There's no doubt that Utahns love Mitt Romney, but a closer look at his campaign finances shows just who loves him most.

While most top tier candidates get their money from ZIP codes like 10021 (New York) and 60614 (Chicago), Romney's top ZIP code is 84604 -- Provo, Utah.

The ZIP code is full of BYU professors (Romney's alma mater), CEOs (Romney's bread and butter), Mormons (Romney's religion) and of course Republicans. It also takes in wealthy areas like Provo's east bench and the Riverbottoms.

"It means two things, that there is wealth in the ZIP code and it's a natural base of support for Gov. Romney," said Kelly Patterson, director for BYU's Center for the Study of Elections and Democracy. "Politicians hunt where the ducks are."

The ZIP code has plenty of heavy hitters. Omniture CEO Josh James and his wife Cherie have given a combined $6,700, and Ethan and Ashley Willis, the CEO and president of Prosper Inc. respectively, have each given $2,300. The more than-$4,000 list of donors also includes a plethora of Nu Skin employees, from vice chairman Steve Lund to three members of the Roney family to two members of the Watson family.

Federal law limits individual contributions to $2,300 per election. For example, County Commissioner Steve White could give Romney a maximum of $4,600, half for the primaries and the other half for the general election. White has donated $250.

He sees Romney as a "right down the middle of the road conservative Republican" who can get centrists to vote GOP. As to why 84604 is bringing in so much money, he says it's players like the Romneys who are bringing local energy into the campaign.

The fact that local fundraising can bring in big dollars is a result of shifting wealth and social networks across the country, Patterson said. Big money donors are no longer concentrated in major metropolitan areas.

The Covey family is another example of those winning political friends and influencing people. A private fundraiser for Romney was held at the Provo home of Stephen Covey recently and records show Stephen, Sandra, John and Jane Covey have each previously given $2,300.

Utah as a state is giving more than ever to presidential politics and Provo's 84604 isn't alone is high ranking ZIP codes. Salt Lake City is Romney's fifth-highest and Alpine's 84004 comes in seventh. The state as a whole ranks 34th in population but 14th in campaign contributions, giving more money per capita than all but three states.

White figures Romney has a "50/50 shot of winning the presidency" with the first big test coming in the South Carolina primary on Jan. 19.

Patterson says Romney is a legitimate contender.

"Gov. Romney is in the game. There's no question he's in the game."

Calls and e-mails from the 84604 ZIP code to the Romney campaign or comment on this story went unreturned.

• Joe Pyrah can be reached at jpryah@heraldextra.com.