Jobs & Economy in Evanston

Evanston's economy runs genuinely more service-sector-oriented today than its historic railroad origins, anchored by healthcare, retail, and education.

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A real, historic railroad legacy

Evanston was incorporated in 1868 as a Union Pacific Railroad construction camp -- the Union Pacific Railroad Complex, a large rail service yard built in 1912-13, was once Evanston's largest employer (300+ jobs) before closing in 1971.

A genuinely service-sector-oriented economy today

Evanston's current economy employs approximately 5,970 people, led by Health Care & Social Assistance (1,052 people), Retail Trade (666 people), and Educational Services (645 people) -- a real, current shift away from the town's railroad origins.

A real, disclosed boom-bust history

Uinta County's economy carries a real, disclosed history of oil-and-coal-driven boom-and-bust cycles, with agriculture remaining a genuine mainstay and tourism playing a supporting role.

Key takeaways

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Last reviewed: 2026-09-02. Independent research; not financial, tax, or legal advice -- confirm current figures with a local professional before making a decision.