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 production, distribution, and analysis of their product.
We are your demographic resource.
Insight: How do the new U.S. Population Projections Compare to Utah’s?
By: Mike Hollingshaus The U.S. Census Bureau recently published new long-term population projections for the United States to 2100, along with scenarios. The Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute publishes population projections for Utah and its 29 counties. Our most recent baseline long-term planning projections and to 2060 were published last year. […]
Opportunity Knocks: The Fiscal Impacts of Declining School-age Population in Utah
Utah’s changing demographics, marked by a projected decline in the school-age population, present unique fiscal impacts and opportunities for state and local leaders.
New Utah: Keepers of the Flame Summary Document
As keepers of the flame, Utahns entrust those in public service with the responsibility to keep Utah strong and flourishing. Utah leaders’ guidance of the New Utah will determine the state’s future success. This summary presents evidence for the New Utah. It also shares ideas on what leaders can do today to keep Utah’s flame burning bright long into the future.
The New Utah: Keepers of the Flame Monograph
As keepers of the flame, Utahns entrust those in public service with the responsibility to keep Utah strong and flourishing. Utah leaders’ guidance of the New Utah will determine the state’s future success. This summary presents evidence for the New Utah. It also shares ideas on what leaders can do today to keep Utah’s flame burning bright long into the future.
Insight: Utah’s Household Trends: A 2020 Census Perspective
By: Eric Albers and Heidi Prior Hello, fellow Census data enthusiasts! Today, we are exploring Utah’s households, armed with the newest 2020 Census DHC Data. The household landscape changed quite a bit over the past decade. Here are some of the highlights from our newest Fact Sheet. […]
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.
Insight: Migration’s Contributions to Population Growth
By: Mike Hollingshaus A new fact sheet explores net migration’s cumulative effects on Utah’s projected population growth – without it, Utah’s population would include 1.4 million fewer residents in 2060. Natural increase (births minus deaths) and net migration are the two sources of growth. Both have been important in Utah’s past, but recently net migration has become more prominent. That trend will likely continue, though our projections maintain positive natural increase in Utah through 2060. […]
Insight: Working from Home in Utah
By Heidi Prior The COVID-19 pandemic significantly accelerated growth in the number of Utahns who work from home. Between 2019 and 2021, Utah’s home-based workforce nearly tripled, and the share of workers based at home rose from 7.4% to 20.0%, according to the 2021 1-year data from the American Community Survey. […]
Fact Sheet: Utah’s Home-Based Workers
The COVID-19 pandemic significantly accelerated growth in the number of Utahns working from home. In 2021, 1 in 5 (20%) Utahns worked from home, compared with fewer than one in thirteen (7.4%) in 2019.
Insight: New Detailed Race and Ethnic Group Insights from 2020 Census
By: Mallory Bateman and Heidi Prior Today the Census Bureau released new data on racial and ethnic groups, providing insights into 300 detailed race and ethnic groups and over 1,100 American Indian and Alaska Native tribes and villages. This data was collected as part of the 2020 census and comes from <a href="https://www.census.gov/newsroom/press-releases/2023/2020-census-detailed-dhc-file-a.html">the Detailed Demographic and Housing Characteristics File A (Detailed DHC-A</a>).<!--more--> When you filled out your 2020 census questionnaire, you were given the opportunity to provide additional detail describing both your racial and ethnic identity. For example, after checking the box for Black or African American, an individual[...]