Midvale, Utah
Encyclopedia
Midvale is a city in Salt Lake County
, Utah
, United States
. It is part of the Salt Lake City
, Utah Metropolitan Statistical Area
. The population was 27,029 at the 2000 census.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 5.8 square miles (15.1 km²), all of it land.
of 2000, there were 27,029 people, 10,089 households, and 6,638 families residing in the city. The population density
was 4,627.4 people per square mile (1,787.0/km²). There were 10,730 housing units at an average density of 1,837.0 per square mile (709.4/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 82.44% White, 1.18% African American, 1.29% Native American, 1.85% Asian, 0.58% Pacific Islander, 9.96% from other races
, and 2.71% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 20.77% of the population.
There were 10,089 households out of which 31.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.8% were married couples
living together, 12.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.2% were non-families. 25.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 6.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.66 and the average family size was 3.19.
In the city the population was spread out with 25.8% under the age of 18, 16.7% from 18 to 24, 31.8% from 25 to 44, 16.6% from 45 to 64, and 9.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 28 years. For every 100 females there were 102.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 100.7 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $40,130, and the median income for a family was $43,322. Males had a median income of $31,325 versus $25,382 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $17,609. About 9.4% of families and 13.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.3% of those under age 18 and 3.5% of those age 65 or over.
Such was the beginning of Midvale City. The eastern part of the city forming agricultural neighborhoods, and the western areas formenting a mining and milling settlement, each relying on the other for sustenance, protection, social interaction and commerce. The Union Fort area of Midvale City began as a center of agriculture.
The Old Town area of Midvale City began as a center of mining and industry. Pioneer families began arriving in 1851 to start the settlement, which blossomed in the 1870s as a result of mining in Bingham Canyon and the coming of the railroad. The area was then known Bingham Junction, and was an important midpoint along the rail between mining in Little Cottonwood Canyon to the east and Bingham Canyon to the west. With the discovery of silver in Little Cottonwood Canyon and in Bingham Canyon, new people rushed to be a part growing business and industry located in the middle valley in Midvale City. Along with industry came the hotels, boarding houses, saloons, schools, and the people who made Midvale City's Old Town a center of the community.
Some scenes from the mini-series "The Stand" were filmed in Midvale.
We read in the "Utah History Encyclopedia" the following paragraphs about the Southern Europeans who settled in Midvale: http://www.media.utah.edu/UHE/s/SOUTHSLAVS.html
-
- "Midvale, with its American Smelting and Refining Company (ASARCO) [later the United States Smelting, Refining and Mining Company (USSRM)], attracted numerous Slavs. Tipical of similar factory cities, such as Pittsburgh, PA, young single men came to work in the smelter and lived in boardinghouses or with married southern Slavic couples. Women especially bore the burden of caring for these boarders. While necessary, both landlords and boarders viewed this as only a temporary condition. Industrial life caused a change in old-world institutions such as the saloon. In Midvale, the Slavic saloon often operated on a day-long basis instead of with an emphasis on evening hours as in the old country. Also, such places functioned as havens from the unfamiliar world. Within their confines, discussions could take place and decisions made in a familiar environment.
-
- "One development of these encounters was the creation of social and fraternal organizations. In 1908 the Croats of Midvale affiliated with the Croatian Fraternal Union. The Serbs organized an independent organization called the Serbian Benevolent Society, which eventually affiliated with the Serb National Federation of Pittsburgh. Among other things, these associations provided needed life insurance to immigrants. Unlike the saloon, they functioned in a formal way and carried with them the respectability of the national organization. Leaders grew from the ranks: John Dunoskovich in the Croatian community, and George Lemich among the Serbs.
-
- "Religious life also adjusted to existent conditions. Croats, being Catholic, utilized various Catholic churches throughout the valley. In 1918 Ykov J. Odzich, a Serbian Orthodox priest, arrived in Midvale to tend to the needs of the Serbs; but through a series of unfortunate events his tenure did not last. However, the celebration of Christmas and Easter were important holidays among the South Slavs in Midvale, as elsewhere. The barbecued Easter lamb continued as an important cultural symbol.
-
- "Midvale held a central significance to southern Slavic settlement in Utah. It served as a place for both the arrival and dispersion of many Southern Slavs who immigrated to northern Utah."
Later ethnic and cultural groups locating in Midvale were Swedes (1900 on), Greeks (after WWI), and Hispanics (many of which arrived en masse to live in Midvale during the last decades of the 20th century).
- For further information about the mining and smelting aspect of Midvale see UtahRails.net
- http://www.utahrails.net/mining/smelters-midvale.php
Salt Lake County, Utah
Salt Lake County is a county located in the U.S. state of Utah. It had a population of 1,029,655 at the 2010 census. Its county seat and largest city is Salt Lake City, the state capital. It occupies Salt Lake Valley, as well as parts of the surrounding mountains, the Oquirrh Mountains to the west...
, Utah
Utah
Utah is a state in the Western United States. It was the 45th state to join the Union, on January 4, 1896. Approximately 80% of Utah's 2,763,885 people live along the Wasatch Front, centering on Salt Lake City. This leaves vast expanses of the state nearly uninhabited, making the population the...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. It is part of the Salt Lake City
Salt Lake City, Utah
Salt Lake City is the capital and the most populous city of the U.S. state of Utah. The name of the city is often shortened to Salt Lake or SLC. With a population of 186,440 as of the 2010 Census, the city lies in the Salt Lake City metropolitan area, which has a total population of 1,124,197...
, Utah Metropolitan Statistical Area
Salt Lake City metropolitan area
The Salt Lake City Metropolitan Statistical Area, as defined by the United States Census Bureau, is an area consisting of three counties in north central Utah, anchored by Salt Lake City. As of the 2000 census, the MSA had a population of 968,858. As of July 1, 2009 the U.S...
. The population was 27,029 at the 2000 census.
Geography
Midvale is located at 40°36′50"N 111°53′18"W (40.613990, -111.888214).According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the city has a total area of 5.8 square miles (15.1 km²), all of it land.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 27,029 people, 10,089 households, and 6,638 families residing in the city. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 4,627.4 people per square mile (1,787.0/km²). There were 10,730 housing units at an average density of 1,837.0 per square mile (709.4/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 82.44% White, 1.18% African American, 1.29% Native American, 1.85% Asian, 0.58% Pacific Islander, 9.96% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 2.71% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 20.77% of the population.
There were 10,089 households out of which 31.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.8% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 12.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.2% were non-families. 25.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 6.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.66 and the average family size was 3.19.
In the city the population was spread out with 25.8% under the age of 18, 16.7% from 18 to 24, 31.8% from 25 to 44, 16.6% from 45 to 64, and 9.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 28 years. For every 100 females there were 102.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 100.7 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $40,130, and the median income for a family was $43,322. Males had a median income of $31,325 versus $25,382 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the city was $17,609. About 9.4% of families and 13.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.3% of those under age 18 and 3.5% of those age 65 or over.
Law and government
Midvale City has a nonpartisan mayor-council form of government. The mayor and five councilors are elected to four-year terms. The current Mayor of Midvale is Dr. JoAnn B. Seghini. City Council members include Robert M. Hale, Paul Glover, Brent Moore, Wayne Sharp, and Colleen Costello.History of Midvale
Just like the wandering Ute bands before them, Utah's Pioneer settlers began with a dependence on the land and the landscape; thus, early pioneers were quick to recognize the richness inherent in the Salt Lake Valley. They saw the abundant creeks and the grassy valley and envisioned farmlands and fields. They discovered the minerals and ores that envisioned thriving communities of commerce and industry. They came to stay, and their mark was soon upon the landscape.Such was the beginning of Midvale City. The eastern part of the city forming agricultural neighborhoods, and the western areas formenting a mining and milling settlement, each relying on the other for sustenance, protection, social interaction and commerce. The Union Fort area of Midvale City began as a center of agriculture.
The Old Town area of Midvale City began as a center of mining and industry. Pioneer families began arriving in 1851 to start the settlement, which blossomed in the 1870s as a result of mining in Bingham Canyon and the coming of the railroad. The area was then known Bingham Junction, and was an important midpoint along the rail between mining in Little Cottonwood Canyon to the east and Bingham Canyon to the west. With the discovery of silver in Little Cottonwood Canyon and in Bingham Canyon, new people rushed to be a part growing business and industry located in the middle valley in Midvale City. Along with industry came the hotels, boarding houses, saloons, schools, and the people who made Midvale City's Old Town a center of the community.
Some scenes from the mini-series "The Stand" were filmed in Midvale.
We read in the "Utah History Encyclopedia" the following paragraphs about the Southern Europeans who settled in Midvale: http://www.media.utah.edu/UHE/s/SOUTHSLAVS.html
-
- "Midvale, with its American Smelting and Refining Company (ASARCO) [later the United States Smelting, Refining and Mining Company (USSRM)], attracted numerous Slavs. Tipical of similar factory cities, such as Pittsburgh, PA, young single men came to work in the smelter and lived in boardinghouses or with married southern Slavic couples. Women especially bore the burden of caring for these boarders. While necessary, both landlords and boarders viewed this as only a temporary condition. Industrial life caused a change in old-world institutions such as the saloon. In Midvale, the Slavic saloon often operated on a day-long basis instead of with an emphasis on evening hours as in the old country. Also, such places functioned as havens from the unfamiliar world. Within their confines, discussions could take place and decisions made in a familiar environment.
-
- "One development of these encounters was the creation of social and fraternal organizations. In 1908 the Croats of Midvale affiliated with the Croatian Fraternal Union. The Serbs organized an independent organization called the Serbian Benevolent Society, which eventually affiliated with the Serb National Federation of Pittsburgh. Among other things, these associations provided needed life insurance to immigrants. Unlike the saloon, they functioned in a formal way and carried with them the respectability of the national organization. Leaders grew from the ranks: John Dunoskovich in the Croatian community, and George Lemich among the Serbs.
-
- "Religious life also adjusted to existent conditions. Croats, being Catholic, utilized various Catholic churches throughout the valley. In 1918 Ykov J. Odzich, a Serbian Orthodox priest, arrived in Midvale to tend to the needs of the Serbs; but through a series of unfortunate events his tenure did not last. However, the celebration of Christmas and Easter were important holidays among the South Slavs in Midvale, as elsewhere. The barbecued Easter lamb continued as an important cultural symbol.
-
- "Midvale held a central significance to southern Slavic settlement in Utah. It served as a place for both the arrival and dispersion of many Southern Slavs who immigrated to northern Utah."
Later ethnic and cultural groups locating in Midvale were Swedes (1900 on), Greeks (after WWI), and Hispanics (many of which arrived en masse to live in Midvale during the last decades of the 20th century).
- For further information about the mining and smelting aspect of Midvale see UtahRails.net
- http://www.utahrails.net/mining/smelters-midvale.php