Kingston, Utah

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Kingston is a town in Piute County, Utah, in the United States. The population was 142 at the 2000 census.

1 Geography
2 Demographics
3 Creation
4 Functions
5 Administration
6 Organizational history
7 Town council presidents (mayors)
8 External links

[edit] Geography

Kingston is located at 38°12′27″N, 112°11′12″W (38.207524, -112.186668)^GR1.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 13.8 km² (5.3 mi²), all land.

[edit] Demographics

As of the census^GR2 of 2000, there were 142 people, 47 households, and 38 families residing in the town. The population density was 10.3/km² (26.7/mi²). There were 59 housing units at an average density of 4.3/km² (11.1/mi²). The racial makeup of the town was 98.59% White, 0.70% from other races, and 0.70% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.70% of the population.

There were 47 households out of which 31.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 80.9% were married couples living together, and 19.1% were non-families. 19.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 2.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.02 and the average family size was 3.50.

In the town the population was spread out with 29.6% under the age of 18, 6.3% from 18 to 24, 22.5% from 25 to 44, 26.1% from 45 to 64, and 15.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 108.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 112.8 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $23,750, and the median income for a family was $27,083. Males had a median income of $16,667 versus $16,750 for females. The per capita income for the town was $12,492. There were 22.0% of families and 32.8% of the population living below the poverty line, including 51.4% of under eighteens and none of those over 64.

[edit] Creation

Kingston is named for Thomas R. King, who moved from Fillmore, Utah to Piute County, Utah with his five sons and their families specifically to find a place where they could establish a United Order. In the 1870s Brigham Young was encouraging communal living in United Order communities. The King families' United Order functioned from 1876 to 1883. Kingston town was incorporated September 21, 1926 in order to facilitate the public services and leadership which municipal governments provide.

[edit] Functions

Utah municipal governments perform numerous functions, including the maintaining of law and order, guarding public health and sanitation, managing public services and promoting community development. The Kingston town council has focused much energy on maintaining a municipal water system. The council has managed the upkeep of the town cemetery and a land fill site. They have organized community beautification and clean up projects, maintained a park, and contracted for public utilities and services. The town council has supported or sponsored holiday celebrations for July 4th and Christmas.

[edit] Administration

A town board president (or mayor) and four trustees provide leadership for Kingston. The board president, who is elected by general municipal election, is the chief executive officer. He presides over council meetings and supervises all other city officers. He signs all city ordinances and official contracts on behalf of the city. The town council functions as a legislative governing body for the community, and is responsible for all aspects of community management, such as appointing officials, levying taxes, establishing a budget, maintaining public services and utilities, and regulating activity within the community.

[edit] Organizational history

During the 1960s and 1970s the Kingston town council hired a town clerk. Whether or not the council appointed any other municipal offices or continued to maintain the clerk is not apparent from the minutes and ordinances available.