Ogden (/ˈɒɡdən/ OG-dən) is a city in and the county seat of Weber County,[6] Utah, United States, approximately 10 miles (16 km) east of the Great Salt Lake and 40 miles (64 km) north of Salt Lake City.

[7] The city served as a major railway hub through much of its history,[8] and still handles a great deal of freight rail traffic which makes it a convenient location for manufacturing and commerce.

Ogden is also known for its many historic buildings, proximity to the Wasatch Mountains, and as the location of Weber State University.

Ogden is a principal city of the Ogden-Clearfield metropolitan area, which includes all of Weber, Morgan, Davis, and Box Elder counties.

Originally named Fort Buenaventura, Ogden was the first permanent settlement by people of European descent in what is now Utah.

In November 1847, Captain James Brown purchased all the land now comprising Weber County together with some livestock and Fort Buenaventura for $3,000 (equivalent to $98000 in 2023).

Ogden is the closest sizable city to the Golden Spike location at Promontory Summit, Utah, where the first transcontinental railroad was joined in 1869.

"[12] Railroad passengers traveling west to San Francisco from the eastern United States typically passed through Ogden (and not through the larger Salt Lake City to the south).

Renowned Danish impressionistic writer Herman Bang died in Ogden in 1912 during a lecture tour in the United States.

Some of its 1,128 acres (456 ha) have been converted into a commercial and industrial park called the Business Depot Ogden, colloquially known as "BDO".

On September 17, 2024, the National Park Service announced that Ogden had been named a World War II Heritage City.

Rain is provided in the form of infrequent thunderstorms during summer, usually between late July and mid-September during the height of monsoon season.

The Pacific storm season usually lasts from about October through May, with precipitation reaching its peak in spring.

[27] The city council members are Bart Blair, Angela Choberka, Dave Graf, Richard Hyer, Shaun Myers, Ken Richey, and Marcia White.

The Ogden City government operates on a budget of $267 million per year and employs over 600 full-time workers.

[29] In addition to providing the usual municipal services, the government promotes business and economic development.

[31][32] A proposed streetcar connecting downtown to Weber State University has attracted considerable attention but only limited support.

[33] A major controversy flared up in 2005–07 when the mayor and many others pushed unsuccessfully for construction of a luxury residential development on public land in Ogden's foothills and a new ski resort in the mountains above the city, to be accessed by a pair of aerial gondolas.

Weber School District serves areas outside of the city limits,[43] even if they have "Ogden, Utah" postal addresses.

As the principal city of the 2nd largest MSA in Utah, Ogden serves as an economic hub for the northern part of the state.

Much of the central city is occupied by offices of federal, state, county, and municipal government entities.

The Internal Revenue Service has a large regional facility in Ogden and is the city's largest employer with over 5,000 employees.

[44] Other large employers include McKay Dee Hospital, Weber State University, Ogden City School District, Autoliv, Fresenius, and Convergys.

State Route 39 runs east–west through the city as 12th Street, and continues eastward through Ogden Canyon providing access to Pineview Reservoir and the mountain and ski resort town of Huntsville.

The OGX bus line operates between Ogden Central Station and Weber State University (WSU).

Historically, Ogden Union Station served as a hub for frequent trains going northwest to Portland, Oregon, and Seattle, Washington, and east to Chicago.

As of May 2022, both Allegiant and Avelo ceased service, citing rising costs and dropping ticket sales, in addition to expanded availability of air carriers at Salt Lake International airport just 35 minutes south.

Popular sites for cross-country skiing include Snowbasin and Weber County's North Fork Park.

[51] Weber State University fields several intercollegiate athletic teams that attract spectators from among residents.

[53] The Ogden City Mall (which has since been replaced by The Junction complex) featured in the video of the pop music hit "I Think We're Alone Now" by Tiffany Darwish.