The University of Utah’s Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute, housed in the David Eccles School of Business, is Utah’s premier economic and public policy research institute. We develop and share economic, demographic, public finance, and public policy research that sheds light and helps state leaders make informed decisions. We serve as a vital gathering place for policy leadership that benefits all Utahns.
The University of Utah’s Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute, housed in the David Eccles School of Business, is Utah’s premier economic and public policy research institute. We develop and share economic, demographic, public finance, and public policy research that sheds light and helps state leaders make informed decisions. We serve as a vital gathering place for policy leadership that benefits all Utahns.
Recent Research
Fiscal Contrast: An Analysis of State and Federal Fiscal Processes
States and the federal government both employ sovereign fiscal powers to tax, spend, and borrow, although their fiscal approaches differ starkly.
Salt Lake County’s Life Sciences and Health Care Innovation Industry
Life sciences and health care innovation plays a vital role in Salt Lake County’s economy, supporting employment, generating earnings, and boosting GDP.
Exploring Utah’s Asian Groups: A Detailed Analysis
More than 125,000 Utahns identify as Asian, either alone or in combination with other races. These residents compose the state’s 3rd largest racial and ethnic group, accounting for more than 3.8% of the state’s population.
The Evolving Landscape of Utah’s Short-Term Rental Market
Short-term rental (STR) growth accelerated dramatically across the United States as the COVID-19 pandemic shifted consumer behaviors, thus increasing their market demand. This report summarizes the recent trends in the growth of STRs across Utah and how this growth relates to the total housing supply.
Utah Small Area Diabetes Risk Profiles
The Utah Small Area Diabetes Risk Profiles are based on the Health Improvement Index (HII), 2022, and is a measure of health equity developed by the Utah Department of Health and Human Services. Areas with high and very high HII scores are characterized by social and economic disadvantage.
Recent Insights
Demographic Insight: Demographic Characteristics of Salt Lake City In-Migrants
In 2022, Salt Lake City attracted approximately 44,000 in-migrants. These new residents represent 21% of the city’s total population (204,653). This is much larger than the 3% statewide share of in-migrants.
Demographic Insight: Utah’s California In-Migrants
Utah’s largest source of domestic in-migrants come from California, surpassed only by international migrants. One of every five Utah in-migrants moved from California in the most recent data.
Policy Insight: Utah’s Diverse Energy Portfolio
Utah possesses diverse energy resources ranging from crude oil and natural gas in the Uinta and Paradox Basins to renewable energies such as solar, wind, geothermal, hydro, and biomass.
Health Insight: Medical Inflation – Where Are We Now?
Given concerns about overall economic inflation, it may be surprising to learn that medical inflation is slowing and is currently approaching some of the lowest levels in history.
Demographic Insight: New 2018-2022 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates Released
The Census Bureau recently released the newest 5-year estimates from the American Community Survey (ACS).