EAGLE MOUNTAIN — Eagle Mountain officials say the city’s rapid population growth continues to reshape development patterns across the community, with new housing, businesses and infrastructure expanding to keep pace.
A detailed growth report presented during the city’s January Visioning Retreat showed Eagle Mountain’s population has reached an estimated 76,695 residents as of Jan. 1, 2026, continuing one of the fastest growth trends in Utah County.
The data, presented by Deputy City Manager Steve Mumford during the retreat, showed the city’s current growth rate at approximately 6.4% annually, driven largely by residential construction and new development across several parts of the city.
The presentation was originally scheduled for the first day of the retreat but was delivered during the second day’s session after scheduling adjustments.
Population increasingly concentrated in two areas
According to city data, most residents continue to live in Eagle Mountain’s north and south areas.
City estimates show the population distributed as:
- North area: 53% of residents
- South area: 45% of residents
- West area: about 2% of residents
The west side of the city, which currently contains a small share of the population, is expected to see substantial growth in the future as development continues westward.
Officials also noted that the population estimates are based on building permit data and housing occupancy estimates.
Housing construction continues to drive growth
The growth report showed that Eagle Mountain continues to add large numbers of new homes each year.
Recent data presented to city leaders indicated that single-family homes still dominate Eagle Mountain’s housing stock, accounting for about 82% of existing housing, while multi-family units make up roughly 18%.
New construction in 2025 also continued to favor single-family housing, although multi-family units have grown in recent years as the city works to diversify housing options.
The report also indicated that approximately 88% of housing units are owner-occupied, while about 12% are renter-occupied.
City officials said the housing estimates also account for approved accessory dwelling units and assume a vacancy rate of about 2%.
Commercial development expanding alongside housing
Along with housing growth, city leaders highlighted an expanding list of commercial developments that opened or expanded during 2025.
Projects listed in the growth report included:
- Walmart and its fuel center
- McDonald’s
- Panda Express
- Freddy’s Frozen Custard
- Anytime Fitness
- Granite Credit Union
- Mountainland Supply
- Ramen Hero
- Lowe Chiropractic
Other projects included storage facilities, medical offices and expansions to schools and community amenities.
City leaders say commercial growth is critical to strengthening Eagle Mountain’s tax base and creating more jobs within the community.
Growth bringing new infrastructure challenges
During the retreat discussions, city leaders acknowledged that continued growth will require careful planning for infrastructure, services and city facilities.
Councilmembers and staff also discussed ways to improve operational efficiency and coordination as the city continues to expand.
According to the retreat minutes, Mayor Jared Gray reopened the discussion during the second day of the retreat to talk about “operational efficiencies and City structure moving forward,” with councilmembers and staff exploring ways to streamline workflows and improve collaboration.
Those discussions included long-term planning for city facilities and service needs as the population increases.
Planning for the next stage of Eagle Mountain’s growth
City leaders say the growth report will play an important role in shaping upcoming policy discussions, infrastructure planning and future budget decisions.
Officials emphasized that Eagle Mountain’s strategic goals include expanding economic development, strengthening infrastructure networks and planning for long-term population growth.
City leadership also stressed that the retreat was intended to help align staff and elected officials on priorities as the city continues to evolve.
While no formal actions were taken during the retreat, the growth report and related discussions are expected to influence decisions about development, city services and infrastructure planning in the coming year.
Photo by Troy Mortier on Unsplash
Mike Kieffer – Editor-in-Chief, Cedar Valley Sentinel
Mike Kieffer is a dynamic leader and community advocate based in Eagle Mountain, Utah. He serves as the Editor-in-Chief of the Cedar Valley Sentinel, a local publication dedicated to informing, inspiring, and elevating the Cedar Valley community through honest and accurate journalism. With a passion for fostering connections, Kieffer has made it his mission to highlight local businesses, provide reliable news, and support community development.
Beyond his editorial role, Kieffer is the owner of Lake Mountain Media, LLC, a company specializing in media and communications, and the co-owner of Quail Run Farms, which focuses on sustainable farming and community engagement. He also actively contributes to the local economy and culture as a member of the Eagle Mountain Chamber of Commerce.
Kieffer’s dedication extends to preserving and promoting the history and heritage of the Cedar Valley area. He often participates in community-centered events and media, including podcasts that explore the unique aspects of life in the region. Through his varied endeavors, he remains a steadfast advocate for the growth and enrichment of the local community.