Moab is a city in Grand County, Utah, United States. It is 233 miles (374 km) southeast of Salt Lake City and 354 miles (569 km) west of Denver, just off of Interstate 70 at the intesection of U.S. Route 191 and State Route 128. The population was 4,779 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Grand CountyGR6. Moab hosts a large number of tourists every year, mostly visitors of the Arches and Canyonlands National Parks, which are located close by. The town is also a popular base for mountain bikers who come to ride the nearby Slickrock Trail, and off-roaders who come for the annual Moab Jeep Safari.
TransportationPrior to the construction of the railroad in 1883, Moab was a strategic place to cross the Colorado River.
A toll ferry service across the river ended when a permanent bridge was built in 1911. This bridge was replaced with the current bridge in 1955. The highway that uses this bridge has been renumbered multiple times and is presently numbered U.S. Highway 191.
Moab gained freight railroad access in 1962, when a spur railroad line was built to service potash mines. Moab has never had passenger rail service, although the California Zephyr has advertised service to Moab in the past via the stops at Thompson Springs (no longer a scheduled stop), Green River or Grand Junction, Colorado.
Moab currently does not have regular bus service, although charter busses and shuttle service to Salt Lake City or Grand Junction in Colorado are available.
Air service is available at Canyonlands Field.
GeographyMoab is located just south of the Colorado River, at (38.572545, -109.549776)GR1 at an elevation of 4,025 feet (1227 meters) on the Colorado Plateau.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 9.4 km˛ (3.6 mi˛), all land.
DemographicsAs of the censusGR2 of 2000, there were 4,779 people, 1,936 households, and 1,169 families residing in the city. The population density was 506.9/km˛ (1,313.1/mi˛). There were 2,148 housing units at an average density of 227.8/km˛ (590.2/mi˛). The racial makeup of the city was 90.35% White, 0.36% African American, 5.46% Native American, 0.29% Asian, 0.08% Pacific Islander, 1.88% from other races, and 1.57% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 6.44% of the population.
There were 1,936 households out of which 30.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.4% were married couples living together, 12.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.6% were non-families. 31.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.43 and the average family size was 3.10.
In the city the population was spread out with 27.6% under the age of 18, 8.7% from 18 to 24, 28.5% from 25 to 44, 21.6% from 45 to 64, and 13.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 95.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.7 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $32,620, and the median income for a family was $38,214. Males had a median income of $35,291 versus $21,339 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,228. About 12.0% of families and 15.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.1% of those under age 18 and 10.5% of those age 65 or over.
EducationThe following public schools serve Moab area Students:
In addition the following schools have branch campuses in Moab
