Migration and Commuting
Reports included in this section utilize data from the American Community Survey to highlight how Utahns move, whether for work or in moving to a new home.
Demographic Impacts of Zero Migration in Utah – A Projection Scenario
Net migration has become a more dependable contributor to population growth in Utah. A simulation of zero migration highlights what those contributions are—with Utah’s projected population being 1.4 million less, or 23% smaller, than the 2021 Vintage baseline projected population in 2060.
Characteristics of Utah’s Migrants: A 2021 Update
In 2021, the magnitude and characteristics of Utah’s migrants shifted from the 2014-2018 pre-pandemic period. Changing population dynamics during the COVID-19 pandemic, such as increasing telework, increasing uncertainty, and changing housing market conditions, helped drive these shifts.
Utah’s County-to-County Migration Profiles
Utah counties experience unique balances of in- and out-migration, flowing from both other states and neighboring counties.
The Geography of Utah’s Migration: A County Level Analysis
Utah counties experience unique balances of in- and out-migration, flowing from both other states and neighboring counties.
Insight: County Migration Patterns are Not the Same as State Migration Patterns
By: Emily Harris and Heidi Prior 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™. When people find out that we study Utah’s migration patterns, they immediately ask “Is it really all Californians moving to Utah?”. And the not-so-straightforward answer is (like it is for most demographic questions) “Well, it depends.” If you live in Cache County, you are going to see different sources of migrants than[...]
Moving Past Net Migration: Demographic Characteristics of Utah’s Recent Migrants
Migration is becoming a more reliable component of Utah’s population growth. Migrants are demographically different from the rest of Utah, contributing to the changing demographics of the state.
Moving Toward 2020: Utah Commuting Patterns, 2000 to 2010
As Utah’s population has grown and changed, housing developments, employment opportunities, and communities have expanded, and so have the commuting patterns of the employed workers who call Utah home. Analysis of recent county-to-county commuting data demonstrates that Salt Lake County remains the economic hub for the state, even as employment has expanded elsewhere in Utah. This finding is reinforced by an interchange score analysis which quantifies the strength of commuting relationships between partner counties across the state. The scores reveal that while Salt Lake County has several strong commuting partners, important commuting ties are also present in other parts of[...]
Utahns on the Move: State and County Migration Age Patterns
Utahns are on the move. Approximately one in every six Utahns changed residences in 2016, mirroring a national trend of high mobility. As the Utah economy has grown, diversified, and become more globally integrated, the state has emerged as a net in-migration destination. Utah migration patterns vary over time and by geography (counties). Migration is also impacted by economic performance and structure, natural resources (including recreational), and major events (such as the Olympics). In this report, we provide analysis of Utah’s migration history, signature migration characteristics for the 2000-2010 decade, and county migration trends by county typology and stages of[...]