Nature of the Area Utah ranks 11th in area and 34th in population. The state is bounded by Nevada, Idaho, Wyoming, Colorado and Arizona. Three-quarters of the population live along the western slope of the Wasatch Mountains, called the Wasatch Front Metropolitan area. Geographically, the area is comprised of mountains and desert.
Water is a limiting factor for growth.
Rural areas are sparsely populated. Floods and winter storms can create transportation problems in rural areas. Seventy-two percent of the increase went to metropolitan areas. Most of the remainder went to two rural counties currently experiencing growth due to energy development. The population is generally young in comparison with the nation.