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Kanab, Utah

17 topographic sheets cover this place, the earliest surveyed in 1886 and the latest in 1985. It stands in the Kanab census division. It lies in ZIP code area 84741. It lies near Toms Canyon. The Survey maps it on the Kanab quadrangle. 4,683 people lived here at the 2020 count. It stands 4,970 feet above sea level.

Research this city

Kanab within Kane County

On record in Kanab

Buildings and businesses the archive holds for this place. Each opens its own page, with the source record it came from.

On the National Register 9 records

Population over time

2 figures

Kanab grew from 4,312 to 4,683 between 2010 and 2020. These are the recorded population figures Wikidata holds for this place, reached through the Geographic Names Information System number this page is keyed on rather than by name, so they belong to this place and not to another of the same name. Most are census counts, but not all are: an early figure may be a founding or settlement estimate, and an estimate published within five years of a census is left out. The change column is computed, and is left blank where more than 20 years separate a figure from the one before it, because a gap that long is not a change between two counts.

YearPeople Change
20104,312
20204,683+371 (+9%)

Topographic sheets covering this place

8 surveys from 17 printed sheets

Matched by testing this settlement's coordinate against the published boundary of every sheet in the United States Geological Survey's historical collection. Each opens the scanned sheet at the Survey.

Photographs

8 of 13 photographs shown, 2022

Taken for the Office of War Information and the Farm Security Administration, who photographed the country between 1935 and 1944. Works of United States government photographers, with no known restriction on use. Each opens its catalogue record.

This is one of several evocative pieces of art depicting Native Americans outside the Thunderbird Restaurant in the tiny, remote crossroads community of Mt. Carmel on the highway leading to the Utah city of Kanab and the Arizona border
This is one of several evocative pieces of art depicting Native Americans outside the Thunderbird Restaurant in the tiny, remote crossroads community of Mt. Carmel on the highway leading to the Utah city of Kanab and the Arizona border
Highsmith, Carol M, 2022. Library of Congress
This evocative carving of a Native American stands outside the Thunderbird Restaurant in the tiny, remote crossroads community of Mt. Carmel on the highway leading to the Utah city of Kanab and the Arizona border
This evocative carving of a Native American stands outside the Thunderbird Restaurant in the tiny, remote crossroads community of Mt. Carmel on the highway leading to the Utah city of Kanab and the Arizona border
Highsmith, Carol M, 2022. Library of Congress
The Kane County Tourism Office in Kanab, a small city on the Arizona border in southern Utah, doesn't just talk or give visitors brochures about the town's rich history as the gathering place for producers, actors, and crews producing iconic western movies in the colorful canyons nearby, it illustrates that tradition on its exterior walls too
The Kane County Tourism Office in Kanab, a small city on the Arizona border in southern Utah, doesn't just talk or give visitors brochures about the town's rich history as the gathering place for producers, actors, and crews producing iconic western movies in the colorful canyons nearby, it illustrates that tradition on its exterior walls too
Highsmith, Carol M, 2022. Library of Congress
The handsome office building of the Parry Lodge in the Utah city of Kanab, on the Arizona border
The handsome office building of the Parry Lodge in the Utah city of Kanab, on the Arizona border
Highsmith, Carol M, 2022. Library of Congress
One doesn't have to wait for the park to see an impressive scene as this road from the city of Kanab to Zion National Park in the western U.S. state of Utah whets the appetite
One doesn't have to wait for the park to see an impressive scene as this road from the city of Kanab to Zion National Park in the western U.S. state of Utah whets the appetite
Highsmith, Carol M, 2022. Library of Congress
A classic motel sign for the Parry Lodge in the Utah city of Kanab
A classic motel sign for the Parry Lodge in the Utah city of Kanab
Highsmith, Carol M, 2022. Library of Congress
A classic, vintage Chevrolet coupe attracts admirers outside the Parry Lodge in the Utah city of Kanab, on the Arizona border
A classic, vintage Chevrolet coupe attracts admirers outside the Parry Lodge in the Utah city of Kanab, on the Arizona border
Highsmith, Carol M, 2022. Library of Congress
More than an inviting cherry pie is used to entice passing visitors to stop at the Thunderbird Restaurant in Mt. Carmel Junction, a crossroads near the city of Kanab and the Arizona border in the western U.S. state of Utah
More than an inviting cherry pie is used to entice passing visitors to stop at the Thunderbird Restaurant in Mt. Carmel Junction, a crossroads near the city of Kanab and the Arizona border in the western U.S. state of Utah
Highsmith, Carol M, 2022. Library of Congress

Every photograph of Kane County

Fires near this place

79 since 1992

Regional context, not property-specific evidence. The federal wildfire occurrence database lists 79 fires within 5 miles of Kanab between 1992 and 2020, burning about 118 acres in total. 34 started naturally. 2 were recorded as arson. Distance is straight-line from the map coordinates, so a fire counted here may appear on a neighbouring settlement's page as well.

Reported cause Fires
Natural34
Missing data/not specified/undetermined26
Recreation and ceremony8
Equipment and vehicle use4
Debris and open burning3
Arson/incendiarism2
Other causes1
Firearms and explosives use1

The most recent of them, most recent first, with the day each was reported and the service that recorded it.

DateCause SizeReported by Name on the report
7 September 1996Missing data/not specified/undeterminedunder an acreUtah Division Forestry Fire State LandsDUMPSTER DIVER
6 September 2018Naturalunder an acreCedar City Field OfficeTRAIL CANYON
30 September 2013Recreation and ceremonyunder an acreCedar City Field OfficeBIG LOG
30 September 2000Naturalunder an acreCedar City Field OfficeWATER TANK
30 September 2000Naturalunder an acreCedar City Field OfficePORT
12 September 1992Missing data/not specified/undetermined15 acresUtah Division Forestry Fire State LandsLOST SPRING WASH
9 August 1993Naturalunder an acreCedar City Field OfficeBUNTING
9 August 1993Missing data/not specified/undeterminedunder an acreUtah Division Forestry Fire State LandsCEDAR HEIGHTS

Every fire recorded in Kane County

Mines and quarries near this place

7 within 5 miles

Regional context, not property-specific evidence. The federal mineral resources record lists 7 workings within 5 miles of Kanab: 3 past producers, 2 occurrences, 1 unknown, 1 producer. 1 still produces. What was taken out: Gypsum-Anhydrite, Stone, Crushed/Broken, Sand and Gravel, Construction, Stone. Distance is straight-line from the map coordinates, so a quarry counted here may appear on a neighbouring settlement's page as well.

Where SiteCommodity StatusRecorded
Bottle Sand MineStoneProducer
Buckskin PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionUnknown
Kanab Creek Road Junction MineSilicaPast Producer
Bottle Sand MineStone, Crushed/BrokenPast ProducerSurface/Underground
Kanab Creek Road Junction MineStone, Crushed/BrokenPast ProducerQuartz, Sand
Spring HollowGypsum-AnhydriteOccurrenceAnhydrite, Gypsum
Spring HollowGypsum-AnhydriteOccurrence

Every working recorded in Kane County

Storms near this place

22 since 1997

Regional context, not property-specific evidence. The National Weather Service names Kanab in 22 storm reports between 1997 and 2023: 16 flash flood, 3 hail, 1 flood, 1 thunderstorm wind. No death or injury is recorded in these reports. Each account below is quoted exactly as the forecast office filed it, from the NOAA Storm Events Database, and each date opens the federal record of that event.

WhenEvent Place namedHarm What the report says
July 2017Flash FloodKanab$200,000Heavy rain over Kanab produced widespread flash flooding across the town. Multiple businesses suffered flood damage and approximately 20 homes had some mud or water in their basements. Many roads were flooded, and one drainage canal suffered damage.
August 2003Flash FloodKanab$50,000Flash flooding occurred in Johnson Canyon just east of Kanab, washing out a bridge and creating some road damage.
September 1998Flash FloodKanab$30,000no account filed
September 1997Flash FloodKanab$30,000no account filed
September 2023Flash FloodKanab$25,000Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument Kanab Visitor Center officials reported flash flooding in the town, with local streets flooded and covered with mud and debris, resulting in closure of a few streets. Creeks through town were overflowing across roads at culverts, and in one spot, Kanab Creek was overflowing across the road with water approximately 9 to 12 deep. Dirt roads on the outskirts of town were impassable. Additionally, Kane County Sheriff's office officials reported that several homes had some minor basement flooding. This flooding is the result of strong thunderstorms in the area, with Multi-Radar Multi-Sensor estimates of approximately 0.75 to 1.50 of rainfall in around 3 hours.
September 2004HailKanab$20,000no account filed
September 1997FloodKanab$5,000no account filed
July 2001Flash FloodKanab$1,000Flash flooding was reported in most canyon from Kanab to Lake Powell, with the heaviest flooding along Paria and Warm Creeks. Several roads were washed out.
July 2018Flash FloodKanab-Heavy rain resulted in flash flooding in the city of Kanab. The water made several city roads impassable, and they were temporarily closed.
July 2017Flash FloodKanab-A large flash flood was reported in Johnson Canyon, particularly in the upper drainage portion of the canyon.
July 2014Flash FloodKanab-A flash flood was reported in lower Johnson Canyon after estimated rainfall of more than 2 inches.
August 2013Flash FloodKanab-Flash flooding was reported in the Johnson Canyon area, as well as Lick Wash. In Lick Wash, hikers scrambled out of the wash for an hour and a half to get away from the flood waters.
August 2012Flash FloodKanab-Flash flooding was reported in Johnson Canyon, with a park ranger in the area calling it an average-sized flash flood.
September 2011Flash FloodKanab-A Kanab Visitor Center ranger reported a large flash flood in upper Johnson Canyon.
July 2006Flash FloodKanab-3ft of water rushing through Buckskin Gulch...a slot canyon off the Paria River.
August 2006Flash FloodKanab-Flash flood in the Paria River drainage damaged Cottonwood Road. Flow rate in the area increased from 2 CFS to 1054 CFS in one hour.
August 2005Flash FloodKanab-Road to Whitehouse Campground washed out...near HWY 89.
October 2005Flash FloodKanab-Road washed out in Hog Canyon
April 2005Heavy RainKanab-no account filed
June 1998Thunderstorm WindKanab-no account filed
October 1997HailKanab-no account filed
September 1997HailKanab-no account filed

Every storm recorded in Kane County

Nearest settlements

The eight closest, with where each one stands in the county. Distances are straight-line, computed from the Geographic Names Information System coordinates.

Map PlaceDistance Sheets
Mount Carmel Junction14.7 miles15
Mount Carmel15.6 miles15
Orderville16.8 miles15
Glendale19.0 miles15
Alton27.0 miles14
Long Valley Junction30.4 miles16
Paria33.6 miles19
Duck Creek Village33.6 miles19

Elsewhere

Matched on this settlement's Geographic Names Information System number rather than its name, so it cannot be a different place of the same name in another state.

Wikipedia article on KanabAn encyclopaedic summary. Its text is share-alike, so it is linked here rather than copied.
Wikidata item Q130069The structured record the population and elevation above come from. Public domain (CC0).

Provenance

This settlement is recorded in the Geographic Names Information System as feature 1429276. The sheet list is computed by point-in-boundary test against the United States Geological Survey's historical topographic inventory. Both are works of the United States government and carry no copyright under 17 U.S.C. 105.

Wildfire. Short, Karen C. 2022. Spatial wildfire occurrence data for the United States, 1992-2020 [FPA_FOD_20221014]. 6th Edition. Fort Collins, CO: Forest Service Research Data Archive. https://doi.org/10.2737/RDS-2013-0009.6 Collected with United States Government funding and usable without additional permissions or fees.

Mines and quarries. USGS Mineral Resources Data System (MRDS) https://mrdata.usgs.gov/mrds/ A work of the United States government, no copyright under 17 U.S.C. 105.

Storms. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/stormevents/ A work of the United States government, no copyright under 17 U.S.C. 105. Narratives are quoted verbatim from the National Weather Service report and are not edited or summarised.