Willard, Utah

Willard, Utah Details

The city is known for its’ beautiful scenery, with the peaks of the Wasatch mountain range and the Cache National Forest bordering the east side of the city and allowing a lifetime of hiking opportunities, and the Willard Bay Reservoir, a section of the Great Lake Salt Lake that has been diked off to create a fresh water reservoir. Much of the shoreline along the bay is part of Willard Bay State Park, which offers visitors boating, fishing, and water skiing opportunities. Pelican Beach is a favorite spot for visitors of the park.

In the winter, bald eagles and other rare birds nest in the areas near the park and the park draws tourism from avid birdwatchers. In the spring and summer time, a beautiful waterfall can be seen rushing through canyons that surround the city.

The median home price is $178,700, which is slightly below the median for the state of Utah of $212,500, but slightly above the national median for home prices of $175,700. The median rent asked is $836/mo. The vast majority of households are owned by home-owners, with 83% owning their house, while only 17% rent. Median income in the city is $52,150.

There is one elementary school in town, which educates students in kindergarten and first grade. Children then finish their elementary school at Mountain View Elementary School before matriculating to Box Elder Middle School and Box Elder High School in nearby Brigham City. Box Elder High School received a 6/10 rating from GreatSchools.

Remnants of the city’s historical past still remain. Many of the city’s first homes, built with stone that was mined locally are still standing and are protected by the National Register of Historic Places. Historic mills for grinding grain and making molasses, and an early brickyard also remain from the early days of the town as a means of preserving the town’s history.

New development is also mixed in with the city’s past. Lots just east of Main Street in downtown are being developed, with new lots priced at $80,000 and finished homes selling for $300,000-$400,000. This development was brought on by demand from home buyers looking for a majestic wilderness setting that the city offers, while still maintaining closeness to major cities in the Salt Lake City area.

The city offers two parks for residents: Willard Park, which is next to the elementary School, and Willow Creek Park. The city uses these parks for a youth baseball program in the spring and summer time.

It is also home to the Millstream Classic Car Museum. This free museum houses a number of classic cars from the 1940s and 1950s in a single showroom, and offers free guided tours to explain the history surrounding these cars.

It is a small community, but one that seems set to keep growing. The combination of hiking in the mountains along with the boating, fishing, and beach opportunities along the shore of the reservoir make it one of the more unique areas in the country. And with easy access to two major interstate highways, and a short drive to Salt Lake City, it provides residents with everything they could want in a city.