A mid-sized city in the shadow of Mount Timpanogos
Situated between Provo and the Mount Timpanogos foothills, Orem is a mid-sized, suburban city known for its small-town feel, a family-friendly atmosphere and for being close to some of the most sought-after outdoor recreation in the west. “Its slogan is ‘Family City USA,’ and I think that really applies. There are so many wholesome activities for kids, and there are some really nice amenities like parks, pickleball courts and a waterpark,” says Realtor Denise Martin of Realtypath, who has worked in area for more than 25 years.
Located about 45 miles south of Salt Lake City, Orem has seen a slow but steady uptick in its population in recent years. It’s home to around 95,000 residents, up from about 85,000 two decades ago. It’s located within what’s known as the “Silicon Slopes,” Utah’s tech industry hub that stretches from Lehi to Provo along the Wasatch Range mountains.
Mountains loom over the horizon and offer stunning vistas from Orem South.
The Scera Park offers miles of walking trails and is located near the Cherry Hill neighborhood.
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Well-maintained parks and the Wasatch Range
Orem has 20 well-maintained community parks, many of which feature stunning views of the rocky peaks of the Wasatch Mountains that border the city’s eastern edge. Lakeside Park is the city’s largest at 55 acres. It sits near the Utah Lake waterfront and features eight soccer fields and five baseball diamonds for youth sports. Hillcrest Park, the city’s newest, has three playgrounds, a splash pad and 12 pickleball courts, and will eventually have a community center that'll be ideal for indoor play during the icy winter months.
The Wasatch Mountains are a playground for outdoor lovers. The range is home to luxury ski-resorts, rugged hiking trails and rocky canyons for rock-climbing. The Sundance Mountain Resort is situated around Mount Timpanogos, the second-highest summit in the Wasatch Range at 11,752 feet. Skiing and snowboarding are a major attraction for the region — Orem averages more than 30 inches of snow per year.
The city is home to many members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and earlier in 2024, it opened its first temple in the city. The 70,000 square-foot temple sits on a 15-acre site and was designed to accommodate college-age members.
Palisades Park has a plethora of open green space.
Sharon Park, located in the Sharon neighborhood, offers mature trees and plenty of open space.
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A diversity of housing options, from midcentury to contemporary
Single-family homes make up most of Orem’s housing stock, although condos, townhomes and apartments are also widely available. The median price of a single-family home is $533,000, putting it slightly above the national average. Much of the city’s growth happened after 1970, and housing styles ran the gamut from modest midcentury designs to spacious contemporary dwellings.
Midcentury home in the Cherry Hill neighborhood.
A stunning Orem South residence has a grand façade that exudes elegance and sophistication
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Highly rated Alpine School District
Students in Orem attend schools in the Alpine School District, which gets a B-plus rating from Niche. The website also rates it the best school district in Utah County. Those looking for an alternative to public schools might consider private institutions like Arches Academy, an A-plus rated school serving kindergarten through eighth grade. The city is also home to Utah Valley University, a four-year school that enrolls nearly 45,000 students. It’s the largest public university in Utah, and its campus occupies a large part of the city’s southwestern edge. It’s one of the country’s few open-enrollment universities, meaning it accepts all applicants.
Cherry Hill Elementary School stands as a cornerstone in the Cherry Hill neighborhood.
Westmore Elementary School is located in the Westmore neighborhood.
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Jobs in education, tech and medical care
The university is the city’s largest employer, with more than 5,500 employees. The second and third largest employers are the Alpine School District and the City of Orem. Timpanogos Regional Hospital, a highly ranked medical center with 122 beds, is also a major employer for the city. While tech jobs make up a relatively small portion of the local job market, its location near Provo and Lehi has made the city a destination for tech workers who are willing to commute.
Orem’s population is anticipated to increase as more high-paying tech jobs come to the area. The industry continues to grow, with major companies and small start-ups popping up along the Wasatch Front at a rapid clip. The city is also moving towards redeveloping State Street, one of its major thoroughfares, with new commercial areas and apartment buildings.
Canyon View Junior High School is located in the Old Orchard neighborhood.
A student studies on the lawn at Futon Library in Sunset Heights.
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University Place indoor mall
University Place is one of the larger shopping destinations in Orem. An indoor mall, it has more than 150 shops and restaurants, including chains and independent businesses. The shopping plazas surrounding the mall have major grocers like Sprouts Farmers Market and Trader Joe’s. State Street features Asian and Mexican specialty markets and eateries, showcasing the city’s diversity. For everything else, Downtown Provo is just 5 miles away. “There’s not much of downtown in Orem, but it’s really close to Downtown Provo, which has a lot of shops, restaurants and performing arts venues,” Martin says.
University Place Mall is located near the Aspen neighborhood.
Trader Joe's is conveniently located in the Cherry Hill neighborhood.
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Travel by interstate, commuter rail and air
The Utah Transit Authority operates a bus system with more than 400 buses, and more than 120 routes in the Orem and Provo area. It also has a commuter rail service called FrontRunner that takes passengers up to Salt Lake City in just over an hour. Air travelers can head to the Provo Airport, the second-busiest airport in the state, or make the trek north to the Salt Lake City International Airport.
Low crime rates
The rate of violent crime in Orem is below the state and national average, according to FBI data. In 2024, the Orem Police Department received an award from the National Association of School Resource Officers recognizing the officers who work within the city’s school system.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
