COMMUNITY PROFILES / IRON COUNTY

County Offices
68 South 100 East
Parowan 435-477-8340
http://www.ironcounty.net

Chamber of Commerce
510 West 800 South
Cedar City 435-586-4484
https://www.cedarcitychamber.org/

Combining the meadows and forests of a high plateau, the Great Basin ranges, and the arid western reaches of the Escalante Desert, the vast expanse of land known as Iron County is a study in contrasts. The colorful and dramatic formations of Cedar Breaks National Monument, considered by many as a “miniature” Bryce Canyon, crease the Markagunt Plateau. At a towering 11,307 feet in elevation, Brian Head rises sharply behind the county’s major population centers to offer a backdrop of alpine splendor.

In addition to the county seat of Parowan, Iron County’s communities include Cedar City and the popular ski resort Brian Head. The county has always been rich in natural resources, from the coal in the canyons east of Cedar City to the iron ore in the western mountains. The presence of a respected four-year liberal arts college combines with crowd-pleasing festivals during the summer months and downhill skiing in the wintertime to draw over a million visitors each year to this welcoming region.

Iron County enjoys a more balanced and diverse economy than most of rural Utah. Cedar City has emerged as the regional trade center and hub for the service sector, enjoying an ideal location on Interstate 15. Many of the nearby national parks maintain offices in Cedar City, along with the Bureau of Land Management, Dixie National Forest, and Utah Wildlife Resources. Mining and transportation are active industries, and agriculture continues to play a vital role in this region. In the mountain and valley areas outside of Cedar City and Parowan, sheep and cattle graze in open fields.

Services
Students of all ages can look forward to a progressive education and abundant opportunities for vocational training and post-secondary degree programs close to home. Southwest Applied Technology College in Cedar City provides affordable, high-quality applied technology training to adult and high school students in Beaver, Garfield, Iron, and Kane counties. Cedar City is also home to Southern Utah University, drawing a student body from across Utah, the nation, and nearly 30 foreign countries. SUU enriches the regional community with opportunities for continuing education and advanced studies but also through the outstanding productions and special events sponsored by the College of Performing & Visual Arts.

Newcomers to Iron County can look forward to state-of-the-art healthcare services and facilities anchored by Valley View Medical Center in Cedar City. Recent upgrades to the campus were designed to allow the capacity to double as the medical center grows with the surrounding community. Among the many specialties are 24-hour emergency care, advanced imaging, home care, occupational medicine, intensive and cardiac care, level 2 nursery and obstetrics, surgical specialties and same-day surgery, pediatrics, various therapies, and outpatient care.

Lifestyle
Newcomers to will feel immediately at home when they settle into one of Iron County’s small and welcoming communities. Housing options range from modest homes in the heart of town to a variety of newer construction within and along the periphery of the county’s population centers. Those who are looking for open space, room to grow, and large lots will find abundant opportunities for select home sites. Residents of this area enjoy convenient access to a number of outstanding recreational amenities including Cedar Ridge Golf Course; Cedar Breaks National Monument; Navajo Lake, Duck Creek, Panguitch Lake, several national parks, and popular destinations for every imaginable type of outdoor adventure and sport. One of the finest attractions in Iron County is the Brian Head community with its outstanding ski resort, fine shopping, and excellent options for dining.

Nestled high in the Cedar Mountains between Cedar City and Panguitch, Cedar Breaks National Monument is recognized as one of southern Utah’s most popular tourist attractions. Grass fields, evergreen trees, wildlife, and windblown sandstone blend together in a topography that is internationally unique. In fact, many visitors from around the world make an annual pilgrimage just to rediscover and enjoy the breathtaking beauty of this serene and beautiful environment. The Dixie National Forest, headquartered in Cedar City, covers more than two million acres and stretches for 170 miles across southern Utah. The southern rim of the Great Basin provides spectacular scenery, while the Colorado River canyons offer brilliantly hued cliffs and gorges flanked by towering walls.

Cedar City is undeniably the focal point of Iron County, as rich in history as it is progressive. This community is lively, cultured, and energetic—hosting year-round popular events such as the Utah Shakespearean Festival and the Utah Summer Games as well as many others. Several nationally recognized industries call this area home, as well as the Southern Utah University. The university enlivens the area with a cultural calendar of plays and musicals, complemented by the renowned performances sponsored by the Cedar City Music Arts Association. The new Festival Hall & Heritage Center crowns the cultural attractions with a premier venue for theatre, symphonies, ballets, art shows, and special events.

Whether you are cycling the trails at Cedar Breaks, skiing the mountain powder, golfing along the red sandstone hills, or participating in the Utah Summer Games—every season in Iron County is filled with outdoor adventure against a backdrop of natural beauty. With its collegiate influence, growing industrial base, and expanding housing selection, Iron County will be welcoming new business and new residents for decades to come.

COMMUNITY PROFILES

Cedar City

City Hall
435-586-2950
https://www.cedarcity.org/

Chamber of Commerce
435-586-4484
https://www.cedarcitychamber.org/

Home to Southern Utah University, the unusually well-balanced community of Cedar City offers the intellectual and cultural stimulation of a collegiate atmosphere. Known as Festival City USA, the community hosts year-round celebrations including the American Children’s Christmas Festival, the Canyon Country Western Arts Festival, the Festival Royale, the Utah Neil Simon Festival, and a summer jamboree and classic car show. The city welcomes thousands of visitors each summer when the Utah Summer Games follow closely behind the widely acclaimed Utah Shakespearean Festival. Residents enjoy the convenience of local shopping, a regional hospital, and a variety of service establishments. While the community provides many amenities associated with a larger metropolitan area, it preserves the atmosphere and friendliness of a small town. Recreational opportunities and outdoor adventures are virtually without limit in the national monuments and parks surrounding the region, from red-rock splendor and vast desert expanses to the tall pines and lofty alpine beauty of Cedar Mountain.