About Orem
The City of Orem was organized in 1919 and named after Walter C. Orem, President of the Salt Lake and Utah Railroad. Orem is located on the eastern shore of Utah Lake and extends easterly to the foothills of Mount Timpanogos. As the fifth-largest City in Utah, Orem is located in the center of the Provo-Orem MSA with an estimated population of over 633,000* people. The Orem-Provo Metro area was recently ranked as the #1 Best-Performing Large City for two years in a row by the Milken Institute(2021 and 2022). The Milken Institute cited Orem’s outstanding job growth, wages, and high-tech GDP as reasoning for the #1 ranking.
Orem is also home to Utah Valley University and within five minutes of Brigham Young University with a combined total of over 75,000 students, ensuring that the city’s workforce needs will be well-cared for as the economy continues to grow. Housing, education, and employment opportunities continue to be in high demand as Orem’s population has surpassed 98,000 residents*.
The City of Orem is focused on helping it’s 5,000+ businesses succeed. National retail giants such as Wal-Mart, Target, and Costco all operate in Orem. Orem is also a hotbed for technology companies. Many high-profile, internationally recognized companies such as Novell, WordPerfect, PowerQuest, and MyFamily.com all got their start in Orem, signifying the city’s continuing innovative and successful entrepreneurial spirit. Manufacturing companies have also found success in Orem. Orem is home to nationally known companies including US Synthetic, Blendtec, and Mity Lite.
Demographics
Population
96,642
Median Age
26.7
Median Household Income
65,622
Housing Info
31,597 total housing units
29,912 total households
59.3% owner occupied 40.7% renter occupied
Community Highlights
The Arts
Orem is a hub for the Arts. Art has always been a priority in Orem, but it gained added importance in 2005 when Orem voters voted to create the CARE tax (Cultural Arts & Recreation Enrichment tax). Orem arts organizations like the SCERA Center for the Arts and other non profits and Arts endeavors are funded through the CARE tax.
Parks & Nature
Orem is also renowned for it’s environment. From world-class parks, to astonishing mountain views, Orem has a lot to offer nature enthusiasts. Orem sits under the watchful eye of Mt. Timpanogos, the majestic mountain that surrounds much of Utah County. Mt. Timpanogos rises to an elevation of 11,752 ft above sea level, and offers many hikes and trails. Another awesome Orem feature is that it is right at the mouth of Provo Canyon, and a few minutes away from beautiful canyon views, waterfalls, parks, and world-famous Sundance Resort. Orem is also home to 19 parks, including a splash pad, playgrounds, an “all-abilities” playground, a skate park, sports facilities, and more!