Blog Post

By: Mike Hollingshaus

Note: The opinions expressed are those of the author alone and do not reflect an institutional position of the Gardner Institute. We hope the opinions shared contribute to the marketplace of ideas and help people as they formulate their own INFORMED DECISIONS™.

The Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute has just published population estimates for each county by sex and race/ethnicity for single-year age groups up through 2019.  These estimates are part of our annual suite of population products, and add racial/ethnic detail to our previously-released 2019 estimates. The seven racial/ethnic groupings include non-Hispanic White, Black or African American, American Indian or Alaska Native, Asian, Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, and two or more races; and Hispanic.

Accurate population estimates are always critical for informed planning, but the COVID-19 pandemic has shined a brighter spotlight on their importance. The Coronavirus has disproportionately impacted minority populations. A robust and equitable response that meets the needs of all Utahns demands detailed data on our population’s underlying demographic characteristics.

The pandemic also reinforces our need for a good and complete Census count. The 2020 Census is still underway. Please remember to fill out you census form, and encourage others to do the same. The count will affect research, planning, funding, and representation for the next decade; and provide important historical records for future generations.

Mike Hollingshaus is a senior demographer at the Kem C.  Gardner Policy Institute.