Demographics
The Gardner Institute provides demographic decision support to the Utah State Legislature and Office of the Governor. We produce population estimates and projections, as well as applied demographic research focused on Utah. We represent the state in work with the Census Bureau, including the State Data Center Program and Federal-State Cooperatives for Population Estimates and Projections. We work with the Census Bureau in the production, distribution, and analysis of their product.
We are your demographic resource.
Featured Research
State and County Population Estimates for Utah: 2025
Estimates produced by the Utah Population Committee indicate a total Utah population of 3,551,150 as of July 1, 2025, representing an increase of 44,351 residents since July 1, 2024. These estimates reflect a continuing moderation of growth since 2023.
Northwest Valley Datapoints: Northwest Salt Lake County Demographics
Northwest Valley, home to 331,328 Utahns, includes five communities ranging in size from 36,000 residents in Kearns to nearly 140,000 in West Valley City. Between 2020 and 2024, populations grew in Magna and the west side of Salt Lake City but declined slightly in Kearns, Taylorsville, and West Valley City.
Fertility Rates in Flux: A County-Level Analysis of Utah’s Fertility Rates, 2013-2023
The impacts of Utah’s nearly continuous fertility decline since 2008 vary throughout the state. Most county fertility rates remain above the replacement fertility of 2.1, but approximately two-thirds of Utah’s counties experienced significant declines.
Utah 2065: Long-Term Planning Projections
Utah’s demographic and economic future will be marked by significant growth and change. Over the next four decades, projections indicate that Utah’s population will increase from nearly 3.6 million residents to 5.6 million, an increase of 2 million people (the approximate size of Idaho today).
Commuting in Utah: Commuter Flows Between Utah’s Counties, 2017-2021
Most Utahns live and work in the same county; however, between 2017 and 2021, 17.3% of the state’s working residents traveled to a different county for employment.
Northwest Valley Datapoints: Northwest Salt Lake County
The Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute releases “Northwest Valley Datapoints,” a series of fact sheets designed to inform local decision-makers and community partners. This first installment provides a geographic overview of the region.
U.S. Census Bureau Estimates for Age, Vintage 2024
Utah remains the youngest state in the nation, with a median age of 32.4. In Utah, children under 18 still outnumber retirement-age residents, but this is no longer true in six of the state’s counties: Daggett, Garfield, Grand, Kane, Piute, and Wayne.
U.S. Census Bureau Estimates for Race and Hispanic or Latino Origin, Vintage 2024
Utah’s population continues to become increasingly racially and ethnically diverse. In 2023, 24.8% of Utahns identified as a race or ethnicity other than non-Hispanic White.
