Layton, Utah

Founding

Layton was settled in the 1850s as an outgrowth of Kaysville. The city is named after Christopher Layton, a Mormon colonizer and leader. It was included in the boundaries when Kaysville was incorporated as a city in 1868, but by the 1880s many Layton residents wanted to separate from the city. They challenged Kaysville's authority to tax their property, claiming they received no municipal services. This dispute reached the United States Supreme Court in 1894 as the case of Linford v. Ellison, which was decided in favor of the Layton property owners. The separatist movement finally succeeded in 1902, when Layton became an independent unincorporated area. After further growth it was made an incorporated town in 1920.

Expansion

The town's population increased slowly; up until 1940 it was about 600. The creation of Hill Air Force Base to the north in 1940, followed shortly by the United States' entry into World War II, led to a dramatic population increase. War workers streamed into the area; the 1950 census counted 3,456 people. Layton became a city, transformed from a farming town to a residential community. Growth slowed after the war, but Layton continued to develop as a suburban bedroom community, as those not employed at the Air Force base began commuting to the Salt Lake City or Ogden areas. The city continued to expand geographically, annexing surrounding parcels of land, including the adjacent town of Laytona and city of East Layton. In 1985, Layton passed Bountiful to become the most populous city in Davis County.

Geography

Layton is located in the northern portion of the Wasatch Front, approximately 25 miles (40 km) north of Salt Lake City and 15 miles (24 km) south of Ogden. It is bordered by Clearfield to the northwest, Hill Air Force Base to the north, South Weber to the northeast, the Wasatch Mountains to the east, Kaysville to the south, Great Salt Lake wetlands to the southwest and Syracuse to the west.

According to the United States Census Bureau, Layton has a total area of 22.2 square miles (57.4 km²), of which 22.0 square miles (57.0 km²) is land and 0.15 square miles (0.4 km²), or 0.78%, is water.

Climate

The climate in this area is characterized by hot summers and cold winters. Great Salt Lake effect snow is common in the winter.

Demographics

As of the census of 2010, there were 67,311 people, 18,282 households, and 14,771 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,823.9 people per square mile (1,090.1/km²). There were 19,145 housing units at an average density of 924.6 per square mile (356.9/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 89.91% White, 1.61% African American, 0.53% Native American, 2.08% Asian, 0.27% Pacific Islander, 3.09% from other races, and 2.52% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 6.96% of the population.

There were 18,282 households out of which 48.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 67.4% were married couples living together, 9.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 19.2% were non-families. 15.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 3.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.19 and the average family size was 3.59.

Population was 35.1% under the age of 18, 12.1% from 18 to 24, 30.3% from 25 to 44, 16.8% from 45 to 64, and 5.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 27 years. For every 100 females there were 101.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 100.1 males.

The median income for a household was $52,128, and the median income for a family was $57,193. Males had a median income of $40,409 versus $26,646 for females. The per capita income for the city was $19,604. About 5.0% of families and 5.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.0% of those under age 18 and 4.0% of those age 65 or over.

Government

Layton City has a council/manager form of government with 290 full-time employees. The Layton City Council is composed of five members and a mayor. All members are elected by the residents of the City during a municipal election held every two years. Each seat consists of a four-year term. Council member terms are staggered. Two members and a mayor are elected at one time, and two years later the other three members are elected. The Mayor and Council are responsible for setting city policy and the City Manager is responsible for the day-to-day operations.

Bob Stevenson became mayor in 2013 and Alex R. Jensen has been the city manager since 1992. There are five city council members. As of 2016, the city council members are Joyce Brown (since 2003), Tom Day (since 2013), Bruce Davis (since 2015), Scott Freitag (since 2007), and Joy Petro (since 2013). City council meetings are held every first and third Thursday at 7:00 PM in the council chambers.

Education

Layton has an extended branch of Weber State University and is part of Davis School District. The city has three high schools, four junior high schools, and thirteen elementary schools.

High schools

Junior high schools

Transportation

I-15 runs north–south through the center of town and serves Layton with three interchanges - (from north to south) Antelope Drive, Hillfield Road, and Layton Parkway. U.S. 89 runs north–south along the eastern edge of Layton adjacent to the western slope of the Wasatch Mountains and provides access to Weber Canyon via I-84 to the north in South Weber, then merges with I-15 and Legacy Parkway to the south in Farmington, near Lagoon Amusement Park. Utah State Route 193 runs east–west through northern Layton, past the south gate of Hill Air Force Base, connecting U.S. 89 to I-15 in Clearfield.

Utah Transit Authority (UTA) provides bus service and FrontRunner commuter rail. FrontRunner's Layton Station is located at the site of the former Union Pacific Layton Depot, which currently houses a restaurant.

Points of interest

Layton's major retail district includes the Layton Hills Mall, Cinemark movie theater, Davis Conference Center, and "Restaurant Row", nicknamed such due to the large number of national chain restaurants located along its one-mile stretch.

Layton's City Center includes the city offices, police station, and courthouse. Located nearby are Layton Commons Park, Davis Arts Council, Davis County Library Central Branch, Edward A Kenley Centennial Amphitheater, Heritage Museum of Layton, Layton Surf 'N Swim, and Layton High School.

Adams Canyon, a popular hiking destination, is located east of Highway 89. Gambel Oak, Douglas Fir, and Fern Bush are a few plant species found along the trail. Chipmunks and various types of birds can also be found. The trail head is located at N Eastside Dr, East Layton, UT 84040. The total length is approximately 3.7 miles (6.0 km) out and back.

Parks and trails

Notable residents