Washington County is endowed with mild, low humidity winters with over 300 sunny days per year. The desert climate, elevation of 2760 feet, promotes year-round recreation and leisure activities, including golf, tennis, fishing, waters sports, hiking, bicycling and more.

Washington County (including St. George, Hurricane, Santa Clara, Ivins, etc.) has a population of 197,680 (2022).

The Cost of Living in Washington County is generally 9% lower than the national average. Housing, Utilities and Health Care are categories where Washington County particularly shines.

Washington County is known as the gateway to over six national parks: Arches, Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef, Canyonlands, Grand Canyon, Zions and Lake Powell as well as many state parks. The area is surrounded by beautiful red rocks that contain a network of approximately 35 miles of hiking and bicycling trails, three reservoirs and numerous parks, baseball & softball complexes, soccer fields, etc. There are also indoor and outdoor city pools, 13 public and private golf courses. For anyone seeking an active, year-round outdoor lifestyle, Washington County is the place to be.

In SunRiver, about half of our residents come from 20 different non-western states, so religious affiliations are perhaps more diverse than anywhere in Southern Utah. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (LDS or “Mormon”) is the predominant religion in Washington County, although other faiths are well represented.

Crime is generally very low in St. George. According to CityRating.com, violent crime in Washington County is 71.58% lower than the national average, and the property crime rate in Washington County is lower than the national property crime rate average by 32.2%.

THERE IS ALWAYS SOMETHING GOING ON IN ST. GEORGE! One thing you will notice about St. George is that it offers more entertainment options than many larger cities. Whether you prefer the cultural arts, spectator sports, athletic participation, shopping, arts & crafts, or outdoor recreation, St. George has it all.

CULTURAL ARTS You can’t discuss the arts in Southern Utah without mentioning the acclaimed Tuacahn Center for the Performing Arts, a local outdoor ampitheater that features “Broadway in the Desert” production during the summer and a concert series throughout the year. The 2012 show schedule features the musical productions of Aladdin, Hairspray, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, and White Christmas, along with numerous concerts.

The Utah Shakespeare Festival is a Tony Award-winning theatre company located at Southern Utah University with festival performances from June into October. They also feature back-stage tours, and literary, props, costumes and actors seminars.

The O.C. Tanner Ampitheater seats 2000 people, and the dramatic red canyons behind the stage almost steal the show. During the summer there is a concert series that showcases musical acts that specialize in many genres, including Folk, Celtic, and Jazz. Regardless of what type of music you like – even wacky comedy – the O. C. Tanner Amphitheater can meet your needs.

In addition, there are a number of local venues for theater, including St. George Musical Theater, productions at the Dolores Dore Eccles Fine Arts Center at Dixie State College, and some amazingly high-quality productions at each of the four local high schools.

St. George also offers 5 multi-screen movie theaters, 3 bowling alleys and miniature golf. Plus. We are 90 minutes from Las Vegas and 30 minutes from Mesquite, Nevada where many residents go for gambling and shows.