Earth Day Network
 Urban Environment Report: How Does Your City Perform?
 
CITY ENVIRONMENT DATA
Salt Lake City, Utah
State Utah
City Salt Lake City*
County1 Salt Lake
City Population (2005)2 182,670 7.5% of state population
City Population Rank in United States, largest 50 Cities (2005) (Not Available)
City Population Rank in Urban Environment Report (2005) 58 (of 72 in EDN study)
City Population Rank in State (2005) 1
City Size Classification - Population Small
City Size Classification - Population Density Medium Low Density
State Capitol City Salt Lake City
State Population (2005)2 2,427,350
 
 
CIVIC LEADERSHIP INFORMATION
Mayor Name (as of 1/1/2007) Rocky Anderson
Mayor/City Website (as of 1/1/2007) http://www.slcgov.com/mayor/
Mayor/City Contact (as of 1/1/2007) 801-535-6321
Mayor Political Affiliation (as of 1/1/2007) Non-Partisan
Next General Mayoral Election Tuesday, November 6, 2007
US Mayors Climate Protection Agreement as of 10/18/06  Yes
State Governor Name Jon Huntsman
State/Governor Website http://www.utah.gov/
State/Governor Contact Information 801-538-1000
State/Governor Party Affiliation Republican
State Governor Current Term Ends January 2009
«Back to Map     Top↑
Note: All rank information is out of 72 cities, though not all may have reported in every category.
1 is the 'best' (least polluting, most tree cover, etc) and 72 is the 'worst'.
 

(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
 
EDN VULNERABLE POPULATION INDEX (EDN VPI) 1.22    
Vulnerable Population Estimate 15.0%    
     Disability Status 20.0% 56  
     Emphysema 0.96% 3  
     Cardiovascular Disease 20.46% 1  
     Diabetes 4.23% 2  
     Pediatric Asthma 8.50% 32  
     Adult Asthma 8.17% 36  
     Adult Obesity 18.4%   9
     People Without Health Insurance 15.5%   32
     Age: Children under 5 years 7.9% 50  
     Age: 65 years and over 11.0% 41  
     Not Literate (Adult Level 1 Literacy) 15.0% 14  
     Adults without High School Degree (or higher) 16.6% 38  
     High School Drop-Out Rate 29.9% 59  
     Unemployed (Civilian Labor Force) 4.8% 4  
     Individuals Below Poverty 15.3% 28  
     Children (under 18 years old) Below Poverty 18.7% 27  
     Free or Reduced Lunch 50.2% 28  
     Other Languages Spoken at Home (primary language is not English) 25.1% 45  
«Back to Map     Top↑
(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
1 • TOXICS & WASTE     (metadata) (score) 3.1    
Overall Toxics Rank Average 37.6 (of 51) 51  
Cumulative Cancer-Causing Chemical Releases by State (pounds, 1987 - 2000) 15,062,156 pounds   18
Cumulative Developmental Toxicant Releases by State (pounds, 1987 - 2000) 8,775,709 pounds 15
Cumulative Reproductive Toxicant Releases by State (pounds, 1987 - 2000) 2,643,083 pounds 25
Cumulative Suspected Neurological Toxicant Releases by State (pounds, 1987 - 2000) 1,020,338,436 pounds 45
Cumulative Suspected Respiratory Toxicant Releases by State (pounds, 1987 - 2000) 1,087,082,766 pounds 47
Dioxin Releases by State (grams in 2000) 658.4 grams 47
Number of Superfund Sites in County 9 sites 66  
Municipal Solid Waste Generation, tons per person (1997) 1.484 tons per person 47
Recycling Rate (1997) 19.0% 36
Tons Municipal Solid Waste Generated by State (2004) 2,789,313 tons 16
Municipal Solid Waste Generated Per Capita by State, tons/person (2004) 1.2 tons/person 15
Tons Municipal Solid Waste Recycled by State (2004) 395,470 tons 35
% Municipal Solid Waste Recycled by State (2004) 14.2% 36
% Municipal Solid Waste to Waste-to-Energy (2004) 4.4% 18
% Change in Municipal Solid Waste Generated (1997 to 2004) -19.1% 7
% Change in State Recycling Rate (1997 to 2004) -25.3% 33
«Back to Map     Top↑
(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
2 • AIR QUALITY     (metadata) (score) 3.0    
Sulfur Dioxide (SO2) Released, Tons in 2002 32,100 tons   11
Nitrogen Oxides (NOx) Released, Tons in 2002 71,900 tons   21
Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Released, Tons in 2002 37,746,500 tons   22
Mercury Released, Pounds in 2002 570.0 pounds   14
High Ozone Days (annual # of, Weighted Average) (2001-2003) 5.5 days 31  
Short-term Particle Pollution Weighted Average, 24 Hour (2001 - 2003) 20.3 PM2.5 69  
Year-Round Particle Pollution - Design Value (Annual PM2.5) (2001 - 2003) 14.0 PM2.5 40  
High Ozone Days (annual # of, Weighted Average) (2002 - 2004) 3.7 days 26  
Short-term Particle Pollution Weighted Average, 24 Hour (2002 - 2004) 23.8 PM2.5 66  
Year-Round Particle Pollution - Design Value (Annual PM2.5) (2002 - 2004) 15.2 PM2.5 48  
EPA Ambient Carbon Monoxide (CO) (8-hr ppm) 4 ppm 42  
EPA Ambient Lead (PB) Q Max (ug/m3) 0.06 ug/m3 19  
EPA Mean Ambient Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2 ppm) 0.026 ppm 49  
EPA Larger Particle (PM10) 24-hr (ug/m3) 40 ug/m3 52  
EPA Mean Ambient Sulfur Dioxide (SO2 ppm) 0.005 ppm 33  
EPA Days over 100 AQI (Warning Level) 16 days 36  
«Back to Map     Top↑
(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
3 • DRINKING & SURFACE WATER     (metadata) (score)    2.8***    
DRINKING WATER QUALITY
Tap Water Quality & Compliance Grade (Not Available) ---  
Right to Know Report, What's in your Tap Water Grade (Not Available) ---  
Drinking Water Source Protection Grade (Not Available) ---  
WATERSHED & RESOURCES
Watershed Name Jordan ---  
# of Units in Watershed 28 units 44  
# of Assessed Watershed Units 28 units 37  
# of Threatened & Impaired Watershed Units 6 units 14  
% of Watershed Units Assessed as Impaired or Threatened 25.0% 8  
% of Watershed Units Not Assessed 14.3% 30  
U.S. Census Annual Rainfall, inches (1961-1990) 16.18 inches 56  
Water Area Total, square miles 2,736 square miles 29  
Water Area Inland, square miles 2,736 square miles 14  
Water Area Coastal, square miles 0 square miles 35  
Water Area Great Lakes, square miles 0 square miles 10  
Average # of Days with Precipitation of .01 Inch or More to 1998, Station Salt Lake City ---  
Average # of Days with Precipitation of .01 Inch or More to 1998, Length of record in years 70 years 3  
Average # of Days with Precipitation of .01 Inch or More to 1998, Annual 91 days 46  
Snow & Ice Pellets (thru 1998), Station Salt Lake City ---  
Snow & Ice Pellets (thru 1998), Length of record in years 70 years 2  
Snow & Ice Pellets, Annual inches (thru 1998) 58.6 inches 6  
WATER WITHDRAWN
Water Withdrawn - Total, gallons/day 4,460,000,000 gallons/day 52  
Fresh Water Withdrawn - Per capita, gallons/day 2,200,000,000 gallons/day 11  
Ground water, gallons/day 790,000,000 gallons/day 43  
Surface water, gallons/day 3,670,000,000 gallons/day 53  
Irrigation, gallons/day 3,530,000,000 gallons/day 28  
Public Supply, gallons/day 506,000,000 gallons/day 50  
Industrial, gallons/day 253,000,000 gallons/day 46  
Thermo-Electric, gallons/day 48,000,000 gallons/day 65  
Fresh Water Consumption, gallons/day 2,200,000,000 gallons/day 30  
WATER POLLUTION
Water Supplier Salt Lake City Water System ---  
Number of People Served by Water Supplier 312,000 people 56  
Year(s) Included in Summary 1998-2003 ---  
Total Contaminants Detected 26 contaminants 52  
Contaminants Detected, Over Health Based Limits 5 contaminants 52  
Agricultural Pollutants Detected 7 contaminants 57  
Agricultural Pollutants Detected, Over Health Based Limits 2 contaminants 59  
Sprawl and Urban Pollutants Detected 11 contaminants 60  
Sprawl and Urban Pollutants Detected, Over Health Based Limits 4 contaminants 60  
Industrial Pollutants Detected 22 contaminants 57  
Industrial Pollutants Detected, Over Health Based Limits 4 contaminants 60  
Water Treatment & Distribution By-Products Detected 5 contaminants 17  
Water Treatment & Distribution By-Products Detected, Over Health Based Limits 2 contaminants 21  
Naturally Occurring Contaminants Detected 14 contaminants 55  
Naturally Occurring Contaminants Detected, Over Health Based Limits 3 contaminants 60  
WATER HEALTH & TESTING SUMMARY
Contaminants in Tap Water 26 contaminants 52  
Contaminants in Tap Water, Over Health Based Limits 5 contaminants 52  
Contaminants Reported as Tested by this Water Supplier 115 contaminants 34  
Contaminants with Federal Legal Limit in Tap Water 73 contaminants ---  
Regulated Contaminants Tested 99 contaminants 35  
Unregulated Contaminants Tested 16 contaminants 31  
WATER VIOLATION SUMMARY
Total Violations 6 violations 66  
Health Violations 0 violations 1  
Monitoring Violations 6 violations 67  
Reporting Violations 0 violations 1  
«Back to Map     Top↑
(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
4 • QUALITY OF LIFE (SITES4)     (metadata) (score)    2.6***    
DENSITY & SPRAWL
Population Density, people per square mile of land area 1,666.1 people per square mile 63  
Housing Density, units per square mile of land area 706.4 housing units per square mile 64  
TRANSPORTATION
Mean Travel Time to Work, minutes (2000) 19.2 minutes 14  
Mean Travel Time to Work, minutes (2004) 19.2 minutes 16  
Means of Transportation - % Carpool (2000) 13.9% 29  
Means of Transportation - % Public (2000) 6.3% 27  
Means of Transportation - % Walk or Bike (2000) 6.4% 16  
Means of Transportation - % Work @ Home (2000) 3.2% 20  
Cost of Living: Transportation, % of National Average 101.4 28  
Motor Vehicle Registrations per 100 Residents (2003) 82.6 MV registrations   22
% Change in Motor Vehicle Registrations (1980 to 2003) 102.2%   49
Motor Vehicle Registrations - Autos Only per 100 Residents (2003) 41.8 MV registrations   13
Motor Vehicle Registrations per Licensed Driver (2003) 1.30 MV registrations   39
Total State Highway Mileage (2003) 42,716 miles   16
Total State Highway Mileage, Estimated % of Land Area (2003) 0.118%   6
Urban Highway Mileage, % of Total State Highway Mileage (2003) 19.2%   28
Total Highway Mileage per Licensed Driver (2003) 0.03 miles   33
Total Highway Mileage per Motor Vehicle Registration (2003) 21.29 miles   27
State $ Disbursements for Highways (2003) $879,000,000   16
State $ Disbursements for Highways, per highway mile (2003) $20,578 per mile   21
% Change in State Disbursements for Highways (1995 to 2003) 103.9%   47
Annual Person Hours of Delay, per person (2003) 16.0 hours per person 14  
Annual Congestion Cost, $ per person (2003) $279 per person 16  
Annual Congestion Delay and Fuel Cost (2003) $257,000,000 15  
Fuel Wasted, gallons per person (2003) 11 gallons per person 18  
INCOME & EMPLOYMENT
Median Household Income (2004) $36,944 46  
Median Household Income (2000) $36,944 43  
Per capita income (2004) $20,752 46  
Per capita Personal Income (2000) $20,752 36  
% of Families Below Poverty Level (2004) 10.4% 23  
% of Individuals Below Poverty Level (1999) 15.3% 35  
% of Individuals Below Poverty Level (2004) 15.3% 28  
% of Households with Public Assistance Income (2000) 4.2% 39  
% of Children Under 18 Years Old Below Poverty Level (1999) 18.7% 27  
People In the Labor Force, Unemployed (2005) 4,796 people 7  
% In the Labor Force: Unemployed (2005) 3.3% 4  
% of the Civilian Labor Force: Unemployed (2005) 4.8% 4  
% In the Labor Force: Unemployed (2000) 4.0% 36  
% of the Civilian Labor Force Unemployed (2000) 5.8% 29  
% Change in the Labor Force Unemployed (2000 to 2005) -20.5% 4  
% Change in the Civilian Labor Force Unemployed (2000 to 2005) -20.8% 8  
State Minimum Wage Laws (2006) Same as Federal ---  
State Minimum Wage Rates (2006) $5.15 per hour 28  
EDUCATION
 
# of School Age Kids K-12 (ages 5 to 17) 28,538 kids (1.2% of total pop.) 61  
Largest School District Enrollment 25,367 kids (1.0% of total pop.) 61  
% on Free or Reduced Lunch 50.2% 28  
Cumulative Promotion Index (CPI) Graduation Rate 70.1% 10  
Level of Education: % with High School Degree or Higher (2004) 83.4% 35  
Level of Education: % with Bachelor's Degree or Higher (2004) 34.9% 19  
Adult Level 1 Literacy Rate 15% 14  
State School Bus Efficiency (2002) Behind the Curve   ---
State School Bus Soot Pollution Grade D   ---
State School Bus Cleanup Program Rank (2006) Poor   ---
State School Bus Smog Pollution Rank (2006) Poor   ---
HOUSING & COST OF LIVING
Occupied Housing Units (2004) 71,461 units 59  
% of Owner Occupied Housing 48.8% 31  
Cost of Living: Housing 90.6 38  
Cost of Living: Utilities 85.5 14  
Cost of Living: Miscellaneous 99.5 33  
Cost of Living: Overall 96.6 37  
CIVIC ENGAGEMENT
Voter Turnout in the Election of November 2004 62.05%   28
State Voter Turnout Rate: 2002 Election 41.70%   23
State Voter Turnout Rate: 2004 Election 61.70%   39
State Volunteering Rate: 2002-2005 Combined 47.8%   1
SAFETY/SECURITY
Total Crime Rate, Incidents per 100,000 people (2004) 9,668.0 incidents per 100,000 people 67  
Violent Crime Rate, Incidents per 100,000 people (2004) 726.1 incidents per 100,000 people 29  
Property Crime Rate, Incidents per 100,000 people (2004) 8,941.9 incidents per 100,000 people 69  
Total Crime Rate, Incidents per 100,000 people (2003) 9,820.6 incidents per 100,000 people 65  
«Back to Map     Top↑
(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
5 • PARKS & RECREATION OPPORTUNITIES     (metadata) (score)    4.0***    
Average # of Parks, per square mile (Not Available) (Not Available)  
Average Area Dedicated to Parks, per city square mile (Not Available) (Not Available)  
Park Area per 1000 Residents, acres (Not Available) (Not Available)  
Parkland as % of City Area (Not Available) (Not Available)  
Adjusted Park Spending, per resident (Not Available) (Not Available)  
Total City Tree Canopy % 3.7% 51  
Total City Urbanized Area % 63.7% 45  
Park Programs to Assist Low-Income Park Users (Not Available) ---  
Disability Advisory Committees (Not Available) ---  
Collection of Data on Crime in Parks (Not Available) ---  
«Back to Map     Top↑
(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
6 • HUMAN & PUBLIC HEALTH     (metadata) (score) 2.6    
Pediatric Asthma, rate (%) (ALA 2006) 8.50% 32
Adult Asthma, rate (%) (ALA 2006) 8.17% 36
Chronic Bronchitis, rate (%) (ALA 2006) 2.81% 1
Emphysema, rate (%) (ALA 2006) 0.96% 3
Cardiovascular Disease, rate (%) (ALA 2006) 20.46% 1
Diabetes, rate (%) (ALA 2006) 4.23% 2  
% of Adults with Obesity (2001) 18.4% 9
Change in % of Adults with Obesity (1991-2001) 8.7% 27
CDC Obesity Trends U.S. Adults 1992 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Prevalence Rate (1992) 10%-14% ---
CDC Obesity Trends U.S. Adults 1997 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Prevalence Rate (1997) 10%-14% ---
CDC Obesity Trends U.S. Adults 2003 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Prevalence Rate (2003) 15%-19% ---
% of Adults Lacking Healthcare Insurance, ages 18 - 65 (2001) 10.0% 16
Infant Mortality Rate (2002) 5.6% 9
Number of Cancer Deaths per 100,000 people (2002) 144.2 1
Cost of Living: Health 88.0 6  
% of People without Health Insurance Coverage by State (2003-04 Average) 13.5% 20
% of People without Health Insurance Coverage by State (2004-05 Average) 15.5% 32
Rate of Change in People without Health Insurance Coverage, between 2003-2004 and 2004-2005 14.8% 51
Change in People without Health Insurance Coverage, between 2003-2004 and 2004-2005 2.0% 51
Number of small, local, sustainable food sources: Farms 3 farms 59
Number of small, local, sustainable food sources: Farmers' Markets 6 markets 43
Number of small, local, sustainable food sources: Restaurants 2 restaurants 19
Number of small, local, sustainable food sources: Groceries 0 grocery stores 54
Number of small, local, sustainable food sources: Other 3 other sources 24
Cost of Living: Food 110.9 55
Lung Cancer Deaths/100,000 Men (1999-2003) 37.5% 1
Lung Cancer Deaths/100,000 Women (1999-2003) 17.9% 1
«Back to Map     Top↑
(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
7 • GLOBAL WARMING CLIMATE CHANGE     (metadata) (score)    2.9***    
Mini-Kyoto Participant, US Mayors Climate Protection Agreement (as of 10/18/06) Yes ---
Number of State and Local Net Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Programs 1 program   13
Net Metering Net Metering Offered by only one or more Individual Utilities   ---
Net Metering Residential Size Limit 25 kW   21
Net Metering Commercial Size Limit 25 kW   28
Completed Climate Action Plans Completed State Climate Action Plan   ---
Regional Initiatives Yes   ---
States with Greenhouse Gas Inventories Yes   ---
States with Greenhouse Gas Reporting & Registries No   ---
States with Public Benefit Funds None   ---
States with Renewable Portfolio Standards 0%   20
Date set for Renewable Portfolio Standards (Not Available)   (Not Available)
States with Green Pricing Programs Optional   ---
States with Renewable Energy Credit Tracking Systems Yes   ---
States with Mandates and Incentives Promoting Ethanol None   ---
States with Residential Energy Codes State Codes with ECPA Compliance   ---
States with Commercial Energy Codes5 1999 ASHRAE or Later (ECPA Compliant)   ---
Green Building Standards for State Buildings None   ---
ICLEI's Cities for Climate Protection Participant (US CCP) Yes ---
% of State Generation that is from Renewable sources (2003) 1.7%   41
Average percentage of possible sunshine thru 1998: Length of record (years) 69 years 1
Average percentage of Possible Sunshine: Annual 62% 16
Annual Average wind speed, m.p.h. 8.8 mph 33
January Average wind speed, m.p.h. 7.5 mph 51
July Average wind speed, m.p.h. 9.5 mph 11
Heating Degree Days 5,765 days 41
Cooling Degree Days 1,047 days 31
Average Relative Humidity (%), Length of record (years) 39 years 15
Annual Morning Average Relative Humidity (%) 67% 5
Annual Afternoon Average Relative Humidity (%) 43% 6
Elevation, feet 4,262 feet 68
 
«Back to Map     Top↑

(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
BACKGROUND INFORMATION      
SIZE & CLASSIFICATION
City Population (2005)2 182,670 58 (of 72 in EDN study) 7.5% of state population
City Population (2000) 181,743 60 (of 72 in EDN study)  
State Population (2005)2 2,427,350 34 (of 51 in EDN study)  
General Region West ---  
EPA Region 8 ---  
PHYSICAL QUALITIES
City Land Area, square miles 109.0 square miles 41 0.1% of state land area
State Land Area, square miles 82,168 square miles 12  
Watershed Name Jordan ---  
Elevation, feet 4,262 ft. (1,296.4 m) 35  
Average Daily Temperature - January 29.2°F (-1.6°C) 51
Average Daily Temperature - July 77.0°F (25.0°C) 38  
DEMOGRAPHIC SUMMARY
Median Age 30.0 years 29  
18 years and older, % of population (2004) 76.4% 15  
65 years and older, % of population (2004) 11.0% 31  
Under 5 years of age 14,432 kids (7.9% of total pop.) 58  
One Race-White % (2005) 78.2% 15  
One Race - Non-white % (2005) 21.8% 57  
Hispanic or Latino, of any race % (2005) 22.9% 27  
% of Population who Speak a non-English Language at Home (2004) 25.1% 28  
Largest School District Name Salt Lake City School District ---  
 
«Back to Map     Top↑
 
1 Use of the * within the County field indicates the city is in multiple counties. Typically the county for which the city serves as a county seat was selected.
2 Use of the * within the Population Rank Indicates year 2000 data was used since year 2004 data was not available.
3 Scores in parenthesis indicate partial scores, e.g. at least one scored indicator was not available or reported for this city.
4 SITES is an acronym developed by EDN as a summary for the 'Safety, Income, Transportation, Education and Sprawl' Topic.
 
«Back to Map 
© 2006 Earth Day Network