Community Characteristics
The Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute produces insights for communities throughout the state and state-level insights into our changing household and population.
Featured Research
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Salt Lake City Data Book 2025: Utah’s Capital City Demographic Resource
Salt Lake City accounted for 6.1% of Utah’s overall population in the 2019-2023 American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates. These 5-year estimates serve as the denominators for the percentages presented throughout this book and are presented for this reason.
Salt Lake City Demographic Changes: 2019 to 2023
Salt Lake City’s population grew 4.5%, from 200,546 to 209,606 residents, between 2019 and 2023 (1.1% annually).
Salt Lake City Data Book: Utah’s Capital City Demographic Resource
Created to inform decision-making in city government, this data book provides insights into Salt Lake City’s population and households at two levels: city council districts and census tracts.
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).
Salt Lake City’s Racial and Ethnic Groups: A Detailed Analysis
Salt Lake City’s population includes a vibrant mix of racial and ethnic groups. Analysis of racial and ethnic subgroups, made possible by a new 2020 census data product, provides insight into Salt Lake City’s changing cultural communities.
