Manti has a rural, small-town feel in Sanpete Valley
Founded in 1849, Manti’s history stems from Latter-day Saints settlers sent by Brigham Young. “Manti is the county seat, so it's got the historic Mormon temple, and a lot of people use that,” says Realtor David Sedlak, who works with Sanpete Valley Realty and has about a decade of experience in the area. The Manti Utah Temple’s dramatic castellated style, influenced by the Gothic Revival style, attracts many visitors to the rural small town. Manti's scenery includes farms and the looming La Sal Mountains, where outdoor activities abound. Home to approximately 3,600, the community’s CAP Index Crime Score is a 2 out of 10, compared to the national average of 4.
Recreation areas, from Manti City Park to Manti-La Sal National Forest
On the west side of the community, Manti City Park offers a ballfield, picnic pavilions and a playground with a swingset. Manti City Pool, located on the area’s north end, features a waterslide and a lazy river. The nearby Pioneer Heritage Gardens has well-groomed walking paths that lead to a reflecting pool, which mirrors the Manti Utah Temple. Only a few miles east of Manti, Manti-La Sal National Forest has canyon and mountain views, plus an array of recreation. “The forest is big down here. A lot of people have side-by-sides or ATVs, so they go up there for camping and fishing and riding around,” Sedlak says.
Victorians, bungalows, ranch-style homes and contemporary homes in Manti
Manti consists of grid-style blocks of single-family homes, where lawns are often landscaped with Utah Juniper trees and cottonwoods. In central Manti, historical architectural styles include Victorians, Craftsman bungalows and Cape Cods. Manti also has many ranch-style homes throughout the area, plus there are contemporary homes and multiacre farm properties on its outer edges. “Pricing is a bit cheaper than Ephraim for real estate,” Sedlak says. According to a Homes.com calculation, which uses a combination of estimate data, the average home value in Manti was around $390,000 in the spring of 2025, while the average home value in Ephraim was around $430,000. Manti's market is on the slow side. On average, homes stay on the market for 79 days, compared to the national average of 49 days.
Local schools include Manti Elementary, Ephraim Middle and Manti High
On Niche, Manti Elementary School has a C-plus rating. Ephraim Middle School earns a B-minus, and Manti High School has a B. The high school’s extracurricular activities include drone club, crochet and mountain biking. Snow College, about 5 miles north of Manti, hosts events and has a student population of about 6,000.
Main Street retail like Miller's Drive-Thru and Jensen's Department Store
In the heart of Manti, Main Street has most of the community’s local businesses, including Miller's Drive-Thru, a fast-food spot known for its donuts. More restaurants include Charlees Comfort Kitchen, a family-owned spot for home-cooked comfort food, and the laid-back Main Street Pizza Manti. Celebrating 100 years of operation, Jensen's Department Store sells clothes and shoes. Candies On Main offers sweets from fudge to truffles, while MarketFresh has groceries.
Sanpete County Fair and Ed “Big Daddy” Roth’s Rat Fink Reunion
The annual Sanpete County Fair kicks off in August for a week-long celebration at Sanpete County Fairpark, located on the area’s north side. “It’s all fun but the main thing is the demolition derbies — everyone enjoys those. There's the county rodeo, petting zoos and competitions of animals,” Sedlak says. The fair also has games and carnival rides. In June, the Annual Ed “Big Daddy” Roth’s Rat Fink Reunion features a car show that shows off Kustom Kulture vehicles. The event is often held at Ed “Big Daddy” Roth's Rat Fink Museum, located on the east side of the community.
U.S. Route 89 goes to north and south Utah
Manti Manufacturing and the South Sanpete School District are a couple of the larger employers in the area. The city is on U.S. Route 89, which goes to Salt Lake City and St. George. For commercial flights, Salt Lake City International Airport is about 130 miles away.
