Vernal, Utah Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Vernal, Utah had a total population of 10,392, the 65th largest city in Utah, with a median household income of $64,457, which is 32% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 17.9%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 32% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Unemployment rate of 8.7% is notably above the national average.
Vernal Quick Facts
How Vernal Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 10,254 | 10,392 | +1.3% |
| Median household income | $59,178 | $64,457 | +8.9% |
| Median home value | $234,200 | $252,700 | +7.9% |
How Vernal Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 41 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Vernal Rankings in Utah
Explore Utah Rankings
Other Cities in Uintah County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maeser | 4,435 | $83,813 | 7.7% | $341,200 |
| Naples | 3,285 | $97,865 | 3.1% | $304,800 |
| Ballard | 1,803 | $87,037 | 11.9% | $272,200 |
| Fort Duchesne | 271 | $42,596 | 23.6% | $200,000 |
| Jensen | 258 | $2,499 | 39.9% | N/A |
| Lapoint | 122 | N/A | 0.0% | $231,800 |
| Whiterocks | 117 | N/A | 0.0% | N/A |
| Randlett | 116 | $28,583 | 70.7% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Vernal
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ivins | 9,998 | $78,089 | $594,000 | 48.1% | 11.8% |
| Riverdale | 9,279 | $67,323 | $395,200 | 21.5% | 11.1% |
| Hyrum | 10,401 | $88,725 | $422,600 | 33.7% | 8.6% |
| Tremonton | 11,477 | $74,741 | $364,900 | 16.3% | 10.2% |
| Washington Terrace | 9,182 | $80,119 | $353,900 | 23.1% | 6.5% |
Population Overview
Vernal is a small city located in Utah, within Uintah County. The total population is 10,392. It ranks as the 65th most populous out of 326 Census-designated places in Utah.
Age Demographics
The median age in Vernal is 29.6 years. This is 7% lower than the state median of 32.0 years. With 33.2% of the population under 18, Vernal has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Vernal is $64,457. This is 32% lower than the state median of $95,166. It is also 20% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 17.9%. This is 110% higher than the state poverty rate of 8.5%. The unemployment rate is 8.7%. This is 145% higher than the state rate of 3.6%. The median home value is $252,700. Housing costs are 48% lower than the state median of $489,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.9x. 54.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 22% lower than the state average of 70.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Vernal is White (non-Hispanic), making up 78.5% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 10.7%. The Black or African American population (0.2%) is well below the state average of 1.1%. The Asian population (0.1%) is well below the state average of 2.4%.
Education
14.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 63% lower than the state rate of 37.7%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 87.4%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Vernal, Utah is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against Utah state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 326 Census-designated places in Utah. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Vernal, Utah?
Vernal, Utah has a population of 10,392 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Vernal, UT?
The median household income in Vernal is $64,457, which is 20% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Vernal, UT?
The poverty rate in Vernal is 17.9%. This means approximately 1,794 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Vernal, Utah?
Vernal's population is 78.5% White, 0.2% Black, 10.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.1% Asian.
What is the median home value in Vernal, UT?
The median home value in Vernal is $252,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.9x.
How educated is Vernal, Utah?
14.0% of adults (25+) in Vernal hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 3.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.