Moving to St. George, Utah: A 2026 Relocation Guide
St. George has been one of Utah's fastest-growing cities for years, and the numbers back it up: the 2020 census counted 95,342 residents, and the 2024 Census Bureau estimate put the city at 106,288 — making it Utah's fifth-largest city. The wider metro area is home to roughly 197,000 people.
Why people move here
- Outdoor access: Zion National Park is about an hour away, Snow Canyon State Park is 20 minutes, and golf courses are everywhere.
- Climate: Mild winters and more than 300 sunny days a year — a big draw for retirees and remote workers.
- Growth economy: Healthcare, education, construction and tourism anchor the local job market.
Things to know before you go
- Summer heat: July temperatures regularly top 100°F. Air conditioning is non-negotiable.
- Housing: Demand has pushed prices up significantly over the past five years; research neighborhoods (Sunrise, Bloomington, Washington Fields) carefully.
- Water: Washington County is a desert — water conservation is a fact of life here.
- Getting around: The city is car-dependent; Interstate 15 runs along the western edge.
- Schools: Public schools are part of the Washington County School District.
Neighboring communities
Many newcomers settle in nearby Washington, Ivins, Santa Clara or Hurricane — all within a short drive of St. George. See our Washington County guide for the wider picture.
Sources
U.S. Census Bureau (2020 census; 2024 population estimates); Wikipedia — St. George, Utah.