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
Economic Impacts from Utah Retirement Systems 2024 Pension Payments
Utah Retirement Systems distributed $2.1 billion in defined benefit pension payments to 72,400 Utah residents in 2024, generating 7,200 jobs with $377.5 million in earnings and $828.8 million in state GDP.
Utah/Federal Government Nexus Data Summary: Travel and Tourism Industry
In FY2024, over 1,200 federal employees worked in tourism-related jobs in Utah, including 658 in leisure and hospitality (includes national parks and recreation jobs) and 605 at the Federal Aviation Association (FAA).
Utah/Federal Government Nexus Data Summary: Defense in Utah
Approximately 55,000 defense employees work in Utah, consisting of federal defense civilian employees (over 19,000), military personnel (almost 16,000), and employees of private defense contractors (roughly 20,200).
U.S. Census Bureau Estimates by County, Metropolitan, and Micropolitan Areas, 2024
Each year, the Census Bureau produces population estimates at varying levels of geography. The Census Bureau's most recent release on March 13, 2025, provides population estimates with components of population change for counties, metropolitan areas, and micropolitan areas in the United States and Puerto Rico.
Utah/Federal Government Nexus Data Summary: Utah Public Lands
The federal government owns 64.4% of Utah’s total land area (35.0 million out of 54.3 million acres). The federal government holds in trust for tribal nations an additional 4.5% of the state’s land.