New growth is coming to the small community of Nephi
Nephi’s status as Juab County’s agricultural hub dates back to its settlement in the early 1850s. Though miles of crop fields still frame its western side, the community’s location within the foothills of the Wasatch Range and its residential developments are attracting a wave of new residents. “It’s a cute, quaint little town,” says Meadow Perides, Realtor and founding member of The Agency Salt Lake City, who is a Nephi native. “I always joke with my friends who live in Salt Lake City that there’s no wait at the DMVs here. It’s definitely a growing city, and we are expected to grow immensely in the coming years.”
Housing varies from ranch styles to recently built townhouses
Much of Nephi comprises mid-to-late 20th-century suburbs with a mix of ranch-style homes on quarter to half-acre lots. These homes intermingle with old and new-growth trees and several wards of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In more recent years, subdivisions with New Traditional-style homes have begun to pop up around the community’s outer portions, alongside the addition of townhouses. “We have five or six areas here with townhomes, which is pretty big for our town of one stoplight,” Perides says. While housing types vary across town, commonalities include sidewalks and views of the surrounding mountain ridgelines. The median price for a single-family home is $430,000, and for townhouses, it's $390,000.
Parks, golf and Wasatch Range adventures support an active lifestyle
Much of Nephi's recreation centers around the outdoors. The nearby Nebo Loop National Scenic Byway winds through the Uinta National Forest, with overlooks, hiking trails and campgrounds. “Hikes up Mount Nebo are popular, and it’s the seventh-highest peak in the state,” Perides says. She also says that locals regularly make the 30-mile drive west to Little Sahara Recreation Area, where it's common to spot off-highway vehicles careening down the dunes. In town, Nephi City Park features a swimming pool, playground and shaded green space for picnics. Other parks host youth sports practices and games run by Nephi Recreation. Canyon Hills Golf Course has a nine-hole course open to the public. Plans to add another nine holes are underway, but official completion dates are not yet available.
Main Street offers chain and local restaurants, with big-box retailers in Payson
A combination of chain and locally owned restaurants dot Main Street. Lisa’s County Kitchen is a popular spot for American-style breakfast, and Jaliscience Restaurant serves authentic Mexican food. At One Man Band Diner on state Route 132, patrons of the 1950s-themed eatery can order their food from a wired phone at the table. In town, Dollar General covers daily essentials and Nebo Market for groceries. Payson, 26 miles north, has a Walmart Supercenter and Spanish Fork, 8 miles farther, offers a larger selection of big-box retailers, including Target and Old Navy.
Juab High School offers career and technical education
Juab School District serves the community and has a C-plus rating on Niche. Nebo View School also earns a C-plus, and Juab Junior High School a C. Juab High School scores a B-minus and offers several career and technical education pathways, from agriculture and human sciences to engineering and technology. Enrolled students can earn industry certifications and college credits through the programs.
Summer festivities include the Ute Stampede Rodeo and Juab County Fair
Locals gather throughout summer for town wide events. “The Ute Stampede Rodeo is a staple and has gone on for over 90 years." The three-day event features several rodeo competitions, multiple parades, car shows and more. Locals get together a month later for the week-long Juab County Fair. Demolition Derby is the main event, but attendees also stop by for carnival rides, live music and other activities for all ages.
Getting around on Interstate 15 and State Route 132
Interstate 15 borders to the east and links the area to surrounding cities, including Provo, some 40 miles north. “A lot of people move here and commute to Provo for work,” Perides says. State Route 132 cuts through Nephi’s center, supporting travel to the east and west. Salt Lake Express buses service three stops in town, providing riders two-and-a-half-hour rides into Salt Lake City. Central Valley Medical Center is closer to home, on the community’s north side.
Nephi’s wildfire concerns and prevention programs
According to Federal Emergency Management Agency data, Nephi is in a moderate risk zone for wildfires. Juab County Fire District has a dedicated wildfire task force team that practices wildfire mitigation practices like fire restrictions and community education at events like Annual Fire Safety Week.
Written By
Matthew Simmons
