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: Comparing Census Bureau and Utah Population Committee, 2025
Two primary sources of state and county-level population estimates in Utah are the Utah Population Committee (UPC) and the U.S. Census Bureau. This fact sheet summarizes the differences between the Census Bureau and Utah Population Committee estimates for Utah counties.
Starting Out in Salt Lake City: Data on Young Adults
Over 1 in 6 Salt Lake City residents are between 18 and 24 years old, shaping the city through distinct housing, employment, and college enrollment patterns.
Commuting in Utah: 2024 Travel Times
Utahns benefit from shorter commute times than the rest of the nation, with only 14 other states reporting faster average daily commutes. About 7 in 10 Utah commuters (70.5%) report traveling to work in under 30 minutes, with a statewide average travel time of 23.2 minutes. However, daily commutes are gradually growing longer, matching national increases since 2021.
Northwest Valley Datapoints: Northwest Valley Housing
Northwest Valley includes 107,480 total housing units, comprising 42% of Salt Lake County’s housing units and 16% of the state's housing units. Across communities, the housing stock ranges from 44,073 housing units in West Valley City to 10,149 units in Kearns.
A Deeper Dive into Utah 2065
The Long-Term Planning Projections provide insights into age, employment, and growth at the state and county levels over the next four decades.
Northwest Valley Datapoints: Northwest Salt Lake County Health
The Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute has authored “Northwest Valley Datapoints,” a series of fact sheets designed to inform local decision-makers and community partners in Northwest Salt Lake County. This third installment explores health metrics for the region, including access to health care, health outcomes, and social drivers of health.
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.
