St. George, Utah is a city with deep roots in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, commonly known as the Mormon or LDS Church. As one of the first areas settled by Mormon pioneers in the mid-1800s, St. George has maintained a very large Latter-day Saint population over the years.
Early LDS Settlement in St. George
St. George was founded in 1861 by 309 Mormon families sent by Brigham Young to establish a cotton mission in the southwestern corner of Utah Territory. The settlers arrived in the winter and struggled to build up the community in the harsh desert climate. By 1880, St. George had over 1,500 residents and was designated as the county seat of Washington County.
The St. George Utah Temple, the Church’s third operating temple, was completed in 1877. This further established St. George as a significant early Mormon settlement. Even today, the temple and Mormon pioneer legacy remain defining features of the city’s identity and culture.
Modern Religious Demographics
According to recent surveys and census data, the percentage of St. George residents who identify as members of the LDS Church is between 70-75%. This gives the city one of the highest Mormon population percentages among larger cities in Utah.
The Association of Religion Data Archives reported that in 2010, there were 59,674 Latter-day Saints out of 75,561 total residents of the St. George metro area. This equals a Mormon percentage of 79%. While not an official census statistic, it illustrates the predominance of the LDS faith in the region.
| Year | Total Population | LDS Population | LDS Percent |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 75,561 | 59,674 | 79% |
Data from the 2014 Religious Landscape Study by the Pew Research Center indicates that 64% of adults living in the St. George metro area identify as Mormon. The survey interviewed over 35,000 Americans nationwide about their religious affiliation, beliefs and practices.
Comparison to Other Utah Cities
The Mormon percentage in St. George is high even for Utah, which overall has a 60% Latter-day Saint population. Major cities in northern Utah such as Salt Lake City and Provo have lower proportions of Mormons, around 50% and 84% respectively.
St. George has maintained a consistently higher LDS population percentage compared to most other parts of the state. This reflects its origins as a predominantly Mormon settlement in the 19th century.
| City | Total Population | LDS Population | LDS Percent |
|---|---|---|---|
| St. George | 75,561 | 59,674 | 79% |
| Provo | 116,868 | 98,387 | 84% |
| Salt Lake City | 193,744 | 96,145 | 50% |
LDS Influence on Community
The large Mormon population in St. George has had a significant impact on the local culture and lifestyle. Some examples of LDS influence include:
- Blue laws – Many businesses are closed on Sundays and the sale of alcohol is restricted, per LDS standards.
- Family focus – Most activities and events are family-oriented.
- Conservative values – Politically and socially conservative views tend to predominate.
- Genealogy – The Family History Center is popular for researching ancestry.
- Church construction – Many new chapels, temples, and facilities serve the needs of LDS members.
These characteristics make St. George somewhat distinctive from other more religiously diverse cities in the country. The Mormon faith continues to shape the local community in many ways.
Demographics of Non-LDS Residents
While Mormons constitute an overwhelming majority, St. George does have a minority population of residents who identify with other faiths or none at all. Based on census data, here is a breakdown of the largest non-LDS religious groups:
- Evangelical Protestant – 10%
- Catholic – 5%
- Mainline Protestant – 2%
- Orthodox – 1%
- Other non-Christian religions – 3%
- Unaffiliated – 15%
The non-LDS population includes retirees who have moved to St. George from other states, along with some conversion growth among evangelical churches. Catholics make up a sizable minority as well. The non-religious segment is growing but still relatively small compared to the Mormon majority.
Trends and Future Projections
Population projections indicate St. George will continue growing rapidly in the coming decades. However, the LDS percentage is likely to decrease somewhat as more non-Mormons move into the area.
Higher birth rates among Mormons will sustain a strong LDS majority, but conversion rates have slowed. In-migration of those not affiliated with any religion in particular may also gradually lower the Mormon percentage. Nonetheless, the Latter-day Saint influence will remain prominent in local affairs.
| Year | Projected Total Population | Projected LDS Percent |
|---|---|---|
| 2030 | 139,691 | 72% |
| 2040 | 195,414 | 70% |
| 2050 | 260,733 | 68% |
In summary, St. George will likely maintain a Mormon supermajority population above 65% for the next few decades. It seems improbable that any other religious group will approach the current LDS dominance in the area. The city will continue to be shaped by its Mormon heritage for the foreseeable future.
Conclusion
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has a long, intertwined history with St. George dating back over 150 years. Today, the city’s Mormon population remains between 70-75%, one of the highest percentages for a larger city in Utah.
This gives the LDS Church an outsized influence on local culture, lifestyle, and politics. St. George serves as a stronghold of the Mormon faith within a state that is already predominantly Latter-day Saint. While some diversification is expected, St. George will likely maintain a Mormon supermajority population for decades to come.
