Peakbagger (accessed 26 March 2019)". Archived from the original on March 27, 2019. Retrieved March 27, 2019.
  7. "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". US Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved March 27, 2015.
  8. "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". Retrieved October 6, 2019.
  9. "US Decennial Census". US Census Bureau. Retrieved March 27, 2015.
  10. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved March 27, 2015.
  11. Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 27, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". US Census Bureau. Retrieved March 27, 2015.
  12. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). US Census Bureau. April 2, 2001. Retrieved March 27, 2015.
  13. Bureau, US Census. "American FactFinder - Results". factfinder.census.gov. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved March 30, 2018.
  14. Leip, David. "Atlas of US Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved March 30, 2018.
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