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
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 [...]
Fact Sheet: U.S. Census Bureau 2014-2018 5-Year American Community Survey Estimates
Today marks the release of the 2014-2018 5-Year American Community Survey (ACS) Estimates. The ACS is an ongoing survey that provides information on social, demographic, and economic characteristics of communities. The ACS began in 2008 and replaced the Census Long Form in 2010. Each year, the Census Bureau provides a new update to both the 1 and 5 Year Estimates. This is the second release shared on the new data.census.gov platform.
State and County Population Estimates for Utah: 2019
The Utah Population Committee (UPC), chaired by the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute, produced Utah’s state and county population estimates for July 1, 2019. The 2019 estimates are based on the most recent Decennial Census (2010). Each subsequent year since 2010 the UPC estimation process becomes more challenging and uncertain. The upcoming 2020 Decennial Census will serve as the baseline for population estimates moving forward.
Demographic County Profiles by Age, Sex, Race and Ethnicity, 2010–2018
The Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute produces an annual suite of detailed population estimates. These control to official numbers published by the Utah Population Committee. The Census Bureau produces similar population estimates that are used for federal purposes. Our estimates incorporate local data sources and knowledge to account for unique Utah characteristics, and also add additional detail. They are generated using statistical models including the Utah Demographic and Economic Model (UDEM).
Demographic Profile: State of Utah Population by Age, Sex, Race and Ethnicity, 2010–2018
Utah’s 2018 population was estimated at 3,116,647. Between 2010 and 2018, it grew by 394,274, representing an average annual percentage growth rate of 1.7 percent. The state remains relatively young with 29.7 percent of the population being preschool or school age (under 18), compared to 10.9 percent of retirement age (65 and older).
Fact Sheet: Utah State and County Annual Population Estimates by Single-Year of Age, Sex, and Race/Ethnicity: 2010-2018
Utah’s population continues to diversify. Between 2010 and 2018, the share of the population identifying as minority (something other than non-Hispanic White alone) increased from 19.5 to 22.0 percent. But, these patterns differ by geography. In 2018, the minority share of each county ranged from 5.4 percent in Morgan County to 56.1 percent in San Juan County.
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 [...]
Race/Ethnicity in the Wasatch Front Labor Force: An Equal Employment Opportunity Analysis
Utah’s racial and ethnic diversity continues to increase, along with the rest of the nation. Currently, 1 in 5 Utahns identify as racial minorities, increasing 3.5 percentage points from 2016. However, state level analysis can mask county and region-level variation. For example, in the Wasatch Front region, minority identification is closer to 1 in 4 at 23 percent, and Salt Lake County is 29 percent minority. This information is useful, but how do these trends influence the region’s labor force? Does the Wasatch Front labor force look the same as their total population? How are occupations distributed among different races [...]
