It is projected that Washington County's population will be over 600,000 in the year 2040 if the 100-year growth rate continues.  If you look at the past 30 year's growth rate, the population would be significantly greater.  The county has 1,555,873 acres of land and is divided into three main categories:   Private:  17.5% - Federal:  76.4% and State:  6.1%.    The majority of land is held by the government, but there is still plenty of private land available.  It is estimated that only about 9% of the potentially developable private land (225,000 acres) in the county has already been developed.

If there are about 120,000 residents on 20,000 acres now (about six per acre) a rough calculation indicates that about 600,000 people would be on approximately 100,000 acres.   That would only represent about 44% of the county's available land.   Even with the county reaching the projected population growth by 2040, with the large amount of private land still undeveloped, the population increase should not cause overcrowding.   The county will be able to accommodate many future residents.

Ken Sizemore, Five county Association of Governments Director Community and Economic Development states, "I anticipate that the entire corridor will eventually fill in.  The "south bloc" around the new airport site will develop.   The "Ledges" between St George and Winchester Hills will develop.  The Sand Hollow region will develop.  The Washington Fields will develop.   Apple Valley in incorporating.  I do not foresee any major impediments to the growth rates we are experiencing."

Some new development already started or in the planning stage include:

The Ledges:

The Ledges of St. George is a 1,093-acre development on Highway 18 in the Snow Canyon/Winchester Hills area.  It will have 2,500 residential units surrounding a 7,145 yard Matt Dye-design championship golf course.

The Ledges is perfectly situated among some of Mother Nature's finest work, offering amazing vista combined with dynamic architecture and one of the finest golf courses in the entire southwest region.  Also present, The Ledges, will have an almost limited list of amentities, including a full-service spa, fine dining, exercise and fitness facilities and much more. 

Hidden Valley:

Ivory Homes will soon build a residential community of almost 1,000 residences on 360-acres of trust land two miles southeast of the Bloomington interchange on Interstate 15.   It will include a mix of single family homes, patio homes, town homes and apartments.   It will also have a park, a site for an elementary school, a community center and an urban trail system.  This project is scheduled to open Fall, 2006.

Sand Hollow Resort:

A 27-hole public play course on an 800-acre development just west of Sand Hollow Reservoir.  When completed, the development will have approximately 1,800 dwellings ranging from condominium and town homes to custom golf course estate homes.  It will also include vacation villas with a spa resort.

McNeil Project:

A 2,300-acre project which is located on the Winding River property just to the north of the Sand Hollow Reservoir.  It will include an 18-hole public play course designed by Robert Trent Jones and between 7,000 to 10,000 home sites.   Upscale commercial development along SR9 will also be developed.

Summit Hurricane Development Group:

A 560-acre area to the east of Sullivan's Knoll is an expansion of the current Painted Hills development, will be developed for 1,800 home sites and a Jack Nicholas 18-hope public play golf course.

Copper Rock Golf Course:

In the south fields, scheduled to break ground this year on approximately 782 acres to the west of Sky Ranch.   Check back here for updated information on this new development.

The Mosaic:

A planned development of between 1,300 and 1,800 home sites will be built on the La Verkin Overlook in La Verkin.   Many of these sites will have a panoramic view of Zion National Park.

Washington Fields:

Three planned events will have a major impact upon the continued growth of the Washington Fields area.   These include:  the Southern Corridor, the airport and the additional road crossings over the Virgin River.   The city's general plan can be found at:  www.washingtoncity.org/communitydevelopment/